Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Nevada for 2024. Nevada, often recognized for the vibrant energy of Las Vegas, is a state with a rich and diverse economic landscape that extends well beyond the Strip. While tourism is a vital part of the Silver State’s economy, the state is also thriving in sectors like agriculture, construction, hospitality, healthcare, and education. Additionally, Nevada is making strides in innovative industries like IT and cybersecurity, multimodal transportation centers, and advanced manufacturing.
This year’s awardees serve in high-level roles across these industries and beyond. Among them is Sabrina Borghoff, who stands at the forefront of Nevada’s fastest-growing general contracting firm, Martin-Harris Construction. As Vice President of Business Development, Borghoff leverages her 10 years of experience in commercial construction to drive the company’s continued success.
Next, we honor hospitality executive Erin Naeve. With 20 years of experience in sales and distribution roles at renowned companies like Travelzoo, Harrah’s Entertainment, and The Venetian, Naeve is now Vice President of Distribution and Social Sales for Fontainebleau Las Vegas, one of the newest luxury hotels on the Vegas Strip.
Finally, we acknowledge the accomplishments of Maria Sexton, Chief Information Officer of the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. A leader in both healthcare and technology, Sexton leads the IT division’s operations and the information security program for the state's only public hospital.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Nevada for 2024.
2. Phyllis James
President, Foundation for Women's Leadership & Empowerment
Phyllis James is the President of the Foundation for Women's Leadership & Empowerment (FWLE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2019 to provide the successful Annual Women’s Leadership Conference and other affordable development programs that empower and equip women from all backgrounds, including women of color, for leadership across society as equal partners with men.
James was previously the executive vice president and chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer at MGM Resorts International, where she worked for over 17 years. She oversaw the company’s diversity initiative, as well as its philanthropy, community engagement, and employee volunteerism efforts. She also led the Corporate Diversity and Community Engagement Department. In her role, James maintained those responsibilities while taking on expanded leadership of MGM Resorts’ CSR initiative. She focused on enhancing the company’s overarching CSR strategy, further integrating it across the enterprise. She also advanced and communicated the company’s national CSR profile and reputation. James began her career with MGM Resorts in 2002 as SVP and senior counsel before her promotion to chief diversity officer in 2009 and then to EVP in 2010. Previously, she served under the City of Detroit’s mayor as corporation counsel and law director for the city. She also enjoyed a distinguished legal career in private practice and as a judicial law clerk.
James graduated magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree from Harvard and Radcliffe College and received the honors of Phi Beta Kappa junior year, the Captain Jonathan Fay Prize, and the Isobelle T. Briggs Fellowship for Graduate Study. She earned her JD from Harvard Law School. In 2016, the National Bar Association recognized James’ efforts with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The previous year, she was admitted to the prestigious American Law Institute and included in Savoy Magazine’s list of most influential black lawyers.
5. Samantha Klein
Chief Operating Officer, Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches
Today, Samantha Klein is the Chief Operating Officer of the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches. The mission of the JCC of the Greater Palm Beaches is to create a strong Jewish community by providing high-quality programs close to, where people live that connect people to Jewish life.
Klein is an experienced and entrepreneurial executive professional with a passion for the nonprofit community. With over 20 years of leadership experience, she provides data-driven, strategic guidance to decision-makers, board leaders, and senior and middle managers. In her current position, she provides strategic vision and direction for the organization, while also managing all aspects of agency operations. She partners with the president and CEO in leading the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches, reimagining agency-wide programming to establish it as the premier destination for Jewish life in Palm Beach, Florida.
Klein started her career in 2002 as a director of public relations at Chapter 11 Bookstore. From there, she went on to Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, before eventually rising to manager, consumer insight and analytics at Beazer Homes, her most recent position before joining Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches. Klein graduated from the University of Florida of Warrington College of Business with an undergraduate degree in marketing and English.
6. Maila Aganon
Senior Vice President & Las Vegas Business Leader, Aon
Maila Aganon is the Senior Vice President and Las Vegas Business Leader of Aon, a global professional services and management consulting firm. The company provides a broad range of risk-mitigation products, including commercial risk, investment, wealth, health, and reinsurance solutions.
With three decades of experience, Aganon is a successful finance professional with experience in global-scale hospitality, gaming, insurance, banking, and retail industries. She has proven experience in leading and driving innovations to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. With outstanding diplomacy, she consistently builds consensus among stakeholders to ensure that activities align with business goals and objectives. At Aon, she is responsible for client relationship oversight, strategic risk management planning, understanding and interpreting client needs, coordinating the delivery of appropriate Aon resources and services, sorting through challenging insurer discussions, and overseeing the completion of critical deliverables.
Before joining Aon, Aganon was a vice president of treasury and risk finance at Caesars Entertainment. Before that, she was a manager at AAA. Earlier in her career, she worked with Allstate Insurance as a claims adjuster and senior financial analyst. Aganon graduated from San Francisco State University with an MBA in Finance and from San Francisco State University with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
7. Jessica Hensler
Chief Operating Officer, Northern Nevada Health System
Jessica Hensler is the Chief Operating Officer of Northern Nevada Health System. She first joined the team in 2023. Northern Nevada Health System is a regional multi-facility system that has excelled at offering quality care to residents of the greater Truckee Meadows.
Over the past 20 years, Hensler has taken a distinctive career path that spans healthcare, project management, performance and process improvement, advertising, marketing, journalism, and architecture and design. Discovering her genuine interest and passion in healthcare, she has focused her professional growth on advancing into facility leadership.
Previously, Hensler was a chief operating officer at Spring Valley Hospital. Before that, she was a chief operating officer at Valley Hospital Medical Center. Earlier in her career, she worked with Home Organizers, Inc. as an advertising and marketing assistant. Hensler earned an MBA in International Business and an undergraduate degree in advertising from the University of Nevada, Reno.
9. Alisa Mirabal
Vice President of Advanced Products, Aristocrat
Alisa Mirabal has a wealth of experience in the gaming and hospitality industry. She currently holds the position of Vice President of Advanced Products at Aristocrat Gaming Division, where she leads innovation and product strategy. Aristocrat Gaming is the leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of Class 3 and Class 2 land-based slot games.
Previously, Mirabal served as general manager of customer success and hospitality solutions at LAVA.AI, where she oversaw the growth and success of the customer base. She also served as vice president and assistant general manager at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, providing guidance and leadership in various operational departments. Mirabal held similar executive roles at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe and Planet Hollywood Resort. Mirabal’s experience also includes roles at Ignite Funding, Marketing Results, Harrah's Entertainment, Caesars Entertainment, and Sun International. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated expertise in marketing, customer engagement, and strategic planning.
Mirabal earned a Bachelor of Science in Gaming Management with a minor in Economics from the University of Nevada, Reno. She then pursued a Master of Business Administration in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, graduating in 2004.
10. Kelly LeGrow
Senior Vice President, Brown & Brown Insurance of Nevada
Kelly LeGrow is the Senior Vice President of Brown & Brown Insurance of Nevada. With more than 30 years of healthcare and insurance experience, LeGrow has established a strong executive reputation as a sought-after consultant with expertise in employee benefits, provider networks, contract negotiation, and the management and development of numerous plan benefits.
During her career, LeGrow has developed and implemented operational, business, and marketing strategies for hospitals, third-party administrators, pharmacy benefits managers, managed care organizations, and physician groups. LeGrow also has developed PPO and HMO networks, home health agencies, and insurance brokerage firms. She was instrumental in the expansion and elevation of Waymark Insurance Services, representing many influential organizations across Las Vegas. She continues to expand that service at Brown & Brown.
LeGrow was appointed to chair the National Employee Benefits Leadership Advisory Council for Brown & Brown Insurance, and she serves as the chair of The Nevada Health Foundation and a board member of the Nevada Donor Network Foundation. She has served as a VP of the Nevada Neuroscience Foundation, the chair of the board of the Nevada chapter of the American Lung Association, a member of the Nevada Executive Women in Health Care, and a member of the National Women Business Leaders. She has lived in southern Nevada since 1984 and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
11. Cynthia Osborn
Chief Operating Officer, AssuredPartners of Nevada
Cynthia Osborn is the Chief Operating Officer of AssuredPartners of Nevada. AssuredPartners insurance agency in Las Vegas, NV offers commercial insurance, employee benefits, and personal insurance.
Osborn has 28 years of experience. She began her career in operations as an affiliate account manager with iGo.com. From there, she became a sales and marketing executive with Landmark Homes and then the director of operations for West Haven Development. In her most recent position before joining AssuredPartners of Nevada, Osborn was the director of operations for Benefit Resource Group for nearly five years.
Osborn is highly involved in her community and currently serves as an active board member of the Nevada Women's Fund. She volunteers with the Nevada Women's Fund, contributing her time and efforts to support their initiatives. Previously, Osborn was part of the executive leadership team at the American Heart Association and served as a team captain and volunteer for the Northern Nevada Heart & Stroke organization. She has also volunteered with the Safe Kids Foundation, demonstrating her commitment to community service and leadership.
View the complete list of awardees.
14. Jennifer Cooper
Chief Communications & Strategy Officer, Clark County
Jennifer Cooper is the Chief Communications and Strategy Officer for Clark County, a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect, and accountability. Cooper joined the team in February 2022 to lead the government agency’s Communications and Strategy team, launching a global marketing and branding campaign while also refocusing internal communications and external social engagement to increase the public’s understanding of services provided by the entity to more than 2.3 million residents. Simultaneously, Her responsibilities include restructuring internal efforts to reconnect county employees to the value of the services they provide to citizens while proactively developing the narrative of Clark County to residents and stakeholders.
Previously, Cooper was the system director of division communications for CommonSpirit Health, where she directed the efforts of communications and marketing teams for eleven divisions across 21 states. She contributed to the development and implementation of strategies for internal and external communications initiatives for 137 hospitals, 150,000 employees, and numerous care facilities nationwide. Additionally, her extensive work history includes time as a manager of external relations and later as director of communications at Dignity Health. Cooper spent four years with the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development as its communications director and was a senior media manager for the National Federation of Independent Business in Washington DC before returning to Nevada.
Cooper got her start professionally by overseeing and leading campaign and political communications and was the youngest-serving communications director in the United States Senate. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is married and has a daughter and two rescue pups.
17. Jaime Miranda
Vice President of Hotel Operations & Luxury Services, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
Jaime Miranda is the Vice President of Hotel Operations and Luxury Services of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. She first joined the company in 2005 as the front desk and command center manager. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is an important part of their global company and a standard of luxury and service in the industry.
Miranda is a hospitality leader with extensive experience in managing 4-star and 5-diamond properties, consistently demonstrating the ability to oversee the big picture while remaining attentive to details. Her leadership success is rooted in her ability to embrace challenges as opportunities to enhance operations, always considering the needs of guests, team members, and the bottom line. Her goal is to find the right balance for the business through collaboration with her team and colleagues, all while enjoying the journey.
Previously, Miranda was an assistant front desk manager at JW Marriott Pennsylvania Avenue. Earlier in her career, she worked with Sheraton Manhattan as an assistant housekeeping manager. Miranda earned an MBA from The Wharton School and an undergraduate degree in hospitality and tourism management from Virginia Tech.
20. Jennie Bowman
Vice President of Marketing & Business Development, NV5
Jennie Bowman has over 20 years of work experience in various marketing and business development roles. Currently, Bowman has been the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at NV5. NV5 Global, Inc. is a provider of technology, conformity assessment, and consulting solutions for public and private sector clients supporting sustainable infrastructure, utility, and building assets and systems.
Previously, Bowman served as the chief marketing officer at Campbell House, where she oversaw marketing, brand, and communication initiatives for a startup interior design firm. Before that, she was the regional director of business development at Wilson Associates. Bowman also worked as the senior director of marketing and business development at JBA Consulting Engineers, an NV5 company, where she directed global marketing and business development efforts for engineering and technology solutions in the hospitality and gaming industry. Earlier in her career, she held the position of marketing director at The PENTA Building Group. Before that, she owned and operated The Wild Sage Inn.
Bowman obtained a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, International Business, and Spanish from The University of Montana College of Business. She then pursued an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. In addition, she studied Spanish and business at the American Institute in Valencia, Spain.
24. Anyah Ellis
Senior Vice President, RCG powered by Luminate Home Loans
Anyah Ellis is a Senior Vice President at RCG powered by Luminate Home Loans. At Luminate Home Loans, their mission is to unlock people's full potential through finances and provide them with clarity at every step along the way. They make lending approachable by bringing transparency and consistency to every part of the financial world, guiding people to decisions that they feel are in their best interest.
Anyah has worked in the mortgage industry for over 20 years, gaining experience in operations, sales, and marketing. She is passionate about providing opportunities for those entering a new path in their careers and cultivating an experience for others in personal and professional growth. Anyah has worked with non-profit organizations that provide mortgage and rent assistance for those affected by pediatric cancer. She graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with an undergraduate degree in sociology.
28. Shelly Rounds
Chief Operating Officer, NetEffect IT Built for Business
Shelly Rounds is the Chief Operating Officer of NetEffect IT Built for Business. Based in Las Vegas, with over 165 5-star Google reviews, NetEffect is an award-winning, managed IT service provider that has served over 800 small and midsize businesses across various industries, providing customized business technology and cyber security solutions for over two decades.
An entrepreneur at heart, Roundsh has built a premier technology business bootstrapped from an idea. She seized the opportunity to transform the Las Vegas market with cutting-edge technology services that rival any metro area nationwide. With extensive experience in business management and marketing, she has guided NetEffect into becoming a leading IT service and consulting firm in the Las Vegas community. Her passion and perseverance have empowered NetEffect to deliver exceptional customer service and innovative technology solutions as the foundation of this thriving business.
Rounds is a 2006 graduate of Leadership Las Vegas, hosted by the Vegas Chamber. She has been married to a native of Las Vegas for over 27 years, and the couple built their business together while raising three wonderful children. A proud, empty nester now, Rounds enjoys travel, laughing with friends, yoga, and dancing.
31. Lauren LaPointe
Founder & CEO, Lauren LaPointe Productions
Lauren LaPointe is a luminary guiding the future of entrepreneurship, celebrated as the CEO and Founder of Lauren LaPointe Productions, the dynamic umbrella company encompassing her diverse ventures. Synonymous with elegance, entrepreneurship, and excellence, she stands as a testament to the power of vision and determination. Her journey is one of profound impact. She thrives as a serial entrepreneur, a devoted mother, and a gifted ballroom dancer. Her achievements transcend conventional boundaries, embodying versatility and grace. She stands at the intersection of achievement and humility, a remarkable blend that defines her character.
Under the Lauren LaPointe Productions banner, LaPointe leads Proscenium Events, orchestrating unforgettable experiences through dynamic and innovative event management. Her proficiency extends to etiquette and business consultancy, manifested through her venture On Pointe Etiquette, where she empowers individuals and businesses with essential skills to flourish in the professional realm. Her influence reaches beyond business domains. As a board member and contributor to numerous organizations, she actively shapes philanthropic landscapes. She's a global connector, an advocate for growth, and a mentor to those aspiring for excellence.
LaPointe’s accolades as a competitive ballroom dancer include being a two-time world champion. Her journey on the dance floor mirrors her approach to life, an elegant blend of determination, grace, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. Her passion for the dancesport industry led her to a mission to use her creativity and positivity to better the lives of those around her. That’s why she founded IBDIA (International Ballroom Dance Industry Association). This revolutionary platform envisions a dancesport world, where connections flourish, resources abound, and futures are secured. IBDIA fosters profound connections, championing members' well-being both personally and professionally. LaPointe has etched her legacy through collaboration, empowering entrepreneurs, and nurturing thriving communities. Her story resonates as that of a leader, mentor, and symbol of success rooted in authenticity.
32. Renea Louie
Chief Operations Officer, Pro Group Captive Management Services
Renea Louie joined the Pro Group family of companies in 2005. An accomplished business professional with extensive experience and knowledge in the alternative risk transfer industry and business management and growth, she currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer, based at the corporate headquarters in Carson City, Nevada.
Before joining Pro Group, Louie held top-level executive roles in the high-tech industry. She is a respected industry leader, and her experience includes procurement, management, and team oversight of complex national and global risk management clients and projects using her authoritative experience in the feasibility, formation, licensing, and ongoing management daily for more than 100 insurance companies. Louie has served the industry dutifully and dependably for two decades on many boards, including The International Center for Captive Insurance Education (ICCIE), and continues to serve on the Marketing Committee. Additionally, she serves on or is a member of many onshore state and national associations, including Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Vermont, and Tennessee.
She has been heavily awarded over the years, and she is a frequent speaker and commentator at industry conferences, meetings, and articles. Louie is the CEO and chairman of the Incredible Kids Fund and the Fore the Kids Golf tournament and Swing for a Cure, running the organization since 2002. She has raised nearly $6 million in charitable funds for her community.
View the complete list of awardees.
33. Erin Naeve
Vice President of Distribution & Social Sales, Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Erin Naeve is Vice President of Distribution and Social Sales for Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a vertically integrated luxury hotel, gaming, entertainment, and meeting destination conceived by Fontainebleau Development.
Naeve brings more than 25+ years of sales experience, including 20 years in the Las Vegas hospitality and gaming industries, to her role at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. She joined the resort in February 2023 for her second career Las Vegas hotel opening following a successful tenure and 12 years at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas as Executive Director of Group Sales and Executive Director of Leisure Sales. She was previously held sales and distribution roles at Travelzoo, Harrah’s Entertainment, and The Venetian.
Naeve holds a Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management.
37. Trinh Dang
Executive Director, NAMI of Southern Nevada
As Executive Director of NAMI Southern Nevada, Trinh Dang leads a peer-led grassroots mental health nonprofit that aims to support, educate, and advocate for individuals and families impacted by mental health conditions.
Dang spent time in the classroom as a teacher and as a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist before starting her current role in January 2020. She aims to bring public mental health awareness to the community with empathy, compassion, and understanding as a mental health first aid instructor through NAMI signature presentations and mindfulness practices by engaging diverse communities. As a mental health advocate, she brings the family and peer voices to legislators and community organizations to ensure that policies and programs incorporate the perspectives of those utilizing the services.
As someone with lived experience with mental health challenges and seeing it firsthand with family members, Dang is a passionate mental health advocate. She completed NAMI’s Family-to-Family 12-week class in 2012 and became a volunteer teacher in 2013, helping dozens of families navigate mental health challenges over the past decade.
39. Sabrina Borghoff
VP of Business Development, Martin-Harris Construction
Sabrina Borghoff stands at the forefront of the fastest-moving general contracting firm in Nevada, Martin-Harris Construction (MHC). With over 10 years of experience working in commercial construction, she joined the MHC team as a strategic relationship developer in 2013. In her current role as Vice President of Business Development, she is responsible for overseeing the business development team, identifying and engaging with new clients, and strengthening relationships with MHC’s long-standing partners.
Borghoff serves as MHC’s primary liaison to local and national business organizations regarding economic development and leads MHC’s strategic growth planning process with a focus on creating short- and long-term strategies to align marketing, sales, and customer experience teams around a singular goal to drive sustainable profitability. Borghoff’s innovative approach to business development cultivates long-lasting, true collaborative partnerships for business unit leaders, ensuring the company revenue pipeline is diversified and sustainable. She has worked on a variety of market verticals, through various delivery methods, for public and private clients, which have resulted in the successful delivery of projects in the industrial, multifamily, commercial, hospitality, and healthcare sectors.
Borghoff holds an Associate degree in Construction Management from the College of Southern Nevada. She is a National Real Estate and Development Trends Forum member of the NAIOP, a member of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, and an active member of the Southern Nevada, Northern Nevada, and Southern California NAIOP chapters, serving as chair for several committees over the years. She is an associate member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) and has served as an ambassador for the American Cancer Society for the past two years, ranked number one in Nevada and number six nationally.
40. Stephanie Davis
Senior Director, Integrated Business Planning Processes, HAVI
Stephanie Davis is the Senior Director of Integrated Business Planning Processes at HAVI. She has over 20 years of Marketing and Supply Chain experience leading strategic initiatives and integrated planning processes for food service and CPG companies.
Davis is responsible for understanding client needs and industry trends and translating them into an innovative transformation service. She leads international cross-functional teams and partners through the deployment of multiple integration processes, such as S&OP and CPFR.
Davis has an MBA from DePaul’s Keller Graduate School of Management and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College. She has also achieved PMP (Project Management Professional) and CMC (Change Management) certifications.
42. Dee Frewert
Senior Director of Product Development, Oracle
Dee Frewert is the Senior Director of Product Development for Oracle where she directs and transforms cloud implementations into successful Oracle references. She is a key member of the Product Development Center of Excellence team and a global lead for Development Design Review Program.
Dee is known amongst her peers as an astute leader, advisor, and coach. She is disciplined in execution, creative in visioning, and principled in counsel. She delights in solving problems for customers in challenging circumstances. Dee has an impeccable record of successful projects and customer turnaround, founded on deep skills in SaaS and enterprise implementations. She earned a Doctor of Education in HR, leadership, and management. She has experience in supply chain management, customer relationship management, social ventures, and non-profit organizations.
43. Mary Gurczynski
Realtor & Sales Manager, Haute Properties NV
Mary Gurczynski is a Realtor and Sales Manager with Haute Properties NV, a boutique real estate brokerage with unique insight into the Northern Nevada real estate market.
Gurczynski is a 25-year veteran of the real estate and mortgage finance industry. A native of the Northern Nevada area, she has a passion for helping her community simplify the home-buying process. She specializes in new home construction, first-time homebuyers, and investor purchases. Gurczynski’s accomplishments include being the National Top 10% Sales Leader from 2010 to 2016, taking her talent to multiple leadership levels, and managing sales teams of over 50 individuals.
Before joining Haute Properties, Gurczynski was a new home sales director with Krch Realty. Before that, she was a market manager at loanDepot. Earlier in her career, she worked with Wells Fargo as a sales manager. Gurczynski graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno.
45. Janielle Bertrand
Senior Vice President of Marketing, Nvision360
Janielle Bertrand currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Nvision360. Located in Las Vegas and New York, the event production and audio-visual company is known for its boutique customer first approach to events and partnerships. As Senior Vice President of Marketing, Janielle is leading the development of brand strategy, driving demand for products and services through customer insights, leading overall marketing, communications, and developing sales enablement strategies. With more than 30 years of marketing experience, Janielle is a seasoned executive, brand trailblazer and strategic spark starter. Her career has been dedicated to transforming companies through strategic and creative solutions. Having served one of the largest global event production organizations, Janielle steered major corporate rebrands and integrated cutting-edge sales strategies that fundamentally boosted market presence and revenue.
She blends high level management skills with the ability to devise strategic solutions across a broad spectrum of marketing and commercial initiatives. With the ability to synthesize vast content into effective strategies, she is both a skilled designer and a visionary thinker. Known for her high energy, positive outlook, and true grit, she leads with a spirit that inspires action and champions a vibrant workspace, where creativity and performance thrive together. She helps teams unleash their full creative and professional potential.
View the complete list of awardees.
46. Mishkat Al Moumin
Executive Director, Envirolution
Mishkat Al Moumin is a visionary leader and an advocate for environmental sustainability and women's empowerment. As the Executive Director of Envirolution, Al Moumin leverages her profound expertise to drive impactful change. A former Iraqi Minister of the Environment, Al Moumin has dedicated her career to advocating for the recognition of environmental rights as human rights, a milestone reflected in the Iraqi Constitution of 2005.
Al Moumin's legal acumen was honed as an attorney in Iraq, where she passionately represented women and inspired students as a professor at the University of Baghdad School of Law. Her journey led her to the United States, where she became a Mason Fellow and Public Service Fellow at Harvard University. As an educational advisor for the Institute of Peace, she continued her mission to foster societal growth through education. With academic appointments at the Environmental Law Institute and the Women Waging Peace Network, Al Moumin's thought leadership extends across continents. She has published extensively in both English and Arabic, enriching academic and public discourse. At the Defense Language Institute, she served as the chairperson of the Iraqi Department, earning the prestigious Commandant Excellence Coin Award in 2014 for her role in fostering departmental harmony. Her innovative approach to education, particularly during the pandemic, earned her another Coin of Excellence in 2020 for her positive attitude and for offering numerous one-on-one sessions for service men and women.
As an adjunct faculty at the Center for Leadership Development, Al Moumin trains supervisors and managers to become servant leaders. Her extensive career includes roles as an educational consultant for the United States Institute of Peace and as an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University. Since 2006, she has been a visiting scholar at the Environmental Law Institute and a key member of Inclusive Security. As the former managing academic director at the National Judicial College, Al Moumin supported the effort to establish the first Veterans Court in Ukraine, demonstrating her commitment to innovative judicial reforms and veterans' rights.
47. Joy Guinn
Partner and Principal, Guinn Consulting Engineers
Currently, Joy Guinn serves as a Partner, Principal, and majority owner at Guinn Consulting Engineers, where she continues to drive business growth and innovation for small to medium-sized architecture, engineering, and construction firms. Guinn is a role model for many women due to her impressive career achievements and her dedication to empowering others. Her journey in the engineering industry, a field traditionally dominated by men, showcases her resilience, determination, and exceptional leadership skills. Guinn’s ability to break through barriers and achieve significant milestones, such as earning prestigious certifications and being recognized with numerous awards, serves as an inspiration to women aspiring to excel in their careers.
Guinn’s commitment to mentorship and professional development is particularly admirable. She actively supports and guides team members, helping them to grow and succeed. Her focus on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment demonstrates her belief in the importance of lifting others as she climbs. This approach not only enhances the capabilities of the teams she works with but also creates a supportive network, where women can thrive and reach their full potential.
Throughout her career, Guinn has demonstrated exceptional skills in management, marketing, and communications. She has successfully led strategic planning, capture planning, and internal staff training for firms of various sizes. She is adept at developing marketing strategies, managing complex proposal efforts, and coordinating marketing and business development activities. Her expertise extends to branding, public relations, and coaching and mentoring, where she has forged strong relationships with clients and led efforts to penetrate new markets. Guinn graduated from West Virginia University with an undergraduate degree in marketing with minors in communications and management.
48. Amy-Marie Merrell
Co-Executive Director, The Cupcake Girls
Amy-Marie Merrell is the Co-Executive Director of Programs and Development for The Cupcake Girls, a nonprofit organization based in Las Vegas. Since 2006, Merrell has been dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and working on the prevention and aftercare of domestic sex trafficking. She believes that linking arms with others as they work to achieve their goals, in their timing, is the most beautiful form of advocacy she has ever found.
Merrell’s leadership and commitment to advocacy have earned her various awards, reflecting her profound impact in the field. Her role with The Cupcake Girls is more than a job; it’s her life’s work. She leads with compassion and innovation, ensuring that consensual sex workers and sex trafficking survivors are empowered, supported, and treated with dignity.
When she’s not championing The Cupcake Girls' mission, Merrell enjoys exploring the outdoors with her child and their pup.
49. Ashley Unga
Senior Director of Customer Success, Gaming Analytics
Ashley Unga, a proud Las Vegas native, has made a significant mark in the gaming industry, seamlessly balancing her thriving career with a growing family. A Division 1 Soccer athlete at Utah Valley University, she graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Management and returned home to launch her career on the Las Vegas Strip and marry her husband Loa Unga. In just seven years, she earned four promotions while having three children, ultimately becoming the Director of Marketing for Penn National Gaming at Tropicana Casino.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ashley has shown exceptional leadership and commitment to community service. As a Youth Leader, she developed a program that enhanced job search skills for young women, and her volunteer work with Opportunity Village and Special Olympics reflects her deep passion for supporting those with special needs and causes close to home as her younger brother is mentally challenged.
In the gaming industry, Ashley is widely recognized for her contributions, particularly through her involvement with Global Gaming Women (GGW). As a Lean In Moderator, Mentor, and Lean In Circle Board Committee member, she has empowered countless individuals and promoted diversity and inclusivity. One of her standout contributions was her collaboration with a casino and the largest Gaming Expo to introduce a Nursing Pod, a first for nursing mothers at the convention, which continues to serve women today.
Now, as the Senior Director of Customer Success at Gaming Analytics, Ashley Unga continues to lead with excellence, driving the integration of AI into casino operations while also welcoming her fourth child. Her leadership has been pivotal in advancing the gaming industry, earning widespread praise for her commitment to innovation, customer support, and inclusivity. Ashley’s exceptional leadership is reflected in her dedication to building a customer-centric company culture, where her efforts have ingrained this mindset into the company’s DNA. Customers often express their satisfaction, with one stating, “I’ve been in the industry 30+ years and never experienced customer support like GA.” Ashley’s contributions are significant factors in the company’s success, making her a true leader and inspiration in her field.
View the complete list of awardees.