2018 Women to Watch

Women are making their voices heard, both in Nevada and across the world. A vital part of the business community, female executives and business owners are impacting and mentoring the next generation of leaders. These women continue to break through the glass ceiling with their drive and determination. Representing a variety of industries, this year’s Women to Watch are in a class all their own and leaders in their fields.

In the following pages, these 10 impressive women share professional advice, their challenges, achievements and insights. It is evident that passion, wisdom and drive are shared qualities in each of the 2018 Women to Watch.

Congratulations to each of them for inspiring other women to succeed in Nevada and for their personal and professional successes.

Sandra Beaver is the chief financial officer of North America gaming and interactive for IGT. She has been a Nevada resident for nearly three years and resides in the southern end of the state.

How did you first get into your profession?

When I was in high school, I joined a group called Distributive Education Clubs of America and designed my first business plan when I was in ninth grade. I originally joined to be with friends and take exciting trips, but I found that I had a real knack for business and enjoyed the work. I was also fortunate to have a wonderful role model in my mother who was able to engage me in some amazing internships in investor relations as early as high school.

What do you love about this state?

I’ve spent most of my life on the east coast which couldn’t be more different than the Las Vegas desert. I love the endless sunshine, the active lifestyle (I am able to run or hike almost every day), the beautiful scenery, the more convenient accessible living and the amazing community.

What do you view as the next step in your career?

I really enjoy being in a financial role and learning all aspects of the business and the industry. I would like to continue to develop as a leader and expand my capabilities into broader finance or operational roles.

What is the next item on your “bucket list”?

I have registered to run a 100-mile race in 2019.

What is your personal motto?

The idea of doing what you once thought you were incapable of doing, pressing beyond your perceived limitations and achieving a goal you never imagined you’d try is something that is really resonating with me. I believe in being respectful to others but not apologizing for being who you are and taking care of yourself, and your family. Too often, women in particular, tend to apologize when they have nothing to apologize for.

What advice would you give a young woman entering the business world?

Be authentic, be accountable and be heard.

Jana Benton is the senior vice president for small business lending and a sales manager with Nevada State Bank. She has been a Nevada resident for 15 years and resides in Northern Nevada.

How did you first get into your profession?

I took a summer job as a teller while I went to a community college so I could be a writer. After three years, I realized I loved banking and helping people more than writing.

What do you love about your industry?

My team and I work with business owners, who are the heart blood of this nation. It is rewarding to help these dedicated, fearless entrepreneurs walk through the door to opportunity and help them realize their dreams.

What female role model has made an impact on your life?

My mother; she died when I was around 19 from breast cancer. She never gave up and always looked on the sunny side of life, no matter what. She lived life to her fullest and told me on her death bed to live every day as if it is your last (because it could be) and remember to be kind to everyone, be positive and happy in the moment.

What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned as a professional woman?

You must be unafraid to take a seat at the table. If you wait to be “asked” you might never get the opportunity.

If you could meet any woman in the world, past, present or future, who would you meet?

Dolly Madison, she was considered the “First” First Lady, starting many trends in her epoch. She was the first woman to sit in the House of Representatives. She also saved important treasures from the White House before the British set it ablaze.

What is your personal motto?

Hope is not a strategy. I am always [saying that] to my small business relationship managers just to watch them roll their eyes at me.

Deborah Conway is the county recorder for Clark County, Nevada. She has been a Nevada resident for approximately 30 years and resides in Southern Nevada.

How did you first get into your profession?

I started working in the public sector/government over twenty-five years ago. My profession provided me with an opportunity to make a difference, in addition to being a venue whereby I could help others and change lives. I pursued government, which was a step forward to a different challenge that allowed me the ability to be creative and think outside the box.

What female role models have made an impact on your life?

Condoleezza Rice and Rosa Parks are role models, in my opinion, who are in different age groups with different backgrounds. These two ladies inspire me because they were strong and courageous and played an integral role in history. Although their stories differ, they have much in common.

What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned as a professional woman?

The toughest lesson for me as a professional woman was learning to be patient. There are many distractions in life that can impede your progress, so you have to be patient and persevere while working through the process.

If you could meet any woman in the world, past, present or future, who would you meet?

The person that I would love to meet the most is Oprah Winfrey. She and I are both from the same state and have some similarities in our backgrounds. I admire her strength, her philanthropic component and her ability to continue to achieve by constantly reinventing herself.

What advice would you give a young woman entering the business world?

I would say to a young woman entering the business world to put God first, stay focused, come prepared, set high standards, give it your best, never give up and never quit and always, always operate with a spirit of excellence.

Traci Davis is the superintendent for the Washoe County School District. She was born and raised in Las Vegas, has lived in Nevada her whole life and resides in the northern end of the state.

How did you first get into your profession?

Simple, it was a calling!

What do you love about this state?

I love the diversity of this beautiful state. Having had the opportunity to live in both Southern and Northern Nevada, I can truly appreciate all that the Silver State has to offer.

What do you love about your industry?

Students! Education is the one profession that directly impacts the future of the world. Future scientists, app writers, teachers, engineers, presidents, etc.; we are building the future.

What female role model has made an impact on your life?

My mom, she is simply amazing in every aspect. There just might be a picture of her by the word “mom” in the dictionary.

What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned as a professional woman?

I learned that you have to have courage under fire and always have grace and mercy, even when individuals maliciously attack you. We have to own the fact that we still have issues with gender and race in this country. We may have improved, but we still have a tough road ahead of us.

If you could meet any woman in the world, past, present or future, who would you meet?

This is super hard, but it would be a toss-up between Maya Angelou and Queen Esther!

What advice would you give a young woman entering the business world?

Never give up. Women are strong and resilient, and we have to dig deep and be determined. I would also tell young women to get a good education and follow your dreams, because dreams do come true. I should know!

Nancy Fennell is the president of Dickson Realty and resides in Northern Nevada. She has lived in Reno since Labor Day weekend of 1987.

How did you first get into your profession?

I always loved the concept of the importance of “home”. I studied for the real estate test and then begged my friend, Shirley Zeitlin to hire me even though she did not hire new agents. Eventually she did and 18 months later [my husband’s] sister, Fianna Dickson Combs asked us to come and help her figure out what to do with her real estate firm. Four days later we were partners in the firm and the rest is history. Today our firm is recognized as a leader in our industry.

What do you love about your industry?

I appreciate how homes become neighborhoods, communities and cities and how very important homeownership is to our way of life. I love what a happy transaction represents, the American Dream, the foundation of personal assets and wealth for people.

What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned as a professional woman?

How to have the confidence to speak up (being over prepared) the courage to project and the diplomatic skills to work in male dominated companies without being the “bitchy” one.

What is the next item on your “bucket list”?

I love to travel to the great cities of the world but I also love to travel to see the raw nature of the world. After going to Antarctica, I want to go to the Arctic Circle. I want to see Alaska.  There are so many places to visit.

If you could meet any woman in the world, past, present or future, who would you meet?

The list is so long!  There are women artists I would love to meet:  Georgia O’Keefe, Frida Kahlo or Helen Frankenthaler. Women leaders:  Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Gloria Steinem, Melinda Gates, Malala Yousafzai and Angela Merkel. And, finally, women writers: Jane Austen and Maya Angelou (and that is just a few).

Carole Fisher is the president and CEO of Nathan Adelson and resides in Southern Nevada. She moved to Nevada in 1980 and has been in the state “longer than half the hotels on the Strip.”

How did you first get into your profession?

I always knew I wanted meaning and purpose in my professional life. Running a mission-driven organization definitely ticks that box. I went to school for social work and ended up in the behavioral health field for many years. I gravitated towards end-of-life care because I saw how much impact that had on our community.

What do you love about this state?

I love the people. There’s a sense of belonging and community that you wouldn’t expect until you make your home here. Las Vegas has a true small-town feel, even though it’s a major city. I’ve seen so much growth over the years, but right now, the opportunities seem limitless, and that’s so exciting.

What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned as a professional woman?

I’ve learned countless lessons throughout my career. Maybe the toughest one is that, just when you think you have everything figured out, and when you least expect it, things change. It’s an important business lesson – you always have to be adaptable. Nothing ever stays the same. There is no finish line in running an organization, it’s an ongoing ever-changing journey.

If you could meet any woman in the world, past, present or future, who would you meet?

Eleanor Roosevelt; what a woman! She was an incredible public figure who was willing to take risks and speak her truth during a time when that wasn’t popular. Eleanor understood that she had to do what she felt was right regardless of criticism, because she would be criticized anyway. One quote of hers in particular stands out to me, “You must do the things you think you cannot do.”

What is your personal motto?

Create a life you never need a vacation from. I work every day to make sure that’s true for myself and those around me.

Debra March is the mayor of the City of Henderson. She has lived in Nevada for over 40 years and served as a park ranger all over the state. She’s lived in Henderson for the past 30 years.

How did you first get into your profession?

I have a passion for economic development, smart growth, citizen involvement and sustainable community planning. As a result, I was appointed to the City of Henderson Planning Commission in 2004 and served until 2009. This role served as my entry into public office.

What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned as a professional woman?

This lesson applies to both men and women and that is: you cannot regain the gift of time. Spend your thoughts and abilities on what matters the most to you. You can always make more money, however, you cannot gain more time.

What are you most proud of having accomplished?

Of course I am proud of my professional achievements, but at the end of the day, I would say raising my son David. He served as an Army Ranger from 2003 to 2008 and is a Silver Star recipient. I am excited for both him and his wife, Whitney, right now. I am going to have a granddaughter this fall and cannot think of anything that would matter more than that.

What is the next item on your “bucket list”?

Glamping — I have a trip planned this summer. The next two items are staying in a tree house and going to Waco, Texas to visit Chip and Joanna Gaines. However, what supersedes all of this is meeting my granddaughter in November.

If you could meet any woman in the world, past, present or future, who would you meet?

The first woman president of the United States.

What advice would you give a young woman entering the business world?

The first piece of advice is, be the change you want to see in the world. The second one is, without facts and data you are just another person with an opinion.

Anne Masse, PhD is the vice president of safety, health and environment for Barrick Gold. She is new to Nevada and resides in Southern Nevada.

How did you first get into your profession?

Environmental policy and science have always been big interests of mine. I was a member of one of the first graduating classes in the environmental studies program in college, and my first job was in environmental consulting. I was able to travel all over the country and work with numerous industries in that capacity.

What do you love about this state?

I’m grateful to call Nevada my home for many reasons. The opportunities that the state offers to those who are willing to roll their sleeves up are immense. Henderson is a great place to live. People are welcoming and there many offerings including hiking, golf and tennis, great restaurants and a growing art scene.

What female role models have made an impact on your life?

When I began in the chemical industry a little over 25 years ago, women were just breaking through into leadership positions. Many of these women were generous with their time and advice to me, and numerous other women starting out. In 2008, Ellen Kullman became CEO of my former employer, DuPont, and spearheaded big changes for women in the chemical industry.

What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned as a professional woman?

You can fail and survive. While it is embarrassing to fail, when I reflect back on some of the painfully embarrassing moments I realize every moment has strengthened me and made me stronger. I am more confident and more resilient.

If you could meet any woman in the world, past, present or future, who would you meet?

The Notorious RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsberg). What a career she has had and she is still going strong. She has always fought for women’s rights and hasn’t quit. I admired her relationship with Antonin Scalia, two professionals that are opposite in their beliefs, yet the best of friends.

Julie Murray is the principal and CEO for the Moonridge Group. She has lived in Nevada since 1966 and resides in Southern Nevada.

How did you first get into your profession?

When I was a young mom, I met Eugene Lang, the founder of the “I Have a Dream” Foundation who invited me to adopt a group of children from kindergarten to third grade, help get them through high school and into college. I felt lucky to have three such wonderful children and wanted to do something meaningful to provide love and support to at-risk youth. Together with Kevin Stolworthy, we adopted 55 children and launched the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, which is Core Academy today. The experience from that project taught me about the importance of strategic philanthropy and connecting funders with an excellent non-profit organization.

What do you love about this state?

The “can do” spirit of the people. Whether it is an entrepreneurial business idea, a new sports team or the vision for a non-profit initiative, when we put our minds and resources together, there is nothing we can’t do!

What do you love about your industry?

My company, Moonridge Group, is a philanthropy advising firm. There are not many of us in the U.S. in this industry, but the ones who exist consist of people who absolutely love bringing strategy to grant-making and volunteerism.

What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned as a professional woman?

That today, as a female leader, I still feel the need to work twice as hard as my male counterparts in order to be heard equally.

If you could meet any woman in the world, past, present or future, who would you meet?

If the question is asking who I could spend time with, it would be my grandma, who passed away in 1990. She is the one who taught me about persistence, perseverance and patience. Those values have helped me be the woman I am today.

Sabra Newby is the city manager for the City of Reno. She was born and raised in Southern Nevada and has lived in Nevada almost her entire life.

How did you first get into your profession?

I knew from a pretty young age that I wanted to go into public service. My first job in government was when I was 19 years old. I was an intern at Clark County and, at the time, I worked for Thom Reilly, the county manager. In that position I researched all of the bills that Clark County was taking to the legislature in the upcoming legislative session. I was assigned to research every portion of those bills back to their creation, which was really interesting because I became familiar with some of the original laws in the State of Nevada.

What do you love about your industry?

I love that we get to make a difference every day. We get to be a part of the communities that we serve, and we’re able to see the difference that we’re making. A lot of my colleagues and friends who studied government and public policy have worked at the federal and even international level. I like where I am because I get to see things from a very granular perspective.

What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned as a professional woman?

The toughest lesson I’ve ever learned as a professional woman isn’t confined to being a woman. It’s to not take things personally, and that’s hard to do when you put your heart and soul and mind into something. But, working in government and in and around politics, when things don’t go your way it’s rarely about you personally. It took me a while to understand that.

What is the next item on your “bucket list”?

I recently took up guitar lessons. I’d love to learn to be a great guitar player.

What is your personal motto?

It’s not really a motto, it’s more of a word. The word I always go back to is, “evolve.” Always change. Always move forward.

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