Kimara Snipes is a nationally recognized community engagement strategist and the Executive Director of One Omaha, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering people where they live through neighborhood-based infrastructure, resident leadership, and co-designed solutions.

With nearly 20 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors, Kimara specializes in asset-based community development, authentic engagement, and building systems that shift power to residents. Her work focuses on moving beyond traditional outreach to create what she calls “decision infrastructure” - making sure community voice directly informs planning, investment, and policy.

Under her leadership, One Omaha has launched and expanded initiatives such as neighborhood mini-grants, resident-led data collection, and community interpretation labs, all designed to center lived experience and strengthen neighborhood ownership. She has partnered with local and regional agencies to design engagement strategies that are not only inclusive, but actionable.

Kimara also serves as Vice President of the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education, where she brings her expertise in community engagement, governance, and equity to one of the largest school districts in the region.

A dynamic and relatable speaker, Kimara is known for her ability to translate complex systems into practical, people-centered approaches. She challenges audiences to rethink engagement - not as a checkbox, but as a tool for building trust, shifting power, and creating lasting impact.