About Us
“Creating a Better Nevada,
One Woman at a Time.”
We will educate, mentor, and inspire like-minded women to become effective leaders in public service.
Vision - Nurturing Leadership Journeys
We will build a pipeline of confident, poised communicators, quality candidates, and successful advocates who will become tomorrow’s sound policymakers.
Goals
To grow the ranks of well-trained future leaders and increase the number of women who share our values to join our training and mentoring programs each year. As we nurture them, we’ll encourage them to pursue civic engagement or leadership roles of interest to them.
Values
Respect: NWLA seeks to increase the ranks of persuasive, skillful civic leaders who build political credibility through respectful, transparent advocacy. We believe treating those you oppose with respect will help reduce overheated rhetoric.
Ethics: We need principled, ethical leaders who value pragmatic policy solutions, are pro-business, are pro-resource development, and seek efficient, fiscally responsible government.
Honor: NWLA believes Nevada needs business leaders, public servants, and elected officials who consider acting with respect, integrity, and personal honor as their highest purpose.
Managing Board of Directors
Background
Our board is a diverse group of seasoned professional women with a variety of career backgrounds: public relations, government affairs, political campaign consultants, issue advocacy and coalition management, and resources industry stakeholder outreach. We believe in giving back. We learned a long time ago that people who feel like they are part of a strong team are less intimidated by seeking leadership success. That is why we are here.
OFFICERS
Elizabeth (Liz) Arnold
Chairwoman/Founder
As a natural resources industry advocate and grassroots activist in the 1990s, Liz volunteered for People for the USA and eventually became its National Chairman of the Board. Since then, she has served as a volunteer or consultant for numerous natural resource industries and public land access organizations. Liz has held many titles reflecting her vast experience: community relations/outreach consultant; ballot initiative and candidate campaign staff; coalition leader; and collaboration project manager. In 2021, she was given the National Mining Hall of Fame Gary Prazen Living Legend Award for her advocacy and education efforts positively impacting perceptions of mining in the US. She founded NWLA to inspire a new generation of women to learn “The world is run by those who show up.” Liz lives with her family in Sparks, Nevada.
Patrice (Pat) Davison
Vice Chairwoman
Pat retired in 2021 after working as a legislative advocate for more than three decades. She has extensive experience in coalition building and volunteer training for business, recreation, and property rights groups at the national, state, and local levels. Firmly believing in the adage, “The World Is Run by Those Who Show Up,” she was responsible for developing and implementing strategy to address the lack of affordable housing, climate change, and other complex issues. Pat provided executive management services for charitable and business organizations as well as overseeing political action committees during her tenure. She has a strong track record of giving back to her community and recently completed a research project highlighting the first ten years of Rancho Haven’s history. Pat lives with her husband in unincorporated Washoe County, Nevada.
Directors
Diane Baranowski
Secretary
Diane moved to Nevada from Sacramento in 2006 to welcome her first grandchild to the family. Once here, she continued her career in the medical records field and retired in 2014. She has many years of experience in county and state politics and has been a volunteer for numerous campaigns. Her hard work and attention to detail propelled her to the top of the leadership ladder in local and state nonprofit organizations. Although Diane loves to read and take road trips, her real passion is to see more women become influential leaders. Diane understands that education and training are key to making that happen. She joined NWLA’s Board to find and train the leaders of tomorrow to be better prepared advocates and effective elected officials. Diane lives in Reno, Nevada.
Sheree Tibbals
Treasurer
Sheree retired after 28 years from the Winnemucca Events Complex. As Fairground’s Operation Supervisor, she managed the facility staff, worked with the Director to prepare annual budgets, and was instrumental in designing and producing advertising for special events. She currently volunteers for the Nevada Division of Tourism as treasurer for Cowboy Country Territory and has held that position for more than 20 years. Cowboy Country is an organization that promotes Northern Nevada communities from Lovelock to Wendover. Sheree is also a member and treasurer for the Nevada Chapter of Women in Mining. Since 2017, Sheree has served on the Board of Directors for the WIM Education Foundation. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, where she received her bachelor’s degree in merchandising. Sheree lives with her family in Winnemucca, Nevada.
Nicôl Herris
Nicôl is a successful real estate professional at Coldwell Banker’s Select Real Estate. She lived in Hong Kong for four years while growing up, learning Chinese customs and traditions as well as the Cantonese language. For many years, she has served on numerous nonprofit boards delivering local benefits and programs, such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, Quota International Service Club, and various homeowner associations. Leadership roles include being selected as the President of the Cupertino (CA) Chamber of Commerce, among other positions. She ran for elective office while still in her 20s and has worked on other candidate campaigns. She has extensive experience in volunteer management and training. She specializes in image presentation and development, meeting management, and leadership training. She lives with her family in Reno, Nevada.
Leya Ladzinski
Leya brings strong campaign credentials to NWLA, first serving as Youth Coordinator for the “Youngkin for Governor” effort in Virginia. In 2022, Leya moved to Nevada where she worked for gubernatorial candidate Guy Nohra. That position led to a related job in the canvassing field and then to Carson City where Leya was a staff member assisting an Assemblyman for the 2023 session. As if that wasn’t enough, Leya is continuing her studies to earn her bachelor’s degree in business administration. Leya’s involvement with NWLA is based on her belief that women are the backbone of society and supporting women in power and putting them in leadership roles will help our society blossom! As a director, she wants to see NWLA help women get the courage to be leaders in our community.
Selena Larson
Selena is a licensed Financial Professional. Selena and her husband Kevin own a financial services business where they focus on helping individuals to secure their retirements, enhance their portfolios, protect and grow their assets and much more. She earned the title of “MVP” in her company’s category for being the top producer and builder, with the award being presented personally to her by the CEO. Selena partnered with NWLA in June of 2023 because she is passionate about ensuring that her state be well-adjusted on an informative basis. This motivation extends to topics like Nevada’s public policy and political structure. Selena’s overall goal is to help elevate and inspire as many people as possible to create a chain reaction, increasing the positivity and peace in this world through her faith and determination.
Garrett Tamagni
Garrett currently works in the office of Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony as his assistant and rural liaison. Garrett has worked in Northern Nevada politics in various ways since 2016 where he was intensely involved in the Presidential campaign. During the last legislative session, he worked as a policy analyst for the Nevada Assembly Republican Caucus to promote a conservative agenda in the legislature. Garrett believes in NWLA’s mission and knows there is a lack of non-partisan organizations in Nevada designed to teach leadership skills to a younger audience. Having worked in the past with NWLA founder and Chair, Liz Arnold, he got involved with NWLA because he knows Liz has the experience and skillset to create a long-lasting and effective organization that can serve future Nevada leaders for years to come.
Miranda Hoover, MPA
Miranda is a native Nevadan and an alumnus of UNR with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master’s in Public Administration. Past experience includes work in the Senate Majority Office of the Nevada Legislature and as Vice President at Silver State Couriers and Logistics. She served as Chief Strategy Officer for the Nevada Petroleum Association and Executive Director of Legislative Affairs at Capitol Partners. Miranda currently is the Membership Services Manager at the Nevada Mining Association where she oversees more than 650 company members, some with international operations. She works on healthcare, housing, and workforce projects to promote business, diversity, education, and opportunity in Nevada’s mining industry. She also sits on the Western Nevada College Foundation Board and the Northern Nevada Literacy Council. Miranda lives in Reno, Nevada.
Gennifer McNeely
Gennifer launched The Purple Spade in 2016, a marketing and consulting business providing social media marketing and web design. As a hands-on creative, she designs or enhances websites reflecting a company’s brand while providing technical acumen, capturing what works best for her clients. She also is a project manager for a popular VOIP phone company. Additionally, Gennifer is part owner of Alpha Industries, a private investigation firm. She is a proven leader with over 20 years of experience in customer service and over 10 years in telecommunications/information technology solutions. She has been involved with numerous organizations such as the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza Foundation and the “I Love Lucy Rescue Resources,” a group she started to help find homes for pets in need. She lives with her family in Reno, Nevada.
Lisa Song Sutton
Lisa is an entrepreneur, seasoned real estate investor and former Miss Nevada. She started her business career working in a top Las Vegas law firm, specializing in business litigation. She then went on to create companies of her own. As a diversified entrepreneur, Lisa has successfully built multiple 7 and 8 figure companies. Her business portfolio includes Sin City Cupcakes, Ship Las Vegas, Elite Homes – Christie’s International Real Estate, and Liquid & Lace swimwear. Lisa continues to stay actively involved in her community serving on non-profit boards, including StartUpNV – Nevada’s largest statewide business incubator. She is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization, the Rolling Stone Culture Council and the 2021 Fellowship program for Club for Growth – a conservative economic policy organization. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Join Us and Make a Difference
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