Conversations With: Women Of Las Vegas

Las Vegas is often defined by bright lights, entertainment, and reinvention—but behind the scenes, women have played a powerful role in shaping the city’s culture, community, and creative energy. From music and nightlife to sports and the performing arts, women continue to push boundaries, build communities, and inspire the next generation of leaders. In this series, Conversations With: Women From Las Vegas, we highlight three women whose passion and dedication have helped carve out space in industries that are constantly evolving.

Cassidy Zuna

Cassidy Zuna is a professional dancer based in Las Vegas whose career reflects a lifelong dedication to performance and movement. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, she began training at a young age and has since built a path within the entertainment industry through discipline, resilience, and passion for her craft. Today, she continues to grow as a performer while representing the next generation of artists shaping Las Vegas’ entertainment landscape.

Questions:

As a woman in the entertainment industry, what challenges have you faced, and what has kept you motivated to push through them?

I think one of the biggest challenges to overcome as a woman in this industry is the competitive nature/comparison and the illusion of perfection when it comes to performance, body type, and physical appearance.  We are taught really young that we need to look a certain way, have a specific body type, and be “better” than the woman next to us in order to earn our spot in the industry, which as a young girl with an actively developing brain can be really detrimental.  I’ve also always been a fairly muscular woman, which to some people may not be as feminine and can lead to closed doors and for a long time negatively impacted self-perception and lead to a long time struggle of body dysmorphia/eating disorders. As I’ve grown, and worked in the industry for a few years now, I’ve learned that there is space for everyone, without the need for comparison or a competitive mindset. I’ve discovered that the shape of my body is not what’s important, and what it’s capable of doing is. Embracing my natural athleticism has changed my entire perception of myself, and I’ve realized it’s given me the ability to learn things quickly that some may take years to learn. That is my personal strength, but everyone has their own. It’s really important to remember everyone is different, and also that every closed door is a step closer to the right one. Every no is a blessing in disguise and you have to trust the timing of your own path because it is not comparable to anyone else’s.

You're represented by Go2Talent Agency, which works across all areas of the entertainment world. How has having that kind of professional support impacted your career, and what advice would you give to women just starting out in dance or the performing arts?

Being represented by Go2Talent has really opened up a lot of opportunities for me. I feel as though open calls have decreased a lot in the last few years due to direct bookings and agent calls, so having an agent that can get you into a room with only 20 other people really increases your likelihood of being booked.  When there are open calls, there can be anywhere from 500-1000 (sometimes even more depending on the job) people, which means dedicating an entire day to an audition that you may or may not even be seen in.  Additionally, having an agent you really know and trust to speak for your talent to casting directors can really help increase your chances. To any young woman in the industry, please don’t be discouraged if you are not signed or booking right away. I have been training my entire life and I only just signed with Go2 at the age of 24 after having booked my own jobs. Before the jobs I booked, I had to go through what felt like endless rejections. A no doesn’t always have to do with your performance, it can be based off of something completely out of your control like your height or hair color. The more that you can let a rejection roll off your shoulder, the easier it will be to swim in this industry. Treat every audition like a free class, you can take something and apply it to the next one.

Throughout your journey as a dancer, who are some women that have inspired you, and how have they shaped the artist and person you’ve become?

For me, it’s about reminding myself—and encouraging other women—to step into their feminine power, which can show up in so many different ways. Too often we’re taught to shrink ourselves or condense our ideas, when in reality we should feel empowered to take up space. The world benefits from the presence and strength of women’s contributions, because we lead with grace, compassion, and intention.

 

The woman who best represents this to me is my mom. She’s the reason I’m able to recognize my own power as a woman because she demonstrated it throughout my entire childhood. She selflessly poured her life into creating something out of nothing to give me and my siblings the life we dreamed of, while constantly encouraging us to follow our passions rather than conform to expectations.

 

At the same time, she taught us compassion, humility, and love for others. I’m incredibly proud to be her daughter. Human first, artist second—I truly believe love leads to the most transcendent creativity.

 

Outfit Info:

Top: Vincent Tank Top

Top: Wentworth Flannel

Bottom: Berry Wide Denim Shorts

Footwear: Nike Air Force 1

Jenn Jenn Marshall

Jenn Jenn is a longtime youth basketball coach in Las Vegas whose work centers on building confidence, community, and opportunity for young athletes. Through nearly two decades of coaching and her involvement with programs like Girls Youth Basketball and the LV Aces Academy, she has helped create spaces where girls can develop both on and off the court. Her approach focuses on mentorship and empowerment, ensuring the next generation of players see themselves not just as athletes, but as leaders.

Questions:

You've built a career coaching youth basketball for nearly 20 years—a space that's historically male-dominated. What was it like breaking into that world, and what challenges do you face as a woman in the profession?

Breaking into youth basketball as a woman meant learning early on that I often had to prove myself before I was given the same trust that many male coaches receive automatically. In a space that has historically been male-dominated, there were moments where my voice had to be a little stronger and my preparation a little deeper just to be heard. It pushed me to lead with the same values that shape my coaching philosophy: connection, confidence, and community.

Over time, I’ve found that when athletes feel seen, supported, and safe to grow, everything else falls into place. My focus has always been on building relationships first, because when players trust their coach and their teammates, they play with joy, purpose, and belief in themselves. That approach has allowed me to earn respect across the basketball community and create spaces where players feel empowered.

There are still challenges, especially when it comes to representation and access to opportunities for women in coaching. But each year I see more girls realizing they belong in every part of the game, not just as players, but as leaders, coaches, and mentors. Being part of that shift is one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.

Through Girls Youth Basketball and your work with the LV Aces Academy, you're invested in closing the gap between how girls and boys are supported in basketball. What does that gap look like on the ground here in Las Vegas, and what progress are you most proud of?

My goal has been to help create the spaces that many girls were missing. Programs like Grand Basketball Train & Play Sundays give athletes dedicated gym time not only for skill development but also for extended open play, which is something girls often don’t have enough access to regularly. That time allows them to experiment, take risks, and discover themselves as players outside of traditional team structures.  Recently, we had about 60 attendees and only 3 of them were boys.  That ratio of girls to boys is a sight to see especially coming from someone who was often the only girl in a gym full of boys during my grade school years.

I’m also proud of the way we’ve connected girls to major basketball moments and community events throughout the city, from clinics tied to WNBA All-Star and the WNBA Finals to collaborations with organizations and brands that celebrate women’s basketball. These experiences help young athletes feel visible and valued within the larger basketball culture.

The progress I’m most proud of is the community that’s forming around these opportunities. Girls are building friendships, mentoring younger players, and beginning to see themselves as part of something bigger than a single team or season.

When the young athletes you coach look at you as a leader and mentor, what do you hope they see, and what do you want them to believe is possible for themselves?

When the young athletes I coach look at me, I hope they see someone who believes deeply in them and in the idea that they belong in every space they step into. I want them to see that leadership can look like kindness, that strength includes empathy, and that confidence grows when you are supported by a community that values who you are.

More than anything, I want them to believe that their potential is not limited by expectations placed on them. Whether they dream of playing at the next level, coaching, leading in their communities, or pursuing something completely different, the lessons they learn through basketball can help them get there.

Basketball has always been more than a sport to me; it’s a vehicle for growth, belonging, and self-discovery. If my players walk away believing in themselves, supporting others, and understanding that their voice and presence matter, then they are already succeeding in ways that go far beyond the court.

Outfit Info:

Top: Barnett Zipper Bomber

Top: FEATURE Graphic Tee

Bottom: Newman Zipper Expandable Pant

Footwear: Air Jordan XII 'Mojave'

Zee Zandi

Zee is a longtime figure in Las Vegas’ underground music scene and is widely recognized for helping shape the early landscape of EDM in the city. After moving to Las Vegas from Seattle in the mid-1990s, her passion for music led her into nightlife programming and artist development within the local club community. Through years of dedication and authenticity, she has remained deeply connected to the culture and artists that continue to push the city’s music scene forward.

Questions:

You've been credited as a forerunner of underground EDM in Las Vegas, a scene largely dominated by men. What did it take to carve out space for yourself in that world, and what kept you going when doors were slow to open?

My passion and love for music are what always kept me going. I never really focused on the fact that I was one of the few women in the underground EDM scene in Las Vegas. That was never the motivation. Whether I was programming the small room in the back of a club or the main room, it didn’t matter to me. I simply followed my passion and stayed committed to doing what I love. Over time, that dedication naturally helped carve out my place in the scene.

This city has a short memory and is always chasing the next thing. How do you think women in particular navigate that: building longevity and respect in an industry that can be so fickle?

Las Vegas can definitely have a short memory, it’s a city that’s always chasing what’s new and what’s next. For women especially, building longevity and respect in an industry like this takes consistency, resilience, and staying true to your vision. Trends come and go, but authenticity and dedication to the craft are what last. For me, it’s always been about focusing on the music, the amazing artists, and continuing to show up with the same passion year after year. When you stay grounded in why you started and keep contributing in a meaningful way, that’s what ultimately builds lasting respect.

For women who are trying to break into the music or nightlife industry right now, whether in Vegas or anywhere, what's the most honest piece of advice you'd give them?

Stay true to who you are and carve your own path. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, especially in an industry that’s constantly spotlighting the next big thing, but everyone’s journey is different. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and respect your own value. When you carry yourself with that confidence and integrity, people recognize it and treat you with the same level of respect. Your authenticity will always be your greatest strength.

Outfit Info:

Top: Montana Jersey