September 12, 2020 1 2 Sapphire Virtual Gala PROGRAM Opening Remarks and Introduction of Special Guest, DNC Chair, Tom Perez By Kara Freeman The National Anthem By Sophia Wilson Governor Steve Sisokak Phenomenal Woman By Judge Karen Bennett Haron Welcome Kara Freeman, President MC Berna Rhodes Ford Testimonial By Dave Thomas Special Remarks By Senator Acknowledgment of Elected Officials and Candidates Throughout Program Presentation of the Bonnie Bryan Award Senator Recipient Renee Diamond Special Remarks By Senator and Congressman Testimonial By Congresswoman Special Remarks By Congresswoman Presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award By Kara Freeman Recipient David V. Thomas Presentation of Spotlight Honorees By Kara Freeman Community Pantry— niversary Annette Magnus, Jeana Blackman Taylor and Donna Ziegler West An re Ali Rizvi Sapphi SEIU 1107 UFCW 711 Paul Padda 65 years Closing

September 12, 2020 3 4 Sapphire Virtual Gala PAST PRESIDENTS WOMEN’S DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF CLARK COUNTY

Board Kara Freeman, President Donna Ziegler West, 1st Vice President Rick Cornstuble, 2nd Vice President Dawn Dudas, Treasurer Barbara Aupperle, Corresponding Secretary Matt Kimball Recording Secretary Mary Ella Holloway, Inspirationalist

Past Presidents 1954-56 Perle Brown* 1985-86 Marie Ripps* 1956-57 Maude Frazier* 1987-88 Shelley Berkley 1957-58 Toni Woodward* 1988-89 Sharon Segerblom 1958-59 Alice Woodward* 1989-90 Sara Besser* 1959-60 Ellen Albright* 1990-91 Dr. Jo Briggs 1960-61 Dorothy Dorothy* 1991-92 Dorothy Eisenberg 1961-62 Lila Zona* 1992-93 Doris Femenella* 1962-63 Virginia Cummings* 1994-95 Jenny Des Vaux Oakes 1963-64 Norma Riddle* 1995-96 Rozita Lee 1964-65 Marie Ripps* 1996-97 Judy Klein 1965-66 Marilyn Flangas 1997-98 Caren Levenson 1966-67 Eileen Carson* 1998-99 Sandra Hudgens 1967-68 Catherine Perrotti* 1999-01 Nancy Harkess 1968-69 Mary Ann Denzel* 2001-02 Vickie Hulbert 1969-70 Mary Paternostro* 2002-03 Julie Whitacre 1970-71 Lynn Claiborne* 2003-04 Ronni Council 1972-73 Gwen Weeks Rahner* 2004-05 Debbie Trudell 1973-74 Noreen Gonce 2005-07 Carol Burgeson 1974-75 Janice Hess 2007-08 Adriana Martinez 1975-76 Ruth Manes 2008-09 MaryAnn Hebinck 1976-77 Kerin S. Rogers 2009-11 Denise Gerdes 1977-78 Renee Diamond 2011-12 Rebecca Maxie 1978-79 Laura Past* 2012-13 Gail Kaczmar 1979-80 Laura Kelly Smith 2013-15 Ida Gaines 1980-81 Jan Jenkins 2015-17 Barbara Aupperle ersary nniv 1981-82 Gloria Edwards* 2017-19 Roberta Lange A hire 1982-83 Beverly Carlino-Banta* Sapp 1983-84 BeBe Hoffman* 1984-85 Myrna Williams 65 *Denotes Deceased years

September 12, 2020 5 6 Sapphire Virtual Gala EVENT COMMITTEE

Barbara Aupperle Rick Cornstuble Dawn Dudas Kara Freeman Mary Ella Holloway Judy Klein Marla Turner Donna Ziegler West

SPOTLIGHT HOST

Policy Communications/Dave Thomas

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Paul Padda Law Royal Towing IBEW 357

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Red Chimp Productions/Patty Davidson/Paul Padda (Videos for Event)

Wayne Wallace (Videographer)

niversary Sophia Wilson An re (National Anthem) Sapphi

PDQ Printing of Las Vegas

65 years

September 12, 2020 7

Congratulations To Our Lifelong Friend, Renee Diamond Recipient of the Bonnie Bryan Award and Women’s Democratic Club, 65 Years Strong!

Barbara Aupperle * Dorothy Eisenberg * Jan Jenkins * Judy Klein * Myrna Tormé Williams

8 Sapphire Virtual Gala BONNIE BRYAN AWARD Renee Diamond

Renee Diamond was Administrator of the Division of Manufactured Housing from January 1995 –2007. She was District Director for Congressman James H. Bilbray from January 1991-1995. Renee was elected to the Nevada State Assemblywoman from Las Vegas and served from 1988-1991. She was employed as Community Relations Director for Grandy’s Food Chain in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1982-1984. She was appointed by U.S. Senator Howard W. Cannon as Field Manager for 1980 Decennial Census, U.S. Department of Commerce, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 1979-October 1980. Her leadership experience includes the Council of State Governments (1989): Western Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Trade; Nevada State Board of Museums and History (Board Member 1984-1989); appointed by Governor Richard Bryan, reappointed by Governor Robert Miller and (1991-Present); and, Nevada Com-mission on Judicial Discipline (Vice‑Chair 1978; Chair 1979-81). Her political activities include the National Women’s Committee (1980), Appointed by President Carter; Women’s Democratic Club of Clark County (1973-Present), President 1978; Clark County Democratic Central Committee (1974-Present), Executive Board member (1974-1989); and, State Democratic Party of Nevada, Central Committee (1974-1991), Chair of Affirmative Action Committee (1975-1978), Chair of Delegate Selection and Credentials Committee (1976-1980). She has numerous awards, some of which are from: Nevada Manufactured Housing Association (2002); Pro Bono Legal Project (1989); Who’s Who of Nevada Women (1985); Clark County Humanitarian Mother of the Year (1981); and, National Association of Social Worker’s Outstanding Public Citizen (1979). Renee’s affiliations are many and include being a past or present Board Member of: EST Committee for Drug Free Schools (Former member); Domestic Violence Task Force (former member); American Lung Association of Nevada (former member); Jewish Federation Community Relations Committee (former member); University Library Society (Charter Member); Nevada Women’s Fund (Founder); Sisterhood of Congregation Ner Tamid and, Renee is a member of Hadassah, Women’s American O.R.T.; Congregation Ner Tamid; and, the National Holocaust Museum (Charter member).

September 12, 2020 9 10 Sapphire Virtual Gala LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD David V. Thomas David V. Thomas, is the son of Dr. Don and Fern Thomas. He attended the University of Utah, receiving his BA in Political Science and Philosophy. He received his JD from the University of Toledo in 1983. Dave has taken and passed four (4) bar exams: (1) Florida; (2) Utah; (3) New Mexico, and (4) Nevada. Dave believes in good government In his business. He has created coalitions and genuine friendships with people who influence votes. They come from both sides of the aisle, from all walks of life, and from people all over the state who also believe in good government. They know he only presents quality candidates to them and know his sincerity. When one of his candidates loses, he takes it personally, because he only takes on clients who he personally believes in. His compassion extends to the community at large. Several years ago, he created a holiday fundraiser which has helped many people in our community who can’t get the assistance they need to maintain their dignity in tough times. He called it Helping Hands, because he loves helping people get back on their feet. Those same people who listen to Dave about his candidates, give happily and generously to Helping Hands. It was originally started during the great recession of 2009, when he collected gift cards for groceries to help unemployed and underemployed people. It gets bigger and better every year. For the past several years, he has included Veteran’s Village as a major benefactor, because he truly cares about this community and every single person in it. When people come together to support Helping Hands, Dave is filled with gratitude. He is married for twenty-one (21) years to his loving wife, Judge Nancy Allf. They are cat dad and mom to Carter, Roosevelt, and Eleanor! Dave’s brother, Marc, lives in Utah and his sister, Marcia Gladwish of Washington, passed October 2018. He is the Uncle to seven (7) nieces that mean the world to him. Their first two (2) cats were “Truman” and “Dewey”. Dave has elected the last two (2) Democrats in Utah’s statewide elections. He took a leave of absence in law school to get a Democrat elected to Congress and still graduated on time! He has done federal elections in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Kansas. He began Policy Communications in 2000. His company has given qualified candidates the chance to offer themselves for public office and who have served our Community with fairness and excellence. Dave and his wife, Judge Nancy Allf are lifetime members of Women’s Democratic Club. Nancy is a former Board member and a recipient of the Women’s Equality Day award given to women that do exemplary work in our Community and State. He claims he’s going to retire from politics next year, but some people are taking bets on that. Together, Dave and Nancy are a political family.

September 12, 2020 11 12 Sapphire Virtual Gala HONOREE The Las Vegas Pantry Annette Magnus, Jeana Blackman Taylor, and Donna Ziegler West

What started as a simple Facebook post by Annette Magnus—a commitment to start a community pantry to help others during the pandemic—became a 3-garage, all-hands on deck effort that ultimately served 1500 families over the course of 4 months. Together, with Donna West and Jeana Blackman Taylor, the Vegas Community Pantry helped fill the gaps and showcased our community at its best. A Facebook group quickly grew to include more than 800 members and allowed for greater coordination. Soon, a network of donors and drivers were making weekly deliveries. Every weekend, Annette and her husband Nick used donated funds to purchase carts full of needed supplies at Costco. And every week, the garages would get these and other donations out the door. Dozens of drivers made weekly deliveries while others helped sort, package, and coordinate on the back end. As word spread, this ongoing effort highlighted the role that grassroots organizations can play in the midst of a major crisis. The Vegas Community Pantry is grateful to everyone who showed up to lend a hand, whether it was responding to a last-second need for dog food or a determined search for a hard-to-find apartment. From elected officials to laid-off workers, the willingness to work together to create something bigger than ourselves led to a level of success that we wouldn’t have thought possible.

September 12, 2020 13 14 Sapphire Virtual Gala HONOREE Ali Rizvi

Ali has over 25 years of executive management experience in sales, information technology, service, and process improvement. He helped turn around numerous companies in the financial, services, and healthcare sectors by implementing cost saving measures, increasing productivity, and improving revenue. He spent 10 years working in various management positions with Bank of America, and was the Chief Banking Officer for two different community banks in Las Vegas. Mr. Rizvi spent eight years working as the President of Cardinal Health Financial Shared Services, a subsidiary of Cardinal Health, Inc., a fortune 19 company generating over $137 billion in annual income. Ali Rivi, Chief Executive Officer Ali Rizvi is a CEO that leads with his head and with his heart. Since taking over Litigation Services, he has sup-ported causes such as Adopt-a Family, Three Square, and Clark County Law Foundation. He also holds an Annual Invitational Golf Tournament where proceeds are donated to Shriners Children Hospital which is a non-profit medical facility where children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate can receive care at no cost to the family. He is and Litigation Services has been an essential service during the pandemic, helping people throughout the community.

September 12, 2020 15 16 Sapphire Virtual Gala HONOREE SEIU Local 1107

SEIU Local 1107 represents 19,000 workers in the healthcare and public sector across the entire state. Together, SEIU Nevada Local 1107 members fight for better wages, benefits, social justice and a better quality of life for all working Nevadans. They care for patients in hospitals in Elko, Reno, Las Vegas and Henderson. They also protect the quality of the drinking water, administer benefits for low-income families, maintain McCarran International Airport, protect our communities’ most vulnerable members, maintain the streets and parks, work with foster children, and provide many other services that keep the region running. SEIU Local 1107 members represent hospital employees in Nevada, including more than 9,000 nurses and Debbie Smith, Public Sector Vice President hospital workers at public, non-profit and for- profit hospitals throughout Nevada. During the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare workers are in the front line, risking their health and lives for others.

September 12, 2020 17 18 Sapphire Virtual Gala HONOREE UFCW Local 711 United Food and Commercial Workers Union is America’s largest food and retail union. UFCW has been a leading national voice in calling for action to support and protect grocery and meatpacking workers who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic. It represents 1.3 million workers in grocery, meatpacking and food processing essential to the food supply. America’s food workers have been on the frontlines of the public health crisis. Frontline workers have been putting themselves in harm’s way to help put food on the plate of all Americans.

September 12, 2020 19 20 Sapphire Virtual Gala HONOREE Paul Padda

Paul Padda is the son of immigrants from India. His father received a Ph.D. in genetics from Cornell University and his mother received a master’s degree in early childhood education. The instilled in him the importance of education and learning. He learned from an early age, because his parents constantly drummed it into him, that irrespective of a person’s background, all people are basically the same and share the desire to be treated with dignity and respect and that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. In his law firm, treating our clients with dignity and respect means getting to understand the clients, the pain they’re going through and helping lead them to a path of recovery. Following graduation from law school, Paul began his legal career with the United States Department of Justice (“Main Justice”) in Washington, D.C. litigating complex civil cases in both federal trial and appellate courts. This experience of being a lawyer in his 20s and starting his legal career by working on huge cases in Washington, D.C. taught him how to handle stress and high-stakes litigation. Later, he left Main Justice and walked over a couple of blocks to join the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia as an Assistant United States Attorney where he continued handling complex and high-profile cases in the Nation’s capital. Tiring of east coast winters, he moved to Las Vegas in 2004 to keep serving as an Assistant United States Attorney representing the United States in federal court. But after many years in the federal government and possessed by a strong desire to help individuals and businesses, he later started his own law firm capitalizing on his many years of experience involving high stakes litigation. Looking back on all of this professional experience, he believes it’s given him a unique advantage compared to the typical personal injury lawyer. Today, he uses all of this experience to the benefit of his clients at Paul Padda Law. Paul has the highest rating (“AV Preeminent”) given by the Martindale-Hubbell attorney rating service, induction into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and selection as a Fellow by the American Bar Foundation.

September 12, 2020 21 22 Sapphire Virtual Gala September 12, 2020 23 24 Sapphire Virtual Gala September 12, 2020 25 26 Sapphire Virtual Gala September 12, 2020 27 Paradise Democratic Club

Congratulations The Las Vegas Pantry Annette Magnus * Jeana Blackman Taylor * Donna Ziegler West Ali Rizvi SEIU 1107 UFCW 711 Paul Padda Dave Thomas

28 Sapphire Virtual Gala September 12, 2020 29 30 Sapphire Virtual Gala Congratulations! Dave Thomas on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Democratic Club of Clark County You Are Our Hero! Thank You For A Lifetime Of Supporting Democratic Candidates 38 Years Strong

September 12, 2020 31 FOUNDED IN 1955

C elebrating 65 Years Thank You To All Our Honorees And Supporters of the 65th Sapphire Gala

If You Are Not A Member Please Join And Become Part Of A Phenomenal Legacy

niversary Of Women Across Clark County, Nevada An re Sapphi

www.womensdemo.com 65 years

32 Sapphire Virtual Gala niversary An re Sapphi

65 years