OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD
Aynalem Getahun
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Aynalem (Aynee) is Ethiopian-American, the Founder and Executive Director of Angels of Las Vegas, a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire hope to those affected by all types of cancer and life threatening illness. She is an accomplished business woman, visionary thinker, unshakable optimist, believes in a bright future & ability to build it together by helping others. Aynee is very active in the Las Vegas community. She served as Community Outreach Chair on the Board of the National Association of Women Business Owners of Nevada (NAWBO) for two years, on the Board of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada’s Young Professional Society. Aynee serves as the governing board for Asian American Group/AAG Las Vegas Indian Chamber of Commerce.
For her dedication and community service, Aynee was awarded the 2012 Athena Award for “Young and Professional Youth Leadership." She became the 2012 Rising Star Award for “Women of Distinction Award for National Association of Women Business Owners.” She was named in newsmakers for Las Vegas Review Journal in March 2013, and inducted into the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada Hall of Fame in 2013. Aynee hopes that her story inspires others to build businesses and serve their local community.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Aynalem (Aynee) is Ethiopian-American, the Founder and Executive Director of Angels of Las Vegas, a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire hope to those affected by all types of cancer and life threatening illness. She is an accomplished business woman, visionary thinker, unshakable optimist, believes in a bright future & ability to build it together by helping others. Aynee is very active in the Las Vegas community. She served as Community Outreach Chair on the Board of the National Association of Women Business Owners of Nevada (NAWBO) for two years, on the Board of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada’s Young Professional Society. Aynee serves as the governing board for Asian American Group/AAG Las Vegas Indian Chamber of Commerce.
For her dedication and community service, Aynee was awarded the 2012 Athena Award for “Young and Professional Youth Leadership." She became the 2012 Rising Star Award for “Women of Distinction Award for National Association of Women Business Owners.” She was named in newsmakers for Las Vegas Review Journal in March 2013, and inducted into the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada Hall of Fame in 2013. Aynee hopes that her story inspires others to build businesses and serve their local community.
Warlesea R. Fatta
Chief Financial Officer
Warlesea R. Fatta is a Health and Wellness Coach who has spent the last 33 years of her life in the health and wellness Industry In many capacities. In her day job she Is a Overseas Manager with a medical building company where she manages three teams of over 150 associates who live in India and in Bangladesh.
She is also an Entrepreneur where she proudly manages a team of over 100 partners who are changing lives everyday with better health and wealth. She has been very instrumental in helping moms and dads stay at home with their children while making a lucrative work from home business.
"Serving on the board of the Angels of Las Vegas as CFO has been a wonderful journey and life fulfilling to say the least. To be able to feed and clothe hundreds of homeless people monthly right in our own city. And now with the help of our organic, natural, whole food nutritional products we are providing help for those who are sick with Covid and who are undergoing cancer treatments. What a awesome non-profit organization to be a part of."
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Candy Wilson
Founder of Angels Table Born and raised in Las Vegas, Candy is a "boy-mom" with 3 sons and a mamapreneur who owns and operates Jewelry by Candy. Candy has always been passionate about giving back to the Las Vegas community and she supports many charities — however, after losing her mother to ovarian cancer, Angels of Las Vegas is near to her heart. She is the creator of Angels Table, a social membership club designed to bring like-minded individuals together — to unite every month to help uplift, educate and support families going through terminal illnesses. |
OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Elizabeth Lewis Outreach Director Elizabeth Lewis is a Mortgage Loan Officer, currently running and growing her team alongside her husband. Prior to that she was in Hospitality and Management for 15 years. She’s originally from Los Angeles, CA and has been a Las Vegas resident since 2002. It brings such joy and fulfillment to be able to help the community in any way possible. Angels of Las Vegas has shown me the true meaning of selflessness, compassion, giving and appreciation. “Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people.” Presently, Elizabeth volunteers her time as Director of Community Relations for her favorite charity, Angels of Las Vegas. Elizabeth has held positions on numerous committees throughout the years such as the Give A Child Hope Christmas Toy Drive and Night of Hope Celebration. |
Jennifer Rykaczewski
Chief Communication and Marketing Director Jennifer is the founder and President of JCBarrier Group, LLC, a marketing and business consulting firm. A Las Vegas native, she has over 17 years of combined experience in business development, marketing, and consulting; and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) with Honors from Texas A&M-Commerce. Throughout her career, Jennifer has effectively run several of her own successful business ventures, utilizing strong leadership and entrepreneurial skills. She has proven herself to be a team leader and collaborator and is known for her passion and dedication to stay the course on projects she is involved in. Jennifer is highly sought after for her skills as a developer of creative and effective business and marketing strategies and is the 2015 recipient of the ATHENA International Young Professional Leadership award. |
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
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Rita Vaswani SVP/Senior Relationship Manager of Nevada State Bank Rita takes pride as an experienced banker specializing in meeting the needs of professionals —doctors, dentists and attorneys with all aspects of their financial needs, both business and personal. She has over 25 years of banking experience, focusing on SBA loans and financing for mergers & acquisitions, commercial real estate, working capital, equipment & inventory purchases, and managing cash flow. |
She strongly believes in giving back to the Las Vegas community and serves on several boards: Member of the Board of Governors for Valley Health Hospitals, Advisory Board Member of Touro University, Governing Board Member of Nevada Community Health Center of Nevada for the underserved community, Board of Trustees for the FBI Citizens Academy of Las Vegas, Executive Board Member of Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of National Congressional Award in D.C. representing Nevada, and we are now happy to have her as an Advisory Board Member of Angels of Las Vegas.
She is also the president and founder of Las Vegas India Chamber of Commerce, which was established in 2009 and focuses on building strong networks for international visitors and investors for the economic growth of Nevada.
Currently, she also maintains her presidential role of the Asian American Group/AAG under the Legacy of her late husband, Mike Vaswani, who founded AAG in 1996.
She has received several recognitions including the 2014, 2015 and 2018 Las Vegas’ Top 100 Women of Influence, the Distinguished Women of Nevada, and the Woman of the Year by the Asian Community Resource Center of Nevada.
She is also the president and founder of Las Vegas India Chamber of Commerce, which was established in 2009 and focuses on building strong networks for international visitors and investors for the economic growth of Nevada.
Currently, she also maintains her presidential role of the Asian American Group/AAG under the Legacy of her late husband, Mike Vaswani, who founded AAG in 1996.
She has received several recognitions including the 2014, 2015 and 2018 Las Vegas’ Top 100 Women of Influence, the Distinguished Women of Nevada, and the Woman of the Year by the Asian Community Resource Center of Nevada.
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Lynda Colucci
Lynda brings 40 years of expertise in economic development strategy and commercial professional liability insurance (Starr Companies, AIG/Lexington). She credits her years of “out-of-the-box” thinking as the primary reason for her many milestone achievements. • Tech/Cyber – Law – Healthcare – A&E – Real Estate • Underwriting – marketing – risk management – consulting • P&L responsibility for multi-million-dollar national liability insurance portfolios • Audit & regulatory compliance management • Business development – Fortune 500 companies |
Lynda also serves as an officer and board member of various non-profit boards and professional associations. Much of her free time is spent as an ambassador shepherding economic development discussions and opportunities to the state of Montana along with fund raising for cancer research. Her favorite past time: Her Beagles and Italy.
Anna Gomes
Co-owner of Via Brasil Steakhouse
Born in Poland and residing in in Las Vegas for over 15 years, Anna co-owns and manages Via Brasil Steakhouse — the finest Rodizio Dining experience the Summerlin area has to offer — with her husband. When Anna isn't busy being an accomplished restaurateur, she enjoys spending her time being a philanthropist and she loves giving back to the Las Vegas community. She is known for supporting Angels of Las Vegas, St. Jude Research Children’s Hospital, Miracle Flights, Safe Nest, and Dress For Success.
Co-owner of Via Brasil Steakhouse
Born in Poland and residing in in Las Vegas for over 15 years, Anna co-owns and manages Via Brasil Steakhouse — the finest Rodizio Dining experience the Summerlin area has to offer — with her husband. When Anna isn't busy being an accomplished restaurateur, she enjoys spending her time being a philanthropist and she loves giving back to the Las Vegas community. She is known for supporting Angels of Las Vegas, St. Jude Research Children’s Hospital, Miracle Flights, Safe Nest, and Dress For Success.
Anna is very business oriented, passionate about great customer service, and loves her customers and employees. Hosting events is her specialty -- from Brazilian festivals, to carnival parties and charity events, she enjoys helping to increase community engagement and bringing awareness to Brazilian culture and cuisine.
John Ortenberg
Chief Technology Officer
John Ortenberg has 25 years of experience working in a variety of technical, sales, and partner roles for some of the largest and most innovative companies in the IT industry including Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix, Docker and Puppet.
John is a father of four teenagers currently working at his second stint at Microsoft's GitHub division as a Partner Manager, John has recently moved to Las Vegas.
"Cancer has taken an enormous toll some of the closest people in my life. Having seen the devastating effects this disease has had on those I cherish, I felt compelled to help people who are struggling in any way I can. Being a part of Angels of Las Vegas and working alongside the selfless and dedicated people who make such an impact on people's' lives in a tangible, hands-on way has been a true honor and privilege for me."
John Balele
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Brian LeMon
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