Generations x Place

We all deserve a place to call home at every stage of life.

What if our neighborhoods were designed to support us as we age—so that more of us could stay in the communities we love? Generations x Place will bring together national expertise and local leaders to explore how Omaha can build homes and communities that support residents at every stage of life.

Join us on Wednesday, April 29th from 6–7:30pm at Omaha's new Central Library to discover what cities and states across the country are doing to expand housing options and build age-friendly communities. Through an expert presentation and cross-sector panel, you'll explore how home design, housing policy, and social connection all shape whether older adults can truly age in place—and what Omaha can do to meet the needs of its changing population.

Featuring AARP Government Affairs Director, Samar Jha, alongside local leaders who are working to meet the needs of older adults, this event connects the growing need for age-friendly housing to the broader supports an aging population depends on. Building on We Make Omaha’s community vision, Generations x Place will be a conversation about designing a city where residents of all ages can thrive.

About the Speaker

Samar Jha - Government Affairs Director, AARP

Samar Jha serves as a Government Affairs Director in AARP’s national government affairs team. Samar leads AARP’s local and state housing advocacy for their fifty-three (53) state offices, which includes the fifty (50) states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Virgin Islands. Samar is part of AARP’s housing core team and a tactic lead for AARP’s housing enterprise strategy. Samar represents AARP before local and state governing bodies and manages relationships with elected and appointed officials with advocacy on housing and livability policies that support AARP members. 

About the Panel

Ryan ZimmerMas, MPA - Senior Project Manager, Spark (Moderator)

Ryan ZimmerMas is Senior Project Manager at Spark, where he leads development of the North Omaha Trail and helps guide Spark’s Co‑Development program for emerging housing developers. In 2022, Ryan and Carolina Padilla launched the grassroots Housing Coalition for Older Adults. In 2026, Ryan, Carolina, and others helped launch Age Friendly Omaha, a citywide initiative to strengthen Omaha’s livability for all ages and to create Omaha’s first-ever age-friendly action plan.

Julie Kaminski - Senior Vice President & COO, Immanuel Communities

Julie Kaminski is the Chief Operating Officer for Immanuel Communities, a nonprofit provider of retirement living and senior care spanning a two-state region, including Omaha, Lincoln, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs. The organization’s mission is to serve seniors with compassion and devote resources to bettering our communities. She is passionate about older adults, aging services, and being a collaborative leader in the field.

Carolina Padilla - Founder, Intercultural Senior Center

Carolina Padilla is the founder of Omaha’s Intercultural Senior Center, a nationally accredited organization dedicated to enhancing the dignity and well‑being of immigrant and refugee older adults. Her leadership has transformed ISC into a vibrant hub offering advocacy, education, social services, and culturally rich programming for seniors from around the world. Guided by a lifelong commitment to service, Padilla continues to champion aging with dignity, community connection, and equitable access to resources.

Jessica Scheuerman - Founder & Executive Director, Partners for Livable Omaha

Jessica Scheuerman is a leader in advancing livable communities for all ages, with expertise in aging in place, community development, and cross-sector collaboration. A native of Omaha, she is passionate about helping her hometown adapt to demographic change and create communities where people of all ages thrive.

Todd Stubbendieck - State Director, AARP Nebraska

Todd Stubbendieck is a seasoned government affairs leader with more than 20 years of senior-level experience in policy, legislative strategy, and community advocacy. Based in Omaha, he is a leading voice for age-friendly housing and livable communities, working across sectors to ensure Nebraskans of all ages can thrive where they live.

About the Series

Conversations x Place is a series of events that invites national and local thinkers, leaders, and doers to share their perspective on how we can build a better city.

Language Accessibility

Spanish and ASL translation will be available on-site.

Transportation

Heartland Bike Share

The 72nd and Dodge Heartland Bike Share station is across the street.

Metro Bus Stops

The Central Library is served by an adjacent ORBT stop, as well as Metro bus routes 8, 18, and 120.

Parking Instructions

Parking is available at the library

PHOTO RELEASE:

At this event, photos and videos may be recorded. By attending this event, you may be included in these photos and videos. Your attendance at this event grants your permission to be in these photos or videos, which may be used for educational, archival or promotional purposes.