Growing awareness through kindness.

About Hope Means Nevada

Hope Means Nevada is a compassionate team of individuals supported by the Nevada Medical Center – a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Through our accessible resources, consistent support, community events, and passion for prioritizing mental fitness, we make it our mission to eliminate teen suicide and empower Nevada youth to live hopeful lives.

We’re here to provide hope to those who need it most and increase awareness around the struggles and pain some Nevada teens face.

Meet Our Hope Means Nevada Team

Julie Murray

Co-Founder and Co-Chair

Hope Means Nevada

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Erika Pope

Co-Chair

Hope Means Nevada

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Janna Velasco

Executive Director

Hope Means Nevada

Mackenzie Miles

Communications Director

Hope Means Nevada

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Nicole Garcia-Contreras

Development and Youth Empowerment Coordinator

Hope Means Nevada

Kathryn Jacobs

Kathryn Jacobs

Fiscal/Administrative

Hope Means Nevada

Hope Means Nevada Board of Directors

Julie Murray

Board Chair

Hope Means Nevada

Smiling woman with curly hair, wearing a green jacket and earrings, in front of a mural background.

Erika Pope

Co-Chair

Hope Means Nevada

Andre Cisne

Secretary and Board Member

Hope Means Nevada

Gard Jameson

Treasurer and Board Member

Hope Means Nevada

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Yvonne Brand

Board of Directors

Hope Means Nevada

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Krisanne Cunningham

Board of Directors

Hope Means Nevada

Angela Edgeworth

Board Member

Hope Means Nevada

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Kathryn Goetzke

Board Member

Hope Means Nevada

Dr. Sheldon Jacobs PsyD, LMFT

Board Member

Hope Means Nevada

Dr. Florence Jameson

Board Member

Hope Means Nevada

Dr. Alison Netski

Board Member

Hope Means Nevada

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Annie Zucker

Board Member

Hope Means Nevada

Mary Ann Mele Dondero

Ermeritus - Board Member

Hope Means Nevada

Hope Means Nevada Advisory Board

Dr. Shawn Gerstenberger

NMC Advisory Board Chairman

Dean; UNLV School of Community Health Sciences

Gary Ackerman

President

Gaudin Motor Company Founder; UNLV Ackerman Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Solutions E.

Allie Amato

Fundraising & Development Professional

Andrew Baca

IT Professional

Diana Bennett

Board Chair and Co-founder

Paragon Gaming

Adam Bravo

Vice President Direct Marketing Strategy

MGM Resorts International

Aimee Fitch

Clinical Social Worker

DPBH, Rural Clinics, Crisis and Stabilization Manager

Richard Egan

Training and Outreach Facilitator

Office of Suicide Prevention Division of Public and Behavioral Health

Tara Emmers-Sommer

Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, Greenspun College of Urban Affairs,

University of Las Vegas

Cynthia Kiser-Murphy

Gaming Executive

Dr. Ludy Llasus

Associate Dean

Nevada State College School of Nursing

Taylor Morris

Attorney

Morris Estate Planning Attorneys

Maria Moore

State Director

AARP Nevada

Jennifer C. Moore, MSW, LCSW

Owner and Chief Executive Officer

Foundations Counseling Center

Dr. Andrew Reyes Ph.D, MSN, RN

Associate Professor (Tenured)

UNLV School of Nursing

Dr. Marcia Turner

Healthcare Executive

Dr. John Wagner

Airport Program Administrator

Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport

Dr. Anne Weisman

Director of Wellness & Integrative Medicine

UNLV School of Medicine