Women Inspiring Nevada is exactly what it claims to be – inspirational. The women featured here have shown courage and resilience as they have established themselves as leaders in their businesses, communities and homes.
The selection process for Women Inspiring Nevada becomes more difficult each year as hundreds of nominations are received and judged by women and past honorees who take on the task of narrowing down the vast number of nominees to just ten honorees. This year’s esteemed class is the tip of the iceberg, representative of a growing and thriving network of accomplished women who recognize and uplift their peers while establishing their own success.
The 2024 Women Inspiring Nevada Awards originally appeared in a special issue of Vegas Inc found inside of Las Vegas Weekly. Sign up to get each of Vegas Inc’s special publications delivered to your inbox on the day of their release.
Denise Charles – Chief Program Officer, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Denise Charles (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
While volunteering at a homeless shelter 17 years ago, Denise Charles witnessed a young mother with small children being turned away because the shelter was at capacity. Heartbroken, Charles began questioning the programs and procedures. Her compassion for this one small family led to larger conversations about making space for women and children in need. Charles received a job offer shortly thereafter and has been working in the nonprofit sector ever since.
Elissa Cadish – Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Nevada
Elissa Cadish (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
Inspired by the concept of justice for all, Elissa Cadish has been upholding Nevada law for nearly 35 years. She was a clerk for U.S. District Judge Philip M. Pro in U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, a private practice attorney focusing on commercial litigation and employment law, a district judge in the eighth judicial district court for Clark County and today, she is the Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court. Her current responsibilities include acting as the administrative head of the Nevada Judiciary and the official public voice of the Nevada Supreme Court. When she was elected to the Nevada Supreme Court in 2018, she joined the first-ever female majority.
Giovannie Espiritu – Director and Producer, Her Hunger Media
Giovannie Espiritu (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
Director, writer, speaker, filmmaker and actor Giovannie Espiritu originally got into show business doing voice-over work for video games. Since then, Espiritu has expanded her skillset and earned accolades in acting, directing and producing. Her passion is creating a more inclusive and empathetic world through storytelling. She also loves coaching actors and other creatives.
Jazmin Gelista – Talent Management and Internal Mobility Partner, CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer
Jazmin Gelista (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
Jazmin Gelista has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, a master’s degree in communications and a doctorate in public policy that she earned earlier this year. She has achieved every educational goal to which she has aspired, all while maintaining a strong and influential presence in her work and community.
Karin Bernkopf – Vice President of US Gaming Marketing and Creative Services, IGT
Karin Bernkopf (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
“Looking back over two decades working in gaming marketing, I am proud that I wasn’t afraid to try new things. This mentality has led to some of the greatest experiences of my life and career,” says Karin Bernkopf. After earning a degree in art history, Bernkopf went back to school for a master’s degree in business. Shortly following her graduation, she took a job in project management and leaned heavily into branding and marketing—a focus she is passionate about today.
Molly Hamrick – President and Chief Operating Officer, Coldwell Banker Premier Realty & Coldwell Banker Commercial Premier
Molly Hamrick (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
Eight years after entering the real estate industry, fueled by a spirit of entrepreneurship that had motivated her since childhood, Molly Hamrick and her husband bought the brokerage where she worked. In the last 25 years, the once small business has become one of the top Coldwell Banker franchises in the country and has achieved more than $1 billion in sales volume.
Nikkie Preston – Associate Director of Development, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
Nikkie Preston (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
Nikkie Preston has spent her career serving others. Learning from her mother’s example, Preston knew that helping people was her purpose and found fulfillment in hospice care. While educating and training the community in hospice care, she noticed the need for more nurses and physicians. This realization led her to the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, where she works with medical students and helps shape the next generation of Southern Nevada’s doctors.
Tina Frias – Chief Executive Officer, Southern Nevada Home Builders Association
Tina Frias (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
As a girl, Tina Frias worked for her family’s business as a janitor at law and medical offices. Inspired by the degrees she saw hanging on office walls, she was determined to earn her own. With bachelor’s degrees in political science and philosophy and a juris doctor degree, Frias is equipped to hold several dynamic leadership positions in the community.
Shelley Carrao – Captain, Nevada Highway Patrol, Nevada State Police
Shelley Carrao (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
When she was young, Shelley Carrao’s career path seemed clear: she wanted to help people, so she would become a police officer. Carrao pursued a degree in criminal justice and was introduced to the role of supervised probation, which shifted her perspective on traditional policing. Carrao started as a juvenile probation officer and later transitioned to the Division of Parole and Probation in the Department of Public Safety. Working first with juveniles and then with adults, Carrao came to understand the importance of holistic guidance in helping young people find their way to better futures and in helping adults overcome difficult challenges.
Vicki Rousseau – Director of Marketing & Business Development, Simon Property Group – The Shops at Crystals
Vicki Rousseau (Wade Vandervort / Staff)
Vicki Rousseau has spent more than two decades honing her talents and gaining experience in the unique retail industry of Las Vegas. “I really enjoy having an impact in an activity that brings people together—shopping,” Rousseau says. She has held leadership positions in prominent business centers such as Las Vegas North and South Premium Outlets and played a key role in opening Town Square Las Vegas and Downtown Summerlin.