Meet our Industry Leader Advisory Council
The Industry Leader Advisory Council (ILAC) advises the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ College of Liberal Arts (COLA) Dean’s Office on career and professional development initiatives for undergraduate students. The Council collaborates to provide sustainable career education opportunities, as well as enhances the local Las Vegas hiring pipeline to promote students’ successful post-graduate careers.
One prominent project is our REB Talks podcast. Through the perspective of ILAC members and current COLA students, REB Talks aims to inspire, educate, and motivate listeners on career development and cultivating a success-driven mindset.
Contact
Contact Jenna Heath, COLA Director of Student and Community Engagement, for more information about securing a seat on the council!
Email: Jenna.Heath@unlv.edu
Phone: 702-895-5838
Jordan Moore
Undergraduate Degree: BS Hotel Administration, '14
Current Career: Management Analyst II
Organization: City of Las Vegas
Position in ILAC: Council Chair
Why You Got Involved: As I climb, I want to lift others as well. It is important to me to assist others in their life’s journey. The time spent in a university is one of the most vital times where educational, professional and personal journey’s all intersect. It would be my hope that I could assist other’s in their journey. This board will offer me to opportunity to fulfill my personal and professional mission.
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Graduate Degree: M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction, '19
Current Career: Clinical Outreach Manager
Organization: Charlie Health
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: A Liberal Arts education is invaluable and can provide a strong foundation for one's career. However, I know from experience that it doesn't always provide the same straightforward career path that other degrees do. I joined the ILAC to help students understand how to make the most of their education during their time in school and beyond.
Sheree Cain-Jones
Undergraduate Degree: BS Nursing
Graduate Degree: MS Project Management, ‘22
Current Career: Motivational Speaker, Life and Executive Coach
Organization: Sheree Cain-Jones Speaking and Coaching
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: My desire is to help students move forward and take one step towards their dreams. I believe my story can touch another person and give them the courage that their mind can turn impossibilities into possibilities. My hope is that my position on the council will encourage the students and my colleagues to keep taking steps towards their goals so that they can impact the Las Vegas community and create long lasting change.
Trinh Dang-Mai
Undergraduate Degree: BA Liberal Studies, ‘11
Graduate Degree: MPH in progress
Current Career: Executive Director​​​​​​​
Organization: NAMI Southern Nevada​​​​​​​
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: I am eager to join ILAC to leverage my experience and expertise, fostering collaboration between academia and the field. By contributing insights, guidance, and mentorship, I aim to empower students and help them navigate the evolving demands of the professional landscape.
Angel Lazcano
Undergraduate Degree: BA Political Science, ‘21
Current Career: Nevada Program Manager
Organization: Center for Sexual Health and Wellness
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: Being born & raised in Vegas, my community is everything. Through my role as Nevada Program Manager with Somos Votantes, I have the chance to empower our local Latino community by providing the tools and opportunities they need to participate in our democracy. I see joining the Industry Leader Advisory Council as an extension of my service to the community in helping foster future leaders and providing another prospective from the professional world. As a recent graduate & member of the Gen Z generation, I hope to provide a fresh prospective to students which they can relate to and help them excel in this point of their lives.
Christopher Miannay
Current Career: Southern Nevada Outreach Director
Organization: Nevada Department of Veteran Services
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: I want to be able to coach and challenge the next generation of leaders and push them to question and rethink conventional wisdoms and dogmas. Taking risk is not about landing your next job; it's about using your talent and committing to make a difference within our community. To make an impactful difference in this world is my life goal and I am going to do it by cultivating a positive environment, promoting equality, and too pay it forward by providing coaching and mentorship for our students.
Josh Molina
Undergraduate Degree: BA Psychology, ‘10
Current Career: Entrepreneur
Organization: Makers & Finders
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: As a 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ alum and longtime Las Vegas local, I want to create an impact in our community. I would love to share my knowledge and experience gained in owning businesses with students who have their own set of goals. It has become a personal challenge to learn how to become a better coach and guide, which is something I intend to cultivate while I am on this council.
Renisha O'Donnell
Undergraduate Degree: BA Sociology, '04
Graduate Degree: M.Ed. School Counseling, '09
Current Career: Leadership Coach & Consultant
Organization: Renisha O'Donnell Consulting LLC
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: To give back to students, to close the knowledge gap (things I wish I had learned during my collegiate experience), and to prepare students for their future career.
Kristina Ramirez
Undergraduate Degree: BA Psychology, '10
Current Career: Program Officer for the Millennium Scholarship
Organization: Nevada State Treasurer's Office: College Savings Division
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: My mom always told me that an education is something no one can ever take away from you; therefore, from a very young age, I knew higher education was the path for me. As a first-generation college graduate, I hope to become a motivational, supportive, and useful resource to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ students throughout their educational journey and beyond the classroom. I am a firm believer that we can continue learning and growing at any age, and I hope to inspire others to continuously invest in themselves from both a personal and professional standpoint.
Jordan Soper
Undergraduate Degree: BA Psychology, ‘10
Graduate Degree: PsyD, ‘15
Current Career: Licensed Psychologist, Board Certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist​​​​​​​
Organization: Center for Sexual Health and Wellness​​​​​​​
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: It is my goal to foster the future generations of psychologists and mental health professionals. I would hope to grow my engagement and involvement in our community, and provide additional services to our community at varied levels.
Alma Spears
Graduate Degree: MS Marriage Family & Child Therapy, ‘10
Current Career: Private Practice Psychotherapist
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: I love helping students get hands on experience that will help guide their career paths. Exposure to experience and being able to see people that look like you in fields that you are interested in pursuing is empowering and can inspire a new generation of social service advocates.
Lisa Szyc
Undergraduate Degree: BA Political Science, '06
Graduate Degree: Juris Doctor, ‘09
Current Career: Lawyer
Organization: Backus | Burden Law
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: I am very excited to work with students who are interested in the legal field and working in a law firm setting. I am passionate about philanthropy and helping others.
Nathan Taylor
Undergraduate Degree: B.A. in Political Science from 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ
Current Career: President and Founder of the Taylor Consulting Group
Organization: Taylor Consulting Group
Position in ILAC: Council member