Leading With Purpose - Marilyn Moran (November 2023)

FEATURING

SOCIAL IMPACT JOURNAL SPOTLIGHTING THOSE UPLIFTING THE HUMAN SPIRIT

MARILYN MORAN VICE CHAIR OF THE WESTCARE NEVADA COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL

NOVEMBER 2023

FEATURE

A Picture from the Past: Las Vegas in 1950.

LEADING WITH PURPOSE

3

53 Years of Marriage: Marilyn and her husband, John Moran.

A Current Look: Las Vegas in 2023.

Marilyn grew up in Twin Lakes, Las Vegas, before moving to Pinto Lane at the age of 12, where her family built a new home. Like many in the area at the time, her childhood was spent riding horses in the desert, going to the local swimming pool, and walking to every local store and restaurant with her siblings, Helen and Janie. As she got older, her interest in her parents’ community activities grew,

Where it Started: Jean and Herb Tobman.

along with her involvement in their work, and she would eventually follow in their footsteps.

It is because of her parents’ contributions to the Las Vegas community and their help in creating WestCare Nevada, that she so values paying it forward. “I am all about giving back to my community and others. That is my mantra in life,” Marilyn shared.

Her family played a pivotal role in the commitment Marilyn made to WestCare.

A Trustworthy Duo: Marilyn and Richard Steinburg, President of WestCare, at the Women & Children’s Campus (WCC) in 2013.

Marilyn reflected, “Many years ago, around 40 years or so, my parents met a handsome man by the name of Dick Steinberg. He told my

father

what

he

was

doing

with

WestCare and that he needed a little community help.” Utilizing their connections and influence in the Las Vegas community, the Tobman family became a great advocate for WestCare Nevada.

Community Connections: Mayor Carolyn Goodman visiting the WCC with Marilyn answering questions in 2019.

MARILYN MORAN

4

“At that time, WestCare was very small.

Las Vegas was a small community that was addressing substance abuse at a time when discussing substance abuse was not very popular,” Marilyn reflected. It was because of the negative stigma surrounding substance use at the time that it became so important

to

spread

the

word

about

WestCare and its work to prevent and treat substance use in the city of lights and beyond. In an effort to help, Jean and Herb joined the WestCare Board of Directors, serving as connectors to the Las Vegas community.

Accepting a Generous Donation: Marilyn, her son, Andrew, and her niece, Mia, accepting a $15,000 donation from Play Studios in 2022.

Marilyn’s journey to WestCare was inevitable.

“I joined WestCare because it was a family tradition. My parents were both on the original board, and my mother was on the WestCare

Foundation

board.

So,

I

eventually just moved into my mother's spot, and I started going with my mother to different events and meetings,” she shared. Now, Marilyn serves on both the State and National WestCare Boards as the Vice Chair of WestCare Nevada’s Community Action Council (CAC) and is a member of WestCare’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, giving her counsel as a JewishAmerican woman.

Raising the Next Generation: In 2022, Marilyn looking over her son during a presentation of The Village at the WCC plan for possible bidders.

A Congressman’s Visit: In 2023, the WestCare team and Marilyn showed Nevada Congressman Steven Horsford around the Women and Children’s Campus in Las Vegas.

Marilyn has established herself as a prominent

When asked what Uplifting the Human

advocate for Nevada and WestCare, boasting a

Spirit meant to her, she answered, “It’s

wealth of experience in community service. Her

giving these women and children a safe

noteworthy achievements include over ten years

and encouraging environment to show

to the City Planning Commission by Mayoral

them that recovery is possible. That

Appointment, and she is dedicated in her service

they can take care of themselves and

as the Vice Chair of the CAC. In this role, she

their children.”

actively cultivates

promotes

community

collaborative

awareness, and

For Marilyn, it’s always been about serving

contributes to the generation of innovative ideas

as many people in as many ways as

for effectively assisting individuals in need.

possible. For the past ten years, she has

Marilyn shared, “Look for people within the

been involved in creating a new facility for

community who are influential and who can

transitional living, called The Village. She

open doors... and you want to find younger

and the WestCare Nevada team recognized

individuals who can and want to follow your

that there was a need to create a local

mission. They can do more in the future, and

“village“ or ”community”, a place where

they understand how to utilize social media

women could be surrounded by others

for

that

enhanced

environments,

community

outreach

and

services.“

understood

their

struggles

and

hardships. A safe place that gave them more time to get back on their feet, find

One of her great hopes is that her work will help

jobs, get their children back, or anything

pave the way for success across WestCare.

else - something that doesn’t currently

Before officially joining the board, Marilyn, with

exist on such a large scale in Nevada.

her long-time friends, were helping WestCare

“Transitional living became a hot button

plan women’s social events at the WestCare

in the world. Many of the rehabs in

Women & Children’s Campus in Las Vegas. It was

Nevada have clinical and transitional

through these experiences serving the women

services, but all they have is one or two

and children of this campus that this project

beds. They don't have a village like we

really carved a special place into her heart.

want to build. We'll build a community

Marilyn shared, “That‘s when I remember

for all these women, a place where they

really getting involved in transitional living

can all get together and talk about

with the women and children. That's kind of

issues that are their issues. Things that

my little love at the moment. All of WestCare

are important to them.”

is my love, but that ismy real love.“

The Leaders of WestCare: All the WestCare board members pictured in 2023.

LEADING WITH PURPOSE

5

MARILYN MORAN

6

Marilyn has always been keenly aware of her capacity to positively impact others, and this serves as a constant motivation in everything she does, perpetually inspiring her to be a better leader. “I lead by example. I like to teach others, and I believe that is the best way to lead. To truly understand others, you have to honor everyone and must always be respectful. I’ve always told my children that when you walk into a room and start talking, you must look around you and see who is sitting there. Who is sitting in that room, and who may not have had Most Influential Women: Heather Engle and Marilyn at a photoshoot for the 2015 Vegas Magazine’s Most Influential Women article.

the life you have had? Who is not that lucky?” To Marilyn, some of the best leaders are the ones with lived-experience. When asked what she believes is the best thing about

Grateful for the opportunity to be a mentor,

WestCare, Marilyn shared, “When they have

Marilyn is passionate about guiding and

people

supporting others, yet she remains mindful

working

within

WestCare

from

around the world that have been through

that

the program.“

experiences, nor do this on her own. As a

she

cannot

fully

understand

their

result, she deeply cherishes individuals who It Takes A Village: The WestCare Nevada team accepting a 2.5 million dollar check from Congressman Steven Horsford’s grant for The Village’s development in 2023.

work

within

WestCare

who

have

been

through the program themselves. “They have walked in the client‘s shoes, which helps them serve better. That’s why I am a big proponent of bringing people up the ladder.“ Marilyn shares, “A woman in the program later started volunteering. Next thing you know, she was an employee, and now the women respect her because she’s done what they’ve done. She is truly inspiring.”

Marilyn’s Heart in WestCare: The Women’s & Children’s Campus.

Jean Tobman with her daughters Marilyn, Helen, and Janie.

MOST PEOPLE ARE VERY FORTUNATE IN THE WORLD, AND THE ONES THAT AREN’T,

we need to uplift

THEIR HUMAN SPIRIT.

MARILYN MORAN

MARILYN MORAN

8

A Dream Interview: Marilyn interviewing her mentor Dr. Eugene Walker in 2023.

“My most influential teammates would be my group of friends, who I sometimes call my posse, that I have known for 65 years. They’ve helped me within WestCare and getting this transitional village off the ground. I would consider them my teammates and good friends.”

A Lucky Meeting: Nelson Mandela and young Marilyn pictured during their first meeting in Africa.

When she‘s not working with her teammates to Marilyn has spent her whole life surrounded by inspiring individuals who taught her valuable life lessons. When asked who were her life's most

influential

leaders,

mentors,

and

teammates, she answered, “For leaders, I think back to the time I was on the City Planning Commission and those that led us into big development in 1990‘s. I learned a lot from them and paid close attention.“ “For mentors, first would be my parents.

Second, I had the good fortune of meeting Nelson Mandela. I was in Africa at a reserve, and the friends I was with got a phone call saying they’d made arrangements for us to meet him. I would have to say that was the most

impressive

thing.

Lastly,

another

mentor of mine is Dr. Eugene Walker. I'm not a person that, you know, idolizes somebody. I really looked up to him, and I

support a worthy cause, helping clients at the Women & Children‘s campus, or joining a new committee at the request of Richard Steinberg, you will find Marilyn with her husband John, traveling and enjoying the great outdoors. John Moran, the local sheriff‘s son and Marilyn‘s high school

classmate,

is

just

as

much

a

philanthropist as his wife. He also served on the WestCare board and was the longest-serving Chairman of the Gaming Commission in Nevada state history. Before entering public service, he established the Moran Law Firm.

After purchasing her family home on Pinto Lane from her parents, Marilyn and John raised their children there. Together, Marilyn and John had four children and seven grandchildren. Within those cherished grounds, they tried to instill a commitment to public service and to pass on values that contribute to the greater good.

was lucky enough to be able to interview him. He was part of the reason that I joined the DEI committee. I would have to say that Mandela and Dr. Walker are on the same level with me as far as peacemakers.”

A Fulfilling Hobby: The fruits and jams of Marilyn’s favorite hobby, gardening.

The Posse: Marilyn, Nancy, and Janice.

Why Walk When You Can Ride: Marilyn and her long time friend Janice.

Raising her children the same way she was raised

is

one

of

her

biggest

areas

of

accomplishment. Marilyn measures success by witnessing

the

positive

outcomes

in

her

children's lives. “I’ve decided to look at each of my children and think, ‘How did they find success?’ because my successes are my children’s successes. My oldest son has followed in his father’s footsteps and is working with him now at a law firm. I have a daughter, a shining star, who works in the

Marilyn's life has been dedicated to serving

medical field as an anesthesiologist in

those in her community, excelling as an

Arizona. She is now doing medical teaching,

advocate for individuals in need, no matter

which is a great success because now she is

their past or present circumstances. She

giving back,” Marilyn shared.

consistently sets a standard of excellence for both her family and others, who often seek

“I had another son, Zachary, who sadly

her advice and draw upon her wealth of

passed away in a tragic accident two years

experience. Andrew Moran, her youngest

ago. He was really a generous guy, and he

son,

was very giving and caring. We never had

WestCare Foundation, shared his perspective,

one person say anything negative about

“I just think that she has the biggest heart

Zachary. His successes were the people in

and if you ever need help or anything, she

the community that he took care of - the

would be the first person to go to and a lot

underprivileged, the downtrodden, and the

of people that I've spoken to out in the

people who didn’t have much.” And, of

community are all her friends. She has

course, one of her children continues her

such a web of good friendships out there

family‘s legacy with WestCare. “And my last

in the community.“

success,

my

youngest

son

and

and

the

Development

Director

of

baby,

Andrew. I always hoped that one of my children

would

do

something

with

WestCare. It’s a give-back thing, and it feels good. Andrew has now been working with WestCare for over four years. It has been a great success because he could carry on what the family has started.”

Influential Leaders: Marilyn’s parents pictured with the former Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman.

LEADING WITH PURPOSE

9

THE BIGGEST HEART Marilyn and her family’s contributions to WestCare and the Las Vegas community will carry on for many years to come. With three generations

of

her

family

serving

her

community, she truly is a valued and trusted member within Nevada.

“The women and men that we serve could be anybody and they just had hard luck.

Something happened in their life that made them make poor choices and those poor choices are what led them to where they are today. So, we need to show them another life, another way to live, and to feel good about themselves.”

- Marilyn Moran Follow WestCare to stay connected to us around the world WestCare

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