The 2022 Women Inspiring Nevada awards recognize women who are leaders in business, the community and beyond. Here, we’re afforded a glimpse into who they are—not simply by their accomplishments, though vast, or their resumes, though impressive. We see their humanity, fortitude, kindness and their dreams for the future. We learn the accomplishments they are most proud of and the moments that shaped their lives.
All the women you’ll read about in this section will inspire you, move you, encourage you to get involved, challenge you to dream bigger. They’re golden threads in the fabric of our community, and it’s an honor to be able to recognize each of them. Southern Nevada is better for their hard work and unwavering dedication to the community.
The 2022 Women Inspiring Nevada Awards originally appeared in a special issue of Vegas Inc found inside of Las Vegas Weekly. Sign up to get each of Vegas Inc’s special publications delivered to your inbox on the day of their release.
Julie Cane - Corporate Director of Marketing & Community Relations, Gaudin Motor Company
Julie Cane
Julie Cane was destined to create memorable moments. She finds joy in celebrating milestones and giving back to the local community—including planning numerous charitable events and Gaudin Motor Company’s 100th anniversary.
Tina Ulman & Dani Baranowski - President & Vice President, The Chamber of Cannabis
Tina Ulman (Left) and Dani Baranowski
Tina Ulman and Dani Baranowski are on a mission to make Las Vegas the Amsterdam of America. And with their tenacity, it could soon become a reality.
When cannabis became legal in Nevada in January 2017, Ulman and Baranowski jumped into action. Ulman, director of brands for The Source Dispensaries, CAMP, 8Fold and ONEderful, and Baranowski, brand manager for City Trees and Naked City for Nevada and New Mexico, saw a need to create a space where all people in the industry could connect, share ideas and strategize to move the collective business forward.
Chinenye Ezeanolue, MD - Associate Medical Director Primary Care Southwest Medical, part of Optum Care
Chinenye Ezeanolue
Dr. Chinenye Ezeanolue leads a team of more than 30 clinician providers at four primary care clinics in Southern Nevada. She frequently lends her talents and professional enthusiasm to provider recruitment efforts to grow the team, and provides mentorship to current staff to inspire continuous improvement. Board-certified in internal medicine and pediatrics, Ezeanolue does all that while providing clinical care for her own patients.
Evelyn Garcia Morales - Executive Director, Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas
Evelyn Garcia Morales
The daughter of immigrants, Evelyn Garcia Morales witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. Now, as the executive director of the Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas, she honors her mother’s sacrifices by supporting other first-generation students as they pursue their post-secondary dreams.
Asha Jones - Chief of Staff, Congressman Steven Horsford
Asha Jones
Community service has been a guiding principle throughout Asha Jones’ life. She chose politics and public service for her profession, because, in her eyes, it was the ultimate way to serve—allowing her to support progress and build community.
Pat Lundvall - Partner, Chair of Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice McDonald Carano LLP
Pat Lundvall
Competition is a common denominator in Pat Lundvall’s life. Her competitive instincts were honed from an early age as the middle child in a family of thirteen, and as a natural-born competitor, Lundvall feels fortunate that a career in litigation found her.
Christina Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP - Founder & CEO The Public Health Pharmacist
Christina Madison
Christina Madison knew that she wanted to work in health care from a young age. She volunteered at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada from the time she was 12 years old through her senior year of high school, and then went on to attend the College of Pharmacy.
Kelly Maxwell - Executive Director, Baby’s Bounty
Kelly Maxwell
Kelly Maxwell intends to solve the diaper need in Southern Nevada by 2025, and through her work with Baby’s Bounty, she’s already well on the way. Baby’s Bounty is the only consistent diaper resource in Southern Nevada and has distributed more than 1 million diapers since May 2020.
Pilita Simpson - Founder & CEO Positively Arts
Pilita Simpson
Pilita Simpson is a dynamic leader who has knowledge and expertise in a wide array of subjects. With a master's degree in Arts in Education from Harvard University, including a focus on how the brain processes creativity to enhance learning, Simpson worked with Sesame Street and Walt Disney before founding Positively Arts.
M.J. Maynard - CEO, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
M.J. Maynard
M.J. Maynard says that joining the Regional Transportation Commission was one of the best professional decisions she’s ever made, because it gives her the daily opportunity to work on behalf of the community. The RTC provides public transit, bike shares, roadway funding, long-term transportation funding, traffic management services and more—all of which play a pivotal role in the growth of Southern Nevada.
Stephanie Stallworth - Director of Public and Community Affairs, Cox Communications Las Vegas
Stephanie Stallworth
A born-and-bred Las Vegan who graduated from Clark High School and UNLV, Stephanie Stallworth has deep roots within the community. She has been with Cox Communications for 23 years and currently serves as the Director of Public and Community Relations, responsible for public, community and media relations. This includes crisis communications, brand management and the company’s philanthropic program, Cox Charities, which has given nearly $2.5 million to local nonprofits.