Laurel Oetken

About Laurel Oetken

As Chief Executive Officer for Open Range, I\'m passionate about building a startup ecosystem in the Omaha and Lincoln community that empowers founders, connects builders to resources, and creates new pathways to start, build, and scale something here. With a background that spans tech and startup leadership, public-private partnerships, and nonprofit work, I bring a collaborative and strategic approach to growing the tech, startup, and innovation sector. Whether I’m advocating for smart policy, designing programs that help founders scale, or connecting industry leaders, my focus is on creating real impact, in the state I\'m the biggest advocate for—Nebraska (Go Big Red!). Outside of work, I stay active in my community through volunteer service, civic engagement, and mentorship. I believe strong communities and strong economies go hand-in-hand, and I’m committed to building both.Let’s connect if you\'re passionate about startups, innovation, collaboration, and making a difference in your community!

Experience

1. Chief Executive Officer

   Open Range

   Jan 2026 — Present · Omaha, NE, US

   Open Range is a new nonprofit built to reduce fragmentation, expand access, and grow a more connected, creative, and inclusive startup ecosystem in the Greater Omaha–Lincoln community.Despite the talent, capital, and creativity in our region, too many founders still face unclear paths, limited networks, and uneven access to resources.Open Range connects founders, funders, creatives, and institutions to ease friction, close gaps, and turn shared ideas into action.We don’t own the ecosystem. We open it.Open to all. Rooted in community. Built for bold ideas. We are Open Range.

Education

• MIT Sloan School of Management

  MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program, Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies

  2021 — 2023

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

Skills

• Customer Service
• Photoshop
• Client Correspondence
• Event Planning
• Executive Administrative Assistance
• Public Speaking
• Social Media
• Microsoft Word
• Team Leadership
• Indesign
• Photography
• Leadership Development
• Drafting Correspondence
• News Writing
• Team Management
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Office
• Executive Correspondence
• Videography
• Premiere
• Final Cut Pro