Women Shaping Northern Nevada: How Women’s Leadership Is Redefining Our Community

This event will feature a moderated panel discussion. Each panelist brings a distinct and powerful perspective on how leadership shapes community outcomes across sectors. We are pleased to introduce the panelists and the lens each will bring to the conversation:

Kate Thomas, Washoe County Manager — Public-sector leadership and Washoe County’s strategic vision for building a safe, healthy, and thriving community through collaborative governance and long-term planning.
Wendy Damonte, Co-Founder & CEO, Reno Pro Soccer — The economic, social, and cultural impact of professional sports, and how they can drive community pride, opportunity, and regional growth.
Mercedes De La Garza, Owner, Architect Studio — Historic preservation as a tool for placemaking, sustainability, and honoring community identity while supporting thoughtful development.
Emily Skyle Golden, Cordillera International Film Festival — How bringing filmmaking to Nevada is transforming the cultural and economic landscape of our state—elevating creative industries, attracting tourism and investment, and positioning Nevada as a destination for storytelling and film production.

Please join us for a room of dynamic, forward-thinking women to learn, connect, and be inspired to lead.

She Shapes Nevada: Women Shaping Northern Nevada

How Women's Leadership Is Redefining Our Community