Speakers

Senator Machaela Cavanaugh represents Legislative District 6, Omaha, in the Nebraska Legislature, where she serves on the Appropriations and the Performance Audit Committee. Notably, she made history in 2019 as the first lawmaker to breastfeed her newborn on the floor of the Nebraska Unicameral. Her policy agenda prioritizes funding and services for developmentally disabled individuals, support for human rights including LGBTQ and women’s reproductive rights, childcare and child welfare enhancements, and family leave policies. Senator Cavanaugh led efforts to investigate and end the privatization of child welfare in Eastern Nebraska and continues to advocate for improvements in this area.

In 2023, Senator Cavanaugh supported the LGBTQ+ community with an 80-day filibuster in opposition to Legislative Bill 574 prohibiting gender-affirming care for trans youth. The filibuster’s aim was to slow down and stop LB 574, a bill prohibiting gender affirming care for trans youth.

With nearly 20 years of experience in community engagement and public affairs, Senator Cavanaugh has served in various roles including at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, Opera Omaha, and the American Province of the Servants of Mary. Her interest in policy was sparked during her time as a Staff Assistant for U.S. Senator Ben Nelson in Washington D.C.

Senator Cavanaugh holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of St. Thomas and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is actively involved in organizations such as the Don’t Legislate Hate PAC, Women Who Run, Inclusive Communities, and the Preschool Advisory Committee at Morning Star Preschool.

Senator Cavanaugh resides in the Peony Park Neighborhood with her husband Nick Brotzel and their children, Della, Harriet, and Barrett. She is the daughter of former U.S. Congressman John Cavanaugh and is dedicated to serving her constituents and advancing progressive policies.

Mike serves as the Chief Operating Officer at the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Industry. Prior to his time at the Nebraska Chamber, Mike spent 16 years with Anheuser-Busch leading Brewing departments and owning operational efficiency and product costing for the world’s most recognizable beer brands across the US and Canada. Mike earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

Skip Bailey Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Retired)

Skip Bailey is the Assistant Director for Flight Training, Chief Ground Instructor, and Flight Team Head Coach for the University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute. His duties include instruction of all pilot certification courses, mentoring and supervision of flight students and managing the contract flight instructors. He has taught Human Factors in Aviation, Advanced Air Transport Operations, Private Pilot Theory, Instrument Theory and Advanced Aircraft Systems. Additionally, he is tasked with continuing to improve the safety, quality, competence, and professionalism of UNO flight students.

Skip has a bachelor’s degree in public affairs with a concentration in criminal justice from Indiana University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina.

Prior to working at UNO, Skip was a pilot in the United States Air Force. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in May of 2016 after over 25 years of service with more than 5,200 flight hours in the KC-135, EC-135, KC-10, and E-4B.

Skip, his wife Sherry and their three kids, Nick, Beth and Tori have been stationed in Arizona, South Carolina, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, and Nebraska.

Skip has traveled to 38 countries on every continent except Antarctica.  He flew 5 Secretaries of Defense all over the world and spent 4 years as the Commander of ROTC Detachment 630 at Kent State University in Ohio as part of his many jobs in the Air Force. 

Skip was deployed 5 times for various operations including Operation Southern Watch, Operation Allied Force, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and a year in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he was the Deputy Commander at Shindand Air Base.

During his career, Skip earned many awards including the Bronze Star, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Air Medals, 5 Aerial Achievement Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Skip is currently a member of the Papillion-LaVista School Board and is currently in his 5^th year.  He has served as the Vice President and President during his two terms.