Board of Directors 2021-2022

​Click on the plus sign below to read our Board of Director's biographies:

Marguerite Panetta Gray, President. Consultant.

Marguerite has over 25 years of experience in product development, merchandising and licensing for the resort and hospitality industry working for companies such as Universal Studios, Cedar Fair (Knott’s Berry Farm) and Yamaha Motor Corporation. Panetta Gray was most recently working in Business Development for Las Vegas-based Marshall Retail Group as Concept Development Expert. In her role, she worked with global and local brands as well as airports to find synergies for business expansion. Prior to, she led the Merchandise team at Marshall Retail Group for 14 years as Senior Vice President. As part of the Executive Team, she helped to scale the company from 40 locations to 200 in North America. Marguerite has strong creative and strategic thinking skills and is an entrepreneur that can work within a corporate environment.​

Jason Jorjorian, Vice President. LGA Architecture.

Jason Jorjorian has been influential in LGA Architecture's growth since joining the firm in 1999. Now a principal of the firm, he spurs innovation and collaboration amongst the staff to challenge the status quo and create meaningful connections between people, processes and place. He has lead the design of significant civic and institutional projects throughout the valley while incorporating his passion for community, sustainability, and purpose into every engagement. A native to Las Vegas, Jason is a UNLV graduate and a member of the Vegas Chamber Leadership Las Vegas Graduating Class of 2021. ​

Linda Ly, Secretary. Galena Sport Physical Therapy.

Linda Ly is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences. Healthcare and education are driving forces in her life and she hopes to bring the two together by providing strong, high-quality healthcare while educating the general public on preventative care. Linda is taking a gap year to prepare for graduate school applications and intends to become a Physician Assistant to help low-income families in the Las Vegas Valley. In addition, Linda's interests encompass leadership development, APIA community building, cultural change, civic engagement, and nonprofit work. Linda is a LIT Cohort 1 member and full-voting Board member of LIT's Board of Directors. ​

Blaire Horner, Treasurer. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Blaire Horner currently serves as the Interim Finance Manager of U.S. Programs for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Blaire also connects the dots of the work of the Boston Public Schools Department of Early Childhood. She leverages her background in strategic planning, finance, and project management to work with her team to invest in high quality early education projects that close opportunity and achievement gaps. She graduated from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education with an Ed.M. in Education Policy Management in 2011.

Stephanie Grant, Director. Coldwell Banker Premier Realty.

Stephanie Grant is dedicated to her business and keeping current with the Las Vegas Real Estate Market. Education is also very important to her by obtaining industry designations, certificates and receiving her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Management. She has obtained the Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Military Relocation Professional (MRP) designations and holds a Property Manager Permit and Community Association Manager License (CAM). She also works alongside buyer assistance programs, homeowner associations and enjoys volunteering with local non-profit organizations. She is a 2019 Nevada REALTOR Leadership Academy Graduate and involved with the local REALTOR Association.

Jacqueline Beato, Director. Live Nation Entertainment.

Jacqueline Beato serves as the Executive Vice President of Live Nation Entertainment where she oversees global communications, government relations, and provides operational support. Prior to that she was the Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer at Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Beato has a MBA in General Management from Harvard Business School.

Kayanne Johnson, Director. Verint

Kayanne and her family husband, Adam, son, Imry (12) and daughter, Alina (9) moved to Las Vegas in 2012. They were introduced to Erica and LIT shortly after arriving to Las Vegas and have been supporters ever since. As a first-generation college graduate, Kayanne understands the importance of supporting students not only through high school and college, but also into the future as leaders within their communities. Kayanne works as a Consultant for a software company and travels frequently for work. Kayanne is also an advocate for social justice, women's rights and education in her spare time.

Sara Macfarlane, Director. R&R Partners

Sara Macfarlane has served as the Director of Strategy and Insights at R&R Partners for the last 9 years where she is responsible for creating clear strategies that align with all aspects of their overall marketing plan. She also serves on the Community Advisory Board of the Women’s Research Institute of Nevada. She graduated from Montana State University-Bozeman with a degree in Psychology in 2005 as a first-generation college graduate.

Courtney Friedman, Director. The Meadows School.

Courtney has lived in Las Vegas since her family moved in 1993. She attended both public and private school in town while growing up. She attended Denison University for her undergraduate work and then returned to Las Vegas as a member of Teach for America and the 2005 Las Vegas Valley Corps. She attained her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University Nevada, Las Vegas in 2007. In Fall 2007, she moved to New York to pursue her M.S. in Publishing from New York University, while working full-time as an Editorial Assistant at Scholastic, Inc. Friedman decided that teaching was her passion and returned to Las Vegas and to the classroom. She has been working at The Meadows School since 2010 and currently teaches library, research skills, and technology to students in the Beginning School and Lower School. She is currently the Beginning and Lower school librarian and technology integrationist. Outside of work, Courtney serves as the event chair for the Las Vegas Free to Breathe Annual 5K Run/Walk, President of The Meadows School Alumni Association, a Teach for America Las Vegas Valley Alumni Committee Member and an advisor for BBYO.

Cindi Rivera, Director. Rivera Enterprises Inc. 

Cindi is the Founder of Rivera Enterprises Inc. and Associate Executive Director at Futuro Academy. She is a first-generation college graduate who has a BA in Law & Society and Spanish at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Masters in Early Childhood Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

​Samantha Grimes, Director. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

​​Samantha Grimes serves as the Executive Director of Public Relations for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, leading press and communication strategies on behalf of the luxury casino-resort. Possessing more than a decade of experience, Grimes has had the privilege of representing some of the most celebrated brands in luxury hospitality and entertainment. She has contributed to the success of award-winning gaming properties, hundreds of live events as well as the launch of more than 40 first-to-market dining, nightlife, gaming, retail, and entertainment concepts in Las Vegas. 
 
Grimes hails from northern Alaska and is a proud alumna of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as well as a graduate of the Vegas Chamber's Leadership Las Vegas class of 2021. 

​Allena Peters, Director. Digimarc.

​Allena Peters is currently a Senior HR Generalist at Digimarc. Prior to that she was the Senior Human Resources Officer at R&R partners since July 2017. Before that she was an Operations & Recruiting Coordinator at Resources Global Professionals. She graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Fine and Studio Arts in 2000.