Who we are IWF Nevada boasts a membership of more than 100 accomplished female leaders from both ends of the state. Chartered in 1999, and entering its 22nd year, IWF Nevada is committed to championing equality and cultivating the women leaders of tomorrow. Inspiring emerging leaders Each year, IWF Nevada selects two professional women of high potential who have established themselves in their sphere of interest to receive the Founder’s Award. IWF Nevada sponsors their attendance at the IWF World Leadership Conference where women leaders from all over the globe come together for three days. The world’s leading architects, advocates, catalysts, and pioneers of change are there — women who are redrawing the map for how we’ll live, work, produce, and maintain healthy communities in the coming years. “This unparalleled opportunity for up-and-coming female leaders is a chance to infuse ideas, energy, and enthusiasm into their work lives at a crucial mid-career point,” according to Mary Simmons, retired NV Energy Vice President and 2021 President of the IWF Nevada. The Founder’s Award has a highly competitive and involved application process and the caliber of candidates has been “off the charts,” according to Simmons. An investment in remarkable women This article will introduce just two of more than a dozen remarkable Founder’s Award recipients over the years.
JoAnne Northrup, left, and Ericka Avilas.
JoAnne Northrup, Curatorial Director and Curator of Contemporary Art at the Nevada Museum of Art, was a 2015 recipient and attended IWF World Leadership Conference in Boston. According to Northrup, who is also a Fulbright scholar, “Attending the World Leadership Conference was an amazing and unique experience and is something that I will always be grateful for.” Ericka Aviles is a dynamic and passionate leader and connector in the Las Vegas community. Her ongoing curiosity and zest to learn, grow and support her community both personally and professionally led her to form her own small business, Ericka Aviles Consulting LLC. — a communications and community relations firm. Ericka was a 2019 Founders Award recipient and attended the World Leadership Conference in Toronto, Canada. Aviles said, “the conference exceeded all my expectations, and it was so inspiring to meet women leaders from around the world.” It also motivated her to take Latinas in Power (www.latinasinpower.com), a group she founded, to the next level by bringing together and empowering Latina leaders from across the state. Today, as if to complete the circle, Northrup and Aviles have gone on to become two of the newest members of IWF Nevada. Supporting like-minded organizations
Inspiring outstanding female leaders is just one way that the IWF Nevada supports women in leadership. The group has also offered support over many years to other organizations including the Women’s Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Among many other things, WRIN conducts research focusing on understanding and improving the lives of women in Nevada and delves into relevant topics like workplace equity and women and political power. Promoting Nevada worldwide IWF Nevada just completed a successful competitive bid process to host the IWF World Leadership Conference in Las Vegas in the fall of 2022. This conference will bring preeminent women leaders from all over the globe to Nevada providing a unique opportunity to showcase the business, tourism, arts and natural resources of the state on an international stage. IWF around the world Globally, the International Women’s Forum membership includes more than 7,000 diverse and accomplished women from 33 nations on six continents. Membership is by invitation. Our beliefs
We believe that the intractable challenges we face can only be solved if women attain their equal place and status — if women share their diverse perspectives, contribute different styles of leadership and present new solutions only they can develop.
We believe the potential for women is unlimited and opportunities should be, as well.
We believe an investment in women is an investment in the future.
We believe that our power lies in our unity.
We believe in transferring knowledge and momentum to the leaders of tomorrow to improve our world — to energize, demand and accelerate the imperative of change.
We connect and cultivate long-lasting friendships — we support each other in an environment built upon trust.
We elevate the next generation today to become leaders tomorrow.
That’s why we champion equality. To learn more about the IWF Nevada Forum please visit us at www.nevadaIWF.org or visit the global website at www.iwforum.org. Thank you to BJ North, Plumas Bank Executive Vice President & Chief Banking Officer, and to Plumas Bank, for the opportunity to highlight our organization. We appreciate your community leadership, and your generosity and support.
This article was provided by International Women’s Forum Nevada. Plumas Bank sponsors this content.
JoAnne Northrup, left, and Ericka Avilas.
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