Wendy Birdsall was named Woman of the Year at the second annual Inspire Leadership Awards in 2016. She was serving as President of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce at that time, marking a milestone as the first woman to lead the organization.
“Winning the award made me aware of the importance of women role models and mentors in our community, helping lift women in business in our community,” Wendy recently commented. “I take every opportunity that I get to help other women around me to realize their strengths and leverage them to advance and enjoy their careers.”
Her own strengths are reflected in an extensive list of professional accomplishments.
Some of the highlights of Wendy’s career include successfully guiding Pinnacle Bank Arena-related legislation through local votes, leveraging organizational assets, and mobilizing members, young professionals and elected officials to advocate for the $340 million project. She served as a connector between Lincoln Public Schools, Southeast Community College and the Lincoln business community in the creation of the Career Academy, introducing high school students to a variety of career pathways. Additionally, Wendy recruited large events to our city, such as the 2010 Special Olympics National Games, the 2015 State
Games of America, and various NSAA State Championships. She shared some of the key lessons that helped guide her towards these successes:
Continuous Learning. Stay curious and committed to lifelong learning. Embrace new technologies, methodologies, and information relevant to your field.
Perseverance. Maintain a resilient mindset, learn from failures and keep pushing forward with determination. The best lessons come from your setbacks.
Collaboration. Foster positive relationships with colleagues, mentors and collaborators. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Adaptability. Industries evolve, and those who can adapt quickly to new circumstances and technologies often find greater success.
Learning from Challenges. Overcoming challenges can lead to greater resilience and problem-solving skills. Approach with a positive, solution-oriented mindset.
In 2021, Wendy concluded her 30-year distinguished career with the Chamber of Commerce, 15 of those as its president. She now has more time to enjoy reading, golfing, hiking and traveling. “Given that I am retired, my biggest decision is whether or not my next trip will be one centered around my dog!”
