This marks our second year running the 40 Over 40 Project, featuring 40 incredible women in the Reno community. When we started this project in 2022, I didn’t know exactly where it would lead. I knew I wanted women over 40 to feel beautiful and empowered and to have the chance to experience a portrait session just for them. Very quickly, this project transformed into something so much greater.
Adrienne Renwick
Trying to succinctly define oneself is no easy task! While there are many roles I take on in life, the ones that bring me the most joy and purpose are as a mom, partner, and educator. I'm also a bit of a wanderer with a deep passion for soaking up new cultures and experiences.
I’ve spent the bulk of my career as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Alcohol Drug Counselor, and more recently earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Oregon State University. I currently hold a position as a Teaching Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno for the School of Public Health and the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention (CASAT).
I specialize in helping folks through trauma, addiction, domestic violence, and all the unique challenges kids and teens face. One thing I'm really proud of is my knack for building partnerships. I've always believed in the power of collaboration to make a real difference in mental health support across our Northern Nevada communities.
Outside of work, chances are I'm either exploring a new destination or curled up with a good book, always eager to learn something new.
Ann Silver
I'm a transplanted New Yorker who has long considered Reno my home despite the often-asked question, "What are you doing here?" There's no better place for stargazing, hiking, reading outside on a summer day, walking miles with my golden retriever, or engaging in the business of running the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce.
Gilley, the retriever, joins me in the office on Fridays and rarely complains. I'm fortunate to be surrounded by colleagues and teammates who want to ensure our businesses succeed and our quality of life improves, not just for ourselves, but for the many who face a multitude of challenges on a regular basis. Demonstrating grace and gratitude are essential for a balanced life and I've managed to figure out that active listening, reflecting on what's being said, and being a compassionate leader have guided me on my professional journey. My devotion to my family knows no bounds. I thank them all for their love, strength, wit, and wisdom.
Leslie Hasvold
My knee-jerk statement is that I have had a charmed life. I was adopted into a wonderful family as a toddler, my youth was full of vacations, lessons, electronics, wonderful experiences, and anything I wanted. As an adult, I landed in a career that I love and have become successful in.
But I spent my high school years with a mother who was sick with cancer, losing her when I was 19. When I was 37 my father passed away after an accident. When I was in my 40s, I spent too many years in an unhealthy relationship.
However, losing my mother forced me into a bias of independence and self-sufficiency that I am wildly proud of.
Coming out of a terrible relationship, I elected to do speaking and crisis call line support for a domestic violence resource center. It became almost an obsession for me to make sure people understood that DV can touch those of us who might not be traditionally suspected to be vulnerable to it. You truly don't know who is suffering behind closed doors. I had no idea until it was me.
Patricia Morataya
Born into adversity in El Salvador, my early years unfolded with my mother's departure at the tender age of 6. Left in the care of my grandmother, I witnessed the harsh realities of the Salvadoran Civil War, where gunshots and the constant presence of military forces became an eerie backdrop to my everyday life.
Tragically, my struggles extended beyond the war-torn landscape. I faced unimaginable pain at the hands of family members. These traumatic experiences shaped my understanding of the world, casting shadows over my formative years. Living without electricity until I was 8 or 9 and hauling water from a nearby pump for daily needs became a testament to resilience. But the hardships laid the foundation for the strength that would carry me through future challenges.
At 15, my cousin, grandmother, and I embarked on a treacherous journey to the United States. Crossing three borders, riding in-motion cargo trains, navigating rivers, and walking through the desert in the dead of night with limited visibility, the month-long odyssey was just another test of endurance.
Looking back, standing beside a husband I adore and my two children, Joshua and Nykollette, I feel blessed to have overcome the unimaginable.
