Staff

REBECCA FIRESTONE, Executive Director

Working at the intersection of data, evidence and policy impact for over 20 years, Rebecca is an applied social scientist passionate about translating high-quality evidence in ways that decision-makers can quickly use to take action.

After a career spanning four continents, Rebecca joined OpenSky in 2022. She leads a team focused on policy development that promotes shared prosperity and opportunity for all Nebraskans. Before joining OpenSky, Rebecca supported research and evaluation initiatives at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and she served in leadership roles with Population Services International and the Harvard Global Equity Initiative. Rebecca holds a Doctor of Science in Health and Social Policy from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington and Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Asian Studies from Vassar College.

A native South Dakotan and proud Nebraska transplant after time on both coasts, Rebecca lives in Omaha, where she can often be found shuttling her son to school events or cooking extravagant meals. Contact Rebecca

 

JOEY ADLER RUANE, Policy Director

Joey leads OpenSky’s policy engagement with Nebraska’s Legislature and other outreach initiatives. Joey’s work in policy and outreach centers on a belief that an equitable tax system helps to ensure that all Nebraskans can succeed.

Prior to joining OpenSky, Joey worked as Director of Strategic Engagement for the Holland Children’s Movement. Before his work at Holland, Joey spent three years working in the State Capitol as a legislative aide.

Joey is an Omaha native living with his partner in Omaha along with their two cats and two dogs. Contact Joey

 

CRAIG BECK, Senior Fiscal Policy Analyst

Craig works closely with Nebraska’s tax and budget policy in his role at OpenSky. He specializes in policy analysis and research related to income tax, sales tax, property tax and the General Fund budget. Craig cares deeply about the Unicameral and evidence-based governance.

Craig has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Prior to working at OpenSky, he spent four years with the Legislative Audit Office.

Craig was born and raised in Nebraska and currently lives in Omaha where he enjoys gardening and reading. Contact Craig

 

ELI FRANK, Operations Coordinator

Eli fulfills a variety of administrative functions to keep things running smoothly at OpenSky, including office management, bookkeeping and donor database management.

As a student at Lincoln Public Schools, Eli attended the Science Focus Program, and before joining OpenSky, he was the Inventory Manager at the Bike Rack. Eli serves on the Board of Directors for the Great Plains Trails Network, which provides support and funding for Lincoln’s trails.

Eli likes to read, write and, of course, ride his bike. His bike tours have taken him across the United States, as well as Southeast Asia and Argentina. He believes that traveling at a slower pace and spending time in the places between the popular destinations is the best way to connect with and appreciate the world. Contact Eli

 

TIFFANY FRIESEN MILONE, Deputy Director

Tiffany is involved in all the things at OpenSky but spends most of her time improving operational processes and helping things run smoothly. Tiffany is passionate about good tax policy and she values efficiency in government and office functions.

Before joining OpenSky, Tiffany ran the antitrust and trade regulation group at Bloomberg BNA, managing not only breaking news but also developing tools to help attorneys in those areas of legal practice. A Nebraska native, Tiffany earned a Bachelor of Social Philosophy and Political Science from Marquette University and a law degree from Catholic University Columbus School of Law.

When not working, she frequents the gym, cross-stitches overly complicated things, reads nerd books focused on antitrust, the federal budget deficit and – a personal favorite – how dictionaries were compiled, and hangs out with her two kids. Contact Tiffany

 

CONNIE KNOCHE, Education Policy Director

In her role at OpenSky, Connie tracks all education issues, including the state-aid funding formula, school district budgeting and spending and levy limits. She also looks at policy solutions that can reduce educational inequities for low-income students and students learning English.

Connie has an extensive background working in education. She spent seven years with Lincoln Public Schools as Finance Director and five years with Omaha Public Schools as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that she spent 12 years as the State Aid Director with the Nebraska Department of Education. She is a CPA with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In her spare time, Connie likes to go to the gym and stays active hiking and biking. She is also a treasure hunter and likes going to estate sales. Connie was born and raised on a farm near David City and lives in Lincoln. Contact Connie

 

MAGGIE MONTOYA, Development Manager

Maggie is responsible for OpenSky’s development and fundraising efforts. Her work is centered around cultivating relationships with donors and community members, coordinating fundraising efforts, and coordinating OpenSky’s grant writing and reporting efforts.

Maggie believes in the importance of helping others make tangible, human connections to the impacts that tax and budget policy have on every day Nebraskans. Maggie’s role ensures that the voices of OpenSky’s supporters are represented in the policy work that OpenSky does.

Maggie is originally from Lincoln and enjoys spending time cooking with her husband, going on nature walks, and teaching her dog new tricks. Contact Maggie

 

ELIAS PRITZA, Policy Fellow

Elias conducts research and analysis on a variety of tax and budgetary policies as a Policy Fellow at OpenSky. He specializes in policy focusing on sustainable and transparent budgeting.

Prior to joining OpenSky, Elias spent a year working as a communications specialist at the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Before their work at NeDNR, they conducted mental health outreach and education programming as a student manager at Creighton University’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Center.

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Elias holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English from Creighton University. In his spare time, he enjoys cross-stitching, live music, and is an avid motorsport fan. Contact Elias

 

LISA SCHOENBERGER, Communications Director

Lisa promotes the outstanding work of OpenSky through media relations, social media, blog posts, publications, events, webinars and a variety of other media as the Communications Director. She is passionate about simplifying the complexities in tax and budget policy and helping empower Nebraskans to engage in oversight of their investments as taxpayers.

Lisa earned a Bachelor of Journalism in Advertising and Public Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has honed her communications and marketing skills in a variety of roles in health care, agriculture, and consumer packaged goods, to name a few. She is proud to serve her community as a member of her local school board.

Lisa lives in Omaha with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. Contact Lisa