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WHO WE ARE

Nevada Women’s Fund is a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to empowering women and strengthening communities across Nevada. Since our founding, we have worked to identify and fund critical initiatives that support women’s education, career development, and personal growth. Through scholarships, grants, and collaborative programs, we aim to break down barriers and create opportunities that foster self-sufficiency and achievement. Our mission is driven by a vision of a Nevada where women can thrive, lead, and make lasting contributions to their families, workplaces, and communities.

"The best way to empower women is to educate them.” ~ Michelle Obama

~ unknown

Our History

Founded in 1982 by a group of local women dedicated to improving the lives of women and families in northern Nevada, Nevada Women’s Fund was built on the belief that education empowers women to reach their fullest potential. By uplifting families and strengthening communities, our founders sought to create lasting, positive change.

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In 1983, Nevada Women’s Fund awarded its first two scholarships, totaling $1000, marking the beginning of a mission to train and inspire local women to become leaders in the boardroom and philanthropists in their communities.

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Today, Nevada Women’s Fund continues its vital work by partnering with community leaders, employers, educators, and individuals across the state to raise funds, awareness, and resources that eliminate barriers to achievement for women, while addressing the evolving needs of our community.

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Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission

Empowering Women to achievement through education and career advancement.

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Our Vision

A strong community where women face no barriers to achievement.​​​​

Our 2026 Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is composed of dedicated community leaders who are deeply committed to empowering women and strengthening our community. Their strategic guidance, unwavering support, and active involvement are key to our success. By leveraging their diverse skills and networks, they help secure resources and promote long-term growth, creating lasting positive change for women and families across Northern & Rural Nevada.

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Erica Mirich

Chair

Pivot Strategic Philanthropy

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Angela Bradley

Vice Chair

Nevada State Bank

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Ben Calingaert

Treasurer

Sorren

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Tiffany McMacken

Recorder

The Willow Group

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Candy Borrego

Immediate Past Chair

US Bank

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Laura Nelson

Allocations Chair

Eide Bailly LLP

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Norma Seltz

Board Leadership Chair

Higher Education/Marriage & Family Therapist

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Lisa Harrison

Events Chair

Dickson Realty

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Marketing Chair

Kerry Sutherland

K. Sutherland PR​

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Summit Project Chair

Danielle Eaton

Yoga Instructor

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Nikki Bailey-Lundahl

Nevada Mining Association

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Ashley Bernard

Western Alliance Bank

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Sandhya Bhakta

KTVN 2 News Nevada

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Cari Blomquist

IGT

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Randy Brown

Public Utilities Commission of Nevada

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Katie Coleman

Nevada Rural Housing

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Eleanor Corn

RCEC Properties

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Erica Crumley

Whittier Trust

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Grace Ericson

Wood Rodgers

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Joey Ganser

PK Electrical, Inc.

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Valerie Hahn

Pacific Office Automation

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Kara Harris

Plumas Bank

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Kendra Jepsen

Jepsen Law PLLC

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Carli Kinne

Panasonic Energy Corporation

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Beth Macmillan

Artown

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Kara Martinezmoles

Hometown Health

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Dr. Kristen McNeill

KMM Consulting, LLC

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Nicola Neilon

Casey Neilon, Inc.

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Cynthia Osborn

STEP2

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Tara Robertson

REMSA Health

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Gretchen Sawyer

TMCC Foundation

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Sarah Sommers

Elemental Brands

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Kristin Spracklin

RSCVA

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Frankie Vigil

Wilson Engineers

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Craig Wesner

Retired Engineer

2026 Community Members

In addition to the Board of Directors, Nevada Women's Fund is supported by a dedicated group of community members who serve as voting members on one of the organization’s six working committees. While these community members do not have financial responsibilities to the organization, they play a vital role in contributing to our success.

Billie Augustine

Amy Booth​

Emily Bray

Andi Cassanari

Adam Della Monica

Crystal Edwards

Janjilla Erickson

Linda Esparza

Erika Gillette

Andrea Gregg

Kimmey Hardesty

Jill Hinxman

Elizabeth Jourdin

Jen Keeler

Stacy Kendall

Stephanie Kilroy

Jen Lamb

Danielle Litoff

Laura Longero

Crystal Lopez

Taissa Lytchenko

Ashley Radtke

Hannah Reizenstein

Mona Reno

Samantha Reveley

Lara Ritchie

Parker Samuelson

Betty Scott

Monica Simpson

Jen Treadway

Betty Tsuji

Cyndi Turk

Gokce Unlu

Wendy Westergard

Jessica Zeigler

Meet the Team

The dedicated staff of Nevada Women’s Fund, though small with just four members, demonstrates an extraordinary capacity for impact. Their passion and unwavering commitment to empowering women drive remarkable outcomes and meaningful change, embodying the power of collaboration and proving that even the smallest groups can make a profound difference in the state they serve.

President & CEO

Ila

Friedenthal

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Ila is a proud native Nevadan, born and raised in Fallon. She brings 25 years of business experience, having served as the CEO of a family loan company for over 20 years. In addition, she has a decade of non-profit experience, having worked from both the perspectives of a board member and staff. She spent five years at Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada and served as their Interim Executive Director in 2018.

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Ila has been deeply involved in the community, holding positions such as board member for the Sierra Nevada Chapter of National Charity League, representative on the WCSD Career and Technical Education Board for Business & Entrepreneurship, and advisory board member for TEDx Reno.

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A proud mother of two young adults, both attending the University of Nevada Reno, Ila enjoys spending her spare time in her kitchen cooking or gathered around a large table with delicious food, decent wine, and great friends. She also finds enjoyment in outdoor activities like running, hiking, and exploring.

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As only the fourth President & CEO in the Nevada Women’s Fund’s 40-year history, Ila is passionate about raising awareness of the Fund’s mission and expanding the organization. Her focus includes developing strategic partnerships throughout northern Nevada, including the rural communities.

Director of Development

& Programs

Michele

Montoya

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Michele is the Director of Development and Programs for the Nevada Women’s Fund. She holds multiple years’ experience in strategic fund, business, affordable housing, economic and new program development, with a strong emphasis in data analysis.

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Michele holds a B.A. in Economics and Spanish from the University of Nevada, Reno and also a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

 

She is active in the community through many professional organizations and currently serves as on the Board of Directors of Nevada Day Treasure Hunt. Her interests outside of work include rock-hounding, yoga, reading, traveling and cycling.

Director of Operations

& Events

Marge

Millar

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Marge Millar comes to Nevada Women’s Fund after more than a decade as a community volunteer and eventually a board member passionate about the work of the Fund. Marge quickly became an integral part of the Northern Nevada community after moving to Reno with her husband Chuck in 2000. The majority of Marge’s professional career was in banking where she worked as a branch manager at Nevada State Bank in Reno, Nevada. There, she built strong relationships with many business professionals which she leveraged to support her extensive work in the nonprofit sector with organizations such as Junior Achievement, the Veteran’s Guest House and Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful.

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Eventually Marge left banking to work for one of her favorite not for profits, Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful where, as Business Manager, she combined her experience in finance with her passion for fundraising and events to help grow the organization. Marge’s favorite role is being mom to her daughter Megan, now a sophomore at the University of Nevada Reno. In her spare time Marge loves to share good food and good wine with friends, travel with her husband or get lost in a good book.

Director of Marketing &

Communications

Morgan

Gottier

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Morgan is a proud native Nevadan, born and raised in Reno. Staying true to her roots, she chose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, where she thrived as a Division I student-athlete while earning a business degree with an emphasis in Marketing.

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A dedicated mom to two incredible daughters and a devoted dog lover with two fur babies, Morgan embraces the chaos and joy of life’s adventures with her crew. In her downtime, she stays active with hiking, golf, and running, spending quality time with friends and family, tackling creative DIY projects, and relaxing on the lake.

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With a strong entrepreneurial background, Morgan has made a lasting impact on her community through her business ventures and commitment to giving back. Through her philanthropy, collaborations with local businesses, and passion for driving change, she is thrilled to contribute her energy and expertise to the Nevada Women’s Fund and its inspiring mission.

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2025 Hall of Fame Member Dr. Frieda Hulka

Hall of Fame

Our Hall of Fame honors individuals whose endeavors reflect our mission of empowering achievement. The women listed here have been recognized for their remarkable accomplishments, demonstrating a lifetime commitment to excellence and an unwavering dedication to making meaningful contributions that improve the well-being of others and strengthen our community.

​​​​*deceased

2026: Felicia O'Carroll

2025: Dr. Frieda Hulka

2024:  Marybel Batjer

2023: Lynn Atcheson, Barbara Thornton, Maya Miller*, Lifetime Achievement Awards

2022: Marilyn Newton

2021: Angela D. Taylor

2019: Sandy Pearce Raffealli

2018: Jane Adams Nichols, Ed.D.

2017:  Norma Webster

2016:  Nancy Fennell

2015:  The Honorable Deborah Schumacher

2014:  Bertha Miranda

2013:  H. Elizabeth Lenz

2012:  Mary-Ellen McMullen

2011:  Mimi Ellis Hogan

2010:  Joni Kaiser (recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award)

2009:  Nancy Cashell

2008:  Jennifer Satre

2007:  Fianna Combs*

2006:  Charlotte McConnell

2005:  Fritsi Ericson* (recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award)

2004:  Sally de Lipkau

2003:  Dorothy Lemelson*

2002:  Frankie Sue Del Papa

2001: May Shelton, Barbara Vucanovich*

2000:  Jan Evans*

1999:  Sandy Miller*

1998:  Assistance League of Reno-Sparks

1997:  Evelyn Mount*, Jean Ford*

1996:  Trudy Larson, M.D.

1995: Marilyn Melton

1994:  Bertha Mullins, Sue Wagner

1993:  Lynn Atcheson

1992:  Maya Miller*, Barbara Cavanaugh Thornton

1991:  Gloria Fundis, Soroptimist Int’l of Truckee Meadows, Harriet Wolfe*

1990:  Joan L. Dyer, Dolores Feemster*, Twentieth Century Club

1989:  Dorothy Gallagher, Martha Gould, Moya Olsen Lear*, Dolora Zajick

1988:  Martha H. Jones*, Bernice Mathews, Inga Thompson

1987:  Dean Roberta Barnes,  Alice Jane Clark*, Joni Kaiser

1986:  Marsha Deming*, Patricia Miltenberger, Reno/Sparks YWCA

1985:  Eva Adams*, Physician’s Spouses, Jean Bonar, Hazel Guardella*

1984:  Maggie Banks*, Margery Cavanaugh*, Dr. Mary Fulstone, Juyoung Shin

1983:  Frances Smith Crumley*, Dr. Anne Howard*, Linda Howard, Patty Sheehan

Nevada Women’s Fund Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

 

Nevada Women’s Fund is committed to promoting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We recognize

that human capital is our most important asset. We embrace and encourage diversity within our staff,

board of directors, volunteers and scholarship recipients. We believe that through embracing and

encouraging diversity, Nevada Women’s Fund is better able to achieve its mission.

We Need Your Support Today!

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