Meet Our Staff
Diane Riibe, Executive Director
Diane has led Project Extra Mile since its inception in 1995. Her vision and unparalleled passion for preventing underage drinking have helped Project Extra Mile to expand its efforts to cover more than half of Nebraska's population.
Diane served on the MADD National Board of Directors from 1994-98, serving as the organization's vice-president of public policy for two years. She lobbied members of Congress in favor of lowering the blood alcohol content limit from .10 to .08 and was invited to the Rose Garden for President Clinton's signing of the federal law.
Diane has extensive experience in media and policy advocacy which has resulted in a number of recognitions, including the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) Public Service Award, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety's State Highway Safety Champion Award, the Nebraska Family Council's Living Epistle Award and Nebraska Future Business Leaders of America's Business Person of the Year.
Diane's two decades of experience and knowledge has garnered national media attention to the issue, including interviews with C-Span's Washington Journal, The New York Times, Washington Post, America's Voice, the Oliver North Radio Program, and the Sally Jesse Raphael Show. She served as a keynote speaker at the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, and addressed the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association, the American Medical Association's Policy Conference, the OJJDP National Leadership Conference, the American Public Health Association's national conference and various traffic safety, prevention and public health state conferences.
Cassandra Greisen, Associate Director (Omaha)
Cassie, from Columbus, Nebraska, began working with Project Extra Mile in 2005 as a project coordinator in Fremont overseeing efforts in Dodge, Saunders and Washington Counties. In 2008, she became the associate director in the Omaha office where she works closely with the project coordinators and helps to oversee statewide activities. She conducts media interviews to facilitate media advocacy efforts. Cassie currently is working to establish a statewide network of community advocates who will implement proven strategies to create a community consensus that underage drinking is illegal, unhealthy and unacceptable. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and advertising from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and in 2011, she obtained her Master of Public Administration degree. She has presented to countless adult audiences including health educators and community and civic groups.
Nicole Carritt, Policy & Research Specialist (Omaha)
Nicole joined Project Extra Mile in April of 2011. Prior to joining Project Extra Mile, Nicole worked as the Director of a local public health agency in Iowa utilizing proven methods and strategies to improve the health and well-being of the county’s residents. Nicole has a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Wayne State College and a Master’s Degree in Public Health with an emphasis in administration from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Lori Atkinson, Administrative Assistant (Omaha)
Lori joined Project Extra Mile in August 2011. Prior to joining Project Extra Mile, Lori taught 8th grade English with Omaha Public Schools for nine years. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Lori is also the co-founder/director of the John Atkinson Lung Cancer Foundation, a 501c (3) organization, and a mother of three children.
Lanette Richards, Project Coordinator (Scottsbluff)
Lanette coordinates the community coalition and youth efforts in Scotts Bluff County. Before joining Project Extra Mile in 2003, Lanette was the executive director of the North Platte Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Lanette received an Associate of Science degree in business from Western Nebraska Community College.
Beatha Kliewer, Bookkeeper (Pierre, SD)
Beatha has worked with the Project since 2001 when she started as an administrative assistant. Following time at home with little ones, she now serves as the Project's bookkeeper. Beatha earned her Associate of Arts degree in biblical studies from Grace University in Omaha.