Get Your Chat on with GYC Vegas

Get Your Impact On – A Conversation with DeAndre Esteen of Barclays Bank US

In this episode we sit down with DeAndre Esteen, a true champion of community engagement and corporate citizenship in Henderson, Nevada. As the VP and Contact Center Site Coordinator at Barclays Bank US, DeAndre oversees the Citizenship and community agenda for the bank’s largest Operations site in the US Consumer Bank, connecting colleagues with meaningful volunteer opportunities and building strategic partnerships with local nonprofits and schools. 

Recognized as one of Las Vegas Weekly’s “40 Under Forty” in 2021 and named a “JA Hero” by Junior Achievement of Las Vegas, DeAndre exemplifies what it means to be a public servant. When he’s not building bridges between business and community, you’ll find him spending time with his family or coaching youth flag football for the Henderson Flag Football League. Join us as DeAndre shares insights on leveraging corporate resources for community good, the importance of authentic partnerships, and how chambers of commerce can drive meaningful social impact.   

For more information, visit www.hendersonchamber.com or connect with DeAndre Esteen on social media. 

Get Your Supply Chain On — A Conversation with Mihir Wagh of Aristocrat Gaming

Time to talk global operations! Gina Yager sits down with Mihir Wagh, the Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain Manufacturing & Logistics at Aristocrat Gaming – an industry-leading global gaming content and technology company. From his decade-plus background in Michigan solving operational challenges for automotive and premier technology brands to overseeing Aristocrat’s integration centers across Tulsa, Las Vegas, Barcelona, and beyond, Mihir’s career is a masterclass in building high-performing teams that thrive in an ever-changing global landscape.

Beyond the boardroom, Mihir brings that same leadership energy to his community. Currently serving on the Board of Directors for both the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and Goodie 2 Shoes, he’s proof that the best leaders don’t stop at the office door. Whether you’re in operations, supply chain, or simply inspired by leaders who show up fully at work and in the community, Mihir’s insights on building resilient teams, delivering results, and giving back will leave you motivated to level up in every area of your life.

For more information, visit www.aristocrat.com or connect with Mihir on social media.

Get Your Innovation On – A Conversation with Heather Brown of StartUp Vegas

On this episode of Get Your Chat on, we sit down with Heather Brown, President of StartUp Vegas and elected member of the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, representing District 6 in Southern Nevada. A proud Las Vegas native, Western High School and UNLV alumna, and first-generation college graduate, Heather co-founded StartUp Vegas, a nonprofit driving Southern Nevada’s startup culture, workforce development, and economic diversification.  

Heather shares her journey from working in public policy in Washington, D.C., and Brussels to returning home to Nevada to strengthen our region’s tech and innovation economy. We discuss her dual role championing both entrepreneurship and higher education, her time as Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurial Development at the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, and how her upbringing in a military household shaped her values of service and accountability. 

From ensuring Nevada's higher education institutions remain affordable and accessible to building our startup ecosystem and driving economic diversification, Heather reveals what motivates her each day and how she's pushing boundaries to transform Nevada's higher education system. Recognized among Las Vegas’ 40 Under 40 in 2023 and a graduate of Leadership Las Vegas Class of 2024, Heather Brown is a champion for education, entrepreneurship, and community building throughout Southern Nevada. 

For more information, visit https://startup.vegas/ or connect with Heather Brown on social media. 

Get Your Justice On – A Conversation with Gary Thompson, Candidate for Henderson Municipal Court Judge, Dept. 1

Time to talk justice, community, and what it really means to serve! Gina Yager sits down with Gary Thompson, a Henderson native, seasoned attorney, and candidate for Henderson Municipal Court Judge, Department 1. A Basic High School graduate who has called Henderson home since 1967, Gary built his legal career over 30+ years in Nevada courtrooms – representing clients in criminal defense, personal injury, and civil matters – before stepping forward to run for the bench.

From his family’s deep roots in service, a grandfather who was present at Pearl Harbor and a father who served as a Henderson police officer for nearly 30 years, to his own work presiding over the Veterans Treatment Court and shaping the next generation of leaders through Henderson’s High School Leadership program, Gary’s commitment to this community runs generations deep. 

Discover what inspired a seasoned attorney to make the leap from advocate to judge, what Henderson residents should expect from their Municipal Court, and why Gary believes fairness, consistency, and dignity aren’t just judicial values – they’re community values. Whether you’re a Henderson resident, a civic-minded voter, or someone who simply wants to understand how local justice shapes everyday life, Gary’s story will leave you with a new appreciation for what it means to truly serve the city you love. 

For more information, visit www.electgarythompson.com or connect with Gary’s campaign on social media @electgarythompson. 

Get Your Wellness On – A Conversation with D Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO of Wellness Coach

Time to talk mental health and innovation! Gina Yager sits down with D Sharma, the tech entrepreneur-turned-wellness advocate who’s democratizing access to mental health support through Wellness Coach. From his roots in technology to a life-changing experience in Thailand that shifted his entire perspective, D’s journey is a powerful testament to reinvention and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. 

Get the real story behind building a platform that makes personalized wellness coaching accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford traditional therapy. D opens up about the mission driving Wellness Coach, his philosophy on resilience and reinvention after personal transformation, and the exciting innovations on the horizon for mental health technology.  

For more information, visit Wellness Coach online or connect with D Sharma on social media. 

Get Your Recovery On – A Conversation with Stacey Zierath-Campa

Time to talk recovery and resilience! Gina Yager sits down with Stacey Zierath, Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Recovery Hospital, a healthcare leader with more than 35 years of experience who has made it her life's work to support individuals and families on the road to recovery. Stacey's journey took her from leading major healthcare organizations in the Seattle-Tacoma region to overseeing physician group operations across 15 hospitals in Nevada and California — and ultimately to Southern Nevada, where she's now championing access to compassionate addiction treatment. 

Get the inside story on what drew Stacey to the recovery space and what it took to help launch Las Vegas Recovery Hospital. Stacey opens up about the milestones that shaped her career, how the hospital is redefining what's possible in addiction treatment, and what keeps her motivated every single day doing this deeply important work. She also shares how she sees the connection between healthcare and broader community wellness — and why that connection drives everything she does. 

Whether you're a healthcare professional, someone touched by addiction, or a community leader who believes in the power of recovery, Stacey's insights on advancing access to treatment and making a difference in Southern Nevada will inspire you to think differently about what compassionate healthcare can look like. 

For more information, visit www.lvrhn.com or connect with Las Vegas Recovery Hospital on social media. 

Get Your Tech On – A Conversation with Joshua Leavitt, Founder of Tech Alley

Time to talk tech and transformation! Gina Yager sits down with Joshua Leavitt, the visionary entrepreneur who's been rewiring Nevada's economic future — one startup, one student, and one policy at a time. From his days as Chief Information Officer at Maverick Aviation Group to founding Tech Alley, IONnovate, and Nevada's only private post-secondary software engineering school, Josh has made it his mission to put Southern Nevada on the tech map. 

Get the inside story on building a thriving innovation ecosystem from the ground up, why diversifying Nevada's economy beyond gaming and hospitality isn't just smart — it's essential, and how he's bridging the gap between industry needs and workforce training. Josh opens up about the leap from corporate world to entrepreneur, mentoring the next generation of tech talent from city halls to classrooms, and what it truly takes to shape STEM education policy at the state level. 

Whether you're an aspiring founder, a seasoned business leader, or simply someone who believes Nevada's best days are ahead, Josh's insights on community-building, risk-taking, and reinvention will challenge you to think bigger about what's possible right here in Las Vegas. 

Get Your Journalism On – A Conversation with Jon Ralston, Founder of The Nevada Independent

Time to talk truth and accountability! Gina Yager sits down with Jon Ralston, the legendary political journalist who’s been holding Nevada’s power players accountable for over four decades. From his start as the night police reporter at the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 1984 to founding The Nevada Independent in 2017, Jon’s unwavering commitment to fearless journalism has shaped how Nevadans understand their state. 

Get the inside story on building a nonprofit news organization from scratch, the evolution of political journalism from print to digital-first reporting, and why independent media matters more than ever. Jon opens up about mentoring the next generation of journalists who now lead newsrooms across Nevada and nationally, the most memorable stories he’s covered, and his philosophy on persistence and integrity in an era of media transformation. 

Whether you’re an aspiring journalist, politically engaged citizen, or business leader who values accountability, Jon's insights on covering Nevada politics and building something meaningful will inspire you to think differently about the power of independent journalism. 

For more information, visit www.thenevadaindependent.com or connect with The Nevada Independent on social media.