The National Association of Women Business Owners Southern Nevada (NAWBO) has revealed its 2022 Women of Distinction Award (WODA) list of finalists. The winners will be announced at this year’s WODA luncheon, which will be held at Conference Center of Las Vegas, 6590 Bermuda Road, in Las Vegas, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 25.
Founded in 1975 as the voice of women business owners, NAWBO’s mission is to help connect women to the resources, people, information, and organizations that can help them achieve their personal, business, or political goals. The organization’s annual WODA awards event honors the accomplishments of women business owners as well as leaders in private and public sector nonprofit organizations.
This year’s finalists include:
Category: Entrepreneur
Naira Vardanyan, Owner/Baker of Manan Bakery
Joy Hoover, CEO and Founder, esoes cosmetics
Amy Finchem Conley, Principal & Director of Design, TILT23 Studios
Category: Rising Star
En-Ming Hsu, Co-owner, Sip LLC
Dr. Ashley Prandecki, Resident Physician, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
Jennifer Inaba, Communications Manager, Western Resource Advocates
Category: Glass Ceiling
Chaka Crome, Founding Partner, Crome Law Firm
Susan Hoy, CEO, Nevada Guardian Services
Pamela Goynes-Brown, North Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tempore, City of North Las Vegas
Category: Arts/Entertainment/Media
Casey Jade, Boudoir & Branding Photographer, Casey Jade Photo
Maria Ngo, Co-founder, VIPNET Media LLC
Kri Edholm, Entrepreneur/Leader/Speaker, Krico Productions
Category: Business/Restaurant/Retail/Manufacturing
En-Ming Hsu, Co-Owner, Sip LLC
Gina Marinelli, Executive Chef/Partner, La Strega
Leanna Jenkins, Executive Director, Nevada Business Opportunity Fund
Category: Corporate/Government Services
Miriam Lira-Hickerson, Ombudsman of Consumer Affairs for Minorities, State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry
Kathleen Taylor, Program and Marketing Manager, Nevada Women’s Business Center
Rebecca Gipson, Chief of Staff, City of North Las Vegas
Category: Education
Felicia Wright, Owner, The Learning Outpost
Rebecca Davis, Owner, Cultivate Academics
Alisa Howard, Owner/Public Health Expert, Minority Health Consultants
Category: Gaming/Hospitality/Convention Services
Kenyatta Lewis, Executive Director of Supplier Diversity, Sustainable Procurement, and Training, MGM Resorts International
Jennifer Shatley, Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute
Candice Beane, Managing Director, PRA Business Events
Category: Medical/Health Care Services
Souzan El-Eid, MD, FACS, Breast Surgeon, Comprehensive Cancer Centers – Southwest Breast Surgery Center
Sarita Rodriguez, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Recalibrate Wellness
Parisa Bady, Founder and CEO, Meros Media
Category: Philanthropy/Community Service/Non-Profit
Hannah Brown, Founder/Leader, Community Development Corporation
Jacqueline Nguyen, National President, American Medical Association Alliance
Erika Washington, Executive Director, Make It Work Nevada
Category: Professional Services/Public Relations
Susan Hoy, CEO, Nevada Guardian Services
Kelli Despain and Megan Jones, Owners, Bottega Exchange
Lindsay Feldman, Founder/CEO, BrandBomb PR
Category: Real Estate/Construction
Caroline Chavez, Broker/Owner & CEO, Legacy Property Management
Chrishena Stanley, Luxury Real Estate Broker, STK Property Group
Jackie Brown, REALTOR, Realty One Group
Category: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
Dr. Rochelle Hines, Co-Founder and CEO, Tessellate Therapeutics
Cynthia Vollmer, VP Technology Risk Management, MGM Resorts International
Erika Moonin, President, Moonin Associates, PLLC
Do you want to sponsor or attend this year’s event? For more information, visit NAWBOsnv.org.
About WODA
The NAWBO Southern Nevada Women of Distinction Awards (WODA) recognize the achievements of women in business. These awards highlight the accomplishments of women business owners who are building a legacy for the next generation of leaders. The awards honor women business leaders who have shown outstanding accomplishments in our community. All awards and grants recognize achievement across a wide range of business and nonprofit categories.