Cornell College Alumni Association Board of Directors

Kalissa Holdcraft ’13

Kalissa Holdcraft Kleine, 2013

Kalissa is an associate attorney in the Omaha office of the law firm of Stinson LLP, where she works with clients on a variety of tax-related, compliance, and asset management issues.  She was previously a deputy county attorney engaged in issues involving mental health, including overseeing public-private partnerships and prosecuting cases.

She is president of the board of directors of Launch Leadership, a nonprofit that helps middle and high school students develop leadership skills.

Kalissa received her law degree from the University of Iowa in 2016, where she received a Dean’s Award for academic excellence.

A native of Nebraska, Kalissa (maiden name: Holdcraft) majored in political science at Cornell, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude. She was active in student government, served as a student body president, and was a representative on a number of faculty and administrative committees.

“Cornell taught me how to think strategically and how to glean benefits from every single experience,” Kalissa wrote. “I don’t worry about what will come next in my career or life because, as Jonathan Brand loves to say, ‘Cornell isn’t preparing you for your first job, we are preparing you for your last job.’”

Kalissa has served Cornell as a Young Trustee, a mock trial coach, and a guest speaker at the Cornell Fellows dinner.  “Cornell gifted me with the most giving and thoughtful network of mentors and friends possible. The college is my favorite family tradition.”

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