Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/84122
TRAILBLAZERS F Renee West Just call Renee West "Mrs. President." In 2005, the president and COO of Luxor Las Vegas and Excalibur Hotel Casino Las Vegas became the very first female president of a major Strip resort. While many other women executives on the Strip say they look up to her for paving the way in the ruthless male-dominated hospitality field, she says she was back and said, 'How am I going to maneuver this?'" she says. "But after I got the job, I did feel a certain pressure to create the right impression of how women lead." This fall she is focusing on Public House, Luxor's new gastropub, and Jabbawockeez' upcoming spring debut. Sienna dress, Elie Tahari ($398). The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-732-2454; elietahari.com. 18k-gold classic 38mm quartz watch with diamonds, David Yurman ($35,000). The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-794-4545; davidyurman.com. Earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane ($75). Saks Fifth Avenue, Fashion Show, 702-733-8300; saks.com Mary Giuliano Mary Giuliano, general manager of CityCenter's Vdara Hotel & Spa, was practically born to be a hotel executive on the Strip. "Being female never stopped me from wanting to move up on the hotel path," she says. "Growing up in Las Vegas with both parents working in the casino industry, Culinary veteran Susan Wolfla put in five years at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino before receiving her prominent title. "I knew that I would be the first executive chef on the Strip, but I didn't really think of myself in that way or know how important it would be to other people," says I never thought that it was one-sided." Vdara is a Wolfla, who now oversees a workforce that is 70 nongaming boutique hotel with no nightclub or music venue, so Giuliano focuses on promoting amenities such as its spa, which was recognized as the first Las Vegas spa in the Green Spa Network. "It is a very intimate setting," she says, "a holistic experience." Blazer ($259) and skirt ($345), Hugo. Hugo Boss, The Venetian, 702-836-0940; hugoboss.com. Diamond and gold Huggie earrings ($20,900) and Moonlight ring ($15,700), Kwiat. The Palazzo, 702-650-2680; kwiat.com. Watch, TW Steel ($725). Nordstrom, Fashion Show, 702-862-2525; nordstrom.com. Begonia pin, Alexis Bittar ($495). alexisbittar.com Python-print dress, Roberto Cavalli ($1,295). Crystals, CityCenter, 702-736-7300; roberto cavalli.com. 18k-gold classic 38mm quartz watch, David Yurman ($32,000). The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-794-4545; davidyurman.com. Pyramid earrings, Alexis Bittar ($295). alexisbittar.com percent male. Wolfla has since created a healthy employee dining room initiative, EMALE STARS OF MALE-DOMINATED FIELDS. Debra Nutton Don't let the 5-foot 2-inch frame of petite Debra Nutton fool you—she's a shark when it comes to Vegas's ruthless gaming industry. This tiny powerhouse started in 1979 as a craps dealer— one of the first women to do so—before becoming one of the first female pit boss managers at The never aiming to break the glass ceiling. "I never sat Mirage Hotel & Casino. "All the dealers hated me and called me names," she says. "It never stopped me." Now senior VP of casino operations and casino marketing at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Nutton oversees all of its gaming, from table games to the sportsbook. Rendezvous dress, Diane von Furstenberg ($398). The Shoppes at The Palazzo, 702-818-2294; dvf.com. Fidelity hoop earrings ($11,100), bracelets ($15,900), and lotus ring ($19,500), Kwiat. The Palazzo, 702-650-2680; kwiat.com Susan Wolfla Jim's Plate. Next year will be huge: "We are reconcepting THEhotel with Morgans Hotel Group to be the Delano Las Vegas," she says. "And then doing three restaurants with them." 102 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM