Speakers
As the head of Talent & Development at Custom Ink, the ~$400M custom apparel company that offers innovative ways to help activate and strengthen communities, Lauren works with leadership teams to develop high performing team practices that increase organizational effectiveness. Her 14-year track record with the company includes a consistent demonstration of learning agility, big picture thinking, and grit, affording her the opportunity to pioneer a number of leadership roles in operations and team development (HR). Lauren moved to Reno in 2012 as part of Custom Ink’s west coast expansion, creating nearly 500 jobs and helping to cultivate a work environment that is locally and nationally recognized as a “Best Place to Work.” As a Coach at Classic Fitness, the gym she co-owns and operates with her husband, Lauren inspires and supports people of all ages to pursue fitness as a method of self-improvement - helping others create healthy habits for life.
Lu has been an advocate of development with a hands-on approach working with communities and organizations forming productive collaborations resulting in strong outcomes throughout Nevada and California. She is adept in the area of effective change management and strategic planning. Lu brings a diverse range of approaches to community work utilizing research, best practices, and cultural sensitivity. Most recently, she has served as CEO to Nevada Microenterprise Initiative, and now a team member of USDA – Rural Development. Beginning her career in rural communities of California 20 years ago, she now loves being a part of growing rural Nevada. As a Community Solutions Specialist, she spends much of her time out in the field working hand in hand to make a difference. Returning to College in her 40’s Lu Graduated Summa cum Laude from Springfield College with a BS in Human Services, and Antioch University with a master’s in organizational management. Lu’s tag line. Live life through creative experiences!
Born to the Towering House Clan and born for the Water Flowing Together Clan. Donovan is the grandson of the Salt Clan and Red Running into the Water Clan, this is who he is as a Diné (Navajo). He is a past recipient of AIANTA’s Enough Good People award – Excellence in Customer Service, and the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association’s Tourism Manager of the Year award. Throughout Donovan’s career he has been given opportunities to work at the rural community level, and at the national/international destination sales level. Donovan is also an active tour guide in the Southwest and enjoys the opportunity to share his tourism experience and knowledge to local community stakeholders and supporters. In his most recent role, Donovan is guiding rural Navajo communities on their goals of becoming sustainable cultural destinations.
Rebecca Snetselaar joined the Nevada Arts Council staff in 2006 as a Folklife Specialist. She works to identify, develop, support, and document folk arts and folk artists that are resident in Nevada. Stationed in Las Vegas, Snetselaar travels statewide to highlight the diversity and vitality of Nevada’s cultural communities, rural and urban. She manages the Nevada Folklife Archives – photographs and recorded interviews that document the development of Nevada’s rich and varied folk art traditions over the past 35 years.
Brian London is a tourism-economist and trend-forecaster. His research focuses on performance measurement, business continuity, and strategic planning. His clients want to understand the external forces which impact tourism demand and then develop action plans based on available resources. In addition to conducting research, Brian publishes industry trend reports and speaks at association conferences.
Josh Wray has been working in the travel and tourism marketing industry for the last 6 years. With an emphasis in photography, Josh excels in creating engaging storytelling content for destinations across the globe. Since beginning his role at Miles Partnership, he has worked with an array of destination of all sizes to help them navigate and master Google’s products and services. Josh has expertise in mapping for Google Streetview, instructing on Google My Business and shooting content photos for Google Maps and is consistently helping DMO’s raise the bar for their presence in the Google ecosystem.
Samantha Szesciorka is passionate about Nevada and its backcountry. She has completed two solo long-distance horseback journeys across and around Nevada with her Nevada Discovery Ride project. Now as the State Coordinator for the American Discovery Trail, she helps others to get out and explore Nevada. Samantha is a former military journalist, television news producer, and magazine editor. Samantha can usually be found riding or hiking somewhere in Nevada, but when she isn’t on the trail, Samantha works as a museum curator and historian.
Sal DeFilippo has more than a decade of experience as a social media content creator, planner, strategist, marketing specialist, and community manager. He has worked on clients in every region of the U.S., handling all aspects of social media for companies ranging from nonprofit agencies helping kids in disadvantaged communities and gang rehabilitation, to celebrities including Meghan Markle, professional athletes such as baseball legend Alex Rodriquez, TV personalities including actors, reality stars from Big Brother and The Real Housewives franchise and daily talk-show hosts, celebrity chefs, life coach/motivational speakers, large format printing, East Coast nightclubs, real estate, and home inspection companies, mom-and-pop restaurants and dry cleaners who have won awards as the best in their city for six years in a row. Prior to working in social media, Sal was a career journalist, including a role as news editor and columnist at the Las Vegas Sun. Sal has lived in Nevada for more than a quarter-century and has managed social media for Nevada Silver Trails since July 2019.
Geri Brown has more than a decade of experience as a social media content creator, planner, strategist, marketing specialist and community manager. She has worked on clients in every region of the U.S., handling all aspects of social media for companies ranging from nonprofit agencies helping kids in disadvantaged communities and gang rehabilitation, to celebrities including Meghan Markle, professional athletes such as baseball legend Alex Rodriquez, TV personalities including actors, reality stars from Big Brother and The Real Housewives franchise and daily talk-show hosts, celebrity chefs, life coach/motivational speakers, large format printing, East Coast nightclubs, real estate, and home inspection companies, mom-and-pop restaurants and dry cleaners who have won awards as the best in their city for six years in a row. Prior to working in social media, Geri has an extensive background in real estate with Century 21, sales and marketing management. Geri has lived in Nevada for more than a quarter-century and has managed social media for Nevada Silver Trails since July 2019.
Mark began Sports Leisure Vacations over forty years ago on a shoestring budget. Today, it is among the largest packaged travel companies in Northern California, serving some 8,000 travelers yearly. His clients listen to what he has to say… then put their money where his mouth is. He is the only two-time volunteer leader of the National Tour Association in its history. Mark is also the co-host of The Travel Guys, heard on KFBK radio, 1530AM, 93.1FM, on Sundays at 3:00 pm in Sacramento.