The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the voice of America's 10.6 million women-owned businesses. Since 1975, NAWBO has helped women evolve their businesses by sharing resources and providing a single voice to shape economic and public policy.
NAWBO is a non-profit organization of more than 5,000 members that represents women business owners across all industries. NAWBO Southern Nevada is one of about 60 chapters across the U.S.
NAWBO Southern Nevada
On February 26, 1990, the first meeting of the Southern Nevada Chapter of the National Asspciation of Women Business Owners was held at a standing-room only luncheon at the Olympic Gardens Restaurant and 52 charter members joined.
Two years later, the first NAWBO National Conference was held in Las Vegas. The national organization was stunned by a record attendance, which included almost 200 walk-ins. Three years later, three NAWBO Southern Nevada members were elected to the Nevada delegation to the White House Conferenceon Small Business.
In 1998 the Southern Nevada Chapter once again hosted the National Conference and the very next month launched the Women of Distinction Awards.
In February 2005 we celebrated our 15th anniversary and marked the milestone by signing up our 200th member, and in now in 2020 we are celebrating our 30th anniversary!
Our Local Mission
NAWBO Southern Nevada educates, empowers and promotes women business owners to experience success in all economic, political and social arenas.
Informative and success driven monthly meetings which include time devoted to networking with other women entrepreneurs.
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Rapidly growing membership.
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Social events designed for fun and networking.
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Respected political voice both locally and Statewide.
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Awards to recognize the successes of our members and other women in Southern Nevada.
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Benefits from corporate partners and procurement opportunities.
Decisions about NAWBO Southern Nevada operations are made by our volunteer Board of Directors. The NAWBO Southern Nevada year runs from July 1 to June 30; members are invited to apply for Board positions in March of each year.
Interim President
Sonia PetKewich
Interim President Elect & Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Angela Giles
Treasurer
Sharice Lance
Interim Secretary - Vice President Member Services
Eileen Guilbeault
Vice President Board Strategy and Development
Darcy Dougherty
Membership Committee
Merri Griffin
Vice President of Community and Affiliate Relations
Yuan-Fen Lai
Vice President of Corporate Partner Relations
Dana Berggren
Chapter Administrator
Katrina Bruce
Vice President of Advocacy & Public Policy
(Open)
Vice President of Professional Development & Leadership
(Open)
2020 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARDS
The 20th Annual ICONIC Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon will be held on June, 4 2020, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Conference Center of Las Vegas, 6590 Bermuda Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119, and will honor 13 dynamic women with the prestigious 2020 ICONIC Women of Distinction Award.
NAWBO Southern Nevada has hosted the Women of Distinction Awards since 1998 to celebrate the accomplishments of women. We commemorate the achievements of all our nominees at this event. The program highlights women whose excellence and dedication sets them apart in their fields and inspires success. Women are recognized in the following categories: Rising Star, Glass Ceiling, Entrepreneur of the Year, Arts/Entertainment/Media, Business/Retail/Manufacturing, Corporate/Government Services, Education/Sports, Gaming/Hospitality/Convention Services, Medical/Healthcare Services, Philanthropy/Community Service, Professional Services/Public Relations, Real Estate/Construction, and STEM.
Join us as we honor our finalists and recipients, have lunch and peruse our silent auction which benefits the Women of Distinction Foundation.
Our 2019 Recipients:
Our 2019 Finalists:
Requirements:
- Nominees must demonstrate a commitment to advocacy for improving the lives of women.
- Nominees must live and/or work in the Southern Nevada Region.
- Nominees do not need to be a member of NAWBO Southern Nevada.
- Nominees submitting for the Rising Star Award do hereby verify that they will be under 40 years old on June 4, 2020.
- The Nominator for the Glass Ceiling Award must be an employee of a NAWBO Southern Nevada Corporate Partner but not the Nominee.
- Previous WODA Finalists in the last five years are not eligible to be nominated.
- Previous WODA recipients are not eligible.
- Submitted applications that do not follow the submission guidelines and meet the eligibility requirements may be disqualified.
Applications are due by 12 Midnight PT on March 27, 2020. Please setup up a login and use this platform to nominate for WODA 2020. As the nominees are nominated they will receive a link to complete the online application through this same platform. Please direct all questions to womenofdistinction@nawbosnv.org or Sandy Roche at (702) 524-6208.
Finalists will be announced on or before April 29, 2020. Each finalist will receive a complimentary seat at the award luncheon.
Sponsorship Information and Application
Thank you to our sponsors:
