Alejandra Jimenez Moves Mountains for Omaha Communities to Persevere
MY FIVE: A series where we ask Omahans to share their five favorite things
Meet this week’s My Five feature…
Alejandra Jimenez!
By: Xitlally Velasco
Alejandra Jimenez is the Program Manager of DEI Training & Development for the Greater Omaha Chamber. She develops and manages CODE’s DEI educational and professional development opportunities to ensure that inclusion, equity, and diversity continue to be a strong implementation internally as well as externally in the community.
Jimenez is a first-generation Mexican American graduate from Bellevue University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and has more than 15 years of administrative management and program development. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, all while teaching and mentoring on creating inclusive and equitable environments within businesses and organizations within the Greater Omaha communities.
Outside of her 9-5 work, Jimenez is the owner and styling consultant at Liv Avenue Consulting (livavenueconsulting@gmail.com), where her focus is to empower and support men and women through their journey to be confident in their true style and allow for their wardrobe to reflect who they are or who they want to be.
Jimenez’s most recent achievements include the development and execution of the Education Series on New American Integration. This series brings awareness to how vital the integration of immigrants impacts the overall economic, workforce, fiscal and social ecosystems and can revitalize whole neighborhoods and communities. During the course of the four-part series, attendees learned ways to support the immigrant community in order to help them navigate through their integration journey. Jimenez was recognized for her series in the 2023 March Midlands Business Journal Magazine for the overall impact it had in the community.
Keep reading to dive into Jimenez’s top five obsessions!
1. Plants & Candles.
“Candles and plants give my home and my mind a sense of peace and serenity.”
Alejandra Jimenez
I became a plant mom almost seven years ago and it’s been the best and worst thing I’ve ever embarked on! Once I figured out how to keep them alive and see how they thrive and loved me, I became addicted and literally want to buy a plant every time I go to the store. Same thing with candles. I’m obsessed with wooden wick candles and ones that smell like sexy (Can I say sexy here? Lol!) men's cologne. The crackling noise is so soothing. Candles and plants give my home and my mind a sense of peace and serenity. I also like to think that I’m providing a cleaner and healthier environment for my kids and me since plants reduce fatigue and stress as well as help increase oxygen during photosynthesis. Cleaner air equals better lungs!
2. Journal, Bible and Devotional Books.
“I truly cherish this time for myself as it is a time for me to dream big, set intentions and write action plans.”
Alejandra Jimenez
Journaling, reading the Bible and devotional books simply ground me. I cut out some time during my day, preferably at 5 am when my mind has had some time to process, define and track what I want my life to be in the present time and in the future. I don’t like to say I’m religious but rather spiritual and a devoted woman of God. Reading the bible and devotional books has truly helped me not just during times of adversity, grief, and loss but also allowed me to be grateful for what I have at this moment, the people that love and support me and who I’ve become. I truly cherish this time for myself as it is a time for me to dream big, set intentions and write action plans. I force myself to write something even if it’s a feeling. It’s important to track what puts a smile on your face, what hurts your heart deeply, or simply note what ticked you off. It’s important to recognize and validate our own feelings for our own mental health and well-being.
3. Pen Pouch.
“Writing in different colors and ink styles makes me happy.”
Alejandra Jimenez
I am obsessed with pens! I’ve had a pen pouch or box since I started writing. I’ve never had one for a very long time because I always upgrade or get a cuter one but I’ve always had some type of pen pouch or box. My favorite was my Lisa Frank pen box with several compartments and it even had an integrated ruler and sharpener. I was the coolest third grader on the block! I switch out my pens constantly as I use them a lot for journaling and taking notes for work and all the boards. Writing in different colors and ink styles makes me happy. It’s a form of using my creativity and I’m here for anything that brings me joy.
4. My Beautiful Socks.
“I bring my beautiful socks along with me for special occasions and as my lucky charm for a lot of things, even when I don’t wear them.”
Alejandra Jimenez
My mom gave me these socks when I went into labor with my firstborn, Liam, because my feet were cold. I’ve had these socks for 10 years now. I remember being in labor and focusing on these socks and what they said, “I am beautiful!” I couldn’t help to cry not because I was in pain but because for a long time, I felt as though my body had failed me and was robbing me of motherhood. I was full of gratitude for the body that has been put through so much for this beautiful miracle. I was told for years that I’d never be able to have kids. When I was ready to go through the process of getting pregnant, I held on to all the hope, patience and grace I had left. I had two surgeries, went through fertility treatment and was two days away from having my third surgery when I found out I was pregnant with Liam. Let me tell you that the power of prayer is REAL! These socks are a reminder that life is beautiful no matter how devastating and hard it can be. Sometimes our patience, faith, hope, resilience, and how we handle situations are tested to prepare us for something greater than we can imagine. Although it was very difficult and honestly a very crappy thing to go through infertility, I wouldn’t change my journey for anything. If I can give someone hope through my story, then it was worth it. I bring my beautiful socks along with me for special occasions and as my lucky charm for a lot of things, even when I don’t wear them. I now have the most amazing little humans in the world, Liam and Ivy. These socks are truly special.
5. Rose Water & Glow Recipe Watermelon Mist.
“I spray these two throughout the day to give me a nice settled glow.”
Alejandra Jimenez
People ask me how I stay looking young cause I’m 40 and fabulous, ROSE Water! It’s the best natural toner and hydrator there is for your face. I also use the GLOW Recipe watermelon mist, which works wonders. I spray these two throughout the day to give me a nice settled glow. Combine it with a moisturizer with SPF, and you are set for healthier-looking skin. It smells good too!
Xitlally Velasco is a University of Nebraska at Omaha journalism student with a concentration in public relations and advertising and a minor in Psychology. Velasco is the Digital Content Curator at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations. Send your tips and story ideas to office@lozafina.com
