A lunch date, arranged by a mutual friend – who thought it would be interesting to bring two dynamic professional women together – was destined to spark an immediate friendship and, in turn, launch a powerful partnership that would soon impact the legacy of a leading university and its relationship to the number one real estate market in the United States.
On one side of the table sat Cheryl Davis, powerhouse Owner/Broker of Paragon Premier Properties and the Las Vegas Real Estate Partner of the DREAMS Global Network. On the other side sat Margo Wolanin, the venerable Senior Associate Vice President and Campaign Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
In a matter of moments, they realized they had much in common. Both were strong, passionate, caring professionals and they were fast becoming friends. Before the entrée arrived, it also became apparent that the decades of knowledge and expertise they shared in their given fields would not only be invaluable and beneficial to each other, it was clear that both the University and City of Las Vegas could vastly benefit as well.
Margo Wolanin was fully engaged in the challenge of bringing UNLV to light as a leading institution that is not only different, daring and diverse, but is also a “must see/must experience” pillar of the community.
“UNLV should be one of the first places new residents visit when they move to Las Vegas,” Wolanin told Davis. “My goal is to roll out the ‘Welcome Mat’ and to demonstrate that Las Vegas is stronger, and has a more vibrant future, because it has an outstanding world-class educational institution right here in the heart of our city.”
In support of this goal, and what Cheryl Davis brought to the table – literally – was the ability to immediately and effectively deliver this message to the upscale clientele served by the DREAMS Global Network that is interested in purchasing and investing in Las Vegas.
Cheryl Davis teams with the Founder and Publisher of LA DREAMS and Las Vegas DREAMS Magazines and CEO of DREAMS Global Network, Steve Tobia. Together they connect influential and affluent buyers from both China and California to Las Vegas.
“For Cheryl, myself and everyone in our organization, introducing new residents and investors to Las Vegas is far more than just real estate,” states Tobia. “Presenting outstanding social and cultural pillars of the city to our sophisticated clientele is also one of our primary missions… introducing important cultural icons such as UNLV.”
Wolanin proudly notes that “UNLV is not yesterday’s traditional staid and ivy-covered institution of higher learning. Rather, it is a vibrant, state-of-the-art campus… filled with exciting, cutting-edge technologies and cultural entities that are second to none.”
She invites everyone, whether an out-of-town visitor, new resident or long-time local, to take a stroll among these incredibly modern buildings and to enjoy the lush greenery that runs all throughout the campus.
Over the last 60 years, since the first classes were held in 1957, UNLV has evolved from a small branch college into a thriving urban learning and research institution that has steadily grown and transformed into an indispensible resource in one of the country’s fastest growing and most enterprising cities.
Today, UNLV is home to five fine art galleries and the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, and – from diverse studies for Theater, Fine Arts, Dance and Music to Science, Technology, Engineering, the Lee Business School and the brand new Hospitality Hall – UNLV has 16 major academic units that comprise the colleges, schools, departments and educational programs offering degrees.
But that is only where UNLV begins. It is also how this all comes together to enhance the City of Las Vegas and how it benefits each and every one who calls Las Vegas home. And it is how Margo Wolanin and Cheryl Davis have come together to ensure that this soon will be known to all.
“UNLV is young, urban and diverse… and it is growing as fast as it possibly can,” observes Wolanin. “Joining forces with the amazing Cheryl Davis and the broad spectrum of the DREAMS collaborative is an outstanding way to introduce UNLV to an even larger international and influential audience.”
R: Cheryl Davis, Owner/Broker of Paragon Premier Properties and the Las Vegas Real Estate Partner of the DREAMS Global Network; L: Margo Wolanin, Senior Associate Vice President and Campaign Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Their stated goal is clear. Cheryl Davis and Margo Wolanin have set out to create an initial awareness and appreciation of UNLV. Then in turn, to educate – that by supporting UNLV and making it a philanthropic investment of choice – you are making Las Vegas, and your home, a better, smarter, more successful city.
“Margo’s senior leadership experience will be a critical addition to the UNLV team,” said Scott Roberts, Vice President, Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. “Along with a fresh perspective, she brings a wealth of expertise in raising support for the health sciences and in higher education advocacy to UNLV.”
There is no question that experience and teamwork are essential to success, along with the creative individuals who bring outstanding skills applied to accomplishing a stated goal. Today, with their combined expertise and the extended reach of the DREAMS Global Network, the newly formed, like-minded powerhouse team of Wolanin and Davis is fully committed to making it happen.
There is a beautifully framed poem on the wall of Margo Wolanin’s UNLV office entitled “It Shows in Your Face.” It notes that you don’t have to tell the world who you are, how you feel or what you plan to do. Rather, it simply “shows in your face.”
One look at Cheryl Davis and Margo Wolanin is all it takes to know what lies ahead for UNLV, Las Vegas and their new friendship. It shows in their face.
For more information on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas visit www.unlv.edu and www.unlv.edu/foundation.
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