Introducing ICAN’s Next Inspiring Leader: Aileen Warren

ICAN and its Board of Directors are pleased and honored to announce the organization’s next President and CEO, Aileen Warren.

Warren will start in the role on January 24, 2022, succeeding Susan Henricks who has served as ICAN’s President and CEO since 2014 and announced in 2021 her intention to retire. Warren was selected after a formal search process and exploration of candidates by a search committee lead by current ICAN Board Chair, Shasta Wragge of Bank of the West.

“I am so excited to announce Aileen as our next President and CEO! Her knowledge of the organization will provide her a deep understanding of where we have come and what the future of ICAN can be,” Wragge shares. “She possesses many of the core competencies the board and search committee asked for in our next ICAN leader. Throughout Aileen’s amazing career, she has always had a passion for the development of others including through management in training programs, providing guidance to leaders on performance issues, mentoring women throughout the community, and more.”

Aileen Warren takes the helm with a strong history and connection to the organization, having been involved in various ways since 1996. A long-time member of the ICAN Board of Directors, she recently completed her second 6-year term of board service for a total of 12 years and rolled off the Executive Committee of the Board at the end of 2021. An ICAN graduate of the INFLUENCE program, member of the ICAN Leadership Award selection committee, speaker at ICAN events, and Co-Chair of the 2010 ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference mark other notable ICAN engagements.

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity. I feel my history with ICAN as well as my professional experiences provide me with a unique perspective to lead and grow this dynamic organization,” states Warren. “As an advocate for leadership and professional development, I am looking forward to working with the staff, board members and area companies to continue ICAN’s inspiring, impactful and life changing work.”

Warren is a seasoned business executive and community leader, both of which bring immense value to ICAN and its mission to develop inspired, authentic leaders to transform the organizations and communities they serve. She joins ICAN after serving as associate vice chancellor and executive director of human resources for University of Nebraska Medical Center since December of 2014. Her 30+ year career also includes serving as vice president of human resources at First Data (now Fiserv) and in positions at MFS Communications and First National Bank of Omaha. Warren holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification and a Certificate in Organizational Development from the Fielding Institute.

Her experience as a human resources professional leading HR functions within businesses, in particular, will bring an important perspective to the work of ICAN which includes serving individuals and organizations of all types in developing leaders for the evolving business and cultural needs of the future, investing in talent pipelines, and engaging in credible and meaningful leadership development programs, conferences and experiences. Strengths she will carry into the position include operational oversight, talent management, training, employee engagement, management consulting, communication, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

She is deeply rooted in the Greater Omaha Community, with a history of community leadership positions and active service on many boards. Warren’s recent public service includes President of the Women’s Fund of Omaha, the Omaha Home for Boys Board Executive Committee, current service as President of the Omaha Downtown Rotary and member of the Urban League of Nebraska Guild.