Meet our Industry Leader Advisory Council
The Industry Leader Advisory Council (ILAC) advises the UNLV College of Liberal Arts (COLA) Dean’s Office on career and professional development initiatives for undergraduate students. The Council collaborates to provide sustainable career education opportunities, as well as enhances the local Las Vegas hiring pipeline to promote students’ successful post-graduate careers.
One prominent project is our REB Talks podcast. Through the perspective of ILAC members and current COLA students, REB Talks aims to inspire, educate, and motivate listeners on career development and cultivating a success-driven mindset.
Contact
Contact Jenna Heath, COLA Director of Student and Community Engagement, for more information about securing a seat on the council!
Email: Jenna.Heath@unlv.edu
Phone: 702-895-5838
Lisa Szyc
Undergraduate Degree: BA Political Science, '06
Graduate Degree: Juris Doctor, ‘09
Current Career: Senior Associate Attorney
Organization: Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP
Position in ILAC: Council Chair
Why You Got Involved: I am very excited to work with students who are interested in the legal field and working in a law firm setting. I am passionate about philanthropy and helping others.
Angel Lazcano
Undergraduate Degree: BA Political Science, ‘21
Current Career: Nevada Program Manager
Organization: Somos Votantes
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: Being born & raised in Vegas, my community is everything. Through my role as Nevada Program Manager with Somos Votantes, I have the chance to empower our local Latino community by providing the tools and opportunities they need to participate in our democracy. I see joining the Industry Leader Advisory Council as an extension of my service to the community in helping foster future leaders and providing another prospective from the professional world. As a recent graduate & member of the Gen Z generation, I hope to provide a fresh prospective to students which they can relate to and help them excel in this point of their lives.
Christopher Miannay
Current Career: Southern Nevada Outreach Director
Organization: Nevada Department of Veteran Services
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: I want to be able to coach and challenge the next generation of leaders and push them to question and rethink conventional wisdoms and dogmas. Taking risk is not about landing your next job; it's about using your talent and committing to make a difference within our community. To make an impactful difference in this world is my life goal and I am going to do it by cultivating a positive environment, promoting equality, and too pay it forward by providing coaching and mentorship for our students.
Renisha O'Donnell
Undergraduate Degree: BA Sociology, '04
Graduate Degree: M.Ed. School Counseling, '09
Current Career: Leadership Coach & Consultant
Organization: Renisha O'Donnell Consulting LLC
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: To give back to students, to close the knowledge gap (things I wish I had learned during my collegiate experience), and to prepare students for their future career.
Pamela Pollak, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Degree: BA Psychology from Marquette University
Graduate Degree: Masters and PhD in I/O Psychology from Illinois Institute of Technology
Current Career: Executive Director Organizational Effectiveness & Administration
Organization: MGM Resorts International
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: I joined the council to connect my passion for education with my background in leadership development. Looking forward to using my experience to help shape the next generation of leaders, ensuring students are equipped with the skills and insights needed to thrive in their careers.
Adam Plumer
Undergraduate Degree Graduation Year: 2011
Current Career: Director of Operations
Organization: LV Criminal Defense & Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: I want to join the UNLV College of Liberal Arts Industry Leader Advisory Council to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. By sharing my legal experience, I can provide students with practical insight into the challenges and opportunities they will face. I see this as a way to give back to the community while preparing the next generation of leaders to navigate legal issues with confidence.
Kristina Ramirez
Undergraduate Degree: BA Psychology, '10
Current Career: Program Officer for the Millennium Scholarship
Organization: Nevada State Treasurer's Office: College Savings Division
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: My mom always told me that an education is something no one can ever take away from you; therefore, from a very young age, I knew higher education was the path for me. As a first-generation college graduate, I hope to become a motivational, supportive, and useful resource to UNLV students throughout their educational journey and beyond the classroom. I am a firm believer that we can continue learning and growing at any age, and I hope to inspire others to continuously invest in themselves from both a personal and professional standpoint.
Jordan Soper
Undergraduate Degree: BA Psychology, ‘10
Graduate Degree: PsyD, ‘15
Current Career: Licensed Psychologist, Board Certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
Organization: Center for Sexual Health and Wellness
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: It is my goal to foster the future generations of psychologists and mental health professionals. I would hope to grow my engagement and involvement in our community, and provide additional services to our community at varied levels.
Alma Spears
Graduate Degree: MS Marriage Family & Child Therapy, ‘10
Current Career: Private Practice Psychotherapist
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: I love helping students get hands on experience that will help guide their career paths. Exposure to experience and being able to see people that look like you in fields that you are interested in pursuing is empowering and can inspire a new generation of social service advocates.
Nathan Taylor
Undergraduate Degree: BA Political Science '06
Current Career: President and Founder of the Taylor Consulting Group
Organization: Taylor Consulting Group
Position in ILAC: Council member
Why You Got Involved: As a UNLV Alumnus, I believe it is very important to share my experience with current Students. Each and every UNLV Student is working toward their individual goals; to shape their future with the help of the University. If I'm able to make a difference in some of the lives of our Students; then my involvement has been fulfilled.
Ashana Viswaruban
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Public Health, Minor and Certificate in Gerontology '20
Graduate Degree: Masters in Healthcare Administration
Current Career: Clinical Outreach Manager
Organization: Charlie Health
Position in ILAC: Council Member
Why You Got Involved: I have always felt a sense of purpose and fulfillment after supporting someone with the confidence they need to reach goals that they once thought were unattainable. A large part of my life purpose is giving back to others as I feel that it comes naturally to me and I chose the field of healthcare for that specific reason. My passions include mentorship, networking, giving back to my community, and career advancement. I hope to motivate, inspire, educate, and lead generations to come through my own positive experiences and lessons learned.