Claim OwnershipWC Podcast
Subscribed: 0Played: 44
Subscribe
© 2025 WC Podcast
Description
Southern Nevada’s counties of Clark, Nye, Lincoln and Esmeralda are aligning workforce development to their economic development strategies in order to meet the needs of business and industry. Listen to different stakeholders and learn how their efforts are helping cities like Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City remain an attractive place to do business.
172 Episodes
Reverse
In this episode of the Workforce Connections podcast, Mark and Samantha Steele are the powerhouse siblings behind The Blooming Bistro and the Restaurant Hospitality Institute. Their mission is to transform lives in Las Vegas through hospitality, hope, and opportunity for at-risk youth and adults. The Blooming Bistro https://www.thebloomingbistro.com/ Restaurant Hospitality Institute https://rhinstitute.com/
In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) President Dr. Chris Heavey shares his inspiring journey from Chicago to Las Vegas and how he’s leading the charge to align higher education with Southern Nevada’s workforce needs. From groundbreaking programs in cybersecurity and healthcare to innovations that turn desert air into water, Dr. Heavey highlights how UNLV is driving the region’s growth and opportunity. UNLV: University of Nevada, Las Vega...
What if Southern Nevada could not only manage homelessness but truly solve it? In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, host Jaime Cruz talks with Kim Jefferies, President and CEO of Campus for Hope, and Erik Hansen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Wynn Resorts. Together, they share their personal journeys, the San Antonio model that inspired this effort, and how a new public-private partnership is coming to life in Las Vegas to create lasting change. Campus of Hope Foundat...
In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, we meet Anisa Stechert, a Licensed Master Social Worker and psychedelic integration therapist at Nushama in New York City. Born in Las Vegas, Anisa moved to Florida at age 11 but has always considered Nevada home, with fond memories of Red Rock, Mount Charleston, and the YMCA swim team. She earned her B.A. in English in West Palm Beach and began her career as a Title I secondary English teacher, working with students facing trauma and syst...
In this episode, we welcome Amy Respini of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance and Jason Thomas of the Vegas Chamber, two powerhouse talent liaisons embedded within key business-facing organizations to support employer growth and regional economic development. Amy, who grew up between Southern California and Oregon, brings a background in psychology, mediation, and banking, along with early leadership experience serving on a Head Start board while still in college. Jason, a Los Angeles nat...
In this episode of the Workforce Connections podcast, Debra March joins the conversation to reflect on her dynamic career and ongoing contributions to Southern Nevada. Debra shares her unique path from growing up in Detroit and graduating from an all-girls Catholic high school to becoming Nevada’s first female park ranger, then working as a social worker, real estate regulator, and economic development leader. These diverse roles prepared her to serve as Mayor of Henderson, where she led tran...
In this episode of the Workforce Connections podcast, we’re joined by Mike Rhea, Chief Revenue Officer at Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS). Mike shares his journey from growing up in a military family and thriving in martial arts and football to eventually shifting into banking and breaking into tech sales without earning a college degree. Raised in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area and a former student at Virginia Tech, Mike's story is one of resilience, adapta...
In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, we sit down with Marcel Schaerer, Deputy Director for Southern Nevada at the Nevada Department of Business and Industry. Originally from Asunción, Paraguay, Marcel came to the U.S. as a high school exchange student in Reno before earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from the University of Nevada, Reno. His career began with civic education work in Los Angeles and transitioned into workforce training for farm workers and...
In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, we sit down with Tami Hance-Lehr, State Director and CEO of Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS)—a woman whose career journey embodies resilience, reinvention, and a deep commitment to the community. Tami shares her story, beginning in Ogden, Utah, before her family relocated to Las Vegas during her sophomore year of high school. A proud Clark High School alum and UNLV graduate, Tami entered the workforce early, balancing school and work...
In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, we’re joined by Amanda Signorelli, a Las Vegas native and co-owner of Golden Steer Steakhouse. Amanda shares her journey from attending The Meadows School to studying international business and marketing at Washington University in St. Louis, with minors in French and Arabic. Her early career included global consulting with McKinsey & Company and leading roles in the startup world—until a call from her father brought her back to Las Ve...
In this episode, Chad Hirschi, President & CEO, and Crystal Hirschi, Executive VP of Hirschi Companies, join the show to share their journeys. Crystal grew up between Marie and Farmington, Utah, and despite early challenges that delayed her college experience, she later reignited her passion for learning by taking online finance courses. Chad, a lifelong Las Vegas native and Cimarron High School alum began his career working alongside his father in construction. He eventually rose from sk...
In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, host Jaime Cruz welcomes Leslie Mujica, Executive Director and Chief Marketing Officer for the Southern Nevada International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Labor Management Cooperation Committee (LMCC), also known as Las Vegas Power Professionals. Leslie shares her inspiring journey, from being born in Guatemala City and immigrating to the U.S. as a child to attending Hol...
In this episode, Dr. Rex Liu, owner of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry and a Vegas Chamber Trustee, shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful dentist, landlord, and community advocate. Dr. Liu grew up in New York, Maryland, Texas, and Las Vegas, where he settled in fifth grade. Raised by Chinese immigrant parents, his early years taught him resilience, adaptability, and the importance of community. Dr. Liu attended the University of Southern California (USC)...
In this episode, Michael Bonner, Managing Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig's Las Vegas office, shares his journey from growing up in Las Vegas to becoming a respected leader in corporate law. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Michael attended Western High School. His educational journey began at the historic Fifth Street School, and after graduating from high school, he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Michael then attended the University of Califor...
In this episode, Joyce Smith, Senior Vice President in Commercial Banking at MidFirst Bank and Vegas Chamber Board Trustee, shares her journey from growing up in Ely, Nevada, to building a successful banking career. After attending Great Basin College, Joyce started as a bank teller and worked her way up through various leadership roles at multiple banks. She developed a strong work ethic and a deep commitment to her community along the way. Joyce believes financial success comes from living ...
In this episode of the Workforce Connections podcast, special guest host Ricardo Villalobos talks with Grant McCandless, the President & CEO of Social Impact Consultants. Grant’s journey from Texas A&M graduate to research and consulting specialist showcases his dedication to service and community impact. With early career experience at Price Waterhouse in Germany and later as a director at RCG Economics, Grant developed his skills in economic research. His current work in Neva...
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. René Cantú, who shares his inspiring journey from his birthplace in California to becoming a dedicated advocate for youth success in Nevada. After facing challenges in high school, including being told to drop out, he discovered his calling in education. Dr. Cantú began his career as a teacher, focusing on empowering students from diverse backgrounds. He later took on leadership roles in various educational initiatives and ultimately joined JAG (Jobs for ...
In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, Michelle Jackson, President and CEO of Junior Achievement (JA) of Southern Nevada, shares her inspiring journey and the transformative work she leads through JA programs. From moving around the U.S. during her early years to her current leadership role, Michelle reflects on her background in nonprofits and passion for youth development. She explains how JA’s mission centers on equipping young people with skills in financial literacy, workf...
In this episode, we sit down with Terry Shirey, President, and CEO of Nevada State Bank, to explore his professional journey, community involvement, and insights on leadership. Terry shares his experience in the banking industry, emphasizing the importance of finding a skill set that’s in demand, embracing hard work, and being comfortable with discomfort as a means of growth. He also discusses how entry-level roles at Nevada State Bank, such as tellers, have become stepping stones for many le...
In this episode, Tony Sanchez, Executive Vice President of Business Development and External Relations at NV Energy and a Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) board member, joins us to discuss Nevada's dynamic growth, the importance of sustainability, and his journey in community involvement. A native Nevadan, Tony and his wife were the first in their family to attend college. They are dedicated to ensuring their children and others have the same higher education and vocational training...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States