Legacy in Action: Itzel Lopez is Shaping Omaha’s Future from the Ground Up

Some leaders make noise. Others make systems move.

Itzel Lopez is one of those leaders who doesn’t just show up — she builds up. With every connection she forms, every table she joins, and every initiative she launches, she’s creating lasting change for Omaha’s Latino community.

She’s not just part of the conversation — she’s shaping the blueprint for what community-powered economic development looks like. And she’s doing it with vision, grace, and unapologetic commitment.

More Than a Connector — A Force of Strategy & Heart

Itzel is widely known for her ability to move between rooms — from corporate boardrooms and government spaces to grassroots coalitions — and speak the language of both strategy and community.

As a DACA recipient and seasoned fundraiser, her lived experience informs every campaign she supports and every initiative she leads. She's not fundraising for optics — she’s fighting for resources that will unlock doors for others.

In 2024, her work was recognized with the Aspire to Inspire Award, and it couldn’t have come at a more fitting time.

Latino Economic Development Council: A Vision in Action

As one of the founding leaders of the Latino Economic Development Council (LEDC), Itzel has helped build an institution that does more than advocate — it activates.

LEDC’s mission is clear: create the economic infrastructure Latinos in Omaha need to not just survive, but thrive.

From its inception, LEDC has:

• Recruited a powerhouse board of business & community leaders

• Cultivated national partnerships

• Sold out its first Adelante Gala

• Secured $25 million in state funding for a trio of transformational projects in South Omaha

And at the center of it all? A deep belief that South Omaha deserves the same investment, visibility, and celebration as every other part of the city.

Reimagining Plaza de la Raza

One of LEDC’s most ambitious initiatives is the revitalization of Plaza de la Raza — a culturally sacred and economically strategic space in South Omaha.

Located at 24th & N Streets, the Plaza has long been a central gathering space for events like Cinco de Mayo, yet lacked long-term investment.

Thanks to Itzel’s leadership and collaboration across city, state, and community partners, Plaza de la Raza is being transformed into:

• A walkable, inclusive outdoor gathering space

• A hub for cultural celebration and small business growth

• A model of what community-first urban redevelopment can look like

The impact? Over 5,000 residents within walking distance will gain access to a reimagined plaza, along with new infrastructure and a deepened sense of belonging.

Itzel Lopez Omaha: Legacy as a Daily Practice

For Itzel Lopez, Omaha is more than a place she serves — it’s the community she’s committed to transforming every single day. Legacy isn’t some distant, post-retirement goal — it’s a daily practice of showing up, advocating fiercely, and ensuring others are never left behind.

Her mission is to reduce disparities and close opportunity gaps for historically underrepresented communities — and her method is through systems, strategy, and shared vision.

She is not waiting for change. She’s creating the conditions where change has no choice but to happen.

Support the Work

This May, as part of our Legacy Builders series, we’re celebrating leaders like Itzel — and raising funds through the Embolden Patio Party on Thursday, May 29 to continue uplifting local entrepreneurs.

🎟 [Get your ticket or donate now →] Every dollar goes toward scholarships, tools, and resources for Omaha’s underrepresented founders.