LAS VEGAS – United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) is pleased to announce the appointment of former UWSN board member and trustee Donald Snyder as its 65th anniversary honorary campaign chairman. Throughout 2022, UWSN will be celebrating its long-standing community impact with signature events to pay homage to those who have aided the organization in its mission of helping those in need and to fundraise for the decades to come. Snyder, a highly regarded leader in the Southern Nevada community, will lead these anniversary initiatives through the next year.
“I became involved with United Way when I began my banking career more than 50 years ago, stepping into volunteer leadership when we moved our family to Las Vegas in 1988,” said Snyder. “I have seen the positive impact United Way has had in our community and the role it can play as we move forward.”
With his extensive, influential contributions throughout the region, Snyder is the embodiment of someone who truly cares for his community. After a long career in commercial banking, including 22 years with First Interstate Bank, he joined the hospitality industry, serving Boyd Gaming in the late 1990s as a board member and later, president of the company. He also served as chairman of the Fremont Street Experience, belonged to the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, was chairman of the Nevada Development Authority, and helped direct the Nevada Resort Association during a critical time in the industry’s growth. More recently, Snyder served as president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A consummate leader and a Las Vegas resident for more than 34 years, he, along with wife Dee, has been actively involved in numerous other business ventures, charitable activities, and civic organizations, even providing the voluntary leadership to develop the now-beloved community institution, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
“We are humbled to have Don serve in such a key capacity for our anniversary celebration,” said Julian High, president and CEO of UWSN. “Don’s passion for the United Way of Southern Nevada is legendary, which he has continually demonstrated through his dedication to assisting community members from all walks of life as they work to build a better tomorrow. His unwavering enthusiasm for Southern Nevada is unsurpassed and we look forward to his voluntary leadership in igniting our yearlong friends and fundraising efforts and subsequent celebrations.”
In his capacity as honorary campaign chairman, Snyder will play a prominent role at UWSN’s signature gala, the Legends and Lions Ball, in Spring 2023. He will also be instrumental in aiding UWSN’s fundraising goals by challenging Southern Nevada’s philanthropic community to match and exceed contributions, including the recent MacKenzie Scott Challenge Fund. Additionally, the 65th anniversary celebration will honor the legends that have supported the community throughout the decades and pass the baton to the next generation, the lions, who are currently paving the way so future generations can believe that they are capable of conquering any challenges before them.