By Kelly Stenka
Helen Fagan, Ph.D., adjunct professor at Doane University, says she never works for recognition. Yet this year, her colleagues surprised her by nominating her for Nebraska’s 50 Over 50, an honor she describes as humbling.
“I never seek awards,” Fagan said. “I focus on the impact, whether in the classroom, through research, consulting or coaching. To even be thought of in this way is truly humbling.”
Fagan’s leadership journey began in the 1990s when, as an immigrant from Iran, she created diversity and cultural
competence programs at Bryan Health. Her personal experience shaped her efforts to support immigrant and refugee resettlement and to expand career opportunities for staff at all levels. Later, while raising her family, she earned a master’s degree from Doane and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska, where she researched how leaders develop inclusive mindsets.
Her work has come full circle at Doane, where she now teaches leadership courses that combine her research, consulting experience and practical strategies for inclusive leadership. This winter, she will teach Expanding Leadership Effectiveness, a class focused on fostering self-awareness, critical thinking and inclusive practices among students. Fagan also works with graduate students on assessments that help leaders rewire their brains for curiosity, reflection and non-judgment. Her teaching directly connects to her broader consulting work through Helen Fagan Associates.
Beyond the classroom, Fagan continues to influence leaders across Nebraska. Her initiatives have included pairing international and domestic students to work together in rural communities, training both students and local leaders in inclusive practices. Through her consulting firm, she advises organizations on evidence-based leadership development, always with the goal of creating people-centered cultures.
This fall brings two major milestones for Fagan. On Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m., she will host a public book launch and signing in Lincoln for her new release, Lead Like People Matter: What Emotional Intelligence and Neuroscience Reveal About Leadership. The book blends memoir and leadership research with practical tools, including reflective questions designed for individual growth or team dialogue. An audiobook version is also in development.
Then on Oct. 3, Fagan will take the TEDx Omaha stage with her talk, Mindsets Can Change Culture. The presentation explores how leaders’ perspectives shape organizational culture and influence every interaction within their organizations. “It’s about translating research into actionable insight and helping people see that culture starts with how they think and lead,” Fagan said. She hopes her TEDx talk will inspire leaders to embrace curiosity, inclusivity and reflection in ways that can transform communities.
Fagan’s vision remains clear. She wants to help leaders and the students she mentors at Doane lead with curiosity, inclusivity and a commitment to people. “Leaders set the tone that others follow,” she said. “If people truly matter, then we must live and lead as if they do.”
