Board & staff
alex rousseau, chairAlex was on staff from 2021-2022 and now serves as the board President. As a community development practitioner, he loves Lincoln and wants to see it thrive. As a follower of Jesus, he wants everyone to know they are loved and can have hope. With Atlas, both of these missions collide. The simple act of relationship is what changes a city - not necessarily today, but it will ripple out in decades to come. Alex likes playing board games, throwing parties, & laughing with friends & family. He is married to Alyssa, has three small children, and 8 ducks.
Dawn Kowalski, Board MemberDawn joined the board in 2024. She is married to Dan and has two sons. She has always felt called to help people. When she heard about Atlas and the way they help bring communities together, she knew she wanted to be a part of it. Communities like these helped to bring her adopted son, Shawn, into her life.
Darren Murray, board memberAfter serving on the Atlas: Lincoln staff as Volunteer Coordinator, Darren joined the board in 2024. At the Atlas office, he was known as "the man with many hats" as he could find and do anything that was needed at Atlas (or at least know someone who could). The first time Darren met with Brody and heard even more about the vision behind ATLAS, he was sold. Atlas is a boots on the ground ministry in my opinion. As a follower of Christ, he's seen firsthand how God uses His children to be the hands, feet, eyes and ears of Jesus. He is boots on the ground and Atlas facilitates this in more ways than one. Atlas encourages giving a "hand up", not just a "hand out" and he believes that Jesus modeled this with his disciples. There's more to say, (much more) but he was asked to keep it short.
In Christ, entrust all. |
Dan waters - treasurerDan is the owner of Decks Unlimited and Deck City in Lincoln. Husband of Kim Waters and father of Madison. He is active at F Street Neighborhood Church, where he likes to help others and make connections. In his free time, Dan enjoys fishing, foraging, hunting, and board sports. Dan has always been looking for a non-profit that is based on an individual basis. He believes the key to helping people is personal relationship and Atlas does a great job of this. There are so many miracle stories of people's lives changing, even if just for a short time. We never know how far the ripple effect will go by just helping one person at a time.
tammy Schomerus, board memberTammy was born in Georgia and raised in Mississippi, where she grew up serving in various roles within the Baptist Church. After earning her B.S. in Special Education from Mississippi State University, Tammy taught in the Lee County School System for 17 years. Following retirement, she volunteered and later worked part-time at the REACH Center for the Blind, which introduced her to the Lions Club. Through the Lions Club, Tammy helped raise funds to provide glasses and hearing aids for those in need. This work eventually brought her to Nebraska in 2012, where she completed an apprenticeship with the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and later worked part-time for the agency. Tammy became active at First Baptist Church of Lincoln, serving on the Mission Team and embracing the many ways to serve in the community. In 2024, Tammy entered a new chapter by marrying John Schomerus, and together they are committed to continuing a life of service.
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Brody Van Roekel, DirectorBrody grew up in Sioux Center, IA, where the first ATLAS was founded, and moved to Lincoln in 2018 to help establish Atlas there. He currently serves as the director of Atlas Lincoln. In addition, he is active on the Board of Directors for several local organizations. Brody is also attending Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK, and is under care for ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He serves as a Chaplain Candidate with the Nebraska Army National Guard. Living relationally has always been central to Brody’s life, and he finds purpose in meaningful, diverse connections. Passionate about reaching marginalized populations, he is driven to empower others with hope and the tools for lasting change.
Sonya turco, direct service advocateSonya lives in Lincoln with her son and two dogs—Zach, my rescue Doberman and mobility dog, and Gia, my German Shepherd. She's been active in both Doberman and German Shepherd rescue, where she learned powerful parallels between dog rescue and God’s gift of salvation. After living in Minnesota for 18 years (Go Vikings!), she moved back to Lincoln in 2014. She's always loved talking to people—so much so that friends tease her about chatting too long at gas stations while traveling. About four years ago, God began growing in her a deep love for people who are deeply broken. Sonya came to realize we’re all broken in different ways, and she felt called to help. Recently, God answered that prayer by opening the door for her to serve as a Direct Service Advocate at Atlas—all glory to Him!
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edwin quintanilla, community engagement coordinatorEdwin was born in Los Angeles and moved several times before his family settled in Lincoln, NE when he was 8. Shortly after, he was connected with a mentor through Heartlands Church, who later officiated his wedding to his wife, Ella. That mentoring relationship has lasted nearly 20 years, and Edwin now gives back by mentoring youth at Heartlands. He grew to love the neighborhood through a little free pantry built by the youth group, which became a place to connect with people. This experience sparked his interest in nonprofit work, eventually leading to an opportunity at Atlas through Alex Rousseau. In his free time, Edwin enjoys playing Magic the Gathering at local card shops, fly fishing in Colorado, and carving wooden spoons. If you have spare wood, he’ll gladly take it—even if it means adding to the backyard pile that frustrates his wife.
"Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you. " - Dallas Willard. 
hollie sell, office managerHollie was raised in central Nebraska in a "small town" (it's known as a village). She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Family Life & Counseling. She moved to Lincoln in 2020 and have loved the city and its people since. When she's not at Atlas, Hollie's reading (one of her favorite hobbies), hanging out with friends, watching movies, or at F Street Neighborhood Church. God led her to F Street looking for an internship, which later led her to Atlas. Hollie loves working here and meeting all the people that come through the door. She has always had a heart for listening and relationships with others, which made Atlas a perfect fit!
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OUR HOPEThat we would provide a space for people to come in their time of need
That people would find Atlas as a place of truth and love, acceptance and direction, grace and mercy That all of us would pursue vibrant and growing relationships with the community, each other, and Christ most importantly |
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