Enhancing Global Understanding
With passion, intellect, insight, experience, and years of experience. World Affairs Council of Las Vegas is proud to introduce
our Board Members to you.
Ira Roberts: President
Ira is the current President of the World Affairs Council of Las Vegas. Ira is currently serving as the Director of the Global Security Operations Center for MGM Resorts International (MGMRI). This includes oversight for the 24/7 MGMRI operations center, the Emergency Management Program, Strategic Intelligence Program, and Security Systems Program. Previously, Ira served as an Army Intelligence Officer and later as an Intelligence Analyst with the Defense Intelligence Agency. Ira served as a liaison for foreign military officers and previously served as a board member in North Carolina for the International Council.
Dijana Mitrovic: Vice President
Dijana Mitrovic, International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Las Vegas, leverages two decades of global experience across government and private sectors in Slovenia, Serbia, and the UAE. As a business entrepreneur and mentor in the Global Women in Tech Mentorship Network, Dijana served as the SBA State Trade Expansion Program Director at the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development. She is actively engaged in her community as a member of the Vegas Chamber’s Executive Women’s Council, Nevada District Export Council, and The Association of Women in International Trade. Dijana sits on the boards of the World Affairs Councils of Las Vegas, Biz Assembly, and The Women of Global Change. An alumna of Arizona State University - Thunderbird Executive Education in Global Trade Development, she is a guest teacher at the Clark County School District. Dijana's international career commenced at the Ministry of Finance and Customs Agency in Serbia, leading projects with the European Commission, World Customs Administration, and World Trade Organization.
Astra Michels: Treasurer
Astra is the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Nevada and also serves on the Board of the World Affairs Council Las Vegas and the Advisory Board of the International Business Program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Before moving to Las Vegas, her former positions include Fund Manager of Fondo Capital de Inversiones (FOCAP), an equity fund investing in private businesses in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico; co-partner of Isis Group in Washington D.C., a consulting company focusing on women's businesses in the emerging markets; the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. Astra is a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service (BSFS) and the School of Business (MS). She is also a graduate of the Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School.
Natalie Brown: Board Member
Natalie Brown, a passionate advocate for workforce development and educational access, has dedicated over 20 years to higher education at community colleges and public universities in areas such as academic advisement, international student services, recruitment, and financial aid. As the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Community Colleges with the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), she drives initiatives to create sustainable workforce pipelines and expand opportunities for underserved populations. Natalie actively contributes to the Nevada District Export Council, promoting international trade and economic growth. Currently, she is pursuing an MBA at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to further enhance her expertise in workforce development strategies. With her experience, diverse skill set, and unwavering commitment to education and workforce equity, Natalie is dedicated to making a lasting impact on Nevada's communities and economy.
Stacy Standley: Board Member
Stacy Standley is the retired managing director of InnerAsia Consulting Group- India. Presently, Chairman of UNLV International Business Executive Advisory Board. Mr. Standley was the director of the WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature) Living Planet Campaign at the international Secretariat in Switzerland. Mr. Standley served three terms as Mayor of Aspen, Colorado, and holds a B.S. in business and an M.S. in business from the University of Colorado. He resides with his wife Chand-Sikand in New Delhi and Las Vegas.
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Mijung Lombardi: Board Member
Mijung Lombardi is a lifelong banker, who opened multiple banks in Denver and held a president position for a community bank in Arizona for 4 years before moving to Las Vegas. Mijung was born and educated in Seoul, Korea. Majority of career in banking of more than 3 decades was in a leadership role in Denver, CO., Arizona and currently with GBank, a Las Vegas bank, in commercial banking and finance. Active in multiple organizations including Las Vegas WON Rotary, NAIOP, CCIM, Asian Chamber, Vegas Chamber, and Henderson Chamber. Volunteer as Career Coach for Dress for Success, a member of Strategic Partner for Vegas Meets Dubai, and served on the Advisory Board for Univ. of CA, Irvine in Continuing Education Div. and an advisor for K-Magazine/Las Vegas as well as serving as an ambassador for Las Vegas Host Committee, working with major sports community.
Rudy Pamintuan: Board Member
Rudy Pamintuan is the Managing Director of Sherman Worldwide where he leads the day-to-day efforts of the firm, its business units, and all client initiatives – developing, creating, and managing projects while overseeing the firm’s efforts. Sherman Worldwide provides clients with advisory and professional services in the areas of international affairs, blockchain technology, trade, real estate, and security.
Joseph Campos: Board Member
Joseph is the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea in Las Vegas and also serves as Dean of the Nevada Consular Corps. Additionally, he serves on the World Affairs Council—Las Vegas Board and is a Senior Advisor for Korea-based Seoul National University’s GRC (Global Research Center). Joseph has spent the past 35 years serving as a project finance advisor on a variety of infrastructure projects in Asia, Latin America and the United States in the following sectors: Water, renewable energy, transportation and, more recently, digital infrastructure. Joseph is a graduate of Washington, D.C.-based American University School of International Service (International Relations and Economics) He also attended the U.S. Foreign Service Institute’s Labor and Foreign Affairs Training Program.
Hera Armenian: Board Member
Hera Armenian is an attorney primarily practicing in the areas of real estate, business, personal injury, and family law. Hera earned her degree in Real Estate Finance from UNLV during which time she assisted with commercial property management for Vegas Valley Commercial, a local family-owned commercial property management firm. After earning a degree in Real Estate Finance from UNLV, Ms. Armenian attended law school in Michigan at Thomas M. Cooley. As co-Chair of Nevada's chapter of the Armenian National Committee of America, she meets with elected officials about humanitarian issues affecting American-Armenians both at home and abroad, and has vetted candidates for potential endorsements to ensure their track record on international human rights is consistent with the principle that no one should be endangered due to their faith.
Carol P. Fimmen: Board Member
Ms. Fimmen serves as the Chief International Officer and the Director of International Programs at the College of Southern Nevada. In this role, she leads the college’s internationalization efforts, overseeing areas such as developing acomprehensive international agenda, enhancing the curriculum with global perspectives, and supporting faculty development initiatives. She will also be responsible for fostering partnerships with international institutions, organizations, and governments. Other duties include the oversight of study-abroad opportunities, facilitating student and faculty exchanges, and developing workforce training programs tailored to meet the needs of international partners Ms. Fimmen has served on numerous international organizations and boards and has been a consultant for institutions such as the Asian Development Bank Institute, the US Department of Education, the American Council on Education, Partners of the Americas, and the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration to name a few.
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