Our Team
Our Staff
Rachel Bergren
Executive Director
Rachel Bergren (She/Her/Hers) currently serves as the Executive Director for Get Outdoors Nevada (GON). With more than two decades of experience in the field of environmental and conservation education and non-profit leadership, Rachel joined GON in February 2021. She considers herself a “nature nerd” and has dedicated her career to inspiring others to connect with and care for wildlife and wild places. Rachel was thrilled join GON, whose mission and core work is so perfectly aligned with her personal passions and professional goals.
Before joining GON, Rachel served as Chief Programs Officer for The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito, California), the world’s largest marine mammal rehabilitation, scientific research, and education facility. As CPO, Rachel was responsible for strategic alignment of the Center’s mission-based programs, including Veterinary Medicine & Science, Response and Field Operations, and Learning & Community. Rachel first joined The Marine Mammal Center as Director of Education & Guest Experience in 2013.
Before heading to California, Rachel served as Vice President of Education at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois (2008-2013). Prior to that, she spent 11+ years at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium filling many roles in education and conservation at Shedd Aquarium, including leading the organization’s sustainability program.
Rachel received a Master of Science degree in Biology from Western Illinois University in 2005 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University in 1995 (Galveston). She also completed a graduate certificate in Zoo and Aquarium Management and has served in many leadership roles for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the International Zoo and Aquarium Educators Association (IZE).
Rachel’s husband, Ben, serves as Senior Pastor at Community Lutheran Church and the Bergrens reside in Henderson. Rachel and Ben are parents to three awesome young adults (Molly, Carlson, and Max) and an elderly, beloved dog (Katie).
Tayler Lundvall
Social Media & Communications Strategist
Tayler Lundvall (She/Her/Hers) was born and raised in Las Vegas, and is the Social Media & Communications Strategist for Get Outdoors Nevada. Her interest in the outdoors started at a young age when she learned about wildlife conservation, but grew when she learned more about sustainability and reducing waste in college. Tayler acquired her Bachelors in Communication Studies with a secondary focus in Urban studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2020.
Tayler began exploring sustainability and nature conservation while in school and developed a passion for it. She translated her avocation for sustainability into an online presence through social media, finding ways to educate others on how to be more eco-conscious. With the desire to make a positive impact, she is now focused on changing how people view and engage with the outdoors.
In her free time, you will find Tayler reading books and hiking with her friends. She also enjoys learning languages and augmenting her knowledge in environmental studies. Tayler hopes to inspire future generations to take interest in sustainability and the environment.
Shelly Kopinski
Director of Programs
Shelly Kopinski (She/Her/Hers) has called the Silver State her home for over 25 years and has chosen to raise her family here. Nevada’s outdoor resources have provided a unique and beautiful space that has allowed her three boys and two large dogs to grow and explore. Even though Shelly loves to travel, she always makes it back home to Nevada!
Shelly began her tenure with Get Outdoors Nevada (GON) as an AmeriCorps volunteer in 2014 where she began her career in interpretation and was able to utilize her love of the outdoors while expanding her knowledge of southern Nevada. Shelly received her B.S. in Natural Resources from Oregon State University and began working for GON full-time in 2015, became Education Program Manager in 2016, Education Program Director in 2018, and was promoted to Director of Programs in November 2022.
Working for GON has intensified Shelly’s connection to her community and she enjoys the opportunity to replicate that through educational programming. Providing new experiences, perspectives, opportunities, and resources to youth outdoors enables her to introduce a natural world without limits!
Cheresa Taing
Education Program Manager
Cheresa Taing (She/Her/Hers) is the Education Program Manager for Get Outdoors Nevada and has worked in environmental education for over half a decade. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and is a Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association for Interpretation.
Cheresa's deep-rooted affinity toward environmentalism empowered her to share her love for plants and animals in the form of education. In her management of the Native Habitat and the Meet Your Mojave Programs, Cheresa’s ambition is to cultivate viable wildlife habitats in our urban spaces while connecting communities of all backgrounds to southern Nevada’s beautiful landscapes. By way of her effort, she hopes to inspire community members to grow as protectors and stewards of our home, the Mojave Desert.
In her free time, Cheresa enjoys being active outdoors, visiting botanical gardens, and traveling to new places.
Roslyn Villa
Education Program Coordinator
Roslyn Villa (She/Her/Hers) was born and raised in Las Vegas, though her love and appreciation for the outdoors grew as as she traveled to Mexico in her childhood. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Nevada, Reno, she spent half a year in San Ramon, Costa Rica, where she worked to educate youth and adults on sustainable waste.
With the desire to make a difference in the community she grew up in, she spent the next three years teaching Earth and Environmental Science for the Clark County School District. During the time she spent as a teacher, she realized the strong impact the outdoors had on the personal wellbeing of her students. In her work, she hopes to inspire the younger generations a desire for a sustainable lifestyle and overall appreciation for the environment.
Kyle Dwyer
Education Program Coordinator
Kyle Dwyer (He/Him/His) is a Las Vegas native who joined Get Outdoors Nevada as an Education Program Coordinator in February of 2022. Before joining the organization, he worked in the field of Hospitality. Despite working within the great indoors of the Las Vegas Strip, Kyle maintained a dedication to conservation, a passion he owes to Red Rock National Conservation Area, Zion National Park, and Dixie National Forest. In his free time, you’re likely to find Kyle hanging out with his two dogs (who may love nature more than he does!), watching sports, or binge-watching a TV show.
Kyle is currently pursuing his B.A. in Secondary Education at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas after obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Secondary Education from the College of Southern Nevada. Coming from a family of educators, Kyle strongly believes in the importance of education, and he is excited to share Nevada’s wealth of natural spaces with the community through education. Through Get Outdoors Nevada, he hopes he can help enrich the community and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards to preserve Nevada for generations to come.
Jennifer Tobin
Education Fellow
Jennifer Tobin (She/Her/Hers) grew up in California where she enjoyed playing in the backyard, riding horses, hiking, and vacationing around the country with her family. She has been passionate about nature from a young age. However, this passion really took off in high school when she became an avid birder. Birding led to her leading bird walks, teaching classes on birds, participating in bird banding, working on a variety of field jobs in the southwestern US, volunteering as a nature guide at a lodge in Costa Rica, and learning to identify other living organisms. She loves to spend time outside, where every outing is like a giant game of I spy and you never know what you are going to find.
After receiving her bachelor's degree in Biology and master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Jennifer worked for over five years as a field biologist. She performed a variety of jobs including bird surveys and banding, small mammal trapping and surveys, vegetation surveys, habitat restoration, trail clearing, radio telemetry, storm water sampling, and desert tortoise surveys. In 2018, she shifted gears into formal teaching and taught biology in a CCSD school for three years. However, the open air continued to call to her heart. For this reason, she has decided to return to her outdoor roots to combine her joy of teaching with her enthusiasm for nature while working as an Education Fellow with Get Outdoors Nevada.
Adam Frus
Education Fellow
Adam Frus (He/Him/His) is an education and games enthusiast. He earned a B.A. in Geology from Arizona State University where he developed interests including mineral collection, fossil hunting and mapping. Adam comes to GON from a 15-year career as a glass artist where he specialized in teaching glass art techniques, developing curriculum and delivering interpretive narration during hot glass demonstrations. His artwork is often designed with a STEAM lens and frequently includes aspects of Earth Science and natural landscapes.
Outside of time spent in the hot glass studio or hiking in the mountains around Las Vegas, Adam can be found participating in a martial arts community focused on HEMA-style fencing or working with his daughter to cultivate her skills in various sports.
Danny Regan
Education Fellow
Danny (He/Him/His) is a Massachusetts native who moved to Las Vegas in 2022. He graduated from Columbia University in 2022 where he played Division I baseball and joined the rock climbing team while earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. His experience as both an athlete and biologist provides him with a unique opportunity to connect Nevada’s residents with nature.
Danny’s interest in conservation was influenced by teachers, friends, and social media during his education and continues to motivate his career. He feels strongly that the consequences of climate change will challenge current and subsequent generations, and he hopes that his work at Get Outdoors Nevada will play a small role in creating big change in the way we think about and engage with nature.
In his free time, Danny enjoys being outside with friends. Whether he’s picnicking, hiking, or rock climbing, he finds peace when sharing the outdoors with others.
Mihaela Genova
Volunteer Program Manager
Mihaela Genova (She/Her/Hers) was born in Bulgaria and relocated to Las Vegas at a young age. She always felt a strong connection to animals and outdoor spaces, prompting her to turn her passion into a career by pursuing a bachelor's degree in Earth and Environmental Science with a minor in Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Her time at the university sparked a passion for paleontology. She loves learning about the Earth’s past, as well as previous climate change events, and how we can apply this knowledge to today's climate situation. She volunteers at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum where she has prepared numerous fossils for further research. She hopes to one day pursue a PhD in paleontology and become a museum curator or research professor.
In her free time, she loves to spend time with her dogs and go on long hikes where she can explore the beauty of the Mojave Desert. While she prides herself on being a desert creature, she also enjoys spending countless hours at the beach. She loves to learn about new ways we can help our environment thrive and hopes to be able to influence younger generations to take care of our planet and all its other inhabitants.
Lydia Wolfe
Volunteer Program Coordinator
Lydia Wolfe (She/Her/Hers) has lived in Las Vegas since 2009 and has always had an interest in learning about culture and connecting to nature. One way that she was able to do this was to major in Anthropology at UNLV where she is graduating with her bachelor’s degree in December 2022 with a minor in American Indigenous Studies. Currently she also interns with IndigenousAF Inc. and volunteers with The Cupcake Girls.
Lydia wants people to be able to create a community with an outdoors culture and to be able to help those who want to spend time outdoors recognize the importance of leaving no trace behind aside from our footprints. She loves learning about the connection that humans and nature have and what we could do in order to help them prosper with the education we provide to current and future generations. She hopes to one day be able to walk down a trail and not have to pick up waste from humans so frequently; as well as to preserve and educate more people about those who lived on these Lands in the past, who currently lives on them, and what the Lands may look like in the future.
In her free time, she likes to be able to play with her chihuahua named Delilah who is 12 years old and her retriever/border collie mix named Sage who is 6 years old. If she is not hanging out with her pets or family, she likes to draw outside and get inspiration from what she sees in the clouds. If she has a day or evening of free time, she enjoys hiking at Red Rock or Mt. Charleston and check out the natural grocery store that is available to us on BLM Land.
Evelyn Garcia
Volunteer Program Coordinator
Evelyn Garcia (She/Her/Hers) was born and raised in Las Vegas and has a Biological Science degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She first grew a love and appreciation for volunteer service when she moved to Thailand to teach English for seven months in 2017. During that time she traveled all throughout southeast Asia and loved to see how other parts of the world protect its wildlife and land. Upon returning to the United States she realized a bigger passion for "service" and started to work and volunteer for various non profits in the Las Vegas valley.
In her free time you will find Evelyn looking for hiking trails that lead to beautiful alpine lakes, spending time with her dog and reading. Her goal is to make the outdoors in some way part of everyday life and encourage others to do the same.
Kelly Gierman
Volunteer Program Coordinator
Kelly Gierman (She/Her/Hers) grew up in Chicago. She graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s in Resort Management. Kicking off her post-graduate career as an Onsite Wedding Coordinator, she realized the importance of needing balance in her life which later prompted her move to Las Vegas in 2019.
Her first captivating moment in nature when she summitted her first mountain peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. This experience shaped her interests in not only being active outdoors, but also embracing and respecting the world around her. Kelly was introduced to Get Outdoors Nevada at Public Lands Day in 2019 and began volunteering at local cleanups. The community involvement in making a difference for a cleaner Earth was unlike anywhere she’s ever lived. She hopes to be able to inspire others to live simply and be a steward to others and our planet.
Out of work, Kelly enjoys hiking, reading a good book in her hammock, and traveling. Exploring all the local coffee shops is her guilty pleasure. Local community involvement includes being a volunteer with Desert National Wildlife Refuge and teaching toddlers at City Light Church.
Vanessa Buensalida
Office Administrator
Vanessa Buensalida (She/Her/Hers) grew up in Las Vegas and was previously employed with Get Outdoors Nevada as a Volunteer Program Coordinator from 2020-2021. She has since then decided to return to the GON team in a new role as Office Administrator. She received an associate’s degree in Business Administration and hopes to continue furthering her education in the near future.
Her love of stewardship and involvement in the community through volunteering helped Vanessa decide that she wanted to forge a career in the nonprofit sector. However, outdoor advocacy wasn’t something that piqued her interest until she began working with GON. The work that the organization does has inspired her to learn more about our outside spaces and how we can better care for them. As Office Administrator, Vanessa hopes to gain knowledge on the day-to-day operations and how to run a successful nonprofit. One day she may even decide to start her own!
When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Vanessa plans to take the knowledge she acquires with Get Outdoors Nevada and encourage others to be more mindful when recreating outdoors.
Jeanne Tinsman
Office Administrator
Jeanne Tinsman (She/Her/Hers) grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, and has been captivated by birds from the beginning. She has a degree in biology from Shippensburg State College.
Her early career began with a stint at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, and continued with seasonal jobs including counting migrating raptors in Veracruz, Mexico, and banding birds in Louisiana. Jeanne’s path continued west, where she worked for the California Condor Program, volunteered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (again banding birds in Elko County and Clark County, Nevada), held positions with the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies, finally landing with Get Outdoors Nevada in August 2017. Citizen science is always a focus; Jeanne maintains a strong interest in all the life forms that share their world with us, including birds, dragonflies and damselflies, butterflies and wildflowers.
Our Board
Susie Black-Manriquez
Cox Communications
Susie Black-Manriquez is Manager of Communications at Cox Las Vegas. As part of the Cox Las Vegas Public and Government Affairs department, she has responsibility for internal and external communications and media relations and serves as the Cox Conserves Employee Engagement Chair for Cox’s Southwest Region. She joined the company in 2019 after more than two decades at the former Faiss Foley Warren Public Relations and Public Affairs agency (now The Warren Group). A public relations veteran with more than 30 years of experience, Susie worked as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, serving as manager of the public-private Water Conservation Coalition for more than a decade.
Susie is a graduate of the Vegas Chamber’s Leadership Las Vegas program, a past-president and current member of the Las Vegas Valley Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and member of Women in Cable Telecommunications. A Girl Scout co-leader and volunteer, she received the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in recognition of her service to Catholic youth through Girl Scouts and has been recognized with numerous industry awards for her work.
She is a graduate of the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada and is married to Steve Manriquez. Together they have two daughters - a college freshman and a high school junior.
Justin Cohen
BTV
Treasurer, Justin Cohen (He/Him/His) is the founder of BTV Marketing Group, a Las Vegas-based Marketing & Advertising Agency. With over 20 years spent growing organizations, Justin possesses a unique collection of marketing, strategy and leadership skills. He joined the Get Outdoors Nevada board in 2015, and is currently serving as Treasurer.
In addition to his board service with GON, Justin is a 20+ year Wish Granter for Make a Wish of Southern Nevada and a 2015 Graduate of Leadership Las Vegas. Through his work as a marketer, board member and advisor, Justin has helped non-profit organizations throughout southern Nevada grow and thrive.
Justin hails from Boston and attended Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. When he’s not focusing his energies on his twins Parker and Reed, he can be found trail running and hiking around Southern Nevada with his rescue pup Hazel.
Sean Coulter
Simpson Coulter Studio
Board Chair, Sean Coulter, AIA, is principal and design director at Simpson Coulter Studio. His leadership brings over 25 years of experience on large-scale projects for various public and private entities. Sean attended Louisiana Tech University and obtained both Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Arts degrees, which inspires his intensive approach to design. His oversight of the design team at Simpson Coulter Studio infuses this unique background into the creative process ensuring that clients receive a holistic design that successfully balances functionality, innovation, and craft in its execution. His diverse professional portfolio has established him as an expert in his field, and his leadership in these typologies has resulted in multiple award-winning projects that have propelled the firm’s standing as experts within their community.
Sean believes that architecture and community-building are intertwined and strives to offer his expertise past the boundaries of his immediate professional environment. He has served as president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Las Vegas and Nevada State Chapters and was awarded the AIA Nevada Service Award in 2010 for his contributions to the profession. He has been an adjunct professor and juror for UNLV’s School of Architecture and has served as a professional advisor for Clark High School and the Las Vegas Academy. He also encourages his staff to volunteer and provide mentorships that students and young architects rely on for future success within the field. In his spare time, Sean enjoys photography, biking, and nurturing his unhealthy obsession with Star Wars.
John Curran
Prospect Street Capital
John Curran is the Senior Vice President of Development for Prospect Street Capital, a local commercial real estate firm that has acquired or developed over one million square feet of space and invested over $200 million into southern Nevada . Prior to that, he served in a similar role with Dapper Companies, and also as the Real Estate Portfolio Manager for Downtown Project, the $350 million private redevelopment effort founded by the former Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh.
John received a B.A. in Urban Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and went on to complete a Masters of City Planning at Penn Design. After eight years on the East Coast, he ultimately missed the mountains and sunshine of his hometown of Las Vegas, and returned in 2013. He also serves on the City of Las Vegas Arts Commission and is active with the Urban Land Institute. Outside of work, he can usually be found skiing, hiking, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors with his family.
Peter Guzman
Opa Group and Latin Chamber of Commerce
Peter Guzman, President of the Opa Group, is an accomplished small business owner, real estate investor and developer. Having lived most of his life in Nevada, his work has been recognized nationally by major real estate organizations with over $600 million in sales. Guzman has advised and worked to transition many publicly-traded companies as well as privately-held companies in all facets of business from real estate to contract procurement. Mr. Guzman has been recognized by numerous senators and congressmen for his creative and impactful contributions to public policy around affordable housing that increase minority home ownership and business entrepreneurship.
As President of The Latin Chamber of Commerce, Peter Guzman leads the Hispanic Chamber which has provided services for the community for over 40 years and continues to grow its dynamic membership. “The Latin Chamber of Commerce is a beacon of light for the business community and a beacon of hope for those in need of assistance in the Southern Nevada community.”
Guzman participates in a number of boards and community engagements, including the Las Vegas Victims' Fund, The Nature Conservancy, The Mob Museum Board, Nevada State College, the Nevada Governor’s appointed Judicial Selection Committee, and vice-chairman of Workforce Connections, overseeing a $25 million annual budget. Guzman is married to a fellow Nevadan who is an executive in the gaming resort industry. They have one daughter and one son. "I believe that true success is only as strong as the family foundation."
Zaniah Jordan
Greenberg Traurig
Zaniah Jordan is an Associate at Greenberg Traurig in the Corporate Practice Group, which includes the areas of corporate governance and compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and securities offerings for public and private companies. Originally from California, Zaniah attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for her undergraduate degree and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Williams S. Boyd School of Law for her Juris Doctorate.
In addition to her position as a Board Member for Get Outdoors Nevada, Zaniah serves as the Networking and Career Advancement Committee Chair for the Las Vegas National Bar Association.
Zaniah enjoys spending time with her fiancé, hiking, cooking, and watching documentaries about the ocean when not working.
Rory Kay
McDonald Carano
Rory Kay is a partner in the Las Vegas office of McDonald Carano LLP. Rory handles all aspects of commercial and complex litigation, including representing clients before the Nevada Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Originally from Nebraska, Rory attended the University of Nebraska for his undergraduate degrees and the University of San Diego School of Law for his juris doctor. For his legal work, Rory has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, one of Nevada’s best appellate lawyers by Best Lawyers, and Legal Elite by the Nevada Business Magazine in employment and labor law, commercial and complex litigation, and appellate law.
His community involvement includes extensive pro bono work through the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada where he represents abused and neglected children placed in foster care. He also represents Nevada’s veterans through the Nevada Attorney General’s Office of Military Legal Assistance.
When not working, Rory enjoys tennis, golf, road and mountain biking throughout Nevada, and hiking with his chocolate lab Marvin.
Kevin Lang
Southwest Gas Corporation
Vice Chair, Kevin Lang (He/Him/His), is the Director of Engineering Services for Southwest Gas Corporation based in Las Vegas. Kevin has been with Southwest Gas since 2003. He has held various engineering and operations positions at the Company’s Southern California division and in the corporate headquarters in Las Vegas. He grew up moving around various parts of the United States and has called Nevada home since 2011.
His current job responsibilities include oversight of natural gas pipeline safety compliance, design standards, environmental programs and compliance, metering and regulation, corrosion control, SCADA systems, communications support, land rights acquisition, pipeline security, and mutual assistance programs. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia Tech and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Nevada.
Kevin enjoys his time outdoors with his family and two dogs hiking and exploring Nevada back roads, byways, and trails.
Robert Levrant
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Rob Levrant (He/Him/His) has been at UNLV since 2015 where he serves as the Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), a nationally recognized, volunteer-based learning community of retired and semi-retired adults.
Previously, Rob served the city of Las Vegas in a community engagement and outreach role for the Office of City Council, where he worked closely with Get Outdoors Nevada in improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods, trails, and parks.
Rob is completing his Ph.D. in educational psychology in May of 2022, and volunteers with Scouts BSA and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.
Greta Seidman
Opportunity 180
Greta Seidman is Director of Public Affairs activities at Opportunity 180, a nonprofit that is committed to ensuring every kid has access to a great school in their neighborhood that puts them on track to be college and career-ready, regardless of their zip code.
Prior to joining the Opportunity 180 organization, Greta was directing public affairs with Brightline West, the proposed high speed rail connecting Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area. She also had served as the Director of Communications for Nevada HAND, Nevada’s largest nonprofit affordable housing developer and manager, creating and implementing strategic messaging campaigns and leading media relations, crisis management, stakeholder awareness, and government affairs activities for the organization. Greta was also proud to be part of the team at the Las Vegas Chamber for over seven years, serving as Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy, showrunner for Preview Las Vegas from 2016-2018, and editor and publisher of the Business Voice magazine.
She holds a BA and MBA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Las Vegas and was named one of VegasInc.’s “40 Under 40” in 2018.
Mike Shohet
Compass Development
Board Secretary Mike Shohet serves as President for Compass Development. Prior to that he served as the Executive Vice President of Real Estate for Nevada HAND, a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, construction, and management of quality affordable housing for low-income Nevadans.
Mike has spent 23 years in various roles in the real estate development industry including the last 15 years here in Las Vegas. Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University in Canada and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Mike is a past president and current board member of the Southern Nevada Chapter of NAIOP, the commercial real estate development association. In 2017, Mike was recognized nationally by NAIOP for his outstanding leadership as a Chapter President. By appointment of the Clark County Commission, he also serves as a member of the Clark County Building Department Enterprise Fund Advisory Committee.
In his leisure time, Mike coaches ski racing for the Brian Head ski team and is an avid mountain biker, rock climber, and hiker. He enjoys sharing all of those experiences with his fiancée, Jen, and kids, Sophie and Ethan.
Jessica Stanley
Teach for America
Jessica Stanley (She/Her/Hers) has worked in education in Las Vegas for the last 10 years. She is currently the Managing Director of Teacher Leadership Development at Teach for America Las Vegas, a mission-driven non-profit organization that focuses on ensuring every child in our community has access to an equitable and excellent education.
Originally from Arizona, Jessica received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Arizona before moving to Nevada and receiving her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Science Education from UNLV. She found her passion for science education while teaching 9th and 12th grade science at Mojave High School in North Las Vegas. She then coached science and Special Education teachers in Title 1 schools across the Las Vegas Valley for several years before moving into her current non-profit position leading the Teach For America Las Vegas program for first and second year teachers.
Jessica and her husband, Mason, have a two-year-old, Archer, and love spending time outdoors as a family- especially hiking at Red Rock, camping in the Spring Mountains, and fishing at Lake Mead.
Greg Walch
Southern Nevada Water Authority
Greg Walch is the General Counsel of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD). He is a member of the SNWA and LVVWD Executive Team, overseeing the legal department of both agencies. Greg’s work emphasis is on forging relationships among Colorado River stakeholders to help foster new solutions to supply and demand issues impacting the sustainability of the Colorado River Basin.
Greg received a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University in 1985, and thereafter worked with Layne Western Company as an engineer designing and overseeing construction of water well systems for industrial and municipal clients. Having tired of math, Greg obtained a law degree in May 1992 from Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law, and has since practiced environmental, water, land use, mining, eminent domain and administrative law throughout Nevada. In 1996, Walch co-founded the law firm now known as Cotton, Driggs, Walch, Holley, Woloson & Thompson and is recognized by Chambers USA, Mountain States Super Lawyers, and Martindale Hubbell for his work in environmental and natural resources law.
Walch and his wife Shauna have two sons, Rowan and Quin. Various combinations of family members like to hike, ski, fish, bike, relax, walk the dogs, cook, photograph the outdoors, work in several different community organizations, and generally spend as much time as possible at the family cabin in the mountains.