By Lauren Jones Co-founder of Alter New Media
Henderson, NV. On the evening of Wednesday, March 25th, something worth noting happened in Henderson. It wasn’t a ribbon-cutting or a press conference. It was a room full of women who came ready to work, think, and connect, and what unfolded over four hours at The Pass Casino on 140 S. Water St. was the kind of gathering that reminds you why community-driven entrepreneurship matters.
Tech Alley Henderson’s March meeting took the form of a Ladies in Leadership event, running from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and every detail of the evening reflected a city that is serious about its future.
One Woman’s Vision for a City on the Rise
The event didn’t happen by accident. It was intentionally and with care built by Lorraine Yarde, the founder of Innovation Henderson and the chapter leader driving Tech Alley Henderson forward month after month.
Lorraine’s mission is straightforward, even if the work behind it is anything but: turn Henderson into a genuine innovation hub where entrepreneurs, founders, technologists, and community leaders can find each other, support each other, and build something together. Through her platform at innovationhenderson.org, she has created the infrastructure for exactly that, hosting monthly events that grow in energy and ambition with every gathering.
What sets Lorraine’s approach apart is that she isn’t waiting for Henderson to be discovered. She is doing the discovering herself, seeking out the talent, the voices, and the partnerships that will define what this city becomes. The Ladies in Leadership event was one of the clearest expressions of that vision yet, and the room felt it.
The Sponsors Making It Possible
Behind every strong community event is a network of partners who believe in the work. The sponsors who showed up for this evening represent some of the most committed voices in Henderson’s growing ecosystem:
- Innovation Henderson provided the foundational platform and organizational backbone for the event.
- Elevate Las Vegas continues to champion entrepreneurship across the greater Las Vegas valley.
- The City of Henderson lent civic support and reinforced its commitment to economic vitality and innovation.
- HopeLink of Southern Nevada, represented at the event by Kristin Alves, brought the organization’s longtime dedication to community stability and family preservation into the room.
- Life Savers Restoration showed up as a proud local business partner invested in the community’s growth.
- Social Alignment, the company founded by Jonathan Sterritt, played a key role in helping bring Lorraine’s vision for Innovation Henderson to life through creative strategy and execution.
- Hello Henderson served as a community amplifier, continuing its work of celebrating and elevating the people shaping this city.
- Primm Valley Casino Resorts came on as the evening’s contest sponsor, adding an element of excitement and generosity to the night with a ticket giveaway that had attendees buzzing.
A Stage Set for Impact
Before the panel took shape, the evening opened with three featured speakers whose individual stories and professional paths set the tone for everything that followed.
Mayor Michelle Romero, Mayor of the City of Henderson, spoke to the city’s growing reputation as a place where innovation and quality of life go hand in hand. Her presence underscored a civic commitment to economic diversification that goes beyond talking points.
Monica Coburn, Managing Director of Nevada Business Advisors, brought the perspective of someone who works daily in the trenches of small business development, offering insights into what it actually takes to grow and sustain a business in Southern Nevada.
Kristi Staab, Chief Rock Star of Leadership Development at Kristi Staab Enterprises, delivered the kind of energy that reminds a room why leadership is not a title but a practice. Her remarks on building confident, fearless leaders resonated particularly in a space dedicated to women rising in their fields.
The evening also included a meaningful moment when Diana Dikes took the stage to speak briefly but powerfully on the importance of health and wellness. In a world that celebrates hustle above all else, her message was a grounding one: that taking care of yourself is not separate from building a successful life; it is foundational to it.
Powered by Innovation: The Panel
The centerpiece of the evening was a panel discussion titled “Powered by Innovation: How Women Are Using Technology to Get Ahead,” moderated by Nadya Rousseau, founder and CEO of Alter New Media and one of the Las Vegas valley’s most recognized voices in purpose-driven marketing and entrepreneurship.
Nadya is a storyteller at her core, and she brought that instinct to the moderator’s chair, guiding a conversation that was rigorous without being stiff, and personal without losing focus. She drew out the best from a panel that covered an impressive range of industries and perspectives.
Claire Longo, AI Executive and Start-Up Advisor, spoke to the real-world implications of artificial intelligence for founders and business leaders, cutting through the noise to offer practical insight on where the opportunities actually live and what it takes to capitalize on them.
Kathia Spore, AVP Business Access Advisor at U.S. Bank, brought a financial lens to the conversation, addressing how technology is reshaping access to capital and business resources for entrepreneurs who have historically been underserved by traditional banking systems.
Catherine Wiersch, District Court Commissioner and Judicial Candidate for Henderson Municipal Court, offered a perspective rarely heard in entrepreneurship spaces, exploring how technology is modernizing the legal system and expanding access to justice at a time when that work has never been more important.
Carissa Begonia, Business Coach and LinkedIn Strategist, spoke directly to the entrepreneurs in the room, sharing how the right use of digital platforms can transform visibility, credibility, and revenue for founders who are ready to show up with intention.
Kadambari Beelwar, CEO of Truss Healthcare, brought the conversation into the world of healthtech, demonstrating how innovation in patient monitoring and remote care is not only changing patient outcomes but also creating new pathways for women in healthcare leadership.
What emerged across all five conversations was a through line: technology, in the hands of women who understand both its power and its responsibility, is not just a tool. It is a force for equity, access, and transformation.
A Room That Felt Like Community
The organizers ensured the evening was not just intellectually nourishing but also genuinely welcoming. Guests were treated to a full spread of refreshments, including egg rolls, meatballs, fresh vegetables, and crispy chicken wings, with water available throughout the night. The full bar offered wine, beer, champagne, mixed drinks, and drink specials, giving attendees every reason to linger, connect, and continue the conversations that began on stage.
Funds raised during the evening went to support HopeLink of Southern Nevada, the Henderson-based nonprofit dedicated to preventing homelessness, preserving families, and providing hope to those navigating crisis. It was a fitting partnership for an event rooted in the belief that community success is measured not just by who rises but by who is lifted along the way.
Primm Valley Casino Resorts Brings the Celebration Home
In a gesture that perfectly matched the night’s energy, contest sponsor Primm Valley Casino Resorts gave away tickets to a lineup of upcoming shows, with attendees enthusiastically competing for the chance to win. Located just a short 25-minute drive south of the Las Vegas Strip at the Southern Nevada/California border, Primm Valley Casino Resorts features a 6,500-seat arena that brings top-notch entertainment to the region every month. Primmvalleyresorts
The shows on the giveaway slate were:
The Gearhead Society: Las Vegas vs. Cali Event, a collision of two of the most passionate car cultures in the American West, set against the backdrop of the Nevada/California state line. The Gearhead Society has built a reputation for events that celebrate car passion, friendly camaraderie, and a family-friendly atmosphere that bring together enthusiasts of all ages. Wheelsandheelsmag
The Fairchild Blues Tribute, scheduled for April 11, 2026, promises a soulful and stirring night celebrating the blues tradition and the artists who have kept it alive and evolving.
Icons of Classic Rock, set for April 18, 2026, brings together an extraordinary lineup of rock royalty. Formed from current and past members of some of the most famous rock bands of the 70s and 80s, the tour features Fran Cosmo, formerly of Boston; Paul Shortino, formerly of Quiet Riot; Robin McAuley, formerly of Survivor; Alex Ligertwood, formerly of Santana; and Kevin Chalfant, who performed with Journey. Primmvalleysresorts A very special congratulations goes to Lauren Jones, co-founder of Alter New Media, who won tickets to this show. Well deserved, Lauren.
Sexxy The Show returns to the Primm Event Center for multiple spring dates, including March 28, April 9, April 25, and May 9, all beginning at 9:00 PM. This modern burlesque production stars Jeniffer Romas and brings together dancing, modeling, music, and even a few laughs in a show designed for ages 18 and up. Show tickets are available now!
Thom Kaz’s Hypnaughty, coming to the Primm Valley Event Center on May 8, 2026, rounds out the lineup with something altogether different. Named “One of the Best” by USA Today and voted “Best Comedy Hypnosis Show” in Vegas six years straight, Thom Kaz blends traditional comedy hypnosis with lasers, dancers, and music to create an interactive experience designed to entertain while introducing his audience to the power of the mind.
Tickets and event information are available at primmvalleyresorts.com.
Why This Moment Matters
Global Entrepreneurship Week Nevada exists to spotlight the builders, risk-takers, and community architects who are shaping the future of Nevada. The Ladies in Leadership event at Tech Alley Henderson is exactly the kind of gathering this week was created to celebrate.
It brought together a Mayor, a banker, a judge, a healthcare CEO, a coach, an AI strategist, and a marketing entrepreneur, all in service of a single idea: that women who are equipped, connected, and supported will build something extraordinary.
Lorraine Yarde is building that ecosystem one event at a time in Henderson, and the momentum behind it is real. To follow along, get involved, or attend a future event, visit innovationhenderson.org.
Global Entrepreneurship Week Nevada celebrates the innovators, founders, and community builders driving Nevada’s entrepreneurial future. Alter New Media, co-founded by Nadya Rousseau and Lauren Jones, provided coverage and support for this event.