2014 Program - NAWBO Southern Nevada

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Entertainment
Woda 2014
MISTRESS OF CEREMONY
MonicaJackson
FOX5NEWSANCHOR
Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Monica Jackson’s dedication, professionalism and love for the
industryhavedrivenherthroughouttheyearstobecomeoneofthemostsought-afterexpertsin
herfield.
Jacksonco-anchorsFOX5NewsLiveinLasVegasfrom7a.m.to9a.m.weekdaymornings.
Shealsoco-hostsFOX5’sMOREshow-adailyentertainmentbasedprogramwhereshespearheadscelebrityinterviewsandexclusivenews.HerpositiveenergyandwittyhumorhastakenLas
Vegasbystormmakingthemorningnewsoneofthemostwatchedprogramsintheregionand
promptingfanstonicknameher“theOprahofLasVegas.”JacksonwasinductedintotheNevada
BroadcastersHallofFameandawinneroftheNationalWomeninBusinessAward(NAWBO).
Inhersparetimetheaccomplishedbroadcasterdedicatesherenergytonumerouscharitableorganizationsincludingbeinga
boardmemberofformerNBAplayerJeromeWilliams’JYDProject(foryouthempowerment),boardmemberoftheSHINEFamily
Foundation(benefitsfamiliesofactivedutymilitaryandveterans),OpportunityVillage(ItGirlcommitteemember),TouroUniversity
Nevada,TourDeCure(tobenefitDiabetes)andHeartofaChampion(RichardSteele’sfoundationtohelpunderprivilegedkids).
E N T E RTA I N M E N T
PhatStrad
P R O G R A M E N T E R TA I N M E N T
PhatStradistheORIGINALAllGirlRockElectricStringQuartetin
theUSA,aninternationalcastofclassicallytrainedfemalemusicians
playingfuturisticelectronicinstrumentswithanindustrialstrengthclub
groove.ThegrouphasopenedforJohnMeyers,SherylCrow,Michael
McDonald,KennyLoggins,EarthWindandFire,Journey,DuranDuran, Whoopi Goldberg, Styx, Kool and the Gang, Billy Idol, Seinfeld,
VanillaIceandSteelyDan.
/phat-strad
@Phat_Strad
Tweet, Tweet!
@NAWBOSNV
#WODA
#NAWBORocks
#VegasMeansBusiness
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#LeaningIn
#redefinepower
ValerieParker|President
N A W B O
P r e s i d e n t
2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4
Today, we celebrate 31 amazing women
who are Inspiring Success in our Southern
Nevada community! Women who are role
models for up-and-coming businesswomen.
Womenwhostandoutandhaveledtheway
throughsacrificeandservice.
It is with great pride that we honor these
women today and congratulate them for all
of their successes. Thank you for joining the
National Association of Women Business
Owners Southern Nevada in paying tribute
to the ladies who have been instrumental in
thegrowthofwomen’sroleinbusiness.They
haveledthewayandsetthepaceintheirrespective fields. This is why it is important to
honorandthankthemfortheirpositiverolein
Inspiring Success in women in our business
community.Congratulations,ladies!
As I reach the end of my presidency with
NAWBO Southern Nevada and as we move
into our 25th year of supporting women in
business,IseeNAWBOcontinuingtobethe
#1go-toresourceforwomenbusinessowners.IseeNAWBObeingacatalystforpropelling women entrepreneurs to success in all
aspectsoftheirlives:the“WholeProfessional
You” ... Business, Community, Lifestyle and
ingtobethe#1women’sbusinessorganizationinthenationandensuringthewomenof
tomorrow are given every opportunity to securesuccessinallaspectsoftheirlives.
Iwouldliketoincludeaspecialthankyou
toourcorporatepartnersandtheircontinued
supportofNAWBOSouthernNevada.Acorporate partnership with NAWBO Southern
Nevada affords exposure and access to the
dynamic, diverse, and ever-growing landscape of women business owners. I would
like to thank you again for being part of our
missiontohelpwomenbusinessownersforge
theirpathsandgrowsuccessfulcompanies.
Thankyou,eventsponsors,foryourcontinuedsupport.Wecouldn’tdothiswithoutyou!
Jacki Ramirez, WODA Chair 2014, you
seamlessly orchestrated this event with your
amazingteam!Thankyouforyourdedication
andperseverance.
WearehonoredtohaveFox5’snewsanchorandaward-winningbroadcaster,Monica
Jackson,asouremcee.Thankyou,Monica!
Enjoy the program and the celebration of
theseinspiringwomen!
Advocacy.IlookforwardtoNAWBOcontinu-
BGreenBranding
ValerieParker-President
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JackiRamirez|Chair
W o d a
C h a i r
2 0 1 4
ItiswithgreatpleasurethatIwelcomeyou
tothe2014WomenofDistinctionAwards!
Forthelast16years,WODAhasbrought
together outstanding women in Southern
Nevada to honor their achievements and
advance their growth in the spotlight of our
community. The importance of recognizing
successful businesswomen – and helping
others feel inspired by their success – cannot be understated. As a small business
owner myself, I feel proud to have helmed
thisyear’scommittee.
Ioffermyheartfeltcongratulationstothis
year’s finalists – an exceptional group of
women who have overcome numerous obstacles to pursue their ambitions and excel
professionally. They demonstrate just how
valuablywomenarechangingthelandscape
ofNevadabusinesses.
Ialsocannotfailtomentionthemorethan
80ladiesthatwerenominatedforWODA–all
high-qualitycandidates,allInspiringSuccess
notonlyintheirpeers,butalsointhegenerationsofwomenentrepreneurstocome.They
showjusthowmany“WomenofDistinction”
wetrulyhaveinSouthernNevada.
A thank you to our sponsors, without
contributions tell our community that you
value the work of female professionals and
the benefits they add to our local, regional
andnationaleconomy,andforthatweowe
youadebtofgratitude.
Finally,totheWODACommittee,Iexpress
my deepest appreciation for the hard work
youputovermany,manyhourstoorganize
this event. Taking time out of your hectic
lives, placing your businesses on hold and
committingyourselvestohonoringthewomen who inspire you is no easy feat. Thank
you for all you have done, and for inspiring
successinme.
With that said, please enjoy today’s program and remember to honor the women
who are Inspiring Success in your business
careers!
whomthiseventwouldnotbepossible.Your
RamirezGroup
Sincerely,
JackiRamirez–WODAChair2014
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2014 Program
Welcome Reception
Lunch & Entertainment
Opening Remarks
MistressofCeremonies
Ms.MonicaJackson,Fox5NewsAnchor
Ms.ValerieParker,President
NAWBOSouthernNevada
Ms.JackiRamirez,Chair
2014WomenofDistinctionAwards
2014WODAProgramSponsor
Mr.FredKeeton,VicePresidentofFinance,
ExternalAffairsandChiefDiversityOfficer
CaesarsEntertainment
Special Guest
TheHonorableDinaTitus
U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
Awards Presentation
Ms.MonicaJackson
Specialty Awards Presentation
Mr.JeffShaw,President&CEO
SouthwestGasCorporation
RisingStarAwardSponsor
Mr.TonySanchez,SeniorVicePresident
GovernmentandCommunityStrategy
NVEnergy
GlassCeilingAwardSponsor
Ms.AnnaCavalieri,BusinessBankingManager
WellsFargo
EntrepreneuroftheYearAwardSponsor
Closing Remarks
Ms.MonicaJackson
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2014 Finalists
Arts/Entertainment/Media
Tiffannie Bond
ImagineCommunications
Philanthropy/
Community Services
STEM
Jill Bernacki
Robin Cresiski
(Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
Jo Cato
NevadaStateCollege
PeriwinkleMediaGroup
TheTraumaInterventionProgram
ofSouthernNevada
TVA Parks
Paula Lawrence
SouthwestGasCorporation
DressforSuccessSouthernNevada
ConnectCentralCorp
Galit Rozen
CommercialProfessionals,Inc.
Corporate/
Government Services
Judge Cheryl B. Moss
EighthJudicialDistrictCourt
Angelica Silveyra
NVEnergy
Robin Jenkins
Rising Star
Catherine Mazzeo
Professional Services
Cynthia Alexander
SnellandWilmer
Debbie Banko
SouthwestGasCorporation
Jessica Sayles
Houldsworth,Russo&Co.
Mandi Thorn
HarschInvestmentProperties
LinkTechnologies
Education
Monica Coburn
WellsFargo
Laura Lopez Hobbs
Erika Beck, Ph.D.
SouthwestGasCorporation
NevadaStateCollege
Constance J. Brooks, Ph.D.
NevadaSystemofHigherEducation
Real Estate/Construction
Jana Forsythe
F.E.I.Construction
Gaming/Hospitality/
Convention Services
Chris Harvey
TheDesignFactory
Crystal Slaughter
SNVTeamsters631
Robin Yates
WindermereRealEstate
Katie Lever
BallyTechnologies
Lori Nelson
StationsCasinos
Retail/Manufacturing
Kelly Peterson
ShaggyChic,Inc.
Medical/Healthcare Services
Ashley Ross
Dr. Mary Ann Allison, MD, FACP
Laurie Sabol
ComprehensiveCancerCentersofNevada
Glass Ceiling
Rollasole
PopcornGirlLasVegas
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Entrepreneur of the Year
Monica Y. Beasley
TheSignatureSuite
Donna Miller
LifeGuardInternational,Inc
Arts/Entertainment/Media
Woda 2014
Tiffannie
Bond
Jo
Cato
TVA
Parks
MediaRelationsSpecialist,
ImagineCommunications
CEO,
PeriwinkleMediaGroup
“Whatliesbehindusandwhatlies
beforeusaretinymatterscompared
towhatlieswithinus.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Ourgreatestgoryconsistofnot
inneverfalling,butinrising
everytimewefall.”
- Oliver Goldsmith
CEOandPresident,
ConnectCentralCorporation,Inc.
CEO,
JohnnieParkerProductions,LLC
Tiffannie Bond is the media relations
specialistandstaffphotographeratImagine
Communications in Henderson. A reporter
formorethan11yearsforlocalnewspapers
andmagazines,Tiffannieswitchedgearsand
joinedImagineCommunicationsin2010.She
earnedherbachelor’sdegreeinCommunicationStudies,withaprintemphasis,fromthe
UniversityofNevada,LasVegasandattendedtheRiceUniversityPublishingProgramin
Houston,Texas.
Tiffannie was a 2011 Athena Award
nominee and was inducted into the Young
ProfessionalWomen’sHallofFamein2012.
She is a founding board member of Issues
Concerning Adolescents of Nevada (ICAN),
anonprofitorganizationthatteachesmiddle
andhighschoolstudentstomakesmartlife
decisions.Tiffanniealsoservesasthedirector of the Winchester Star Catchers Dance
Program,whichismadeupofmorethan80
dancersandsixinstructors.Aphotographer,
TiffannieenjoysshootingweddingsandspecialeventsonthesideaswellasforImagine
Communications.
Asecond-generationLasVegan,Tiffannie
enjoyslearningaboutLasVegashistory.She
turnedtheloveshehasforhercityintoprint
in2006whensheco-wrotethebook“Sinning
in the City: A Girl’s Guide to Vegas.” In her
spare time, Tiffannie enjoys working on creativeprojects,photography,dance,spending
time with her family – human and animal –
andlearningrandom,typicallyuselessorpop
cultureknowledge.
Jo serves as CEO of Periwinkle Media
Group.AsitsCEO,sheplaysapivotalrolein
thestrategicdirectionoftheagency’sclients.
Underherleadership,whichspans13years,
she has directed advertising, marketing and
public relations campaigns for major corporations, public entities and small business
owneraswellasservedasadvisorforstate
andlocalelectedofficialsandcorporations.
Her experience in the mainstream and
multi-culturalsegmentsalongwithherexpertiseindiversitymakesherwidelyrecognized
and highly regarded as a media and public
policyexpertinSouthernNevada.
SheearnedaMAinEconomicsfromThe
George Washington University School of
BusinessandanExecutiveMBAfromArizona
StateUniversityandaCertificateinBusiness
StrategyfromeCornellUniversityLeadership
Program.
Ms.Cato’spartiallistofawardsincludes:
SBA Minority Business Champion Award,
NAACPRisingStarAward,CBSCommunity
Spirit Award and Uptown Magazine Top 25
MostInfluentialWoman.
Ms. Cato currently serves on the Governor’sWorkforceInvestmentBoard.Shepreviouslyserved12yearsasPlanningCommissionerfortheCityofNorthLasVegas.Sheis
anavidsupporterofwomeninbusinessand
is passionate about financial empowerment.
She is the author of “Get Noticed: How to
ReachandRetainClients”andthemotherof
fourchildren.Sheenjoysspendingtimewith
herfamilyandtraveling.
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“Veni,Vidi,Vici–Icame,Isaw,
Iconquered.”
- Julius Caesar
A promotion powerhouse and savvy businesswoman, Tva Parks is founder and CEO
ofConnectCentralCorporation,asourcehub
connecting businesses with resources since
2012,andhasorchestratedandshadowedup
to$100millioncontracts.
The20-yearentertainmentveteran’scareer
encompasses all aspects of music, TV, radio,
and modeling, including brand development,
marketing, promotion, public relations, and
production. Parks headlined MGM Las Vegas
three weeks; was COO of two recording studios;created,produced,anddirectedthreeTV
shows;wrotesongsforartists;wasaninvestmentfinderonfilms,strategicinvestments,and
books;andwasaDJ,emcee,host,andevent
planner. Parks won Best Musical Production
R&Batthe13thAnnualNewMexicoMusicIndustryAwardsin2000.
In2006,ParksbecameCEOandfounderof
JohnnieParkerProductions,LLC,aproduction
clearinghouse for owners’ musical endeavors.
Herfirstalbum,“Issues”,willbereleasedsoon.
For10years,Parkswasco-ownerandhost
of her music video TV show, Bumpdat Video
MixShow,wassyndicatedin125countries.In
2001,sheoversawDefComedyJamauditions
atTheStrip’sUrbanComedyClub.Shehosted numerous events, including NBA’s All-Star
Weekend,andwashiredbyOctagoninN.Y.C.
as a brand-influencer/ambassador for Louis
VuittonMuëtHennessy.
Todayencourageswomenandgirlstostart
companiesasamentorforTeenEntrepreneurshipinLasVegasandBossLadies.
Corporate/GovernmentServices
Woda 2014
Cheryl
Moss,B.A., J.D.
Angelica
Silveyra
DistrictCourtJudge,
8thJudicialDistrictCourt,
StateofNevada
Manager,
CustomerContactOperations,
NVEnergy
“Toobligepersonsoftencostslittle
andhelpsmuch.”
- Baltasar Gracian
“Justdon’tgiveuptryingtodowhatyou
reallywanttodo.Wherethere’sloveand
inspiration,Idon’tthinkyoucangowrong.”
- Ella Jane Fitzgerald
Judge Cheryl Moss was elected in 2000
and re-elected twice to the Clark County
Family Court. She is currently seeking a
fourthtermonthebench.
JudgeMossisthefirstAsian-Americanto
beelectedtoDistrictCourtinNevada’shistory.
In2001,JudgeMosswasthefirstjudge
toimplementaprogramforreferringparents
in custody cases for problem gambling assessments.Currently,JudgeMossisoneof
twojudgesrecognizednationallyasanexpert
inproblemgamblingaddictionsandthelaw.
She is proud to represent Nevada as a nationalspeakerandpresenter.
In 2007, Judge Moss was the first and
only judge to graduate from Metro’s Crisis
InterventionTeam(CIT)trainingprogram.
In2011,JudgeMosswasrecognizedas
oneofthe100MostInfluentialFilipinaWomenintheUnitedStates.
In2013,JudgeMossreceivedTheGoldenPearlAwardforProfessionalAchievement
fromtheFilipino-AmericanHeritageFoundationofNevada.
Judge Moss has mentored female attorneyswhileinoffice.Shehasvolunteeredas
a presiding judge in high school mock trial
competitions and worked with the Southern
NevadaGangPreventionTaskForce.
Sheismarried,hasthreedogs,andhasa
fifthdegreeblackbeltinTaekwondo.
AngelicaSilveyraistheCustomerContact
Operations Manager at NV Energy. She has
beenworkingforNVEnergyfor20years.Silveyra began her career as a summer intern
and has held various positions in Corporate
CommunicationsandCustomerService.
Silveyra is a graduate of the University
of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she earned a
bachelor’s degree in Communication studiesandaminorinSpanish.Shewashonored
withthe40Under40awardin2010.Shewas
also honored and featured in the inaugural
editionofLasVegasLatinoLeadersin2012
andwaspartoftheWEIBusinessAcumenfor
EmergingLeadersin2013.
Silveyra has been married to husband
Abel for 17 years. They have two children,
Brandon (age 12) and Matthew (age 10).
Whensheisnotspendingtimewithherfamily
she is assisting her community. Silveyra enjoysspendingtimewithlittlegirlsattheBoys
andGirlsClubofLasVegas.Sheisacareerlong supporter of United Way, both financially and by assisting with various events.
She is currently serving her second year on
theBoardoftheRonaldMcDonaldHouseof
GreaterLasVegas.
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Education
Woda 2014
Erika
Beck, Ph.D.
Constance
Provostand
ExecutiveVicePresident,
NevadaStateCollege
ViceChancellorforGovernment
andCommunityAffairs,
NevadaSystemofHigherEducation
Brooks, Ph.D.
Growingup,myparentsalwaystaughtme
“towhommuchisgiven,muchisrequired”
-Bible,Luke12:48.Itepitomizesmy
obligationtoliftasIclimb.
“Chancefavorsthepreparedmind.”
- Louis Pasteur
ConstanceBrooksisViceChancellorforGovernmentandCommunityAffairsfortheNevada
System of Higher Education (NSHE). Within the
Chancellor’s cabinet, Constance is an integral
memberoftheNSHEleadershipteam,working
collaboratively to assist and support the developmentofsystem-wideinitiatives,catalyzingeffective community collaboration and outreach,
ensuringtargetedmessagingandservingasthe
chief advisor for governmental affairs, policies,
strategiesandanalytics.
Constance received her doctorate in Public
AffairsfromtheUniversityofNevadaLasVegas
(UNLV). She is currently an adjunct professor
teachingpublicpolicyatUNLVandisthe2005
recipientoftheUNLVThomasWilsonAcademic
andCommunityServiceAward.Sheisalsothe
2008 recipient of the Clark County New Generation Leadership Award and is a graduate of
Emerge Nevada and Clark County Leadership
Forum.Constancewasfeaturedintheinaugural
editionofWho’sWhoinBlackLasVegasin2008
andwillbefeaturedinthe2014publicationofDistinguishedWomenofNevada.
As a Vice Chancellor, Constance’s position with NSHE keeps her traveling frequently
throughoutthestate.However,sheisaLasVegasresident andis involvedin severalcommunityorganizations,includingUnitedWay,Catholic
Charities, Clark County Citizens Advisory Committee, Clark County Juvenile Justice Sister to
Sistermentoringprogram,UNLVSchoolofSocial
WorkAdvisoryBoard,DeltaSigmaThetaSorority,
IncorporatedandTheLinks,Incorporated.
AnativeofEastSt.Louis,ILandtheChicagolandarea,ConstanceisthedaughterofVictorand
ConnieBrooks.
Over the last decade, Dr. Beck has had
the unique opportunity to build a campus
fromthegroundupandhelptoestablishthe
firstmiddletierinstitutionofhighereducation
inNevada.AstheProvostandExecutiveVice
PresidentatNevadaStateCollege(NSC),Dr.
Beck oversees academic affairs, student affairs, information and technology services,
instructionaltechnology,andinstitutionalresearch.Sheassistedinthemanagementof
a rapidly growing campus that opened with
177studentsin2002androsetoover3,400
students by the fall of 2014. As a founding
facultymember,Dr.Beckhasplayedapivotal
role in developing NSC’s strategic agenda,
craftingthecurriculum,andplacingtechnology at the center of NSC’s academic community. Dr. Beck has successfully used her
backgroundinexperimentalmethodologyto
make data-driven decisions to shape retentioninitiatives,buildenrollmentmanagement
strategies, and assess the overall effectiveness of institutional practices. Throughout
eachoftheseendeavors,Dr.Beckhasbeen
committed to making the College a leader
in exemplary teaching practices, technology
anddiversity.
Dr. Beck holds a Ph.D. in Experimental
PsychologyfromtheUniversityofCalifornia,
SanDiegowheresheservedasafacultyfellowpriortojoiningNSC.AformerResearch
Associate at the Salk Institute for Biological
Studies, she has conducted research in the
areas of developmental psychopathology
andcognitiveneuroscience.
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Gaming/Hospitality/ConventionServices
Woda 2014
Chris
Harvey
Katie
Lever
Lori
Nelson
Co-Owner,
TheDesignFactory/
NetworkConventionServices
GeneralCounselandSeniorVice
PresidentofLegalandCompliance,
BallyTechnologies
VicePresident,
CorporateCommunications,
StationCasinos
“Bebold.Ifyou’regoingtomake
anerror,makeadoozey,anddon’t
beafraidtohittheball.”
- Billie Jean King
“Wemakealivingbywhatweget,we
makealifebywhatwegive.”
- Sir Winston Churchill
“Realintegrityisdoingtherightthing,
knowingthatnobody’sgoingtoknow
whetheryoudiditornot.”
- Oprah Winfrey
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and as a
longtimeartloverandcollector,ChrisHarveyuses
her keen eye to help businesses break through
thevisualclutterofthetradeshowandconventionmarketplace.Herextensiveknowledgeofthe
trade show industry, coupled with her unparalleled dedication to provide customers with topnotchservice,hasmadeChrisoneofthearea’s
mostrespectedandadmiredbusinesswomen.
Chris began working in the trade show industry 25 years ago with Skyline Display and
Design. She ventured out on her own in 1998
with business partner Chrisa Chen to launch
NetworkConventionServicesandthen,in1999,
theDesignFactory–afullserviceexhibitdesign,
sales, and rental company for the convention
andeventindustries.Today,theDesignFactory
isoneofthelargestwomen-ownedbusinesses
inNevada,boasting23employees,twoLasVegaslocations,agraphicproductionfacility,and
morethan20,000sq.ft.ofspacefordesigning,
creating, building and storing exhibits. In 2013
thetwocompaniesdrovebusinessofover$4.2
millioninsales.
Chris has acquired many national sales
awardsinher20+years,isapastAdvisoryBoard
member for the LV Chamber of Commerce; an
activememberofWomen’sPresident’sOrganization,WPO,Exhibit,DesignersandProducersAssociation,EDPA;andrecentlythisyearwaspresentedwiththe2014EnterprisingWomenofthe
YearawardbyEnterprisingWoman’sMagazine.
Mother of four and grandmother of three,
Chriscanalsobefoundpursingherotherpassions:cooking,competitivetennis,travelingand
spendingtimewithherfamilyandhusband,Zol.
Katie Lever is General Counsel and SeniorVicePresidentofLegalandCompliance
atBallyTechnologies.Shemanagesthecompany’slegal,intellectualpropertyandcompliance departments and provides strategic
legal advice for the company’s international
andiGamingbusiness.Ms.LeverjoinedBally
from SHFL entertainment, which was acquiredbyBallyinNovember2013.
Prior to joining SHFL entertainment in
2011, Ms. Lever was General Counsel and
EVP of Global Cash Access, the gaming industry’slargestcashaccessprovider.Priorto
that, she was a partner with the Las Vegas
law firm Schreck Brignone (now Brownstein
Hyatt Farber Schreck), where she practiced
transactional,commercialandcorporatelaw
for many of the world’s largest gaming operators.BeforejoiningSchreckBrignone,Ms.
LeverpracticedinCanadarepresentinghightech and bio-tech companies in private and
public equity transactions. She is the Vice
President of the International Association of
GamingAdvisors(IAGA)andamemberofthe
StateBarofNevadaandTheLawSocietyof
British Columbia. She received her law degreefromtheUniversityofWindsor.
In addition to professional success, Ms.
Leverisactivelyinvolvedinnumerouscharitiesincludingservingasthechairofthelocal
chapteroftheAmericanHeartAssociation’s
GoRedforWomen2015Luncheon.Ms.Leverispassionateaboutmentoringthosenew
totheindustryandpromotingwomen’sadvocacyintheprofessionalworld.
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LoriNelsonservesasVicePresident,CorporateCommunicationsforStationCasinos,
LLC, overseeing the Company’s public and
communityrelationsactivitiesincludingservingastheCompanyspokesperson.
Nelsonhasworkedonseveralsubstantial
and high-profile public relations initiatives,
including overseeing and implementing media relations for four new casino openings
and securing the coveted covers of BloombergMarketsmagazinein2012andFORBES
magazinein2008fortheFertittabrothers,the
ownersofbothStationCasinosandtheUltimateFightingChampionship(UFC).
Prior to joining Station Casinos in 2005,
Nelsonservedformorethanfiveyearsasthe
DirectorofPublicRelationsforR&RPartners
in Las Vegas and also owned PRceptions
Public Relations, a small PR agency in Las
Vegas.
NelsoncurrentlyservesontheGovernor’s
Commission for Nevada’s 150th celebration
thisyearandisaBoardofTrusteefortheLas
Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce. She
alsoservedaspresidentofChildFocus,Inc.,
anon-profitorganizationdedicatedtoassisting the state’s foster care system, in 20112012.SheservedaspresidentoftheSouthern Nevada chapter of the Public Relations
SocietyofAmericain2001.Nelsongrewup
inDetroit,MichiganandgraduatedfromEasternMichiganUniversity.
Medical/HealthcareServices
Woda 2014
Dr. Mary Ann
Allison, MD, FACP
Doctor,
ComprehensiveCancer
CentersofNevada
“It’snotwhatyousay,it’swhatyoudo.”
- Motto of Gary Allison (husband)
Dr.MaryAnnAllisonisamedicaloncologist
and one of the founding members of ComprehensiveCancerCentersofNevada(CCCN).
Sheisaprincipalinvestigatorfornumerous
clinicaltrialsatCCCNandhelpedfosterthepractice’sresearchaffiliationwithTheUSOncology
Network and UCLA. The trials she participated
inhavechangedthestandardsofbreastcancer
care and led to the FDA approval of Paclitaxel
andHerceptin.
She continues to participate in research to
find new treatment options for breast cancer.
Currently, Dr. Allison is collaborating with researchers at UCLA on a second line treatment
of the breast cancer-fighting drug, Palbociclib,
whichwasgiven“BreakthroughTherapy”status
bytheFDA.
Dr. Allison is a member of the breast cancer research committee for The US Oncology
NetworkandparticipatesweeklyintheSunrise
HospitalBreastCenterTumorBoard.SheiscofounderofTheCaringPlace,aLasVegasnonprofitorganizationthatprovidescomplementary
therapiestocancerpatients.SheisalsoamemberofseveralprofessionalorganizationsincludingAmericanSocietyofClinicalOncology,AmericanCollegeofPhysicians,ClarkCountyMedical
SocietyandNevadaMedicalAssociation.
She was the recipient of the 2010 Athena
LeadershipAwardthroughtheWomen’sChamberofCommerceandinductedintotheWomen’s
Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in 2011.
She also received the Healthcare Hero Award
for compassionate caregiver in 2011. Last year
shereceivedtheCommitmenttoHealthAward
fromUnitedWayofSouthernNevada’sWomen’s
LeadershipCouncil.
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Philanthropy/CommunityServices
Woda 2014
Jill
Bernacki
Paula
Lawrence
Galit
Rozen
CEO,
TraumaInterventionProgram
ofSouthernNevada,Inc.
ExecutiveDirector,
DressforSuccess
SouthernNevada
Broker/Owner,
CommercialProfessionals,
“…becausetheonescrazyenough
tothinktheycanchangetheworld,
aretheonesthatdo.”
- Steve Jobs
“Thequestionisn’twho’sgoingtoletme;
it’swhoisgoingtostopme.”
- Ayn Rand
Paula Lawrence is the Executive Director for Dress for Success Southern Nevada,
thelocalaffiliateofaninternationalnon-profit
organization that promotes the economic
independence of disadvantaged women by
providing professional attire, a network of
support and the career development tools
to help women thrive in work and in life. At
DressforSuccessSouthernNevada,Paulais
responsibleforalldailyoperations,fundraising,clientservices,communityrelationsand
compliance.
PaulaLawrenceisthefounderofKeynote
Academy and is certified as an internationallyrecognizedMasterProtocolandEtiquette
Consultant.Shehascollaboratedwithacollectionoftheworld’smostelitecorporations,
dignitaries, educators and celebrities to become a leader in professional development
trainingthroughincreasingsocialawareness,
understanding the nuances of generational
diversityandpolishingyourpersonalbrand.
PaulaearnedherArtsinCommunication
degreefromCaliforniaStateUniversityFullertonandattendedtheMBAprogramatPepperdineUniversity.
She is an active member of the Public
AdvisoryCommitteefortheInternationalCulinaryandFashionDesignSchoolatTheArt
InstituteofLasVegasandisanationalKeynoteSpeaker.
OriginallyfromNorthernCalifornia,Paula
has called Southern Nevada home for 19
years.Paulaenjoysbeinginvolvedinthevery
activelivesofhertwoteenagedaughtersRiley and Casey and thoroughly spoiling their
twoItalianGreyhoundsGraceandAbbey.
GalitRozenhasbeentheownerofCommercialProfessionals,acommercialrealestate brokerage company for over 17 years.
Galit has sold retail, industrial, and office
properties up to $50,000,000. She also
handles leasing and management. She is a
pastpresidentandcurrentmemberofCREW
(CommercialRealEstateWomenofSouthern
Nevada)since2007,aBoardmemberofthe
Shade Tree Women’s Shelter, a member of
FriendsoftheShadeTreesince2009,aboard
memberoftheWomen’sPhilanthropyCouncil since 2010, and a committee member of
LegacyXananti-bullyingorganization.Five
years ago, Galit started and still runs three
annualprogramsattheShadeTree.TheyincludetheMother’sDayandholidayshopping
event where children of shop from donated
items to give gifts to their mothers and a
back-to-schooleventwhichgivesmorethan
100childrennewbackpacks,schoolsupplies
and school clothing. Galit has been on the
committeeforGirlsNightOut(thelargestfundraiserfortheShadeTree)since2009which
has raised over a $1,000,000 to benefit the
shelter.Herpassionisgivingtoothersevery
day of her life in some way. Galit is completingherMaster’sdegreeinTherapy.Galit’s
aspirationistobeamotivationalspeakerand
therapist. Galit most treasures being called
motherbyherthreechildren,whoare10,14,
and17yearsold.
“Oftenthedifferencebetweena
successfulpersonandafailureisnot
onehasbetterabilitiesorideas,butthe
couragethatonehastobetonone’s
ideas,totakeacalculatedrisk-andtoact.”
- Billie Jean King
JillBernackiistheCEOfortheTraumaInterventionProgramofSouthernNevada,Inc.TIPS
isanon-profitorganizationthatsendsvolunteers
outtoscenesoftragedytoassistvictims,family
andfriendsintheimmediateaftermathoftragedy.
Jillhasbeenwiththeorganizationforsixyears.
ShehasresidedinLasVegasmostofherlifeand
hasreceivedallofhereducationinLasVegas,includingabachelor’sdegreefromUNLV.Jillhas
studied extensively under the founder of TIPS
andisacertifiednationaltrainerfortheprogram
inadditiontobeinganinstructorforLVMPD’sCrisisInterventionTraining.Sheisalsocertifiedwith
the National Fallen Firefighters Association as a
StressFirstAidtrainerforEmergencyResponders. Recent accolades include a 2014 HealthcareHeadlinersawardfromVegasInc.Outside
ofTIPS,Jillisalsoapart-timeinvestigatorforthe
Clark County Coroner’s Office. She volunteers
hertimewithLVMPD’sEvery15Minutesprogram
and with Hearts Alive Village Las Vegas. Her
passionisto“makeadifference,”whichiswhy
shewentfromthestabilityofacorporatecareer
totakingtheriskofrunninganon-profitorganization.Therewardofknowingthatshecontributestohelpingthoseintheworstmomentsoflife
makesallofherhardworkworthwhile.
21
ProfessionalServices
Woda 2014
Cynthia
L. Alexander,J.D.
Debbie
Banko
Monica
Coburn
Partner,
Snell&Wilmer
CEO,
LinkTechnologies
VicePresident,PrincipalBusiness
RelationshipManager
WellsFargoBank
“Falldownseventimes,getupeight.”
- Japanese Proverb
“Apennysavedisapennyearned”
- Ben Franklin
“NothingisImpossible;theword
itselfsaysI’mPossible.”
- Audrey Hepburn
CynthiaAlexanderisacommerciallitigationpartneratSnell&Wilmerandhasbeen
practicing law in Southern Nevada since
1998. She represents financial institutions
andalsohandlesawiderangeofrealestate
andconstructionmatters.
CynthiareceivedherJ.D.fromtheUniversityofWyomingandherB.A.fromtheUniversity of Michigan. She was recently named a
WomantoWatch2014byVegasInc.In2012,
CynthiawasawardedtheLegalAidCenterof
Southern Nevada’s Lied Award for the most
pro bono hours of any attorney. She’s also
beenrecognizedmultipletimesbyMountain
StatesSuperLawyers®;WomenWhoMean
Business nominee by the Las Vegas Business Press; and a Person of Influence by In
Business Las Vegas. Cynthia has achieved
thehighestAV-PreeminentrankingbyMartindale-Hubbell®.
She serves on the board of directors of
Nevada Public Radio and the Rocky Mountain Innocence Center, which seeks exonerations for those wrongfully imprisoned; is
a member of Soroptimist International; and
previously served on the board of S.A.F.E
House for which she has hosted an annual
SuitSoireesince2007.
Cynthiahaslongbelievedthatcommunityserviceisbotharesponsibilityandaduty.
She routinely advocates for women in the
court system, helping them achieve a path
ofindependence.GivingbackispartofCynthia’sDNA–it’sherpassion.
DebbieBankoistheownerandmanaging
partnerofLinkTechnologies(LinkTech,LLC).
Shehasover25years’experienceintheconsultingfield,providinginformationtechnology
andengineeringprofessionalservicesnationwide.Duringtherecession,shesuccessfully
guidedherorganizationtoreachnewrevenue
targets in 2009 and beyond. Link TechnologieshasbeenhonoredontheInc.500|5000
(fastestgrowingprivatebusinessesinAmerica) for the past three years running, and
continuestoprovidehundredsofjobsyearly
withintheLasVegascommunity.
In 2010, Debbie received the Power of
an Unstoppable Woman Award through the
Las Vegas Women Leadership Conference.
Thisawardhighlightshonorees’extraordinary
legaciesofserviceandcontributionstocommunity,businessandfamily.Alsoin2010the
Nevada First Congressional District honored
DebbieasaLasVegasWomen’sLeadership
Recipient, for dedication to the empowermentofwomeninSouthernNevada.
Debbie supports multiple non-profits, including Women in Technology International,
theNationalAssociationofWomenBusiness
Owners, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Her company is a
top-billedsponsorforTechnology&Diversity
forCharity(anorganizationraisingmoneyfor
localcharities),andisthelargestsupporterof
CyberSafeNV,anon-profitpromotingcybersecurityeducation.
DebbieisalsoamemberoftheGovernor’s
WorkforceInvestmentBoardfortheStateof
Nevada,andistheheadofthatboard’sInformationTechnologySectorCouncil.
MonicaCoburnbeganherbankingcareerin
Hawaii,whereshewasbornandraised.Through
ajobtransfer,sheacceptedapositioninLasVegas,whereshehaslivedforthepast17years.
MonicaiscurrentlyaVicePresident,PrincipalBusinessRelationshipManagerwithinWells
Fargo’sBusinessBankingGroupandistheonly
femaleinherpositionwithintheStateofNevada.
Herresponsibilitiesincludemanagingaportfolio
ofbusinessclientswhoseannualrevenuesrange
from$2millionupwardsto$20million.Shehas
heldmultiplepositionswithinthebankingindustry including positions in International Banking,
Private Banking, SBA Lending and Business
Banking.
Previous to her current position, Monica
servedasbothaRegionalManager&SeniorVice
President, managing the SBA lending departmentforalocalbankoverseeingofficeslocally,
inArizonaandSanDiegoCounty.
Shehasover20yearsofexperienceinthebanking industry, has been a speaker on several financingpanels,servesasamemberoftheLoan
Review Committee for Nevada Microenterprise
Initiative,hasvolunteeredforanumberofcharitableorganizationsandhasbeenrecognizedtwice
bytheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministrationlocally.
MonicaservesontheBoardofDirectorsfor
DressforSuccessSouthernNevada,anon-profit
organizationthatassistsdisadvantagedwomen
inthecommunitywithprofessionalattire,career
support and mentoring programs. She has
servedaschairofboththefundraisingcommitteeandspringeventcommitteeandservesasa
mentorintheirmentoringprogram.
Her passions in life are spending time with her
family,traveling,andreadingmotivationalbooks.
22
RealEstate/Construction
Woda 2014
Jana
Forsythe
Crystal
Slaughter
Robyn
C. Yates,GRI
PresidentandCEO,
F.E.I.Construction
ApprenticeshipCoordinator,
ConstructionDirector,
TeamstersLocal631
Broker/Owner,
WindermerePrestigeProperties
“Rightisright,evenifeveryoneis
againstit,andwrongiswrong,
evenifeveryoneisforit.”
- William Penn, British statesman
and philosopher
JanaForsytheisthePresidentandCEO
for F.E.I. Construction, a general engineering and general building contractor, with
responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day
operationsoftheofficeandfieldpersonnel.
Before opening F.E.I. and performing the
dutiesthatgohandinhandwithhavingher
own business, she worked as a construction estimator, project manager, and team
managerfor300+millionannualcompanies.
Janahasenjoyedthesmellofdirtandbuilding and demolishing things for as long as
shecanremember.Shehasbeenintheconstruction industry since 1994 and opened
F.E.I. in 2006 after obtaining her MBA in
2005. She has an (E)MBA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas-Lee Business
School,andreceivedherbachelor’sdegree
inManagementofTechnicalOperationswith
an Aviation background from Embry-Riddle
AeronauticalUniversity.
Jana is the WBEC-West Regional NevadaChair,sitsontheUNLVEMBAAlumni
Board,isanactiveEmbry-RiddleAeronautical Alum, and is a member of NAWIC and
SAME amongst others. Jana is happily
marriedandsharesfourchildren,fourdogs,
andonecat.Herhobbiesconsistofbeinga
chocolateconnoisseurandwineenthusiast,
hiking,tennis,visitinganimalshelters,soakinginhotsprings,roadtripsofthecontiguousUnitedStates,andpistolshootingwith
WomenofHighCaliber.
“Ifyoudon’tstandforsomething,
you’llfallforanything.”
- Anonymous
Crystal is the Director of the convention
and construction Teamsters training center.
Crystalisalsoresponsibleforthetrainingof
theTeamstersinUtah,Arizona,NewMexico,
Tennessee,TexasandOklahoma.
Crystal began her career with the Teamsters in 1988 while working for UPS, then
transferred to the main office of the TeamstersLocal631in1990,wheresheremained
until1995.CrystalreturnedtotheTeamsters
in2000toworkfortheconstructiontraining
center.In2007shewasofferedtheposition
of director. Seven years later, Crystal is directorofoneofthemostsuccessfultraining
centers within the International Brotherhood
ofTeamsters.
Crystal is currently working on obtainingherAssociateofAppliedSciencedegree.
Crystalisalsoforklift,scissorliftandcondor
certified.
CrystalispassionateabouttheTeamsters
union and creating awareness to women by
beinganexamplethatawomancansoarina
maledominatedfield.Crystalaspirestocontinuetocomeupwithinnovativesolutionsto
expandthesuccessoftheLocal631Training
Center.
Crystalisaworkingmotheroffourbeautifulchildren;mostofherfreetimeisspentwith
herchildren,attendingtheirsportingevents.
FamilyiseverythingtoCrystalandbyfarher
greatestaccomplishmentinlife.
23
“Ourdeepestfearisnotthatweare
inadequate.Ourdeepestfearisthatwe
arepowerfulbeyondmeasure.”
- Anonymous
AsaRealEstateEntrepreneur,Robynhas
served the Real Estate Community as the
Broker/OwnerofWindermerePrestigeProperties and Co-President of Windermere ServicesNevada,afranchisefirmspecializingin
offering Windermere Franchises and servicingfranchiseowners.
In addition to her career in real estate,
Robynhasservedthecommunitythroughher
workasTreasurerfortheGreaterLasVegas
Association of Realtors, and board member
for the Nevada Association of Realtors and
the National Association of Realtors. Robyn
hasservedonseveralcommittees,including
Professional Standards. Robyn has worked
as a Professional Trainer for a large training
companyasgeneralmanagerforthreelarge
golfcountryclubs,aswellasaprofessional
speaker.
Robyn’s Awards include 2012 Distinguished Woman of Nevada, 2012 Top 300
Small Business Leaders, Best Independent
Brokerage 2007 & 2013, people’s choice
award,Vegas,IncBestPlacestoWork–First
placein2011,2012and2013.
Community commitment includes WindermereCommunityServiceDayheldthethird
FridayofeachOctoberduringwhichagents
andstaffservetheLasVegasValleycommunity by closing the Windermere offices and
workingonacommunityproject.
As a broker/owner of a real estate firm,
Robyn is passionate about the real estate
industry and aspires to create the most respectedrealestatefirminthestate.
RobynismarriedtoDennisYatesandhas
threesons.
Retail/Manufacturing
Woda 2014
Kelly
Petersen
Ashley
Ross
Laurie
Sabol
Owner,
ShaggyChic
Owner,
Rollasole
Owner,
PopcornGirlLasVegas
“Neverletanyonetellyouno,whodoesn’t
havethepowertosayyes.”
- Eleanor Roosevelt
“Ambitionisthepathtosuccess.
Persistenceisthevehicleyouarrivein.”
- Brad Bradley
“Ifitistobeitisuptome.”
- William H. Johnsen
KellyPetersenisawomanwhosuccessfully blends career, community and family. She owns and operates, Shaggy Chic, a
luxury,eco-friendlydogsalonandtreatboutique. She opened the store at Tivoli Village
after creating and selling online her Shaggy
Chic line of all natural dog shampoos and
conditioners. The business was born of her
desire to offer animal lovers easy access to
affordable,qualityproductsandservicesthat
enhanceadog’squalityoflife.
Petersen also currently owns four UPS
stores,buthasownedandoperatedasmany
as12storesatasingletimeoverthepast13
years. She has received many awards from
UPSforheroutstandingcommitmenttocorporateservices,andshecontinuestooperate
the#1rankedUPSstoreinClarkCounty.
Petersenisanardenteducationadvocate
andcommunityleader.Sheco-chairedClark
County School District’s Blue Ribbon Task
ForceonEmpowermentandcurrentlyserves
as president of Nevada Women’s Philanthropy. She helped secure a $350,000 grant
for the Rape Crisis Center “Signs of Hope”
counselingcenter.Petersenalsoco-founded
HelpingHandsSurgicalCarewhichprovides
freesurgeriestolocalpatientswhoareuninsuredorunderinsured.
She is a mother to three boys and three
dogs, and is passionate about nurturing everything on four (and two) legs…all while
wearingherfashionable5-inchheels.
Ashley Ross is the owner of Rollasole
here in Las Vegas. She oversees every aspectofhercompany.Hermaindutiesinvolve
managing the Rollasole shoe vending machinesanddeliveringRollasoleflatstoretail
locationsonthestrip.
Prior to her focus on the Rollasole business,Ashleywasalicensedrealestateagent
here in Las Vegas. Ashley is a graduate of
University of Phoenix where she received
her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In 2013 she received the Women
InventorawardfromtheWomenChamberof
CommerceofNevada.Rollasoleisanongoing member of WBENC and the Women’s
Chamber of Commerce of Nevada. Ashley’s
passion is the expand Rollasole into each
propertyonthestrip.Thenextstepwouldbe
totargetmajorretailchainstocarryRollasole
flats.InAshley’sfreetimeshoeenjoyshangingoutwithherfriendsandattendingmusic
eventsinLasVegas.
24
LasVegasisacitybuiltonpropositional
wagers and uncertain outcomes. Gaming
aside,ifyoucouldbetonthesuccessoflocal
entrepreneur Laurie Sabol of Popcorn Girl,
you would be betting on a winner. Laurie, a
35-yearLasVegasresident,hasworkedwith
thebestinthehospitalityindustry.Customer
service, “like nowhere else” is the mantra
at Popcorn Girl, her local chain of gourmet
popcorn stores. Spirited and tough minded,
Laurieisagraduatefromtheschoolof“hard
knocks”.
Inspiredbythecorevaluesofhergrandparentsandeducatedinhospitality“LasVegas” style (Hard Rock, Bellagio, Foundation
Room),Laurieisnolongshottosucceed.
PopcornGirl,isagreatlocalsuccessstory. Opened in 2009 Popcorn Girl has grown
fromonestorewith2employeesintoamulti
storeenterprisewith25employees.
Popcorn Girl has been featured on several nationally syndicated television shows
including Food Network, Spike TV, and Animal Planet. In February 2014 “Popcorn Girl
MiddleEast”openedinDohaQatar.
Laurie works daily in the stores and her
passionistoprovidethebestpossibleexperience for her customers, and also to teach
her employees a great work ethic that they
will carry on throughout their lives. Laurie is
a member of several business organizations
including WPO and NAWBO. When time allows, Laurie plays tennis, weight trains and
travels. Popcorn Girl is an active participant
in numerous local charities/ community
events.
STEM
(Science,Technology,Engineering&Mathematics)
Woda 2014
Robin
Jenkins
Robin
Herlands
Cresiski,Ph.D.
Manager/Engineering,
SouthernNevadaOperations,
SouthwestGasCorporation
DepartmentChairofPhysical
andLifeSciences,
NevadaStateCollege
“Thepessimistcomplainsaboutthewind;
Theoptimistexpectsittochange;
Therealistadjuststhesails.”
- William A. Ward
“Neverbelimitedbyotherpeople’slimited
imaginations.Ifyouadopttheirattitudes,
thenthepossibilitywon’texistbecause
you’llhavealreadyshutitout...Youcan
hearotherpeople’swisdom,butyou’ve
gottore-evaluatetheworldforyourself.”
- Mae Jemison
Dr.CresiskijoinedtheNevadaStateCollege
facultyin2008asanAssistantProfessorofBiologyandhasbeentheChairoftheDepartmentof
PhysicalandLifeSciencessince2012.Inspired
bythemissionofNSCtoservehistoricallyunderrepresentedstudents-over70%ofwhichare
women- she has devoted much of her energy
toteachingandmentoringstudentsinthesciences.Dr.CresiskiisthePrincipleInvestigatorof
a$500,000grantfromtheNationalInstitutesof
Health through Nevada’s Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, allowing her to
trainandsupportundergraduatesinnovelpublic
healthresearch.Sheisalsoaboardmemberof
ParallelInnovationLabs,Inc.a501(c)(3)whose
missionistobuildascienceincubatorinsouthernNevada.InJuly,Dr.Cresiskiwillbecomethe
Vice Provost for Scholarship and Experiential
CurriculumatNSC.Inthisposition,Dr.Cresiski
will coordinate professional development for
faculty and the incorporation of undergraduate
research,experientiallearning,andindustry-relevanttrainingintothecurriculum.Shebelieves
innovative approaches can help close current
equitygapsinscienceandeducation.
Dr. Cresiski received her Bachelor’s degree
from Haverford College and her Master’s and
Ph.D. degrees in Immunobiology from Yale
University while investigating cellular events in
lupus, an autoimmune disease predominantly
impactingwomen.ShelivesinHendersonwith
herhusband,Cory,andtogethertheyenjoyhikingandtraveling.
Robin Jenkins is the Manager of Engineering for Southern Nevada Operations at
the Southwest Gas Corporation. She began
hercareerwiththecompanyasanEngineerI
in2006whilecompletingaMasterofScience
inMechanicalEngineeringattheUniversityof
Nevada,LasVegas.Ms.Jenkinsheldvarious
positions in Engineering Operations which
enabledhertoobtainthepositionofAdministratorofOperationsPlanningandAnalysis.
Herprimaryrolewastostandardizebusiness
practices across five operating divisions in
threedifferentstates.
One of Ms. Jenkins’ greatest achievements was the centralization of the company’sProjectManagementOfficein2011.Her
duties included oversight of company-wide
technology implementations and managementofa$70MMprojectportfolio.HersuccessledtoherpromotionandreturntoOperationsasManagerofEngineering.
Ms. Jenkins holds professional memberships with the Project Management Institute
andtheNationalAssociationofProfessional
Women,andshesitsonthetrusteeboardfor
the Petra Nia Training Institute. She prides
herself in educating and motivating young
adultstostretchoutsideoftheircomfortzone
toreachnewheights.Ms.Jenkinsfeelsvery
fortunatetohavemethermatch,forthefirst
time, of whom she plans to wed in Novemberofthisyear.Sheplanstojoinforceswith
herfiancéunderaunifiedobjectiveto“bea
blessingtoothers”.
25
RisingStar
Woda 2014
Catherine
Mazzeo,Esq.
Jessica
Sayles,CPA, MSA
Mandi
Thorn
AssociateGeneralCounsel,
SouthwestGasCorporation
Principal,
Houldsworth,Russo&Company
“Thepurposeoflifeistoliveit,totaste
experiencetotheutmost,toreach
outeagerlyandwithoutfearfornewer
andricherexperience.”
- Eleanor Roosevelt
“Ittakescouragetogrowupand
becomewhoyoureallyare.”
- E. E. Cummings
AssistantVicePresident,Director
ofConstructionandMaintenance
HarschInvestmentProperties,
Nevada,LLC
Catherine (Cathy) Mazzeo is Associate
General Counsel at Southwest Gas Corporation.Anattorneyfor12years,Cathyhas
workedatSouthwestGassince2010.Prior
tojoiningSouthwestGas,Cathypracticedin
theareasofprobateandtrustadministration
andlitigation,domesticrelationsandguardianshiplaw.
Cathyearnedherundergraduatedegree
inPsychologyandCriminalJusticefromthe
University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1997.
She attended the William S. Boyd School
of Law and earned her law degree, Cum
Laude, in 2002. As a graduating law student, Cathy was honored with the Barbara
Buckley Community Service Award. She
hastwicereceivedtheClarkCountyBarAssociation’sCircleofSupportAward,andshe
wasrecentlyrecognizedinAttorneyat Law
Magazine’sspecialedition,“2013Womenin
theLaw”.
Cathy is a career-long member of the
ClarkCountyBarAssociationandhasbeen
amemberofitsExecutiveBoardsince2008.
She currently serves as the organization’s
Secretary/Treasurer.Cathyisalsoamember
oftheUNLVAlumniAssociation,theSouthern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys,andtheLasVegasChapterofTherapy
DogsInternational.
Cathy was born and raised in New Jersey,andmovedtoLasVegasin1993.She
enjoystraveling,hiking,artsandcrafts,and
participating in pet therapy visits with her
dog,Ginger.
Jessica Sayles is a Principal at Houldsworth,Russo&Company(HRC),aprogressiveentrepreneurialaccountingfirmthatprovidesconsultingservicestoavarietyofclients
andCPAfirms.ShejoinedHRCasanintern
in2007,thenbecameaCPA,auditmanager,
andnow,principal.ShereceivedaBachelor
of Business Administration and a Master of
Science in Accountancy at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas. In November 2014, she
will graduate from The Growth Partnership,
a three-year national program that teaches
leadership and effective business strategies
tocertifiedprofessionalaccountants.
Sayles is an active member of the Pacific Islander community. She serves as the
Finance Chair for the Las Vegas Hawaiian
Civic Club and volunteers at cultural events
throughout the Southern Nevada area each
year. Sayles also volunteers with the Pacific
Rim group, organized to gather professional
resources to mentor struggling minorityowned businesses in Las Vegas. An advocate of the nonprofit community, Sayles is
also involved with the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Southern Nevada, a
groupdedicatedtoengagingandsupporting
nonprofitprofessionalsthroughdevelopment,
networking and social opportunities. She is
alsoapart-timeinstructoratUNLV,teaching
Governmental and Non-Profit Accounting to
undergraduateandgraduatestudents.
An avid hula dancer, Sayles was Miss
HapaHaolein2006.Shealsoenjoyseating,
crocheting, reading, and spending time with
herfamilyandtwodogs.
26
“Trynottobecomeapersonofsuccess,
butrathertrytobecomea
personofvalue.”
- Albert Einstein
Mandi oversees all development activities for Harsch Investment Properties’ 8 million
square foot Las Vegas portfolio and manages
a team of 14 skilled HVAC Technicians. Mandi
joined the Development Department at Harsch
in 2001 while attending UNLV as a Construction Management major. As a long-time leader
inthecommercialrealestateindustry,Mandiis
anappointedmemberoftheCityofLasVegas
Board of Appeals under Mayor Carolyn Goodman and the City of Henderson Development
Services Center Advisory Committee under
Mayor Andy Hafen. She is active member of
the NAIOP Southern Nevada chapter, who in
2011recognizedherastheirDevelopingLeader
of the Year. Mandi’s husband, Master Sargent
NateThorn,hasproudlyservedfor14yearsin
theAirForcesoourNation’sdefenseisnearto
herheart.In2013shewasaskedbytheCommanderofthe555thREDHORSEsquadronto
serveasKeySpouseandsupportthefamiliesof
thedeployed.Mostrecently,Mandiwasnamed
the 2014 Nellis Air Force Base Spouse of the
YearbyMilitarySpouseMagazineand,inApril,
washonoredbyColonelCornish,NellisAirForce
BaseCommander,withthePresident’sVolunteer
ServiceAwardfortheworkinserviceofourNation.Mandiisalsomothertoher3½yearoldson
Marshalandisexpectingherdaughter,Molly,in
September.
GlassCeiling
Woda 2014
Laura
Lopez Hobbs
SeniorVicePresident/Human
ResourcesandAdministration,
SouthwestGasCorporation
“Aleaderisbestwhenpeoplebarelyknow
heexists,whenhisworkisdone,hisaim
fulfilled,theywillsay:wediditourselves.”
- Lao Tzu
Laura believes that when she challenges
herselffromwithin,allthingsarepossible.Today, she is the Senior Vice President, Human
ResourcesandAdministration,SouthwestGas,
where she began her 30-year career with the
Company as an Analyst. Through a series of
promotions in Human Resources, AdministrationandInvestorRelations,shehasexecutive
experience with oversight of employee compensation, organizational development, Equal
Employment Opportunity, shareholder services,internalandexternalcommunications,and
philanthropicinitiatives.
A University of Nevada, Las Vegas graduate,Lauraholdsabachelor’sandmaster’sdegree in Business Administration. Community
involvement includes her contributions to the
Board of Regents, Nevada System of Higher
Education and service as founding President,
National Charity League, Las Vegas Chapter.
Additionally,shehasservedonBishopGorman
High School’s Board of Regents and United
WayofSouthernNevada’sBoardofDirectors.
AcurrentmemberoftheNevadaInternational
Women’sForum,Lauraalsofindstimetoserve
asTreasurerofOutsideLasVegasFoundation.
Appointed to the University Medical Center
Governing Board, she currently chairs its ExecutiveCompensationandHumanResources
Committee. Volunteer activities also include
workwithDesertSagebysewingbereavement
gownsforfamilieswhohavelostanewborn.
FamilyisimportanttoLaura.Shetreasures
time spent with her husband Guy, and their
daughter Mariah. To challenge her physical
and mental endurance, Laura also trains for
half-marathons.
27
EntrepreneuroftheYear
Woda 2014
Donna
G. Miller,
RN, EMS-RN, CMTE
Monica
Y. Beasley
President&CEO,
TheSignatureSuite
Founder/President/CEO,
LifeGuardInternational-FlyingICU
FixedWingAirAmbulance
“Eachdaycomesbearingitsowngifts.
Untietheribbons.”
- Ruth Ann Schabacker
“It’skindoffuntodotheimpossible.”
- Walt Disney
Donna Miller inspires women, demonstrating by example that women can be
strong leaders and achieve their dreams
throughhardwork.
Born and raised in Romania, Donna immigrated to the U.S. in 1991. She was 22
yearsoldandspokenoEnglish.Shebecame
aU.S.citizenin1994;graduatedfromnursingschoolin1996;movedtoVegasin1999;
andobtainedherflightnursewingsin2001.
Ayearlater,in2002,shefoundedLifeGuard
InternationalAirAmbulance.In2007,shereorganized, and Life Guard has grown about
35%yearlysince.
Today, Life Guard owns four aircraft; a
hanger at McCarran Airport; employs about
fifty medical and aviation professionals; and
earnedthereputationofprovidingsafe,quality, patient-oriented, worldwide aeromedical
transportationtoanyacuityofpatients,from
simpletomostcomplexICU-patient.
In2013,Donnawasinstrumentalinpassing SB285 through Nevada Legislature; she
participated in Governor-led trade missions
toChina,Israel,MexicoandCanada,pursuingglobaleconomicdevelopmentofNevada
and addressing global nursing issues; and
shepartneredwithLVCVA,LasVegasHEALS,
andUNLVtodevelopastrategicplantopromoteLasVegasasmedicalandhealth-andwellness tourism destination. She served
on two legislative committees; and as vicepresidentoftheNevadaNursesAssociation,
District3.
AllwhilebeingadevotedwifetoMichael
Hottman and a proud mother of Kimberly
Miller.
TheSignatureSuitehasbeenintheevent
managementbusinessforover22years.The
companylauncheditsgiftbasketdivision12
years ago and a promotional products division 7 years later. Prior to owning her own
business, Monica spent many years in the
corporate hospitality industry and nearly 20
yearsintheinsuranceindustry.
Post college, Monica achieved a Certificate in Non-Profit Management. She is
a Leadership Las Vegas Alumni. In 2013,
Monica became the first person in Nevada
toachievetheinauguralnationalcertification
of “Certified Gift Designer”, and in January
2015,shewillearnherfirstdesignationinthe
PromotionalProductsIndustry.
Monicahasservedonnumerousboards,
including AFP, ISES, NCBW, and most recently,JuniorLeagueofLasVegas.Shehas
been appointed to positions by the City of
North Las Vegas, and Clark County. These
experienceshavemotivatedMonicatoassist
others with business development, as well,
nonprofitandboardofdirectorstraining.
The Signature Suite aspires to become
THECompanythatothercompanieslookto
foralltheirgiftingneeds.
Monica has been married to Lawrence
Beasleyfor16years.TheBeasleyslegacywill
be to start an Adoption Foundation that will
support adoptive families with the financial
burdensofbecomingparents.Afterall,thisis
howtheirtwins,XavierandAlexandria,came
tothem9yearsago.
28
2014 WODA Sponsors
Program Sponsor
Specialty Award Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsors
Sponsors
29
2014 NAWBO Board Members
Valerie Parker,BGreenBranding
President
Christy Echols,ParagonDiversity
President Elect & Business Development Chair
Elissa Evans
Immediate Past President
Gayle Stephens,CPA
Treasurer
Brenda Stout,CPA
Secretary
Marlene Hutcheson,DeJoyaGriffithCPA
Membership Chair
Ericka Ayala,ForensicElite
Membership Co-Chair
Jacki Ramirez,RamirezGroup
Public Policy Chair & 2014 WODA Chair
2014 WODA Committee
Anna Siefert,BusinessConsultant
WODA Committee, Finalist Liaison
Evon Stevenson,ManagementActionPrograms
WODA Committee, Nomination Liaison
Julie Robinson,UndercoverProductions
WODA Committee, Past WODA Chair
Shelia McKay,WomenPresident’sOrganization
WODA Advisor & Past WODA Chair
Marge Becker,MargeBeckerFundraising
WODA Fundraiser
Raven Gilmore,Gilmore&GilmoreCPAs
WODA Committee Member
Jane Lee,JadonFoods
WODA Committee Member
Amy Shaw,McCarranInternationalAirport
WODA Committee Member
Christy Echols,ParagonDiversity
NAWBO SNV President Elect
Jacki Ramirez,RamirezGroup
2014 WODA Chair & NAWBO Public Policy Chair
30
T h e H i s t or y of N AW B O S o u t h e r n N e va d a
O
nFebruary26,1990thefirstmeetingofthe
SouthernNevadachapterofNationalAssociationofWomenBusinessOwnerswasheld
atastanding-roomonlyluncheonattheOlympicGardensRestaurant,52chartermembersweresignedup.
Twoyearslater,thefirstNAWBONationalConference was held in Las Vegas. The national organizationwasstunnedbyarecordattendance,
whichincludedalmost200walk-ins.
Threeyearslater,1995,threeNAWBOSouthernNevadamemberswereelectedtotheNevada
delegation to the White House Conference on
SmallBusiness.
In 1998, the Southern Nevada chapter once
again hosted the National Conference and the
verynextmonth,launchedtheWomenofDistinctionAwards.
InFebruary2005,wecelebratedour15thanniversary and marked the milestone by signing
up our 200th member. We are now in our 24th
year!
OurfirstCorporatePartnerwasBankofAmericabackin1991;theygaveus$1000topublish
ournewsletterforayear.Todaythatwouldn'teven
paythepostage.SouthwestGaswasoursecond
Corporate Partner and remains a vital supporter
today.
NAWBO Southern Nevada has been led by
some dynamic women over the years. Our past
presidentsare:
Pa s t P r e s i d e n t s
Elizabeth Casey|1990-1991
Cynthia Throm|2002-2003
Patricia Brown, Esq. |1991-1992
Jeanne Richard Jones|2003-2004
Carolyn Stephens|1992-1993
Betty Mahalik|2004-2005
Anne Seward, Esq.|1993-1994
Renee Ryan-Thrailkill |2005-2006
Shelby Keefer|1994-1995&1995-1996
Brenda Stout, CPA|2006-2007
Paula Brown|1996-1997
Toni Jo Artz|2007-2008(18months)
Nancy McRight|1997-1998&1998-1999
Berna Rhodes-Ford|2009-2010
Jaymie McMullin|1999-2000
Kimberly Miles|2010-2011
Bobbi Brooks|2000-2001
Elissa Evans|2011-2012
Carolyn Muse Grant|2001-2002
31
Celebrating 2014 Women of Distinction Nominees & Honorees!
Serving the entire state, the Alliance for Nevada Nonprofits (ANN) mission is strengthening
communities by increasing influence and capacity of Nevada’s nonprofit sector (4,681 nonprofits).
If you are a woman-owned business
and want to reach or support
nonprofits in your service area,
please contact ANN Board members
Daniele Dreitzer at [email protected],
Dana Serrata at [email protected],
or visit us at AllianceForNevadaNonprofits.org.
NAW
Congratulations to the
16th Annual
Women of Distinction
nominees and award winners
including our own
Angelica Silveyra and
Doretha Easler.
Angelica Silveyra
Doretha Easler
We’re putting all of our energy
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You Inspire Us All.
Mary Ann K. Allison, MD, FACP
Medical Oncology
Dr. Mary Ann K. Allison, your distinction comes not only
through your accomplishments, but through all those
lives that you’ve helped save. All of us at Comprehensive
Cancer Centers of Nevada congratulate you on this
prestigious honor.
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Congratulations!
Lori Nelson
Station Casinos
2014
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We are proud to celebrate all the achievements of women past, present, and future.
When women succeed everybody wins.
Wells Fargo is proud to celebrate the 2014 Entrepreneur Award
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