The Top 50 Las Vegas Women Leaders of 2026
Las Vegas has always been a city of momentum-but the story professional women are writing right now is bigger than the Strip. It’s a metro balancing tourism and mega-events with the fundamentals that make growth real: infrastructure, housing, healthcare capacity, public safety systems, workforce development, and a rapidly diversifying business base.
The women on this list sit at the control panels of those systems. Some lead the region’s most visible brands (sports, resorts, entertainment). Others operate as “quiet power” in energy, transportation, law, education, construction, and nonprofits-moving resources, shaping policy, and building talent pipelines that determine what Las Vegas becomes next.
This ranking is editorial (influence is never perfectly measurable), but every name here reflects outsized impact on the Las Vegas Valley’s economy, civic life, and opportunity landscape.
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#1 Shelley Berkley
The mayor’s office is a force-multiplier role in a city whose reputation and investment pipeline depend on consistent execution-economic development, downtown momentum, public safety coordination, and the civic “yes-and” that makes big projects feasible. Berkley’s leadership matters because it shapes how Las Vegas competes for conventions, sports, corporate relocations, and cultural investments-while also steering the practical work of city services that residents and employers experience daily.
#2 Virginia Valentine
Las Vegas is a global tourism and gaming capital, and the Nevada Resort Association is one of the most influential connectors between that industry and state/local policy. Valentine’s role sits at the intersection of regulation, public safety strategy, workforce issues, and the visitor economy-meaning her influence extends from Carson City policy fights to the day-to-day conditions that keep Las Vegas competitive as a destination.
#3 Danielle Casey
If Las Vegas is serious about long-run resilience, it needs sustained economic diversification: new industry clusters, better alignment between employers and training, and a sharper “business attraction” story. As LVGEA’s CEO, Casey holds one of the region’s most important jobs for shaping what gets built, who gets recruited, and which sectors scale beyond hospitality-turning aspiration into an actionable pipeline of jobs and investment.
#4 Karen Haller
Energy reliability and affordability are foundational to everything-from housing construction and business expansion to household stability. As CEO of Southwest Gas Holdings, Haller sits in a position where operational discipline, infrastructure decisions, and long-term planning ripple across the metro’s economic capacity. In fast-growing regions, utility leadership is “invisible until it isn’t”-and that’s exactly why it belongs near the top of an influence list.
#5 Sandra Douglass Morgan
Few leadership seats combine brand power, civic identity, economic spillover, and community expectations like an NFL team presidency-especially in a market where sports has become a pillar of the city’s global repositioning. Named Raiders president in 2022, Douglass Morgan brings deep Nevada legal and regulatory experience to one of the metro’s most prominent platforms, with influence that touches tourism, partnerships, philanthropy, and civic trust.
#6 Mary Beth Sewald
The Vegas Chamber convenes the region’s business community across sectors and sizes, from small businesses to major employers. Sewald’s influence shows up in how effectively the metro aligns around priorities like job growth, business climate, and public-private solutions-often turning fragmented interests into a common agenda that actually moves.
#7 Pamela Goynes-Brown
North Las Vegas is one of the metro’s most consequential growth engines-industrial development, logistics, housing, and new investment. As mayor, Goynes-Brown’s leadership shapes how that growth translates into jobs and neighborhood outcomes, and how the region manages expansion pressures in real time.
#8 Michelle Romero
Henderson is a major driver of the metro’s residential growth and employer ecosystem. The mayor’s office influences how the city competes for investment, supports business retention, and manages quality-of-life fundamentals that determine whether talent stays. In a region where the “where we live” question is inseparable from workforce strategy, this role carries real economic weight.
#9 Elissa Cadish
Business confidence, consumer protection, and community stability depend on a credible justice system-and the chief justice also serves as an administrative leader and public voice for the judiciary. Cadish’s position matters because legal infrastructure is economic infrastructure: the predictability of courts affects employers, families, housing disputes, and the region’s ability to function under stress.
#10 Patricia Lee
At the statewide level, appellate decisions shape the rules of the road for employers, healthcare systems, families, and government agencies. Justice Lee’s influence is less about visibility and more about governance: the interpretation of law that sets precedent and signals how Nevada’s institutions will behave-an impact that lands directly in the state’s largest metro.
#11 Nikki Fargas
Women’s sports leadership is one of Las Vegas’ most powerful and culturally resonant growth lanes-and the Aces are a flagship. As president & general manager, Fargas oversees both business and basketball operations, shaping everything from brand strategy and partnerships to the athlete-centered culture that defines the franchise’s influence in the community.
#12 Angela Castro
Transportation is the metro’s circulatory system: employees, visitors, and logistics all depend on it. As RTC deputy CEO, Castro holds a role that directly affects how the region scales-through transit decisions, mobility strategy, and coordination across jurisdictions. In high-growth metros, transportation leadership is often the difference between “expansion” and “gridlock.”
#13 Tina Frias
Housing availability and affordability are among the biggest constraints on growth and talent retention. As the Home Builders Association CEO, Frias is positioned to influence the policy and business conditions that determine how much housing gets built, how quickly, and at what cost-making this role a key lever in the metro’s economic trajectory.
#14 Leah Chan Grinvald
Las Vegas is a city where law touches everything: gaming regulation, real estate, construction, public safety systems, and business formation. As dean, Grinvald influences the pipeline of legal talent and civic leadership, shaping what the next generation of attorneys and policymakers looks like in Southern Nevada-while strengthening one of the state’s most important professional networks.
#15 Alison Netski, MD
Healthcare access and workforce capacity are central to a metro’s ability to grow sustainably. As interim dean and interim VP for Health Affairs, Netski sits at the center of training future physicians and guiding an institution that directly affects the region’s clinical pipeline, research capacity, and long-term health outcomes.
#16 Beth Martino
In a fast-growing region, food insecurity quietly undermines workforce stability, student success, and healthcare outcomes. As CEO of Three Square, Martino leads one of Southern Nevada’s most critical community institutions-mobilizing partners, resources, and strategy to address hunger at scale, with ripple effects for employers and families alike.
#17 Ciara Byrne
Byrne’s influence is a blueprint for “systems leadership” through education and sustainability. Under her leadership, Green Our Planet has scaled school garden and hydroponics programs dramatically-reaching more than 1,100 schools across 44 states and impacting more than 500,000 students-while keeping its roots in Las Vegas and elevating the metro as a national model for hands-on STEM and entrepreneurship learning.
#18 Jo Cato
Every major project needs storytellers and strategists who can move stakeholders-government, business, residents, and media-into alignment. As head of a nationally recognized branding and communications firm, Cato influences how Las Vegas institutions communicate, how initiatives gain trust, and how diverse entrepreneurs access opportunity; her work supporting certification pathways and underserved communities is a direct economic inclusion lever.
#19 Dawn Barnes
Construction is where economic development becomes physical reality-and Barnes is expanding who gets to lead in that arena. As founder of a certified woman-owned construction firm in Las Vegas, she pairs business execution with advocacy, championing women in the trades and creating pathways (mentorship, scholarships, and programs) that build the region’s future workforce.
#20 Nancy Brune
Brune is a bridge between research-driven policy and on-the-ground governance. In addition to serving on the Las Vegas City Council, she was the founding executive director of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, helping establish a respected bipartisan resource that informs decision-making on education, economic development, and more-exactly the kinds of issues that determine whether metro growth becomes broad-based prosperity.
#21 Stacy Hamilton
Stacy Hamilton shapes the public narrative for one of the world’s most visible hospitality and entertainment portfolios, ensuring MGM Resorts International communicates with clarity, credibility, and care. Her strategic leadership strengthens brand trust and community partnership—critical drivers of visitation, loyalty, and economic impact in Las Vegas.
#22 Dawn Rawle
Dawn Rawle has helped reinvigorate Westgate Las Vegas by pairing smart marketing with entertainment programming that honors the resort’s legacy while attracting new audiences. Her leadership elevates guest experience and keeps a storied property competitive, contributing to Las Vegas’ reputation as a premier live-entertainment destination.
#23 Kimberly Small
Kimberly Small leads Signs of HOPE with mission-driven operational rigor, expanding services that provide prevention, crisis response, and healing for survivors of sexual violence and exploitation. Her ability to coordinate with community and public-safety partners strengthens protection for vulnerable people while reinforcing the region’s commitment to safe, responsible tourism.
#24 Mandy Cordia
Mandy Cordia founded The Kindness Cause to turn everyday commerce into measurable giving, making it simple for shoppers to support nonprofits through purchases. By blending retail expertise with a transparent social-impact model, she has created a scalable platform that channels resources to community needs and inspires values-led entrepreneurship.
#25 Karyna Armstrong
Karyna Armstrong has earned a reputation as a rising legal talent, handling complex litigation and appellate matters with precision and strong client advocacy. As a leader in her firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work, she helps build a more inclusive profession while strengthening the integrity and effectiveness of the broader business community.
#26 Kristine Lingle-Griffith
Kristine Lingle-Griffith has shaped how the world experiences Las Vegas entertainment, leading high-impact marketing for major residencies, venues, and live events. Her work translates creative programming into sold-out audiences and sustained tourism momentum, reinforcing the city’s position as a global stage.
#27 Kim Kopetz
Kim Kopetz leads The Opus Group at the intersection of strategy and creativity, guiding brands and experiences that help organizations connect with audiences in unforgettable ways. Her executive leadership drives growth, talent development, and client results—advancing the experiential economy that powers business in Las Vegas and beyond.
#28 Ashley Lowe
Ashley Lowe helps propel M Resort Spa Casino through disciplined commercial leadership and a keen focus on guest experience, strengthening the property’s competitiveness in a high-bar market. Her ability to grow meetings and group business while maintaining operational excellence contributes directly to tourism revenue and job creation in Southern Nevada.
#29 Deanna Burgess
Deanna Burgess drives revenue-producing relationships for Station Casinos, leading sales efforts that keep the company’s properties top-of-mind for groups, events, and local customers. Her steady leadership helps translate Las Vegas demand into consistent performance, supporting a major employer and an essential part of the region’s hospitality engine.
#30 Mary Ann Burns
Mary Ann Burns brings decades of hotel operations expertise to Boyd Gaming, ensuring properties deliver consistent service, strong performance, and a welcoming guest experience at scale. Her operational leadership strengthens one of the region’s largest gaming and hospitality platforms, supporting workforce stability and sustained visitor demand.
#31 Donna Alderson-Lombardo
Donna Alderson-Lombardo is a powerhouse in industrial real estate, completing a remarkable volume of transactions that help businesses expand, relocate, and invest in Southern Nevada. By connecting developers, tenants, and investors, she directly accelerates logistics and industrial growth—key ingredients in a more diversified Las Vegas economy.
#32 Karin Bernkopf
Karin Bernkopf has helped shape the marketing and creative direction of major gaming products at IGT, translating innovation into market momentum and customer engagement. Her commitment to mentoring and employee development strengthens the talent pipeline in gaming, amplifying both industry performance and community impact.
#33 Vicki Rousseau
Vicki Rousseau has elevated The Shops at Crystals by building marketing and business-development strategies that keep it a premier luxury retail destination on the Strip. Her leadership strengthens brand partnerships and visitor experience, driving foot traffic and high-value commerce that contributes to the region’s tourism economy.
#34 Molly Hamrick
Molly Hamrick has built a standout real-estate organization through entrepreneurial leadership, guiding residential and commercial teams with deep market knowledge and a high standard of service. Her influence helps shape smart transactions and development decisions across the valley, reinforcing economic confidence and community growth.
#35 Denise Charles
Denise Charles leads program strategy at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children with a focus on stability, safety, and measurable outcomes for vulnerable youth. Her work strengthens the social foundation that healthy economies depend on—helping children and families build the resilience needed to thrive.
#36 Giovannie Espiritu
Giovannie Espiritu has earned recognition as an award-winning director and producer, using storytelling to create work that is both artistically compelling and socially resonant. By building a creative enterprise that champions inclusive narratives, she expands the cultural influence of Las Vegas while contributing to its growing creative economy.
#37 Jazmin Gelista
Jazmin Gelista elevates organizational performance by designing talent and internal-mobility programs that help employees grow, lead, and thrive at CSAA Insurance Group. Her commitment to mentorship and community service extends that impact beyond the workplace, strengthening workforce readiness and opportunity across Southern Nevada.
#38 Shelley Carrao
Shelley Carrao leads complex, multi-unit operations within the Nevada Highway Patrol, supporting public safety across tourism corridors, commercial routes, and rural communities. Her service-minded leadership—paired with active community outreach—helps keep the region safe and accessible, which is foundational to economic activity and quality of life.
#39 Karen Jacks, MD
Karen Jacks delivers high-trust leadership in oncology care, combining clinical excellence with managed-care expertise to help patients access timely, coordinated treatment. Her work strengthens a critical healthcare cornerstone for Southern Nevada, improving outcomes while supporting the region’s ability to attract and retain talent.
#40 Zhe (Wendy) Sun
Zhe (Wendy) Sun brings international architectural expertise to Las Vegas, leading complex projects and strengthening cross-border relationships that open new commercial opportunities. Her design and operational leadership raises the standard for civic and community spaces, shaping the built environment that supports long-term growth.
#41 Julia Abouzeid
Julia Abouzeid provides steady, performance-minded leadership in resort and casino operations, helping guide CasaBlanca through a period when guest expectations and competition demand constant evolution. By improving the visitor experience and operational results, she drives regional tourism value that supports jobs and investment in Mesquite and beyond.
#42 Alexy Rollins
Alexy Rollins has built Loyalty Plumbing around reliability, skilled service, and customer trust—turning a local trade business into a respected brand for homeowners and businesses. Her leadership as a woman co-owner in the skilled trades expands opportunity and raises service standards in a sector that keeps the city’s growth running.
#43 Barbara Domsky
Barbara Domsky co-founded Domsky Glass Studio and has helped create signature glass-and-metal works that elevate hospitality, public, and healthcare spaces across Las Vegas. Her artistry and entrepreneurship strengthen the city’s design identity while demonstrating how creative businesses can scale meaningful local impact.
#44 Kandi Conda
Kandi Conda is a trailblazing sports and events leader who pairs entrepreneurship with philanthropy, using Athletes Who Give to convert visibility into real community benefit. As a connector and advocate for women in sports and events, she expands pathways for careers, mentorship, and leadership in a fast-growing sector of the Las Vegas economy.
#45 Karen Marben
Karen Marben leads the LVMPD Foundation with a clear focus on results, raising support for technology, training, and community programs that strengthen public safety. Her relationship-driven approach builds trust and collaboration, helping create the stable environment that businesses and residents need to prosper.
#46 Micaela Moore
Micaela Moore brings strategic legal leadership to North Las Vegas, helping strengthen governance, manage risk, and support complex public initiatives that enable responsible growth. Her calm, forward-looking counsel helps create the dependable civic foundation that attracts investment and improves services for residents and employers.
#47 Debby Jacobs Felker
Debby Jacobs Felker founded BUZZ to push Las Vegas event design beyond the expected, creating immersive experiences that reflect the city’s creativity and high standards. By assembling a strong network of talent and delivering consistently memorable results, she supports the meetings and hospitality ecosystem that fuels local business.
#48 Lauren Harwell
Lauren Harwell is a destination strategist who leads high-touch event execution at Imprint Events Group, turning complex goals into seamless, memorable Las Vegas experiences. Her collaborative, detail-driven leadership strengthens client relationships and supports the meetings and incentives economy that sustains thousands of hospitality jobs.
#49 Katy Boettinger
Katy Boettinger is a behind-the-scenes force for the Vegas Golden Knights, managing the operational details that keep players, leadership, and team logistics running smoothly. Her work helps sustain a winning sports franchise and reinforces Las Vegas’ growth as a major league city with broad economic and community ripple effects.
#50 Dorian Stonebarger
Dorian Stonebarger helps steer Nevada’s economic-development strategy, aligning public policy with practical initiatives that diversify industries and strengthen business competitiveness. Her leadership connects government, community, and private-sector partners to create long-term opportunity and resilient growth across the state.
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