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The National Association of Women Business Owners Southern Nevada (NAWBO) hosted its 2022 Women of Distinction Award (WODA) luncheon on October 25th to honor the achievement of women in business and philanthropy and awarded grants (ranging between $1,000 and $3,000) to support women-led enterprises in Las Vegas. This year’s award and grant winners represented a diverse cross-section of business leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and community influencers.
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.
For the second year in a row, the WODA luncheon was emceed by a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, Patranya Bhoolsuwan.
Nevada State College President Dr. DeRionne Pollard kicked off the event with k keynote address. Followed by a fireside chat with Nikki Fargas, president of the WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces. The audience was also treated to a video from Las Vegas Raiders President, Sandra Douglass Morgan, congratulating this year’s winners.
This year’s WODA winners are:
Entrepreneur: Joy Hoover, CEO/Founder, esōes cosmetics
Rising Star: Jennifer Inaba, Communications Manager, Western Resource Advocates
Glass Ceiling: Chaka Crome, Founding Partner, Crome Law Firm
Arts/Entertainment/Media: Casey Jade, Founder & CEO, Casey Jade Photo
Business/Restaurant/Retail/Manufacturing: En-Ming Hsu, Co-owner, Sip LLC
Corporate/Government Services: Miriam Lira-Hickerson, Ombudsman of Consumer Affairs for Minorities, State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry
Education: Felicia Wright, Owner, The Learning Outpost
Gaming/Hospitality/Convention Services: Kenyatta Lewis, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity, Sustainable Procurement, and Training, MGM Resorts International
Medical/Health Care Services: Souzan El-Eid, MD, FACS, Breast Surgeon, Comprehensive Cancer Centers – Southwest Breast Surgery Center
Philanthropy/Community Service/Non-Profit: Hannah Brown, Founder/Leader, Community Development Corporation
Professional Services/Public Relations: Susan Hoy, CEO, Nevada Guardian Services
Real Estate/Construction: Caroline Chavez, Broker/Owner CEO, Legacy Property Management
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics): Dr. Rochelle Hines, Co-Founder and CEO, Associate Professor (UNLV), Tessellate Therapeutics
The 2022 WODA grant honorees:
The Women of Distinction Accelerate Grant: Theresa Avila Bimbela, Owner/CEO, TAB Professional Services LLC
The Women of Distinction Accelerate Grant: Mayani Gray, Owner, Maya’s Makeover Studio
Minority Woman-Owned Business Grant: Jessica Vargas, Owner, Jess V Llc
Minority Woman-Owned Business Grant: Felicia Wright, Owner, The Learning Outpost
Community Angel Grant: Kimberly Miles, Founder, BE A SHERO Foundation
Community Angel Grant: Carole Jeanette Jorgensen, President, Bright Star Foundation
Woman of Distinction Grant: Christine Maddela, Managing Partner/Owner, Storyville RD
To learn more about the Southern Nevada Chapter of NAWBO and WODA, please visit NAWBOsnv.org.
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