Winnie L. Callahan, Ed.D.
Executive Director
The Peter Kiewit Institute

Winnie Callahan has served as Executive Director of The Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) and Assistant Vice President of the University of Nebraska Foundation since PKI’s inception in 1997. While overseeing PKI, Winnie has been instrumental in helping develop partnerships with more than 800 businesses. In addition, she works closely with the Scott Technology Center, USSTRATCOM’s Global Innovation and Strategy Center and local as well as national leaders to promote economic development and entrepreneurship. Prior to her tenure with PKI, Winnie has served as a teacher, a building principal and assistant superintendent. She also served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Nebraska Omaha where she taught both graduate and undergraduate courses in the College of Education. Winnie herself holds an undergraduate degree from Winthrop University, and masters and doctorate degrees in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska. Winnie has served on a wide array of community boards and has been elected president of several. She is a frequent speaker locally and nationally on topics related to building excellence in education and fields of engineering, technology and telecommunications. Winnie’s numerous recognitions include the Nebraska Literacy Award, the YWCA’s Outstanding Woman of Distinction Award, and the Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor. She served for three years as a consultant to Walt Disney on numerous educational videos using Disney characters to portray difficult Math and English concepts to young children. Most recently, Winnie received the University of Nebraska’s Alumni Achievement Award and was honored as the West Point Society of Nebraska’s “Distinguished Citizen 2007”.