Vegas Inc’s 40 Under 40 celebrates young professionals who are helping shape Southern Nevada’s business and community landscape. Each year, honorees are selected from a competitive pool of nominees representing a wide range of industries, backgrounds and accomplishments.
This year’s class reflects the talent, drive and commitment that keep Las Vegas moving forward. They are entrepreneurs, educators, health care professionals, nonprofit advocates, creatives and business leaders whose work strengthens the community and contributes to the region’s continued growth.
The 2026 40 Under 40 originally appeared in a special issue of Vegas Inc found inside of Las Vegas Weekly. Sign up to get each of Vegas Inc’s special publications delivered to your inbox on the day of their release.
Lailani Albano, Director of Marketing, Light & Wonder
Lailani Albano
Age: 36
Lailani Albano could have stayed in safe roles but instead, she pursued opportunities that pushed her into new arenas. She assumed tasks outside of her job scope and turned a temporary, entry-level graphic design role into a career in marketing leadership.
As director of marketing at Light & Wonder, Albano helps shape how new titles are introduced to players across global markets. She led the debut of the company’s Squid Game slot at the Global Gaming Expo, marking Netflix’s first gaming partnership, and later revamped the Huff N’ Puff slot franchise. She accomplished this by extending the franchise into digital and social channels, broadening its reach beyond the casino floor and into new player audiences across multiple platforms.
Karen Alonso, Chief Advancement & Communications Officer, United Way of Southern Nevada
Karen Alonso
Age: 39
Karen Alonso is driven by a simple belief: if you have the ability, you have the responsibility. That sense of duty has guided her work helping nonprofits raise money, build partnerships and expand their reach.
Alonso began her career in marketing and spent 14 years at Catapult Fundraising, developing campaigns for organizations such as the U.S. Naval Academy. In 2023, she joined United Way of Southern Nevada as vice president of marketing.
Michael Aquino, CEO, Acesso Biologics
Michael Aquino
Age: 37
Michael Aquino was working in hospitality when he identified an opportunity in health care. Using the customer service principles he learned from the hospitality industry, Aquino set out to improve patient care. He recognized that the gap between innovative medical products and patient access often came down to service and logistics, and he founded Acesso Biologics to address this discrepancy.
Acesso Biologics was founded in 2022 with a two-person team and grew into a company serving patients in 48 states.
Ebere Arum, Senior Director of Community Relations, Las Vegas Raiders
Ebere Arum
Age: 35
Ebere Arum focuses on turning the reach of professional sports into meaningful local impact. Her work centers on building partnerships that connect teams, nonprofits and public agencies to community needs.
Arum’s career spans more than a decade across higher education and the NFL. At University of California, Berkeley, she developed academic enrichment programs for first-generation college students before landing an internship at NFL Films, where she supported Super Bowl XLIX broadcasting and managed logistics for 348 live events. As senior director of community relations for the Las Vegas Raiders, she guides initiatives in youth development, health and wellness, and military and veteran support reaching thousands of residents.
Connor Cain, Director of Government Relations, HCA Healthcare
Connor Cain
Age: 37
The medical care patients receive often comes down to policy decisions, and Connor Cain helps move those decisions toward better access and outcomes.
Cain started his career working on political campaigns before moving into lobbying and legal work in Nevada. He played a key role during the 2019 legislative session in securing increases in Medicaid reimbursement rates for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit services by 25% and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit services by 15%. This legislation was critical to ensure that Sunrise Children’s Hospital could continue to provide advanced NICU and PICU services. He joined HCA Healthcare in 2025 as director of government relations.
Michael Casper, Vice President of Business Development, AREA15
Michael Casper
Age: 39
When Michael Casper stood backstage at the Bon Jovi concert that opened The O2 Arena in London, he watched the crowd go wild. He was only an intern at the time, but he knew then that he wanted to build entertainment experiences that brought people pure joy.
Early roles with AEG Europe and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino followed. He joined AREA15 in 2019, and as vice president of business development, he has helped grow the campus from a 200,000-square-foot venue into a 40-acre destination that has welcomed more than 16 million visitors.
Alexander Cuevas, President, Injured Police Officers Fund
Alexander Cuevas
Age: 33
Alexander Cuevas built his career on service, first in uniform and now in nonprofit leadership. He currently serves as president of the Injured Police Officers Fund, guiding strategy and financial stewardship for the organization that supports Nevada officers injured or killed in the line of duty.
Cuevas joined the North Las Vegas Police Department in 2016 and advanced through assignments as a patrol officer, public information officer, field training officer and detective before earning promotion to sergeant in 2025. He previously served as IPOF secretary and was elected president in January 2025.
Anamarie Ellis, Vice President of Operations, Ellis Island Casino & Hotel
Anamarie Ellis
Age: 32
Anamarie Ellis was raised inside Ellis Island Hotel & Casino, the off-Strip property her family has operated since 1968. At 14, Ellis began as a hostess at the Village Pub, later rotating through the hotel front desk, auditing, and dealing blackjack in the pit with her grandfather before joining the business full time after graduating from Chapman University.
As the current vice president of operations for Ellis Island, Ellis oversees both casino and hotel operations. She recently led the operations team through the $35 million expansion and modernization that expanded the gaming floor, added a rooftop bar and upgraded food and beverage spaces. The project marked one of the largest investments in the property’s history.
Brittani Gray, Vice President of Resident Services, Nevada HAND
Brittani Gray
Age: 38
Brittani Gray builds programs that connect people to the resources they need, with an emphasis on making services accessible, consistent and practical for families and seniors.
Gray entered social services committed to improving outcomes for individuals and families facing systemic barriers. After four years as assistant director of resident services at Nevada HAND, she was promoted to vice president in 2024 and now oversees the organization’s nationally certified Resident Services program serving residents in senior and family housing communities. Her work connects thousands of residents to education, health and economic support services while strengthening partnerships that address challenges faced in low-income communities.
Felicia Hersh, Director of Guest Experience, Bellagio and Park MGM
Felicia Hersh
Age: 39
Felicia Hersh lives by what she calls the foundation of lasting loyalty: care for people, earn their trust and make meaningful connections. In hospitality, that foundation matters every single day.
As director of guest experience for Bellagio and Park MGM, Hersh leads strategy and operations aimed at improving service and satisfaction. During nearly four years in the role, both properties posted record gains in customer satisfaction and now lead their competitive market in major guest-focused metrics. She also expanded employee recognition programs, helped increase volunteerism and contributions to the MGM Resorts Foundation, and earned recognition as one of Hospitality Business Review’s Top 10 Directors of Guest Experience.
Lindsay Jacobs, Vice President, Commercial Roofers, Inc.
Lindsay Jacobs
Age: 39
Lindsay Jacobs comes from a family of roofers. Her great grandparents started roofing, insulation and home building in Nevada in the 1950s, and Jacobs grew up at the Commercial Roofers, Inc. office. Summers often meant filing, answering phones, running plans and learning the trade. She later worked across billing, payroll, service, production and project management.
Now vice president of the company, Jacobs has contributed to major Southern Nevada projects including CityCenter, Fontainebleau, the Sphere and Harry Reid International Airport’s Terminal 3.
Zach Jukel, Vice President of Marketing, Carver Road Hospitality
Zachary Jukel
Age: 36
Zach Jukel is drawn to the energy of shared experiences, where the goal is simple: create something people want to be part of and remember.
An early marketing internship with Sony Music, followed by hands-on work tied to live events, helped set the foundation for a career across nightlife, hospitality and large-scale events. At Carver Road Hospitality, Jukel oversees marketing strategy across a portfolio of more than 10 venues in multiple cities, helping concepts like Carversteak, Casa Playa and Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar earn top industry recognition. He has also led activations tied to major cultural events, from WrestleMania partnerships to branded pop-ups, while managing teams and campaigns across markets.
Kevin Kittisoros, Managing Partner, Pin Kaow Thai Restaurant and Blue Orchid Thai Kitchen
Kevin Kittisoros
Age: 30
Pin Kaow Thai Restaurant is more than a restaurant to Kevin Kittisoros and his family—it’s a second home where culture, connection and consistency matter. When Kittisoros stepped into the family business, he knew he had to preserve that legacy while also finding his own voice within it. As a Thai American born and raised in Las Vegas, Kittisoros is proud to share his culture through food.
Kittisoros worked his way into ownership at Pin Kaow and now manages operations across both locations. As Pin Kaow marked 25 years in 2025, it continued to earn local recognition, including Thai Select Classic certification. That same year, he opened Blue Orchid Thai Kitchen, which he developed from design and menu direction to hiring and guest experience.
Miguel Loya, Executive Chef, Sahara Las Vegas
Miguel Loya
Age: 37
After growing up in the restaurant business, Miguel Loya is used to working across every part of the kitchen, stepping in where needed to keep service on track and teams connected.
Starting as a dishwasher, Loya worked through every level of service and eventually moved into casino kitchens across Las Vegas. That experience helped him develop a broad understanding of high-volume operations. At Sahara Las Vegas, he became executive chef at 35, overseeing multiple venues, staffing and daily operations across a large Strip property. He has improved food quality, strengthened kitchen systems, and helped raise team morale, while contributing to the opening of Maroon by Chef Kwame Onwuachi, a new steakhouse concept.
Yolanda Mationg, Chief Development Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada
Yolanda Mationg
Age: 39
As the first person in her family to graduate from high school and college, Yolanda Mationg learned the importance of education, perseverance and overcoming adversity. As chief development officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, seeing her own story reflected in the youth she serves motivates her every day.
Since assuming the role in 2024, Mationg has increased individual donors by 29% and reactivated donor revenue by 131%, while managing 66 grants and 88 partnerships across the organization’s 13 clubhouses in the Las Vegas Valley. She also moved the Sneaker Ball Gala to a BGCSN clubhouse, cutting costs and increasing revenue by $25,000 while giving donors direct exposure to programs serving approximately 6,000 club members.
Melissa McCormick, CEO, Nevada State High School
Melissa McCormick
Age: 32
For Melissa McCormick, leadership starts with clear expectations and follow-through, creating an environment where staff understand their roles and stay committed.
While McCormick was an academic advisor for Division I student-athletes, she was introduced to higher education and the importance of helping students reach college. She brought that focus to Nevada State High School, joining in an operational leadership role and advancing as the organization grew, ultimately earning a unanimous appointment to CEO. Under her leadership, teacher turnover dropped from roughly 50% to less than 10%, and the school continues to earn five-star ratings and recognition among Nevada’s top-performing charter networks.
Beau McDougall, Fire Battalion Chief, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, Executive Vice President of Private Capital, All Western Mortgage
Beau McDougall
Age: 38
Beau McDougall thrives in environments where decisions carry real consequences. Whether responding to emergencies or structuring complex financial deals, he focuses on accountability and helping people navigate critical decisions.
McDougall began his career in public service and has spent more than 17 years with Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, where he now serves as a battalion chief. Alongside the fire service, he works in real estate and finance as executive vice president of private capital at All Western Mortgage, where he helped launch the private capital division. He also serves as broker/owner of NextHome People First, a brokerage known for agent development and client service.
Juan Medrano, Principal/Co-founder, HL Workroom
Juan Medrano
Age: 34
Good design starts with how a space needs to live and work, not just how it looks. That principle has guided Juan Medrano’s career in interior design.
Initially an architecture student at UNLV, Medrano shifted into interior design and later worked across hospitality and luxury residential projects before co-founding HL Workroom in 2023. In less than two years, the firm has expanded across commercial and residential projects in Southern Nevada. Its portfolio already includes Morris Injury Law, Citrus Grill, Lagree Lab and General Admission, along with ongoing work for developer clients across residential communities.
Alexis Meruelo, Chief Vision and Purpose Officer, Meruelo Group
Alexis Meruelo
Age: 32
As chief vision and purpose officer of the Meruelo Group, Alexis Meruelo is shaping how one of Nevada’s largest private companies defines corporate responsibility.
Working across more than 25 companies in 10 industries, including Sahara Las Vegas and Grand Sierra Resort, Meruelo built a unified corporate social responsibility framework and helped establish Sahara as a model for inclusive hiring, workforce development and supplier diversity. Over the past decade, Meruelo Group companies have contributed more than $25 million to community initiatives.
Shadow Montalto, Cemetery Manager, Palm Mortuaries & Cemeteries
Shadow Montalto
Age: 34
Having always been drawn to service-oriented work and supporting people through meaningful moments in their lives, Shadow Montalto found his calling in end-of-life services.
Montalto joined Palm Mortuaries and Cemeteries at 18 years old and moved through roles in funeral operations, sales, training and cemetery services. Time spent in Taiwan and later as a VIP concierge on the Las Vegas Strip strengthened his ability to connect with people from different backgrounds before he returned to Palm. As cemetery manager, Montalto oversees operations, team performance and property care while guiding families through difficult decisions. He also helped rebuild morale and restore trust among ground teams following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kevin Murray, Manager of Housing & Justice Systems, SilverSummit Healthplan
Kevin Murray
Age: 38
Kevin Murray works where health care, housing and justice systems overlap, helping connect services that too often operate in silos. His work focuses on making those systems function more like a network for people facing housing instability.
After starting in direct behavioral health services, including inpatient, outpatient and residential programs, Murray moved into community-based roles that shaped his systems-level approach. At SilverSummit Healthplan, he manages housing and justice initiatives that have directed more than $5.5 million to more than 26 partners and supported more than 8,000 Medicaid members statewide. His work has also helped deliver more than 13,000 shelter nights, 7,000 sober living nights, and expanded access to Nevada’s Housing Support and Services program.
Katie Nystrom, Tour Manager, Backstreet Boys
Katie Nystrom
Age: 39
Katie Nystrom’s life revolves around live music. Growing up, she always found a way to get to concerts, including joining street teams and interning at venues. Once she learned she could study music business and build a career touring the world, she never looked back.
Tour management demands calm despite constant change and Nystrom has spent 14 years learning how to keep shows moving when plans go awry. As tour manager for the Backstreet Boys, she oversees operations for crews of more than 100 people, from travel and production schedules to backstage coordination across nearly every continent.
José Orozco, CEO, Orozco Siblings, VP, Broches for a Cause
José Orozco
Age: 38
José Orozco knows how much guidance matters when someone is trying to build a life in a new country. After immigrating from Mexico without money or any understanding of how the system worked, he built his career around helping others navigate that same path.
Orozco co-founded Orozco Siblings, a nonprofit that supports immigrant and underserved youth through mentorship, workshops, scholarships, college preparation and campus visits.
Heath Pomerantz, CEO, WOW Carwash
Heath Pomerantz
Age: 38
For Heath Pomerantz, car washing is a way of life. A second-generation car washer, he started early in his family’s business and learned about the industry including distribution, service and operations. These experiences and knowledge continue to guide his approach as a leader.
As CEO of WOW Carwash, he has helped expand the company to 19 locations, with more in development. In 2025, WOW washed a record 4.2 million cars, recorded its busiest single-day total of more than 20,000 washes across all locations, and grew its membership base to more than 92,000. He also led WOW’s acquisition of Blu Car Wash.
Emily Prazer, President and CEO, Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc., Chief Commercial Officer, Formula 1
Emily Prazer
Age: 38
Emily Prazer always knew she wanted to work in sports and built a career bringing events to life.
Prazer got her start in sports marketing with IMG before moving into sponsorship and partnership roles across international firms. She joined Formula 1 in 2017 and advanced to head of commercial development for race promotion. Now president and CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc. and chief commercial officer for Formula 1, Prazer has helped deliver three editions of the Las Vegas Grand Prix and shape it into one of the most-watched events on the F1 calendar.
Jessica Rosado, Television Host & Multimedia Producer, KTNV Channel 13
Jessica Rosado
Age: 37
Powerful storytelling led Jessica Rosado into a career in media, shaped by her belief that it creates connection and shared understanding. Beginning as a performer and writer, she later expanded into hosting and production to give more space to community, culture and local voices.
On Morning Blend and across KTNV Channel 13’s platforms, Rosado works as a host and multimedia producer. She created Backstage in Vegas, a recurring series highlighting Southern Nevada’s theater community, and produces The Digital Coffee Date, a podcast featuring conversations with powerful women from around the world.
Kathy Rudd, Director of Standards and Learning, Communities In Schools of Nevada
Kathy Rudd
Age: 34
Kathy Rudd creates systems that help educators respond to the academic and personal challenges students face, connecting schools with the resources children and families need to stay engaged and succeed.
After starting as a teacher in Clark County School District through Teach For America, Rudd moved into school leadership and nonprofit work. She co-founded and served as principal of Battle Born Academy, a K-8 charter school that served 330 students and families through project-based learning and restorative practices.
Emi K. Sakevich, Executive Director, Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation
Emi Sakevich
Age: 38
Emi K. Sakevich gravitates to the kind of work that turns planning into action. With a background in event management, she brings structure, energy and a sharp sense of execution to community fundraising.
Since becoming executive director of the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation in 2025, Sakevich has quickly expanded its fundraising efforts. She established the foundation’s Rise Up Fun Run in 2025, a 5K for burn survivors that raised nearly $25,000 in its inaugural year. She also led the organization’s largest event, the Bachelor Auction, managing donations, ticket sales, VIP coordination and finances for a fundraiser that generated about $100,000, one of the foundation’s strongest results.
Derek Scharadin, Senior Vice President, LEV Food Group
Derek Scharadin
Age: 38
The energy, pace and community that restaurants create drew Derek Scharadin into the business. Starting at 14, he worked in nearly every role before moving into executive leadership.
As senior vice president of LEV Food Group, Scharadin oversees operations, financial strategy and concept development across the company’s portfolio. Recent work includes the opening of Taco Escobar, the relaunch of Ada’s Wine Bar and the continued evolution of The Golden Tiki.
MacKenzie Seroka, Senior Communications Advisor, 84 Communications
MacKenzie Seroka
Age: 34
MacKenzie Seroka has always been quick to strike up a conversation, a trait that naturally led her into public relations.
When Seroka moved to Las Vegas, she worked across multiple agencies before shifting into health care communications at Cleveland Clinic Nevada. There, she managed campaigns that increased social media engagement and grew trade media coverage by 130% year over year. She also supported a statewide campaign announcing the first new Alzheimer’s drug in nearly 20 years, which drove the highest research enrollment across all clinic sites.
Thomas Siu, Assistant Director of Experiential Marketing, Wynn Las Vegas
Thomas Siu
Age: 29
Music is an escape for Thomas Siu and it ultimately led to a passion for entertainment. He now builds events that draw new audiences into the Las Vegas experience.
At Resorts World Las Vegas, Siu helped launch two nightclubs and three food and beverage concepts before rising into nightlife marketing leadership. He played a key role in shaping the property’s nightlife presence, including building a partnership with the National Rugby League that brought a multi-day fan experience and nightclub events that drew thousands. He also helped elevate Zouk Group by bringing the Zamna festival platform to the Strip for the first time. Siu now works in experiential marketing at Wynn Nightlife.
Janson Trieu, Medical Oncologist, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada
Janson Trieu
Age: 35
Janson Trieu’s path to oncology was deeply personal. After losing a close friend to cancer at a young age, he decided to turn personal loss into a career focused on treatment, research and patient care.
At Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, Trieu specializes in genitourinary and skin cancers and serves as principal investigator on the Merck KEYVIBE010 Phase 3 melanoma trial.
Giovanni Trilleras, CEO, Forensic Pathology Services
Giovanni Trilleras
Age: 36
Giovanni Trilleras helps families and agencies navigate cases most people are unprepared to face, offering answers when death investigations stall or access is limited.
After helping a medical examiner’s office respond to a shortage of forensic pathologists, Trilleras saw how delays and incomplete findings left agencies and grieving families waiting longer for answers. He founded Forensic Pathology Services as a staffing company connecting government offices with forensic pathologists, then expanded it to help private families seek second opinions and independent autopsies during difficult or disputed cases.
Travis Turner, Vice President of Guest Experience & Owner Services, Cirrus Aviation Services CEO, Luxe Lifestyle Managers
Travis Turner
Age: 39
Making complex, high-end experiences feel effortless is what Travis Turner does best. He works behind the scenes to align moving parts so each detail lands exactly as intended for the client.
An early role at Las Vegas Motor Speedway introduced Turner to fast-paced operations, followed by leadership across hospitality, events and concierge services. At Cirrus Aviation Services, he oversees guest experience and owner services, shaping everything from aircraft presentation to customized in-flight offerings for an elite clientele. He also founded Luxe Lifestyle Managers in 2021, growing it into a trusted concierge partner for major NFL events, including the Draft, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl, while supporting Cirrus’ expansion into new markets.
Kristina Villardi, President, Junior League of Las Vegas
Kristina Villardi
Age: 36
Kristina Villardi brings structure and follow-through to volunteer-driven work, turning ideas into organized action with measurable results.
Villardi began her career at Caesars Entertainment, where she rose to director of attraction sales before moving into operations and philanthropy. As president of the Junior League of Las Vegas, an 80-year-old organization, she leads fundraising, governance and volunteer efforts for the 600-plus member nonprofit. Her work has helped generate more than $1.5 million, including growing the Paint the Town Red Gala from about $70,000 to more than $400,000. She also serves as director of philanthropy at Goodwill of Southern Nevada.
Alan Walker, Director of Brand Marketing, Aria Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa
Alan Walker
Age: 37
While visiting Las Vegas nearly 15 years ago, Alan Walker stepped into a casino employment center on a whim and left with a front-desk job. Today, he serves as director of brand marketing for Aria Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa.
Walker develops story-driven marketing that attracts travelers to Las Vegas while maintaining brand integrity. His career includes leadership roles across premier nightlife and hospitality brands, from Krave and Omnia Nightclub to Caesars Entertainment. In 2020,
Micaela Wargo, Marketing Director, Vestar
Micaela Wargo
Age: 36
Micaela Wargo sees marketing as an opportunity to connect people with causes, and uses events, partnerships, and programming to make retail spaces feel more connected to the community.
Initially hired by Vestar to oversee marketing for Tivoli Village, Wargo quickly expanded her scope to include The District at Green Valley Ranch. She develops campaigns, events, and partnerships that activate both properties and strengthen tenant relationships. Her work includes holiday partnerships with Make-A-Wish Nevada and a toy drive across both properties, in partnership with Toys for Tots and UNLV Hockey, that collected 500 toys and additional cash donations in its inaugural year.
Megan Weintraub, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Jewish Nevada
Megan Weintraub
Age: 36
With a passion for nonprofit fundraising and event planning, Megan Weintraub knew early on that she wanted to work as a Jewish communal professional.
Weintraub joined Jewish Nevada in 2017 and quickly advanced from young leadership development to director of annual giving before becoming its first chief philanthropy officer. Since 2018, she has helped increase fundraising by 150%. Jewish Nevada now allocates more than $1.5 million each year to organizations in Nevada, Israel and around the world.
Aymber Young, CEO, Brandshine Holdings, LLC
Aymber Young
Age: 32
Aymber Young is driven by the idea that strong connections build strong businesses. Through her work in social media consulting, she helps companies strengthen their presence on digital platforms and engage audiences.
Young’s career path began nearly a decade ago after moving into the digital media department at Ameren, an electric and natural gas company. After gaining experience across social media and strategy roles, her entrepreneurial drive led her to launch her own firm, Brandshine Holdings LLC, where she provides social media consulting.
Art Zargaryan, CEO, Pegasus Development
Art Zargaryen
Age: 39
Art Zargaryan’s career began with a love of design and training in architecture. That foundation eventually led him to project management, where creativity and execution merged.
In 2017, he founded Pegasus Development, which has grown into a national project management firm overseeing more than 7 million square feet of development valued at more than $6 billion. As CEO, he leads hospitality, entertainment and mixed-use developments in Las Vegas and across the country. His portfolio includes Omega Mart, Universal Horror Unleashed and the planned relocation and expansion of the Neon Museum. Pegasus Development also opened a second office in Sacramento to support large-scale mixed-use projects.