Event Planning Committee
Jenny Williamson
CEO
Courage Worldwide
In a world where children are sold for sex, Courage Worldwide provides safe houses and resources to child victims so they can reach their unique potential.
We believe every child survivor should have the support necessary to begin their journey of hope and healing.
Kym Renner
President & CEO
RennerVation Foundation
Shana Rogers
Vice President
RennerVation Foundation
The RennerVation Foundation is dedicated to serving children in foster care and at-risk youth by providing them with a safe haven and targeted programs to develop their skills, confidence and opportunities.
We believe that every child deserves a chance to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. Through a combination of mentorship, educational support, and enrichment programs, we strive to empower these youth to overcome challenges and build a brighter future.
Our mission is to create a community where all children feel valued, supported and inspired to achieve their dreams.
Mari Hutchinson
CEO
Step2
WHO WE ARE
We are a Reno-based nonprofit treatment center for women battling substance use disorder. Since 1986, we have provided a safe, supportive space and a highly effective program to help women in our community get and stay clean and sober.
WHO WE HELP
We serve women, mothers, and expectant mothers.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe that one woman clean, sober, safe, and independent is a family changed for generations.
WHAT WE DO
We equip women with the tools they need to get clean and sober and create lasting change.
HOW WE DO IT
Our evidence-based, comprehensive-care program provides support for every aspect of a woman’s sobriety journey—from trauma recovery and domestic violence education to employment and childcare assistance. It’s a proven, holistic approach that inspires meaningful and lasting growth.
Kim Young
CEO
The Children's Cabinet
At The Children’s Cabinet, our mission is to keep children safe and families together. We provide programs and services at no charge to youth and their families in our community. We support young children to young adults, so that they can thrive within their schools, their families, and their neighborhoods. There is no wrong door, and we will ensure those who need us are provided the proper resources regardless of their circumstances.
Ryan Gustafson
Director, Washoe County Health & Human Services
The mission of the Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA) is to promote the health, safety and well-being of children, adults and seniors who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation.
We provide an array of protective and supportive services to families and individuals to enhance their quality of life by ensuring they are optimizing their self-reliance and self-sufficiency, as we strive to have a strengthened, safe, and thriving community.
Steve Shell
Vice President
Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute at Renown
At the Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute, at Renown Health, we understand that mental health and substance abuse challenges require compassionate, specialized care. Our team of experienced psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and nurses is dedicated to supporting you and your family through every step of your journey to wellness.
Joey Orduna Hastings
CEO
National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges
Cheri Ely
Program Director, Juvenile Justice
National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is the oldest judicial membership organization in the country and provides all judges, courts, and related agencies involved with juvenile, family, and domestic violence cases with the knowledge and skills to improve the lives of the families and children who seek justice.
Dr. Eugenia L. Weiss
University of Nevada, Reno; School of Social Work
Dr. Melody Huslage
University of Nevada, Reno; School of Social Work
The School of Social Work is dedicated to the values and commitments of the social work profession through education, research and public service. It prepares effective and ethical social workers who challenge injustice and promote a more humane world.
The mission of the School of Social Work is to educate, train and nurture competent, committed, compassionate and diverse social work leaders who advance the social justice mission of social work through their leadership in research, public policy, academics and clinical practice at local, national and global levels.
Lexi Hernandez
Agent
New York Life
Since 1845, New York Life has been committed to being there for our policy owners when they need us most. We believe financial security is a cornerstone to helping individuals, families, and businesses thrive, which is why we offer insurance and financial solutions to help you face the future with confidence.
As a Fortune 100 company and as one of the nation’s oldest and largest mutual life insurance companies, we take a long-term view that ensures that we can keep the promises we make for years to come.
From protecting and caring for loved ones, retirement planning, and funding for a child’s college education, to dealing with an unexpected loss, our agents provide trusted financial guidance to millions of their customers, helping them navigate life’s ups and downs. With a little preparation, we can help you build and protect what’s most important to you, giving you the peace of mind of a secure financial future.
Shelby Bietz
Manager, Outreach and Community Engagement
University of Nevada, Reno
Our office seeks to help our institution continue to build the bridges of collaboration, both in northern Nevada and throughout the state, that are essential to our success.
Vinita Busse
Courage Worldwide Board Member & Philanthropist
Vinita Busse is a Silicon Valley executive who has founded and led several companies, most recently as a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Artisanal, an executive placement and venture capital firm. She previously served as the CEO of SFDCJobs and has held senior leadership roles at Riviera Partners, IBM, Newgistics, and Trilogy. She holds a Software Engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin. While an engineer and startup entrepreneur at her core, her true passion lies in social, entrepreneurial, and political causes that better the lives of women. She is a founding board member of Electing Women Nevada and felt an instant kinship with Courage Worldwide as she felt compelled to protect and serve the needs of the most vulnerable women, in this case mere children, victims of a horrific crime, and give them a path back to the life, love, freedom, and opportunities that are every human’s birthright.
