The National Association of Women Business Owners Southern Nevada (NAWBO) has revealed its 2022 Women of Distinction Award (WODA) list of finalists. The winners will be announced at this year’s WODA luncheon, which will be held at Conference Center of Las Vegas, 6590 Bermuda Road, in Las Vegas, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 25.

Founded in 1975 as the voice of women business owners, NAWBO’s mission is to help connect women to the resources, people, information, and organizations that can help them achieve their personal, business, or political goals. The organization’s annual WODA awards event honors the accomplishments of women business owners as well as leaders in private and public sector nonprofit organizations.

This year’s finalists include:

Category: Entrepreneur

Naira Vardanyan, Owner/Baker of Manan Bakery

Joy Hoover, CEO and Founder, esoes cosmetics

Amy Finchem Conley, Principal & Director of Design, TILT23 Studios

Category: Rising Star

En-Ming Hsu, Co-owner, Sip LLC

Dr. Ashley Prandecki, Resident Physician, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV

Jennifer Inaba, Communications Manager, Western Resource Advocates

Category: Glass Ceiling

Chaka Crome, Founding Partner, Crome Law Firm

Susan Hoy, CEO, Nevada Guardian Services

Pamela Goynes-Brown, North Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tempore, City of North Las Vegas

Category: Arts/Entertainment/Media

Casey Jade, Boudoir & Branding Photographer, Casey Jade Photo

Maria Ngo, Co-founder, VIPNET Media LLC

Kri Edholm, Entrepreneur/Leader/Speaker, Krico Productions

Category: Business/Restaurant/Retail/Manufacturing

En-Ming Hsu, Co-Owner, Sip LLC

Gina Marinelli, Executive Chef/Partner, La Strega

Leanna Jenkins, Executive Director, Nevada Business Opportunity Fund

Category: Corporate/Government Services

Miriam Lira-Hickerson, Ombudsman of Consumer Affairs for Minorities, State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry

Kathleen Taylor, Program and Marketing Manager, Nevada Women’s Business Center

Rebecca Gipson, Chief of Staff, City of North Las Vegas

Category: Education

Felicia Wright, Owner, The Learning Outpost

Rebecca Davis, Owner, Cultivate Academics

Alisa Howard, Owner/Public Health Expert, Minority Health Consultants

Category: Gaming/Hospitality/Convention Services

Kenyatta Lewis, Executive Director of Supplier Diversity, Sustainable Procurement, and Training, MGM Resorts International

Jennifer Shatley, Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute

Candice Beane, Managing Director, PRA Business Events

Category: Medical/Health Care Services

Souzan El-Eid, MD, FACS, Breast Surgeon, Comprehensive Cancer Centers – Southwest Breast Surgery Center

Sarita Rodriguez, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Recalibrate Wellness

Parisa Bady, Founder and CEO, Meros Media

Category: Philanthropy/Community Service/Non-Profit

Hannah Brown, Founder/Leader, Community Development Corporation

Jacqueline Nguyen, National President, American Medical Association Alliance

Erika Washington, Executive Director, Make It Work Nevada

Category: Professional Services/Public Relations

Susan Hoy, CEO, Nevada Guardian Services

Kelli Despain and Megan Jones, Owners, Bottega Exchange

Lindsay Feldman, Founder/CEO, BrandBomb PR

Category: Real Estate/Construction

Caroline Chavez, Broker/Owner & CEO, Legacy Property Management

Chrishena Stanley, Luxury Real Estate Broker, STK Property Group

Jackie Brown, REALTOR, Realty One Group

Category: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)

Dr. Rochelle Hines, Co-Founder and CEO, Tessellate Therapeutics

Cynthia Vollmer, VP Technology Risk Management, MGM Resorts International

Erika Moonin, President, Moonin Associates, PLLC

Do you want to sponsor or attend this year’s event? For more information, visit NAWBOsnv.org.

About WODA

The NAWBO Southern Nevada Women of Distinction Awards (WODA) recognize the achievements of women in business. These awards highlight the accomplishments of women business owners who are building a legacy for the next generation of leaders. The awards honor women business leaders who have shown outstanding accomplishments in our community. All awards and grants recognize achievement across a wide range of business and nonprofit categories.