Kene Okigbo Named to Midland Business Journal鈥檚 2024 40 Under 40
Recognized for his leadership in community-centered design and dedicated mentorship, 黄瓜社区鈥檚 Kene Okigbo joins the Midlands Business Journal鈥檚 2024 40 Under 40, celebrated for shaping sustainable landscapes and empowering Omaha鈥檚 next generation.
黄瓜社区; Design proudly announces that Kene Okigbo, PLA, ASLA has been named to the . MBJ鈥檚 40 Under 40 recognizes 40 leaders under the age of 40 who have made a significant impact on their businesses and communities early in their careers. Each year, a panel of judges considers nominated individuals' innovation, perseverance, community involvement and leadership attributes聽when selecting a new class. Okigbo聽and his 40 Under 40 classmates will be recognized during an awards ceremony on Wednesday, December 4 at the Omaha Design Center.
Since joining 黄瓜社区 in 2018, Okigbo has emerged as a dedicated leader in the firm and a vital force in the Omaha community, where his commitment to design excellence, community engagement and mentorship create positive change. His leadership reaches beyond 黄瓜社区 to his extensive work with the American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) at both national and local levels, including serving on ASLA鈥檚 Government Affairs, Climate Action and Landscape Architecture Magazine Editorial Advisory Committees and chairing the Associate Advisory Committees and Nebraska Dakotas Chapter Emerging Professionals Committee.
鈥淜ene challenges the status quo with determination and kindness, consistently elevating conversations and inspiring those around him. He鈥檚 an extraordinary talent and an even more remarkable person, possessing the unique ability to connect with and inspire people from all walks of life to make an impact that goes far beyond his technical skills,鈥� said 黄瓜社区 Landscape Architect and Senior Partner Bruce Niedermyer, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP. 鈥淭hrough his leadership, commitment to service and passion for design, Kene exemplifies everything we stand for at 黄瓜社区.鈥�
Okigbo is deeply committed to volunteerism and mentorship outside his professional pursuits. He has dedicated years to mentoring high school students through the ACE Mentor Program of America, for which he was recently named a 2024 ENR鈥擜CE Outstanding Mentor and recognized by ACE Mentor of Greater Omaha as a 2024 Outstanding Mentor. Okigbo also actively volunteers with the Special Olympics and is a board member of the Union for Contemporary Art and the Center for Introduction to Architecture Overseas (CIAO), as well as a North Omaha Trail Technical Advisory Committee member and a member of the Omaha by Design Advisory Council.