Sierra Nevada Top 20 Powerful Women

by Cynthia Calderon

Cynthia Calderon represented Transcend Wealth Partners at the North Nevada Business View’s event celebrating the Sierra Nevada Top 20 Most Powerful Women of 2019. Keynote speakers and honored women of the evening have inspired us to continue our work of supporting and empowering families through trusted family office services.

I was privileged to attend the recent award ceremony for the 2019 Sierra Nevada Top 20 Most Powerful Women hosted by the Northern Nevada Business View. I was genuinely impressed by the significant turnout of over 500 attendees, of course, mostly women but also a number of men in support of women. The caliber of the finalists and winners was truly remarkable and inspiring.

Top 20 Powerful Women Revealed

Key highlights, for me, included the recognition of an amazing high school girl as the 2019 Sierra Nevada Powerful Young Woman. Her accomplishments at her young age already seemed daunting and one can only imagine what success lies ahead in her future. Secondly, there were two awards for the Sierra Nevada Powerful Matriarchs. It was heartening to see the age span of the lives ranging from a budding young high school girl to the wizened matriarchs of our local society and the impact they have had within the community. I was touched that they were honored equally.

I had a chance to talk to one of the nominees before the awards ceremony who shared that, at first, she felt somewhat embarrassed about being nominated as one of the “most powerful” women because the word powerful is not often associated in a positive way for women. It made her think about what being powerful is really about and she had to get comfortable with it. I found this comment very insightful. How many of us women feel the same way and why is that?

Each of the nominees was asked: “what does power mean to you?” Here are some of their responses:

· Power is helping other people rise so we can all shine.

· Power is motivating others to affect change.

· Power is the ability to empower others.

· Power is knowing we accomplish nothing on our own but everything together.

· Power is not your position, but the ability to lead and influence.

· Power is having the confidence to adapt to change.

· Power is the equity we build when we help others achieve their potential.

· Power is the ability to be vulnerable with others.

What an amazing group of women! Keynote speaker, Danyelle Musselman, reminded us that “our passion is our power”. What is your passion and what does power mean to you?

I was glad to see among all the powerful women in the room that the winners often professed gratitude to their husbands who have been supportive in pursuing their passions. This goes along with the theme that we don’t achieve our accomplishments alone, whether it be friends or family, male or female.

On a final note, the funniest quote of the day that resulted in a sea of laughter was: “we (women) need to treat each other like drunk girls in a bathroom”! Isn’t this the truth!? Let’s remember to be kind to one another and that we’re all in this together.

Congratulations to the nominees and winners of this year’s awards! But, in addition, let’s acknowledge all the rest of us unsung heroes who hit the pavement every day striving to make an impact. Give yourself a hand!