Reimers-Hild Named Interim Executive Director of Rural Futures Institute

Connie Reimers-Hild has been named interim executive director of the Rural Futures Institute (RFI) at the University of Nebraska.

Reimers-Hild assumed the role upon the June 30, 2018, retirement of Chuck Schroeder, Founding Executive Director of RFI.

Reimers-Hild has served in the role of RFI Associate Executive Director since May 2015, leading several strategic priorities and initiating the evaluation efforts of the Institute. She has also keynoted and presented nationally in the areas of future-focused leadership and strategic foresight to strengthen innovation in individuals, communities and organizations. Her most recent invited journal article was published in May 2018, “The future of rural health staffing in America.”

Prior to her role at RFI, Reimers-Hild served as unit leader of the Kimmel Education and Research Center in Nebraska City, Neb. Kimmel was the first public-private partnership of its kind in the nation and served as an example of innovation in Extension. While at Kimmel, Reimers-Hild consulted with more than 20 businesses and hospitals in the areas of leadership and innovation, attained more than $1m in investments and financial support for Extension programming and authored more than 50 publications, including two books.

“In assuming this role, I am full of hope for what meaningful action RFI can accomplish during the next year across three areas of critical need and strength for rural areas: leadership, technology and rural-urban collaboration,” she said in her introductory letter. “We are choosing to create needed focus for RFI’s energy and needed clarity around RFI’s role within the University of Nebraska system, the state of Nebraska and as a catalyst of innovation for rural areas around the country.”

Reimers-Hild holds a doctorate in human sciences with a focus on leadership studies, a master’s degree in entomology and a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She also holds a certificate in strategic foresight from the University of Houston, a certified professional coach designation from the International Coach Academy and a strengths coaching certification through Gallup. She lives with her husband and two children in rural Nebraska.