Women’s Fund and the Business Council host 'Nevada Women Leading the Way' Luncheon

The Nevada Women's Fund spotlighted Douglas County's leading women at Tuesday’s "Nevada Women Leading the Way" luncheon at the Overland Restaurant in Gardnerville.

Organized by Business Council of Douglas County Executive Director Renea Louie and Council President Brandy Thompson the dinner was sponsored by Fund Bord member CPA Casey Neilon and Council member Nicola Neilon.

The luncheon brought together women leaders from Douglas County to explore critical issues facing women in Northern Nevada. It also served as a platform to showcase the fund's mission and achievements over the past four decades.

Regional & Rural Representative for U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen and NWF Scholarship Alumna Abbey Pike, Nevada Women’s Fund President & CEO Ila Achtabowski and Douglas County Chief of Staff Melissa Elges.

Since its inception in 1983, Nevada Women's Fund has been dedicated to “Empowering Women to Achievement through Education and Career Advancement.” Over the years, the fund has awarded nearly $10 million to women and women's organizations across Northern Nevada.

In 2024 alone, the fund distributed $500,000 in scholarships, with 33 percent benefiting women in rural Nevada communities.

During the luncheon, the Douglas County women leaders raised enough funds to award a sizeable academic scholarship to a deserving woman from Douglas County in 2025. The event also emphasized fund's efforts to address wage parity and the unique challenges women face in the workplace.

The organization champions employers who support their female employees balancing careers, motherhood, and caregiving for aging parents. Additionally, NWF collaborates with local businesses and community leaders to provide professional development opportunities, advocate for mentorship programs, and foster meaningful conversations that promote awareness and drive change.