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
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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.
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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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