Karen Corral de Pesek, owner of Pesek Law Firm. Photo by Susi Franco, JEFAS Magazine.
By Christina Fernández-Morrow
Karen Corral de Pesek keeps her parents’ first store calendar from 1998 hanging in her office, a relic that serves as a reminder of what someone can accomplish with grit and perseverance. It inspires her to create a legacy that fosters immigrant success, regardless of headlines or political climate.
At a time when federal scholarship programs face mounting pressure, Corral de Pesek’s True Potential Scholarship, established in 2013, has become a rare success story. Every young scholar she mentors is, in some ways, a reflection of the girl she once was—eager for a role model to validate her dreams. With nearly 300 scholars to date, the program has become a lifeline for immigrant students.
Her philanthropy stems from what Corral de Pesek learned growing up about those who carry a “fire in their belly,” like her immigrant parents, owners of La Popular, one of Nebraska’s first grocery stores dedicated to Mexican staples.
Strategic Philanthropy
She recently celebrated the 12th annual True Potential Scholarship Dinner alongside her law firm colleagues, husband Ross, and their children. The 2025 dinner reflected the heart, resilience, and aspirations of the community it serves. With the debut of a new mission video spotlighting the real-world impact of the scholarship through the eyes of three recipients, the timing “felt almost divine.”
“Our community needed this moment to come together, celebrate, and uplift a hopeful narrative about what it means to be an immigrant and an ally,” Corral de Pesek says.
Support from community partners, business sponsors, and longtime advocates helped True Potential raise more than $50,000—enough to renew support for 25 students and add some new scholars.
Stories That Inspire: Scholars Keep the Mission Alive
The event was full of moving speeches, including one by featured speaker Itzel Lopez, whose story of determination and courage sparked heartfelt connection across the room.
The scholars themselves are the soul of the program, and meeting them always moves Corral de Pesek. This year, Yosbert, an aspiring accountant originally from Venezuela, stood out. He and his aunt brought her a handmade bookmark, a note, and a puzzle piece inscribed with gratitude: “Thank you for being a piece of my educational journey.” These moments—rich with pride, hope, and appreciation—keep her pushing forward, even when fundraising is a struggle.
This sense of camaraderie and empathy is what Corral de Pesek treasures most. After a particularly difficult week in the news, she found special meaning in creating a safe, celebratory space for immigrant students and families, though some were too afraid to attend.
“It broke my heart, but it reminded me why this work matters,” she says.
Karen Corral de Pesek, owner of Pesek Law Firm. Photo by Susi Franco, JEFAS Magazine.
Looking Ahead: Building Sustainable Support for Immigrant Students
What sets Corral de Pesek apart is her sustainability mindset. “With scholarship programs under federal pressure, I think we’ll become one of the few that survive. We’re privately funded, and that was intentional,” Corral de Pesek says. “I want the True Potential Scholarship to keep growing, reach more colleges, and offer deeper support like mentorship and emergency aid.”
Her ultimate vision is to build something “that outlives me and continues opening doors for immigrant students, no matter what.”
That 1998 calendar in her office isn’t just nostalgia; it’s proof of concept. Her parents built something that lasted decades and made a lasting impact in Columbus, Nebraska.
Now, Karen Corral de Pesek is constructing something even more ambitious: a network of professionals, mentorship programs, and educational pathways designed as a blueprint for building hope that endures beyond her days leading the effort.
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