Board Chair & Events Director

Founder, The Remissionaries

Hi, I’m Christina. I’m a Taiwanese-born American, nonprofit founder, events director, entrepreneur, and breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 2018 with HER-2 positive invasive ductal carcinoma. After 6 rounds of chemo, complete hair loss, 1 year of immunotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, and breast reconstruction, I was declared cancer free. Since then, I founded The Remissionaries, a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing comfort and care for women with a breast cancer diagnosis undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Originally from Southern California, my husband and I consider ourselves Vegas locals of 19+ years. We share our beautiful home with our 2 fur babies. Beyond advocating for breast cancer action, empowering women and girls of color, and supporting AAPI communities, my passions include live music, Broadway musicals/plays, figure skating, hockey, snowboarding, shooting pool, board games, dancing, travel, food and coffee (specifically locally owned restaurants and roasters).

I believe in the power of community, in our ability to heal from trauma, and in the capacity of strangers to make our world a better place.

Connect with Christina: Email | LinkedIn

Vice Chair and Advisor

Co-Executive Director, The Cupcake Girls

Bri (she/her) is passionate about encouraging, uplifting, and affirming members of marginalized communities. She currently works for The Cupcake Girls as their Co-Executive Director, with a focus on People Operations and Equity.

She joined YNPN's Board of Directors in 2021 to connect and collaborate with other emerging nonprofit professionals in Las Vegas. Her background is in Psychology, Human Services, and Educational Psychology, and she brings over a decade of mentoring, training, and leadership experience to the team.

She’s previously served YNPN Southern Nevada on their Membership Committee and as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Director. She serves their team by developing creative educational opportunities for their members and implementing new, meaningful ways for them to understand and build relationships with each other.

Of the many things she enjoys, Bri is a food enthusiast, a dance instructor, and a proud auntie. She’s a firm believer that everyone deserves respect, kindness, and equitable opportunities to achieve wholeness.

Connect with Brironni: Email | LinkedIn

Treasurer and Operations Director

Senior Database Manager, The Neon Museum

Samantha Wilson is originally from Spokane, Washington and has called Las Vegas her home since 2014. She holds a B.A. from Eastern Washington University in Communication Studies (’09) and a second B.A. from UNLV in Art (’17). She recently graduated from Fort Hays State University (’20) with a Master’s of Liberal Studies in art history. Samantha is Neon Museum’s Senior Database Manager and previously held the role of Development Manager from 2018-2021, raising money to preserve and protect one of the most unique treasures in Las Vegas: neon signs.

Samantha has a passion for teaching, museums, art and history and hopes to one day teach art history in higher education. She loves being a youth mentor, helping inspire students to reach their full potential. One of her favorite volunteer roles was when she volunteered and ran the Nevada Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) yearly youth leadership seminars at UNLV. When she is not at work or volunteering, you can find Samantha traveling, reading, writing, painting, drawing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Connect with Samantha: Email | LinkedIn

Marketing Director

Marketing & Communications Analyst, RTC of Southern Nevada

Kallie Peeples (she/her) graduated in the spring of 2020 with a degree in mass communications. This achievement marked the inception of her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world around her.

Guided by an innate drive to make a difference and years of inspiration from family members’ involvement in nonprofit, Kallie took her first steps into the professional realm by aligning herself with The Cupcake Girls. Her role became a vessel through which she could channel her fervent desire to provide essential resources to those who require them the most. This passion, rooted in empathy and social responsibility, fuels her dedication to contributing to the betterment of communities in need. Kallie continues in her commitment to the community through her work with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.

Outside the office, Kallie's multifaceted nature becomes evident as she delves into a plethora of interests that enrich her life. An avid music enthusiast, she finds solace and inspiration in the harmonies and melodies that resonate with her soul. Beyond this, she cherishes her time spent with her loved ones, nurturing the connections that bring joy and meaning to her existence.

Connect with Kallie: Email | LinkedIn

Fundraising Director

Professor, UNLV

Dr. Saira Rab is a faculty member at UNLV (Psychology Department) and has a PhD in Educational Psychology from University of Houston. A new resident of Nevada, looking forward to collaborating with non-profit and higher education agencies. Dr. Rab won the University Teaching Excellence Award in 2022 and enjoys trying the many locally owned restaurants and cafes throughout Las Vegas. In the future, Dr. Rab will host professional development workshops and wants to network with like minded individuals that strive to improve the education system in Southern Nevada.

Connect with Saira: Email | LinkedIn

Co-DEI & Belonging Director

Youth Connection Advocate, Raise the Future

Christie F Johnson, a proud Oklahoman with roots deep in Oklahoma City, draws strength and inspiration from her parents' enduring 40-year marriage. As the second youngest of seven siblings, she gracefully wears the hats of a devoted mother to four and a cherished grandmother to three grandsons.

With over 15 years of dedicated service in the social service sector, Christie has left her mark on notable nonprofit organizations like Boys Scouts of America, Community Action Services, Black Inc, and others. Notably, she served on the board of the Youth Black Professionals as Vice Chair, contributing her passion to the Charlie Christian Music Festival Committee, preserving the rich history of jazz, and advocating for keeping music in public schools. Christie is currently a Youth Connection Advocate for Raise The Future. She advocates for the youth who are in Foster Care in their journey to find their forever home.

Having called Nevada home for three years, Christie has earned her master's in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma and absolutely radiates love for her adopted state. Her joyous journey in Nevada fuels her ambition to connect with influential leaders and offer her unwavering support to the community. Christie's goal is not just personal success but to be a beacon of light for deserving youth, sharing the wisdom gained from her own inspiring journey. In her words, she strives to be a loving and supportive force, enriching lives along her path.

Connect with Christie: Email | LinkedIn

Co-DEI and Belonging Director

Director of Programs, NPHY

Hello I'm Richard Espinoza, Director of Programs at NPHY, where I lead and oversee

NPHY’s wraparound programs for young people experiencing homelessness. I completed my undergrad in psych at UNLV (Go Rebels!) and M.S. in Forensic Psychology.

Prior to joining NPHY in September of 2020, I worked in various occupations serving at-risk youth.I'm very passionate about giving back to our community and have worked closely with foster youth, youth involved in the juvenile justice system, children with disabilities, and homeless young people.

I'm also a nerd who loves movies/music/games. I absolutely love Las Vegas for its wide variety of live shows and concerts and make it a point to attend as many as I can. I enjoy gaming and watching great films (attention span permitting haha) Oh yes and I also like food, all the food.

Connect with Richard: Email | LinkedIn

Board Advisor

Cait has been working as a marketing manager in the nonprofit child welfare space for 4 years, with over a decade of Marketing and Communication experience. She is utilizing her experience and connections to support YNPN with their content creation, digital management, and marketing and communications. Cait has lived in the Las Vegas area for 7 years and currently resides in North Las Vegas with her 3 kids and 2 pups!