Joining the show is Ivan Ferraz, Senior Vice President of the Southwest division at Wells Fargo, who recently shared his remarkable journey from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to the United States on the show. After graduating college, he faced challenges while adjusting to life in the U.S., working various jobs to make ends meet. He pursued further education at Cal State Los Angeles, earning degrees in economics and international business.Beginning his career at Sanwa Bank's credit trainingprogram, Ivan concurrently pursued an MBA in Supply Chain Management with afinance focus from the University of Laverne. He seized an opportunity at WellsFargo Bank, where he has thrived for the past 20 years. For the last 4 ½ years,he's managed the commercial banking team for Nevada.During the interview, Ivan discussed Wells Fargo'sinnovative recruitment and talent retention strategies, as well as the latesttechnology the bank utilizes for business banking. He also shared insights onNevada's investment prospects to attract big businesses.Emphasizing community involvement, Ivan highlightedthe importance of giving back and offered advice to aspiring community leaders:pursue your passions, stay humble, listen attentively, and treat customers likefamily, and prospects like future clients. Ivan's journey and wisdom serve asan inspiration to all.Wells Fargo Talent:Join our talent community | Wells Fargo (wellsfargojobs.com)Ivan Ferraz’s Contact Information:[email protected]

Joining us today is Kim Dung Ho, the founder and owner of Kim Photography, LLC. Kim takes us through her remarkable journey, from her childhood in Vietnam to her unexpected transition from a pharmacist at Roche Pharmaceuticals to pursuing an MBA at Cal State San Bernardino, ultimately leading to the establishment of Kim Photography, LLC.She candidly discusses how her initial hobby of photography blossomed into a full-fledged career, which has since flourished into a thriving business venture. Kim also shares how the pandemic posed challenges for her business, prompting her to leverage networking opportunities with organizations like the Vegas Chamber to support the Vietnamese business community by translating crucial services.Her active involvement with Nevada Grow and The Urban Chamber empowered her to launch Viet Nevada Culture, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the Vietnamese community, earning recognition from both corporations and national media outlets. Despite the pandemic's hardships, Kim emphasizes the silver lining by highlighting thegrowth of Kim Photography, which opened doors to new business prospects andcollaborations.Kim's philanthropic endeavors extend to supporting small businesses and contributing to scholarship programs at UNLV. Beyond her professional pursuits, Kim shares her passion for Vietnamese music, global travel, and exploring diverse cuisines, reflecting her vibrant and multifaceted personality.Kim Photography:Las Vegas Portrait Photographer (kimdungho.com)Nevada Grow: Home - NV GrowViet Nevada Culture: ABOUT - Viet Nevada Culture NCC (vietnvculture.com) 

Joining the show today is Evelyn Garcia Morales, a remarkable individual serving as the Executive Director of the Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas, President of the Clark County School District Board of Trustees, and Member of the Workforce Connections’ Program Committee. Evelyn reflects on her upbringing in Los Angeles, California, alongside her two older siblings. Her parents, immigrants from Jalisco, Mexico, arrived in the U.S. at the ages of 16 and 17.Evelyn reminisces about her entrepreneurial spirit, starting her first job as a door salesperson at the age of 11, selling Velcro wallets alongside her mother. Later, she moved to Las Vegas, attending Mojave High School, and pursuing a bachelor’s degree inpolitical science at UNLV, becoming the first in her family to graduate from both high school and college.Her journey led her to Washington D.C., where she was exposed to a myriad of opportunities that shaped her perspective. Evelyn shares her favorite aspects of serving on the board of trustees and the profound influence of Brene Brown, emphasizing thesignificance of living in alignment with one's values.In her downtime, Evelyn finds solace with her family. To young aspiring community leaders, she offers heartfelt advice: discover what brings you joy, invest in others, and give your all to it. So, if you're passionate about making a difference, take Evelyn's words to heart and dive in!Viva Las Visionaries Podcast-UNLV:"Episode 8: Evelyn Garcia Morales on "I was recently asked how I do it " by Evelyn Garcia Morales (unlv.edu)Interview with Mojave Students:Mojave HS Students Interview Trustee Evelyn Garcia (youtube.com)

Tyler Corder, Chief Financial Officer for Findlay Automotive Group, joins the show today to talk about his roots in a rural part of Central Montana, growing up on a wheat farm, and his time at Montana State University where he earned his business degree. His career kicked off at General Motors Acceptance Corporations (GMAC), where he started by collecting past-due car payments. Tyler's dedication led him to climb the ranks, becoming a branch manager before being transferred to Las Vegas in 1992. In 1994, he crossed paths with Mr. Findlay, who sought his expertise in expanding the car dealership business. Tyler reflects on his involvement with the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT) and the automotive technician course that collaborates with Findlay Automotive.Sharing his insights, Tyler advises aspiring community leaders to immerse themselves in the community and actively participate. So, if you're looking to make a difference,take Tyler's advice and put yourself out there!Findlay Automotive:Findlay Auto Group Careers | Learn MoreFoundation for an Independent Tomorrow and Findlay Automotive: Findlay hires new graduates from FIT’s class of auto techs | Dealer News | Autos (reviewjournal.com)

Jill Rowland-Lagan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Boulder City Chamber, joins the show today to talk about growing up in Boulder City, venturing off to college to earn a degree in court reporting, bringing her back to Boulder City as an entrepreneur.  She talks about her passion for entrepreneurship and how Boulder City supports small businesses despite the pandemic. Jill highlights the uniqueness of Boulder City and the projects and initiatives that are helping small businesses grow. Lastly, she shares advice for anyone interested in becoming an entrepreneur or a community leader by having a belief in the spirit of community and serving others will help better themselves. Boulder City Chamber of Commerce:Home (bouldercitychamber.com)Boulder City Adventure Center: https://www.bouldercity.com/boulder-city-adventure-center-coming-soon/Boulder City Ram Cam:Ram Cam | Boulder City, NV - Official Website (bcnv.org)

Betsy Fretwell, the founder of C4ward Strategies and the newly appointed chair of the Vegas Chamber Board of Trustees, joins the show to talk about her upbringing in South Carolina and her academic journey at the University of Georgia, where she earned her graduate degree in Public Administration before finding her way to Las Vegas. She discusses her significant roles with the City of Las Vegas and the City of Henderson. After serving as the city manager in Las Vegas for nine years, she transitioned to the private sector, initially joining Switch and eventually establishing her own company. Betsy shares insights into managing workplace boundaries and discusses her pursuits during her leisure time. Lastly, she offers valuable advice to aspiring young individuals keen on pursuing leadership roles within cities: start engaging in discussions about your aspirations and don't hesitate to pursue your goals.Las Vegas Chamber:Vegas Chamber - Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce

 Richard Derrick, City Manager of the City of Henderson, joins the show today to share his hometown pride and insights into leading Henderson through the pandemic. A UNLV accounting graduate, he worked in the casino industry and the school district before joining the City of Henderson for the last 25 years dedicated to public service.  He reflects on navigating economic challenges during COVID-19 and highlights the city's successful partnership with the private sector, exemplified by the outsourced convention center operation. As a lifelong learner, Derrick concludes that inspiring young people to embrace curiosity and continuous learning is the key to unlocking their potential.City of Henderson: https://www.cityofhenderson.com/home

Dr. Joe Hardy, Mayor of Boulder City, joins the show today to share his extraordinary journey starting with his upbringing in Reno, Nevada. He talks about being a construction foreman at age 13 while living in Utah. He will share his collegiate journey from BYU in Utah where he met his wife of 51 years, to the University of Reno (UNR), and finally to Washington University where he earned his PhD, and his third child was born out of eight children. From joining the Boulder City Council in 1999 to serving 12 years in the Nevada State Senate and now leading as Mayor, Dr. Hardy's dedication to his community is undeniable.  Lastly, if you're aspiring to become a community leader yourself, Dr. Hardy has some timeless advice: it all starts with service. Be the helping hand, the voice for those who need it most.Boulder City:https://www.bcnv.org/

Kumud Acharya, President of the Desert Research Institute (DRI), joins us for an insightful conversation today. Born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, his journey began with an inspiring educational pursuit. After earning his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering in India, he sought further knowledge in the US, culminating in a Ph.D. in science and aquatic ecology, with a graduate degree in Environmental Engineering along the way. Today, we explore his passion for ecological engineering and the remarkable career path that led him to DRI in Las Vegas. Joining DRI as an assistant research professor in 2006, he steadily rose, becoming the esteemed president in 2020. Kumud highlights DRI's innovative environmental projects, particularly the highly recognized cloud seeding initiative. He concludes by sharing his passion for travel and offering valuable advice to young people: work hard.Desert Research Institute: https://www.dri.edu/

Leila Melendez, Chief Executive Officer at Workforce Solutions Borderplex, joins the show today to talk about her upbringing in El Paso, Texas and what led her to her career path in Economic Development. Leila talks about the changes that have taken place since becoming the Chief Executive Officer. She discusses the impact of the Workforce Situation Room podcast, and the Best Places for Working Parents (BP for WP) initiative that were born from the pandemic. She highlights the importance of listening to stakeholders, particularly young people, to understand their needs and develop effective solutions. Lastly, Leila mentions the importance of storytelling and highlighting participant journeys to improve service delivery.Workforce Solutions Borderplex: https://www.borderplexjobs.com/