Meet The Women Leading the Charge Behind Las Vegas’ First Super Bowl

By: Ryan Smolen
Super Bowl LVIII is on the horizon and will be the first of its kind in NFL and Las Vegas history. The Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee is spearheaded by 14 full time staff, eight of whom are women. These women are titans of their industries and are charged with powering the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Here’s their stories.

Myisha Boyce is the Chief Community Engagement Officer for the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee. In addition to leading the charge on all community engagement efforts for the committee, Myisha is the founding member and President of M.Y.S firm, a women and minority-owned professional services organization. She also serves on the Board of Directors for various organizations in Las Vegas, cementing her legacy across the valley. Myisha has lived in Las Vegas for over 17 years now and has witnessed the growth of this city firsthand. When asked about being part of the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Myisha said, “The first Super Bowl signals growth, diversification, and economic development for a region that was once crippled by the pandemic; these are things we can all celebrate. As a small business owner, I recognize that this opportunity has changed the trajectory of my business, with permanent impact to the lives of myself, my staff, and our families.” Myisha continues to lead by example through investing in those that give back to the community. When asked about her favorite memory, she said, “The culmination of smiles I’ve seen and unsuspecting gasps I’ve heard attached to business owners, charitable organizations, underserved populations, community leaders, and unsung heroes constantly replay in my mind.” One of Myisha’s main responsibilities is carrying out the NFL’s Super Bowl Surprise ticket giveaways. With the help of her team at M.Y.S. firm, Myisha works to identify deserving members of the community and recognize them for all that they have done by giving them tickets to Super Bowl LVIII.  When asked about this project specifically, Myisha pointed out the joy that comes from the recipients, “Being able to watch their faces light up with a coveted Super Bowl ticket, but maybe even more, the unexpected acknowledgment, is one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.” Myisha takes pride in ensuring that the impact of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas extends beyond the game. “I set a personal goal of ensuring that after Super Bowl LVIII passes, the Las Vegas community will be thrilled to hear about the Super Bowl returning.” When it comes down to Super Bowl week, Myisha is most excited about seeing Las Vegas and the NFL join forces like never before.

Jenny Bundschuh is the Vice President of Event and Venue Operations for the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee. Coming from the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority, Jenny has a rich background in the Las Vegas sports industry.  Now, she sits on the Host Committee for the first ever Super Bowl in Las Vegas. “I was lucky enough to be on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority team responsible for putting the bid together to host Super Bowl LVIII, and to see it come to fruition is everything to me.”  When asked about how the LVCVA helped prepare her for this moment, Jenny said, “I have taken the mindset of destination first and carried it over…as we prepare to host the best Super Bowl ever.” In her position, Jenny oversees and coordinates various events throughout the year to highlight Super Bowl LVIII and leave a lasting impact on the community. Despite sharing how difficult it is to highlight one event as her favorite, Jenny said, “I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Business Connect program and the NFL Green events that truly showcase how wonderful our community is!” Programs like Business Connect and NFL Green are just a small sample of the work being done in Las Vegas to leave a long-lasting legacy. When it comes to Super Bowl week, there will be events happening around the clock as the city continues to prep for the biggest game of the year. Jenny is looking forward to soaking up every minute and seeing the culmination of her team’s hard work. “We have put so much effort into making the first-ever Super Bowl in Las Vegas the best one yet, and seeing it come to fruition in every aspect is going to be amazing!”

Samantha Grimes is the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee. Prior to her position with the Host Committee, Samantha served as the Executive Director of Public Relations at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. She now leads the Host Committee efforts on both the marketing and communications fronts in preparation for Super Bowl LVIII. Samantha’s career has spanned the nightlife and hospitality industries and now she’s taking on the sports industry. When asked how her previous experience set her up for success in Las Vegas, Samantha said, “Skills that can apply to any role include: finding creative ways to capture your audience, tell your story, and maximize opportunities for partnership.” As the Chief Communications and Marketing officer, Samantha is tasked with helping tell the story of Las Vegas’ first Super Bowl. When asked about this responsibility, Samantha said, “With this being the first time Las Vegas is hosting a Super Bowl, we set out to accomplish three things from a storytelling standpoint – 1) There is no better place to host a Super Bowl than in Las Vegas, 2) Super Bowl LVIII will be more than a game as the NFL and Host Committee are committed to leaving a positive, lasting legacy on the community, and 3) the Las Vegas’ sports economy is rapidly growing and hosting the Super Bowl further cements its place as not only the entertainment capital of the world but the ultimate destination for sporting events.” Lastly, when asked about the most fulfilling part of her role, Samantha said, “Being able to tell the story of the city’s first Super Bowl and its impact through a variety of lenses. One day we’re highlighting a small business who is looking to land a Super Bowl contract, the next we’re highlighting a hotel executive’s travel and tourism projections, then later we’re awarding a deserving student with Super Bowl tickets, and so on. To get to work across so many industries and see first-hand how the Super Bowl is making positive impact on businesses, non-profits and individual lives is such a rewarding experience.”

Katie Rada is the Director of Events and Operations for the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee. Katie was born and raised in Las Vegas and is a proud graduate of UNLV. When asked about working on the first Super Bowl in her hometown’s history, Katie described it as a, “Pinch me moment!” After college, she interned with the Walt Disney Company before starting her career in the hospitality industry. Katie has more than ten years of experience in the hospitality industry, including experience at a five-diamond resort on the Las Vegas Strip. She has also worked on the opening of the Las Vegas Ballpark, the first year of the Las Vegas Raiders, and now the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas. “I am grateful to have these experiences and will always cherish them.  My involvement with these teams has taught me that this is the industry I am meant to be in.” Many view Las Vegas as the hospitality capital of the world and Katie has embraced this vision of the city in her work over the years. “Las Vegas is known for its unmatched guest service; no other city can compete. We strive to exceed expectations and to show off the destination at the highest standard.” When asked about what she is most looking forward to, Katie said, “I cannot wait to see all our planning come to life and watch our guests experience the spectacle firsthand. The Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee has taught me that the Super Bowl is so much more than just a football game.”

Salina Raymond is the Chief Creative Officer for the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee. Since 2007, Salina has worked in the creative space for entities such as MGM Grand and Cirque Du Soleil. She has also designed for multiple fortune 500 companies throughout her career. As the Chief Creative Officer of the Host Committee, Salina is responsible for ideating and establishing the visual brand of the organization. When asked about the process of bringing the brand to life, Salina said, “I picked a blue-violet color palette because purple represents royalty and Las Vegas is all about the experience of being royal and glamourous. The tagline “It’s Happening Here” is a fun twist on “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas.” Salina has created many designs for the Host Committee, but when asked about her favorite she pointed to one of her logos. “My favorite design at the committee has to be the blue violet logo in the middle with the blue helmet on the left and the purple helmet on the right with the blue-violet color tones on the football field in the middle.” She also shared how her work for the committee differs from her work in the past. “The work at the Host Committee has taught me a lot about leading a team of other designers. It’s given me a daily relationship with vendors. I have gained new knowledge about event planning and event set up.” When asked about Super Bowl week, Salina shared her excitement for, “Celebrating all the hard work with my team after the game.”

Gail Ream is the Vice President of Administrative Affairs at the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee. Gail has thrived in multiple industries including gaming, retail, technology, and now professional sports. Prior to her position with the Host Committee, Gail has shared her talents at Tesla, Aristocrat, and the Las Vegas Raiders. Coming from the Raiders, she has witnessed the undeniable excitement around Allegiant Stadium, “The excitement level for Allegiant to host the Super Bowl is off the charts!” Gail has a passion for helping others and making the world a better place through volunteering with various organizations across the valley. These include but are not limited to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Three Square Food Bank, and more. When asked about the impact of Super Bowl LVIII and what it means to this community, Gail said, “One of the most important things that attracted me and resonated within me was the community aspect and the commitment the NFL and the Host Committee has made to positively impact the lives of those in need through its Social Responsibility, Business Connect, Legacy and other cause initiatives.” After living in Las Vegas for over 15 years, Gail has seen the city evolve into the sports town it is today and now, she gets to be part of the historic Super Bowl LVIII. “It’s a chance of a lifetime and memorable journey for me to work on the first Super Bowl. This event is bringing the city together like nothing I’ve ever seen.”  Similarly to her colleagues, Gail looks forward to the entire Super Bowl week and seeing the reactions and excitement float across the city. “I look forward to seeing all the initiatives and plans come to life offering a unique and fun fan experience. My hope is that it will be one of the most historic moments ever for the city of Las Vegas and exceed everyone’s expectations.”

Richelle Rice leads the charge across social platforms for the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee as the Vice President of Social and Digital Marketing. She moved to Las Vegas in 2003 to cover crime for NBC News and is an Emmy-award-winning communications professional. She then utilized her expertise at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, where she launched the department’s social media channels. Richelle then spearheaded the creation of the social division at one of the largest PR firms in Southern Nevada. When asked about launching the social media campaign for Super Bowl LVIII, Richelle said, “Working on Las Vegas’ first Super Bowl is a remarkable privilege and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. It’s an opportunity to continue bringing people together through the power of sports, and by sharing stories through digital media. This experience will undoubtedly be one for the memory books, and I am honored to be a part of it.” Richelle has had the privilege of working on digital campaigns for many major brands. She shared how this responsibility is different. “What truly sets the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee’s social media presence apart from anything I’ve ever done is the unparalleled collaborative effort and the scale of the NFL and Super Bowl brands. The reach and impact of this event on social media are unparalleled.” When asked about the most rewarding part of her role, Richelle said, “My overall favorite thing to highlight has been showcasing the community impact of the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. It’s been incredible to show how this game, as Sam Joffray says, is happening for Las Vegas, not to Las Vegas.” For Richelle, there is a lot to look forward to when it comes to Super Bowl week. “I’m really looking forward to being a part of all of it, to contributing to the narrative of Las Vegas’ first Super Bowl week through social and witnessing how our city shines on the global stage.”

Brette Sadler is the Vice President of Development and Partnership Sales Activation at the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee. Brette comes from an extensive background in the sports industry. She started her career with the Florida Panthers before working for multiple sport entities in Atlanta. Most recently, Brette was with PRP, a sports management company with headlining names such as Shaquille O’Neal, Jayson Tatum, and more. She now spearheads the partnership activations for the Host Committee. When asked about working on the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Brette said, “The Super Bowl is so iconic and special. I have been incredibly lucky throughout my career to work on events of this magnitude, having the opportunity to not only work on a Super Bowl, but the first one in Las Vegas, might take the cake!” Her career inspired her to establish the WISE (Women in Sports and Events) Las Vegas Chapter. Brette shared what the responsibility of being a women in sports means to her, “Mentoring up-and-coming women in the industry is important to all of us, as we continue to grow and nurture talent. It’s an honor to be part of this historical event and to show other women, interested in a career in sports, that we continue pave the way.” When asked about what she’s most excited to experience during Super Bowl week, Brette said, “Seeing the fans arrive… so excited that their team is in this monumental game. Hearing them cheer, totally immersing themselves in the weekend and events! It’s the culmination of years, months, weeks, hours of hard work, late nights, physical labor and varying emotional moments.”
The week of Super Bowl LVIII has arrived, and the team continues to work behind the scenes to execute the best Super Bowl the NFL has ever seen; and these women will get the job done.