Ideologix Insights is a nonpartisan data analytics science lab (The Lab) that measures social interest and specifically the ideologic landscape of the Nation starting in its home state of Nebraska. Founded and led by Heather Nelson, a serial entrepreneur and college professor; she tapped John Collard as the Chief Technology Officer.Poll The Vote is a suite of communication tools supporting civic and community engagement powered by the Ideologix Insights lab. It equally amplifies voices, collects public sentiment and supports transformative representation. As the proprietary Poll The Vote software was created, it was identified that decision makers in our lives such as business owners, corporate leaders, Academic researchers in higher education and even organization directors can utilize the system to represent their people, utilizing the features to conduct market research, share information and cultivate new and existing relationships.Why Poll The Vote?Nelson created the software that she wanted to use as an individual voter looking for a new way to get involved, with the opportunity for voices to be heard at a 1-to-1 level, but anonymously tabulated into peer groups (for example, for each State Senator's district) and to have access to factual information. Nelson desires to improve the ability for our elected officials to reach and represent their people, and in real time beyond election night. Let's POLL together, so we can PULL together!

Provide Academic Instruction coupled with Real-World Experience for the College of Business, Department of Marketing & Entrepreneurship (M&E). Develop and deliver technologically advanced active learning material to engage students. Mentor, encourage and lead students for success with high focus for retention and persistence to completion prior to and during pandemic. MBA, Undergraduate, Kidz Biz Camp instruction. On Campus, hybrid and remote modalities. Courses: Instruction and Curriculum Development with Experiential Learning activities. Entrepreneurial Selling (ENTR 4760, MRKT 4760, BSAD 8766), New Venture Formation (ENTR 4730), Principles of Marketing (MRKT 3310), Special Topics in Event Planning (MRKT 4000)Service Learning Academy: Partnered to expand student learning into the entrepreneur and non-profit community for direct engagement with local leaders representing diversity initiatives. Maverick Philanthropic Initiative grantee, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Summer 2022, Fall 2022.Awards:5/22: Adjunct of the year, Department of Marketing & Entrepreneurship6/22: Student Division “Gold” Award, AMA Omaha Pinnacle Awards for Omaha Freedom Festival campaign

When not in the classroom, provides custom consulting services to entrepreneurs, corporations and non-profits as subcontractor to include: feasibility study, business planning, strategic planning, financial forecasting, concept design, strategic and tactical marketing, branding, target market identification, market research, marketing collateral, marketing promotion needs, social media marketing training and management, event planning, tourism/travel marketing, grant writing/management and execution (experienced with Facebook Digital Promise, USDA, SBIR, SBA, ARPA, private/community foundations).

Launched MCC's Entrepreneurship Program to educate and serve its 4 county region of: Douglas, Sarpy, Washington and Dodge. Managed grant funding, programming, adjunct mentorship, dual credit, community outreach (Nebraska Entrepreneur Educator Training, Heartland Student Entrepreneur Conference), statewide partnerships with all State College & Universities through the Nebraska Entrepreneur Task Force.Instructed 6 regular for-credit entrepreneur course offerings in multiple modalities (on campus, online, remote, hybrid). All courses use technology and reinforce present day principles such as business sustainability, corporate governance and social entrepreneurship. Students can take individual course(s) for immediate knowledge integration into real small businesses in operation and/or can earn program awards (Certificate and Associate Degree track focus) or embed classes into their chosen skill area across campus. Created program entitled, "Champions for Entrepreneurship" to infuse entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity across the campus working with peer faculty from other disciplines. Received national grant funding from the Coleman Foundation to establish program. In 2009, the American Association for Community Colleges (AACC) named the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Task Force (NET Force) model one of the best for entrepreneurship education and training in the Nation. In 2010, Nelson was honored by her peer educator members at the National Association for Community College Entrepreneur (NACCE) conference with an award for Marketing & Growing a program. Courses: feasibility planning (market research), tactical market planning, funding and business plan preparation.

John R. Maenner Distinguished Professor (2007) after leading a group of students to win a global contest sanctioned by The Kingdom of Morocco to create an Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) plan to leverage the then-newly in acted Fair Trade Agreement with the United States bringing awareness for offshoring and outsourcing to U.S. based businesses. Toured the Kingdom with the students on behalf of the Moroccan American Trade Investment Center (MATIC), making presentations to the Minister of Trade and the U.S. Ambassador to Morocco.Continued to travel Morocco with a U.S. Peace Corp. volunteer specializing in small business to provide expert business knowledge to female artisans. Toured struggling cooperatives, farms and local businesses to work first hand with owners specifically on marketing initiatives and product distribution.Assisted business faculty with program planning for new Entrepreneur Track to be offered as an optional focus area within the Master's in Business degree.Coordinated statewide entrepreneur educator training through the Partnerships for Innovation grant, enabling secondary and post-secondary educators in Nebraska to complete a graduate course in entrepreneurship.

Successfully Managed and Lead Omaha State Bank's Branch System (now known as Core Bank), consisting of 5 retail locations, and performed liaison needs and duties with The Executive Management Team to achieve corporate goals. Strategically planned the direction of the Branch System by analyzing the market, to continuously provide technologically advanced products and services and garner new market share.Total Performance Management of the branch system including bottom-line profit, employee relationships, customer service, new business development, loan portfolio quality and growth, sales program, area marketing and promotion, public relations and regulatory compliance.Employee Development and Training to engage and motivate staff for performance success and career enhancement. Major areas of training include: professional and career development, calling officer/networking skills, retail sales, consumer lending (financial, credit and risk analysis), negotiation, team building and customer service. Performed as a Full Lender and Calling Officer, developing new residential and commercial opportunities around the branch locations. Specialize in residential new construction and permanent mortgage needs, by building referral resources and servicing a loyal customer base. • Promoted to and defined a new Branch System Manager position due to bank growth.• Implemented: Mortgage Loan Referral Program, Sales Program, New Manager Training, Management Trainee Program and Floating Team to enhance profit and service culture.• Consistently out performed branch lending staff in the area of new business generation. • Chosen to open and assist in building the newest branch by management• Achieved branch profitability after 9 months versus an 18 month goal • Youngest bank officer appointed by Omaha State Bank

Supervised a staff of six employees in the daily operations of a branch facility. Major responsibilities included: cash management, consumer loan origination, opening new accounts and the successful completion of department referrals (to mortgage lending, commercial banking and trust services).• Promoted to Branch Supervisor after successful completion of college intern program during junior year of College. Received undergraduate degree from UNL while working full time• The first Personal Banker at Union Bank to achieve loan underwriting authority• Continuously met and exceeded department goals