LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Sept. 9, 2025) – Make-A-Wish® Nevada, which strives to bring the life-changing power of a wish to every child with a critical illness in Nevada, announced today the appointment of David R. Navarro as board chair, along with the addition of five new board members who will help guide the organization: Chris Abraham, Samer Jawhari, Dr. Shannon Michaelson, Joel E. Tasca and Art Zargaryan.
Navarro, a Las Vegas native and Market Executive for Southern Nevada with Columbia Bank, steps into the role of board chair after serving as a board member since 2023. In 2022, Navarro was appointed by former Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak to serve on the State’s Board of Finance and is currently serving a four-year term. He also is an adjunct professor of finance at UNLV and an active community leader, serving on multiple nonprofit boards. He and his wife established the Navarro Family Access for All Endowed Scholarship at UNLV to support first-generation college students.
“As I step into the role of chairman of the board for Make-A-Wish Nevada, I am honored to join our community in bringing life-changing wishes to children across the state,” said Navarro. “Onwards and upwards, Nevada!”
Joining the Make-A-Wish Nevada Board of Directors are:
Chris Abraham is Chief Marketing Officer, Grand Sierra Resort. A hospitality and marketing leader, Abraham has extensive experience shaping brand strategy, driving customer engagement, and leading innovative campaigns within the resort and entertainment industry. Abraham served as board chair of the Northern Nevada chapter of Make-A-Wish, prior to the organization’s southern and northern Nevada merger.
Samer Jawhari CFA is Executive Director/Vice President with J.P. Morgan Private Bank where he works directly with high-net-worth families to tailor strategies that may help grow and protect multigenerational wealth while supporting his clients’ complex banking, lending, investment management and philanthropic objectives. Calling Las Vegas home since 2006, Jawhari holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he is often a guest speaker.
Dr. Shannon Michelson has dedicated her career to in-patient pediatric care and medical education. A graduate of the UNR School of Medicine, she currently serves as a pediatric hospitalist with University Medical Center of Southern Nevada and as an associate professor at both University of Nevada Reno and Las Vegas. Michelson also has served as a pediatric hospitalist with Mednax Las Vegas and pediatric department chair at Renown Regional Medical Center.
Joel E. Tasca is a shareholder at the global law firm of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Well known in Las Vegas legal circles, Tasca is a seasoned litigator representing national consumer-facing companies such as financial institutions, casinos and online travel companies, among others. His practice extends to corporate governance, securities litigation and complex arbitration as well as First Amendment matters, representing news and media outlets in their attempts to fulfill public records requests from state agencies.
Art Zargaryan is CEO and Owner of Pegasus Development, a project management firm he founded in 2017 in Las Vegas. Under Zargaryan’s leadership, Pegasus has led the development of a distinguished portfolio of real estate and entertainment projects nationwide overseeing more than 5.5 million square feet of development, with a total construction value exceeding $4.2 billion.
“These leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared belief that every child deserves a childhood,” said Scott Rosenzweig, president and CEO, Make-A-Wish Nevada. “Their commitment and expertise will help expand our ability to grant more wishes for children in Nevada.
About Make-A-Wish Nevada
Make-A-Wish® Nevada creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, empowering them with hope and strength. Established in 1982, Make-A-Wish® Nevada was originally split into Northern and Southern Nevada in 1996 but reunified as one chapter in 2024 to better serve the entire state. Over the years, more than 2,800 wishes have been granted to children across Nevada. Supported by generous donors, volunteers, and community partners, Make-A-Wish® Nevada is part of a national network that has collectively granted more than 390,000 wishes through its 57 chapters across the U.S. For more information, visit wish.org/nv
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Melissa Warren, The Warren Group: melissa@twgpr.com; 702-528-6016
