Full Name
Vicki Quaites-Ferris
Job Title
68111
Company
EN
Speaker Bio
Vicki Quaites-Ferris joined the African-American Empowerment Network in 2009 and currently serves as the Vice President of Community Development. The Empowerment Network is a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the quality of life and economic position of African-Americans, residents of North Omaha and citizens of the Greater Omaha area. Vicki is responsible for the day-to-day operations of The Network, engaging in strategic planning and fostering community partnerships, including initiatives like the North Omaha Village Revitalization Plan, while facilitating multiple covenant meetings. She has been instrumental in the Step-Up Omaha! Youth Employment Program that serves to provide job training and work experience to nearly 8,000 youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 21 years old and the Empowerment Network’s Omaha 360 Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) initiative, nationally recognized, and is currently being implemented in several communities across the United States.
With nearly 40 years of experience, Vicki brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the government, marketing, operations, event planning and human service industry. Prior to joining the Empowerment Network, Vicki served as Deputy Assistant to Mayor Mike Fahey. In her capacity, Vicki researched, analyzed and evaluated community initiatives, reports and studies, briefed and advised the Mayor on City and community issues and, collaborated with City Departments on various projects, studies, ordinance and initiatives. She also worked with neighborhood associations, community organizations; handled police complaints and constituents’ concerns, coordinated Town Hall meetings and served on a number of boards and committees.
In 2015, Vicki served on the Council Bluffs Law Enforcement Center Community Study Group that provided recommendations to the City of Council Bluffs for the location and space needs of a proposed new law enforcement center that is now completed and operational. In 2016, Vicki Co-Chaired the MAPA Heartland 2050 Equity and Engagement Committee and served for seven years in that capacity. Vicki recognizes that fostering a region characterized by equity, inclusion, and diversity is not only a sound business strategy but also a response to the ongoing demographic transformation in the Omaha/Council Bluffs Region. She believes our top priority should be addressing inequities related to income, housing, education, health, and employment within the minority and underserved communities. By doing so, we have the potential to generate an economic gain of nearly $4.8 billion for the Omaha/CB region, as highlighted in the 2018 Equitable Growth Profile.
Vicki has played a pivotal role in community events, serving as the Facilitator for the 22nd Biennial Native Omaha Days Planning Committee. This remarkable event attracted thousands of locals and visitors to North Omaha, making it the largest Native Omaha Days celebration to date. Additionally, Vicki has been the dedicated Event Manager for Christmas in the Village since its inception bringing in thousands of individuals from all across the country. Her passion lies in collaborating with others to transform plans into impactful actions, turning visions into reality!
Vicki currently serves on the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) Heartland 2050 Regional Planning Advisory Committee, MAPA Coordinated Transit Committee and the Salvation Army North Corps Council.
Vicki has presented at PolicyLink Equity Summit, PowerNetworking Conference, MAPA Heartland 2050 and United Way of the Midlands Equity Symposium, UNO National Council of Negro Women, Neighborhood USA Conference, CHI Health Immanuel Leadership Retreat and many other national and local summits and conferences. She is a recipient of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) Omaha Local Chapter’s Legacy Award in Economics, MAPA Regional Citizenship Award recipient, the Urban League of Nebraska African American Leadership Awards and the Omaha/Council Bluffs Metropolitan YMCA Black Achiever in Business and Industry Award. Vicki was also featured in the September/October 2023 Metro Magazine “Women Who Wow.”
Vicki’s past board and committee affiliations include Metro Area Planning Agency Board (MAPA); METRO Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) Stakeholder Committee, Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association; Destination Midtown; Keep Omaha Beautiful; Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance (OHKA); Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless (MACCH) and Executive & Steering Committee Member for the Greater Omaha Chamber North Omaha Development Project.
Vicki is a native Omahan and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Wayne State College. She is married to Jason “Jay” Ferris and enjoys traveling, cooking/baking, watching her grandkids play sports and family gatherings.
With nearly 40 years of experience, Vicki brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the government, marketing, operations, event planning and human service industry. Prior to joining the Empowerment Network, Vicki served as Deputy Assistant to Mayor Mike Fahey. In her capacity, Vicki researched, analyzed and evaluated community initiatives, reports and studies, briefed and advised the Mayor on City and community issues and, collaborated with City Departments on various projects, studies, ordinance and initiatives. She also worked with neighborhood associations, community organizations; handled police complaints and constituents’ concerns, coordinated Town Hall meetings and served on a number of boards and committees.
In 2015, Vicki served on the Council Bluffs Law Enforcement Center Community Study Group that provided recommendations to the City of Council Bluffs for the location and space needs of a proposed new law enforcement center that is now completed and operational. In 2016, Vicki Co-Chaired the MAPA Heartland 2050 Equity and Engagement Committee and served for seven years in that capacity. Vicki recognizes that fostering a region characterized by equity, inclusion, and diversity is not only a sound business strategy but also a response to the ongoing demographic transformation in the Omaha/Council Bluffs Region. She believes our top priority should be addressing inequities related to income, housing, education, health, and employment within the minority and underserved communities. By doing so, we have the potential to generate an economic gain of nearly $4.8 billion for the Omaha/CB region, as highlighted in the 2018 Equitable Growth Profile.
Vicki has played a pivotal role in community events, serving as the Facilitator for the 22nd Biennial Native Omaha Days Planning Committee. This remarkable event attracted thousands of locals and visitors to North Omaha, making it the largest Native Omaha Days celebration to date. Additionally, Vicki has been the dedicated Event Manager for Christmas in the Village since its inception bringing in thousands of individuals from all across the country. Her passion lies in collaborating with others to transform plans into impactful actions, turning visions into reality!
Vicki currently serves on the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) Heartland 2050 Regional Planning Advisory Committee, MAPA Coordinated Transit Committee and the Salvation Army North Corps Council.
Vicki has presented at PolicyLink Equity Summit, PowerNetworking Conference, MAPA Heartland 2050 and United Way of the Midlands Equity Symposium, UNO National Council of Negro Women, Neighborhood USA Conference, CHI Health Immanuel Leadership Retreat and many other national and local summits and conferences. She is a recipient of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) Omaha Local Chapter’s Legacy Award in Economics, MAPA Regional Citizenship Award recipient, the Urban League of Nebraska African American Leadership Awards and the Omaha/Council Bluffs Metropolitan YMCA Black Achiever in Business and Industry Award. Vicki was also featured in the September/October 2023 Metro Magazine “Women Who Wow.”
Vicki’s past board and committee affiliations include Metro Area Planning Agency Board (MAPA); METRO Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) Stakeholder Committee, Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association; Destination Midtown; Keep Omaha Beautiful; Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance (OHKA); Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless (MACCH) and Executive & Steering Committee Member for the Greater Omaha Chamber North Omaha Development Project.
Vicki is a native Omahan and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Wayne State College. She is married to Jason “Jay” Ferris and enjoys traveling, cooking/baking, watching her grandkids play sports and family gatherings.
Speaking At
