By Maya Chavez, Hola America
For more than seventeen years, Yesenia Peck has dedicated her professional and volunteer work to empowering others and creating spaces of opportunity. Originally from Peru, where she practiced law, Peck now serves as Manager of Diversity and Inclusion at Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and as President of the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NHCC).
Her journey is defined not by titles, but by impact. Peck describes her motivation simply: “I want to be a resource for people who don’t have anywhere else to turn.”
From Law in Peru to Advocacy in Nebraska
When Peck moved from Peru to Nebraska, she faced the challenge of her legal credentials not transferring to the U.S. Rather than giving up, she continued her education—earning a master’s degree at Bellevue University and later a doctorate from St. Thomas University. Now, she is even considering pursuing law school again in the U.S. to return to practicing law.
For Peck, this determination reflects her belief that learning never stops. “Skills are skills. Even if they don’t transfer, they help you in other ways,” she emphasizes.
Leading with Justice and Fairness
Nebraska’s Hispanic community is among the fastest-growing in the state, with nearly 8,000 Hispanic-owned businesses. Peck has seen firsthand the struggles many of these entrepreneurs face—from regulatory challenges to limited access to resources.
Her leadership at the NHCC has been rooted in fairness. “It doesn’t matter who you are—Latino, white, or otherwise—I fight for justice and solutions for anyone who has faced hardship,” she explains.
Early in her work with the Chamber, she helped businesses navigate government regulations and penalties, ensuring they had an advocate when sanctions threatened their livelihoods. Today, she continues to push for creative solutions, such as leveraging private funding to secure legal assistance for business owners.
Building Bridges Across Communities
At NPPD, Peck has found an employer supportive of her dual roles, allowing her the flexibility to lead both at work and in the community. Her approach to diversity is action-driven: not about rhetoric, but about showing the value of inclusion through results.
Her leadership has also emphasized collaboration. “My board members are volunteers, and each one brings unique strengths. I lean on them when my workload gets heavy,” she says, highlighting the teamwork that sustains the NHCC’s mission.
A Vision for the Future
Peck believes the success of Hispanic-owned businesses and initiatives will pave the way for generational wealth and help dismantle stereotypes about the Latino community. Her focus is not on short-term wins but on long-lasting change that benefits all Nebraskans.
Her story is one of resilience and service—of transforming personal challenges into a platform for others to thrive. Whether advocating for small business owners, strengthening cross-cultural connections, or encouraging lifelong learning, Yesenia Peck is helping shape a Nebraska where diversity is recognized as a true strength.
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