A Clear Path to Real Progress
Support Plan / Multiphase
Build with us—step by step—so lived wisdom reaches people who need it.
• Clear scope for each phase
• Honest costs—no surprises
• Visible outcomes you can track
• Back the current phase or explore what’s next.
OVERSIGHT
Board Makeup
The individuals helping to bring the “museum” to life and to steward ongoing development.
BOARD TREASURER
Ben Killmer
Ben Killmer holds a BBA from Howard Payne University and brings 20+ years leading teams in multichannel marketing, web development, data platforms, fundraising strategy, project management, and performance analytics. A systems-minded leader, he focuses on how connected parts drive measurable improvement. Ben and his wife live near Dallas, raising four young children.
As the founder’s son, Ben helps equip The Waking Words Project and WAKING WORDS: A Museum of Wisdom with disciplined, data-guided operations: CRM and donor segmentation, campaign testing, content workflows, KPI dashboards, and phase budgeting. He prioritizes reliable pipelines, transparent reporting, and a respectful supporter experience so each exhibit moves from idea to delivery with clarity and accountability.
BOARD SECRETARY
Sue Sudbeck
Sue Sudbeck holds a BFA and MS from the University of Nebraska–Omaha. She is a technical writer/graphic artist at Valmont, translating engineering concepts into clear documentation, visual standards, and training materials. Her work spans manuals, procedures, and customer-facing content, partnering with product, QA, and compliance to ensure accuracy and consistency. Sue also maintains an independent studio practice as an artist, providing illustration and design services to nonprofits and small businesses.
Previously, Sue held multiple roles at Cox Communications across production, marketing, and operations. She served as Board Secretary for the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, supporting governance, records, and events.
BOARD MEMBER
Kara Schweiss
Kara Schweiss is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Omaha’s journalism program. She became an independent writer, editor and communications project manager in 2011 after working in various professional communications positions for both nonprofit and for-profit entities. She has also been a freelance journalist and photographer since 1997.
In addition to the board of The Waking Words Project , Kara serves Nebraska Adaptive Sports as board treasurer. She is a past parent representative for Planning Region 23, an interagency group that coordinates comprehensive services for young children with special needs; a past board member for Prevent Blindness Nebraska; past president of the University of Nebraska Omaha Gateway Alumni Organization; and a former health and safety services instructor for the American Red Cross.
BOARD MEMBER
Andrea “Andee” Hoig
Andrea ‘Andee’ Hoig is CEO/Publisher of Midlands Business Journal & ALH Publications, Inc., a visionary media leader with nearly four decades of experience shaping the Omaha metropolitan area’s publishing landscape.
For thirty-five years, she chronicled philanthropy and community initiative s through metroMAGAZINE, showcasing endeavors that raised millions for local nonprofits.
Since assuming leadership of MBJ in 2020—the respected weekly newspaper founded by her father in 1975—she has expanded the company through print, digital, and broadcast media.
A dynamic TV and podcast host, she appears on the weekly MBJ Business Minute, connecting businesses with philanthropic organizations and community leaders.
BOARD MEMBER
Susan Cullison
Susan served three years on active duty in the U.S. Army before joining the Social Security Administration, where she completed 28 years of service. She retired in 2021 with 31 years of federal experience spanning public service delivery, operations, and stakeholder support.
In retirement she founded Susan’s Blog: Embracing Positivity and Nature’s Beauty, a digital community designed as a safe, encouraging space; the platform now reaches 6,000+ followers.
Susan supports mission-driven initiatives such as The Waking Words Project, citing professional respect for its founder and alignment with values of integrity, transparency, and care.
She brings disciplined execution, service ethics, and a focus on audience well-being to projects that seek measurable impact.
BOARD President, Founder
Rob Killmer
Rob Killmer is founder and Board President of The Waking Words Project and creator of WAKING WORDS: A Museum of Wisdom. A writer, artist, musical composer and business and project manager, with a B.A. from Baylor University, he stewards a living archive of hard-won lessons, guided practices, and acquired grace and wisdom.
Rob directs vision and editorial standards, sets phase-based plans, and keeps delivery measured, visible, and fundable. He oversees content, indexing and preservation, partnerships, and donor communications. Governance and transparency are priorities: board oversight, budget snapshots, and clear receipts.
To obtain in-depth insight about the founder and his vision, visit the ABOUT ROB page at wwmow.org, where the actual museum is hosted.
OUR PRIME DIRECTIVE
Stewardship & Transparency
A NOTE FROM ROB:
This “Museum” project attempts to create a Relationship Experience—through these “exhibits”—that outlives and eclipses one man—not a brand that inflates or immortalizes a single individual. And yet it does aspire to do more than inform; it aims to touch, reach, and connect in ways that have the potential to inspire and ignite something vital in similar ways as if engaging with a living soul.
Here the messenger is far less the focus than the enduring messages. Our Prime Directive is to preserve the integrity of what is left behind;honoring—and, in some meaningful way, supporting—the life purpose of each visitor. This directive is reaffirmed throughout the project.
HOW WE STEWARD EVERY GIFT
Our promise to supporters
- Small, visible phases with transparent, accountability-oriented updates.
- Checkpoints + a checklist you can watch.
- Budget snapshot (goal • raised • remaining).
- Instant receipt; year-end summary on request.
Give with confidence
Where your gift goes
- People & services (craft, care, compliance).
- Tools & production (web, audio/video, hosting).
- Access & care (security, archiving, preservation).
- This month: First Shorts & Guided Practices; living archive online; donor flow live.
Quick Answers
FAQ
ⓘ Four basics behind every phase: scope, receipts, privacy, oversight.
PHASE SCOPE
Where a phase gift goes:
Where does a gift go?
Earmarked to the chosen phase first; any remainder rolls forward to the nearest need.
How do you report progress?
Phase checkpoints, a live checklist, and budget snapshots (goal • raised • remaining).
PRIVACY & RECEIPTS
Tracking, receipts, and tax basics:
Can I stay anonymous?
Yes. Name or remain anonymous—your call. We don’t sell, swap, or share data.
Are gifts tax-deductible?
Yes. The Waking Words Project is a 501(c)(3). EIN: 99-5114786. Instant receipt; year-end summary on request.
Ready to help?
Move the Next Milestone Across the Line
Pick a phase. Help us pay it forward.
Secure, tax-deductible.