Get ready for a real, honest, and inspiring conversation with four incredible women who know what it takes to lead—and aren’t afraid to do it their way. Powerfully Unapologetic brings together top executives who’ve faced challenges, made tough calls, and built careers by showing up with strength, confidence, and authenticity.
They’ll share the ups, downs, and everything in between—what it’s really like to navigate leadership as a woman, how they’ve handled difficult situations, and why owning your power unapologetically is key to lasting success.
Whether you’re climbing the ladder, leading a team, or just need a dose of bold inspiration, this panel is for you. Come ready to listen, laugh, and leave feeling empowered.
Panelists
Born in Jackson, MS, Dixon was largely raised in North Las Vegas and grew up with little means but an abundance of ambition. As a youth, she faced limited opportunity and poverty, but eventually triumphed over tragedy. She credits her involvement with founding philanthropic community projects at the time with paving the way for her various endeavors later on, such as the Sister2Sister Connection and Men of Tomorrow programs at her non-profit Center for Life Enhancement. These were some of the first mentoring and enrichment initiatives she created to support children and teens in at-risk neighborhoods – all of which she created while earning her associate degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix in 2010.
In 2015, Dixon set out to achieve two other longtime dreams: open her own business, the Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas and become a certified, licensed cosmetologist. To date, over 1000 of cosmetology students have graduated from the Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas with 97% bring licensed and working in their field.
The Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas received national accreditation in 2019 and was named Small Business of the Year by the Urban Chamber of Commerce. In October of 2021 CILV was featured on the Today Show online with a story featuring the school’s annual Wig-a-thon event, a community service initiative put on by CILV students in support of the fight against breast cancer
In 2020, Dixon published her first book, Poverty Costs More Than You Think, highlighting how she went from “welfare to wealth” and overcame personal struggles and adversity as a young woman.
Dixon has acquired/racked up a host of accolades and appearances in the past decade, including segments on NBC News 3 Las Vegas and winning the 2016 Fox 5 Shining Star Award. She has been profiled in Las Vegas Woman Magazine and graced the cover of MyVegas Magazine for her achievement as one of 2020’s Top 100 Women of Las Vegas, as well as Las Vegas Black Image Magazine.
Dixon is also an advocate for ongoing education. In addition to her associate degree and cosmetology license, In 2021 Dixon expanded her knowledge into the medical genre of hair and scalp to become a Certified Trichologist through US Trichology Institute. Soon after she opened Dixon Hair Therapy Studio offering hair restoration services. With a strong passion for hair restoration, Dixon formulated her own product line with a Nigerian Chemist and GrowScriptions Hair Therapy System was created. This product line includes a complete system for hair restoration and has given proven results to client and will officially launch in the spring of 2025.
The multifaceted socialpreneur decided to combine all of her endeavors in 2023 and that is where Denise D Enterprises, LLC (a holdings company) was formed.
Denise D Enterprises, LLC is a dynamic holdings company committed to creating a legacy of wealth, abundance, and opportunities. With a diverse portfolio of ventures spanning, education, beauty, wellness, philanthropy and real estate.
In her free time, Dixon enjoys spending time with her five children. Since 2018, she has served as President and vice-president of the Las Vegas Zeta Amicae auxiliary under the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. This Auxiliary is for non-degreed professional women who provide support to the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, community service, and scholarship.
Cathy Jones, CPA, SIOR, CCIM joined LOGIC Commercial Real Estate in 2023 as an Executive Vice President, along with her Investment Services Group (ISG) team from Sun Commercial Real Estate, Inc. Ms. Jones and her team add an extensive history of investment sales to the robust LOGIC platform. ISG will continue to focus on investment sales, financial oversight of real estate and investment holdings, real estate market analysis, contract negotiations, and business development.
She began her career at Deloitte and earned her public accounting certification in 1984 before moving to the Nevada Title Company family of companies, where she became Chief Financial Officer and led the establishment of Westcor Land Title Insurance Company. In 2003, Ms. Jones shifted her focus to commercial real estate brokerage and formed Sun Commercial Real Estate, Inc. in 2006, which has since closed over $2 billion in commercial sales transactions.
Ms. Jones currently serves as the SIOR Treasurer for both SIOR Global and the local Southern Nevada Chapter. Ms. Jones also achieved her SIOR Designation in 2016. She has served as President and Treasurer of the Southern Nevada Chapter of CCIM and achieved her designation as a CCIM, Certified Commercial Investment Manager, in 2005. She served as a Community Board Director for Wells Fargo Bank in Nevada from 1997 to 2019. She was elected to the Board of Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance in 2017. She served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Southern Nevada for past 30+ years, with positions including Treasurer, Chairman of the Board and Trustee. Ms. Jones is a 1994 graduate of Leadership Las Vegas and has served on the Advisory Board of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ohio State University and enjoys golf, side-by-side rock-crawling, hiking, and supporting her favorite sports teams, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Detroit Lions.
As PNC’s first-ever Nevada regional president and head of Commercial Banking, Suddeth will bring the bank’s Main Street banking model to Nevada, a model that is focused on deploying its market-leading products and services, and philanthropic support, to local customers and communities. It’s a role that facilitates the bank’s local approach to doing business.
“PNC’s Main Street banking model is designed so that our local executives have deep knowledge and understanding of the markets in which they are located to make decisions that are best suited to the unique realities of their communities,” PNC Office of the Regional Presidents Territory Executive for the West Laura MacNeil said. “With Denette, our clients and communities not only get the benefit of a leader with 25 years of extensive banking experience, but also somebody who has spent those 25 years in Nevada and is attuned to its characteristics and needs, whether they are business or philanthropic.”
In her role as regional president, Suddeth also will have direct oversight for business development, building and maintaining client relationships and leading philanthropic initiatives in support of Nevada communities. In addition, she has been dually appointed as head of Commercial Banking for PNC, with responsibility for capitalizing on Nevada’s myriad business opportunities among businesses and organizations with annual revenues between $5 million and $50 million.
“PNC has a great opportunity to build and grow our presence in Nevada, and we expect Denette will make an immediate impact on our efforts,” said Brad Parker, Commercial Banking West Region executive for PNC. “The state is the nation’s fifth-fastest-growing with a strong track record of job growth and business attraction, and a long-time Nevadan like Denette with an established record of business development activity, is a win-win for PNC and Nevada.”
Suddeth most recently served as CEO of Suddeth Inc., an executive coaching and business development firm that she founded following more than two decades in banking, including local market and regional leadership roles with nationally known financial institutions. Suddeth also has served her Nevada community extensively, with non-profit board service across the spectrum and chairmanship of boards, including United Way and Junior Achievement, both of Southern Nevada.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at University of Nevada Las Vegas and is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential holder from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a Certified Executive Coach, a Certified GENOS Practitioner in Emotional Intelligence, and is certified by Profiles International for Personality Profile Assessments.
As the Executive Vice President and Shareholder at Cragin & Pike, Dulcinea Rongavilla leverages over 25 years of executive leadership experience to create meaningful impact in both the insurance marketplace and the broader community. Dulcinea’s remarkable impact is not only evident in her strategic contributions to Cragin & Pike but also in her dedicated efforts to enhance the well-being of the communities she serves.
With a unique ability to unite team members, Dulcinea fosters a collaborative environment where each individual feels valued and inspired to achieve their highest potential. Her focus on building relationships is paramount, and this commitment is reflected in the exceptional customer service provided by Cragin & Pike. Dulcinea’s approach is solutions-based, characterized by responsiveness, transparency, and a diverse array of options that deliver exceptional value to clients.
During her tenure from 2010 to 2013 as the President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, Dulcinea demonstrated her exceptional leadership by overseeing a $5 million operating budget. She successfully led a team of nearly 100 employees and collaborated with a board of 28 members, demonstrating her ability to navigate complex organizational structures and challenges.
Dulcinea’s dedication to the Las Vegas community extends beyond her professional role. She actively contributes to various impactful boards and foundations, including the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, United Way of Southern Nevada, The Neon Museum (Past Chair), Leadership Foundation of Las Vegas, and Vegas Chamber’s Executive Women’s Council (Immediate Past Chair). Her commitment to these organizations reflects her passion for bringing unity and positive change to the community.
A proud graduate of The University of Arizona, Dulcinea relocated to Las Vegas in 2005. She currently resides in Summerlin with her husband, son, and their two dogs. Dulcinea’s multifaceted experience, combined with her genuine commitment to service, positions her as a leader who not only understands the intricacies of the insurance industry but also actively works towards enhancing the well-being of her clients and the community.