Every Leader Starts Somewhere.

At today’s podcast taping, I witnessed something quietly powerful:
A moment between Gerri Schroder, Chief of Staff for the Mayor of the City of Las Vegas, and her daughter Ashton.
As Mayor Berkley praised Gerri’s service — from elected office to leadership in City Hall — Ashton’s eyes lit up. She beamed, she hugged her mom. And for a moment, the room softened.
Later, I asked if I could capture a few frames of the two of them together. A quick portrait turned into a memory.
Ashton recently found her first role as a teacher assistant through EmployNV. Gerri, not just a leader but a mother, helped map a vision for Ashton’s future — from early jobs to executive pathways.
As a mom of one daughter who’s entering high school next year, I think often about what her career roadmap might look like. I try my best to support her now, knowing how important it is to prepare for the long life ahead.
This is why I photograph leaders — not just for what they do, but for the ripple effects they create in their families, their teams, and their cities.
Thank you Gerri and Ashton for letting me witness and preserve this moment.