Meet Maggie Pickrel-Smith, the director of events and outreach at Downtown Lincoln Association.
Tell us a little about your business. – Downtown Lincoln Association is a city-contracted nonprofit that works to better our downtown district. We work with property owners, business owners, residents, and downtown enthusiasts to make downtown a thriving community.
Tell us a little about your family. – My husband, Jacob, and I live here in Lincoln with our three cats, and we just welcomed our first baby at the end of September.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – After graduating college, I moved to NYC to pursue stage management and directing. Despite being successful in my venture and working off-Broadway after a few months, I decided working in the theatre world wasn’t for me. Finding a job at DLA was one of the best things that ever happened to me, as I could use my event management skills but in a totally different way than in theatre.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – On a day off, I love to play video games either alone or with my husband. On nice days, we love going on walks together through the Sunken Gardens or the Holmes Lake Dog Park.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I have moved states twelve times in my life. My dad was in the army for 27 years which accounts for most of the moving, and then I did some of my own adventuring.
Who inspires you? – My boss of course, Todd Ogden.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Easily telekinesis. I would get so much more cleaning done in my house.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I would love to become a published author. I also love learning about art and could see myself working in that field.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I am very passionate about women’s rights and try to be as active as I can in different ways with our local Planned Parenthood. I believe all people should have access to safe and affordable healthcare.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – One of the most recent books I read was If You Tell by Gregg Olsen, which is an incredible and devastating read.
What is your favorite movie? – My favorite comfort film is The Princess Bride, but I have to say my new favorite movie is Everything Everywhere All at Once. I’m also a big fan of slasher movies like Friday the 13th and Halloween. My husband and I actually did a podcast for a while where we talked about all these movies, but things got a little busy for us and we are on an extended hiatus.
What is your favorite TV show? – I have so many favorite TV shows. 30 Rock is probably my all-time favorite, but the past few years there has been so much good TV coming out. To name a few, I’ve really enjoyed The White Lotus, Barry, Abbott Elementary, and a whole lot of others.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – The Oven downtown is my favorite local Lincoln restaurant, and I truly miss Dammi Dammi.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? –Maggie@downtownlincoln.org; downtownlincoln.org.