What We Do
What does our leadership team do?
Our passionate, mission-driven leadership team dream big, and have stellar credentials and experience. The common binding thread is their commitment to social change, equality, and creating a better world. They are also all committed volunteers who do this on top of their professional job(s).
Why leadership team, and not board?
"Leaders create leaders, and not followers." - Kristen Noel
We believe everybody has the potential to become a great leader and we want to foster that growth.
Join Our Leadership Team
Our leadership team is always evolving and growing to meet the needs of our diverse community in Southern Nevada. We want leaders who can inspire our community and drive people to stay motivated and work together to create positive change.
Let us know what change you want to see! Let's create that change together!
SNAPIQS Current Leadership Team
Matt Dang
Chair, Founding Member
Matthew Dang is a API, queer, elementary educator in Las Vegas Nevada. He has lived in Southern California, Rhode Island, and Illinois. Through SNAPIQS he hopes to create a more vibrant queer community in Vegas that can be activated to get the city and state to be even more equitable, diverse, and inclusive. You can find him at some parks social distancing and catching some pokemon, playing board games virtually, or singing karaoke songs in his room.
Contact me at: snapiqs@gmail.com
Ronnie Escorpiso Jr.
Co-Chair
Born and raised in Stockton California, Ronnie is an upbeat and positive individual who always looks at the cup half full! Ronnie graduated college in 2016 with his Bachelors of Arts- Communications/PR degree. He has lived in California for the majority of his life and only recently moved to Las Vegas to explore a brand new environment. He currently works in the technology field and aspires to work as an Operations Manager for tech. In his downtime; he enjoys listening to EDM music, going to raves, playing video games, and exploring local food shops. He also has a passion for volunteer work, getting involved in the local community, and watching Korean dramas on Netflix!
Contact me at cochair.snapiqs@gmail.com
Preston
Public Relations, Founding Member
Preston, known as a "champion of the people," also known as GxPresto, has worked in the HIV field since 2011. Preston received his Bachelor in Social Work from San Diego State University where he began his career working with the men who have sex with men (MSM) population. Preston has since expanded his work to include all at-risk populations instituting high impact prevention interventions locally and internationally. In 2019, Preston obtained his Master's in Public Health from the University of Nevada, Reno. He currently serves as SNAPIQS Public Relations Chair. He is also a Group Fitness Instructor for U-Jam Fitness, an international fitness presenter, and Life-Long Learner.
Contact me at: snapiqs@gmail.com
Marketing Lead
We are looking for you to fill this position!
Contact me at: snapiqs@gmail.com
Rhaven Baldoz
Membership Chair
Rhaven identifies as the Ultimate Extrovert Gay Filipino/American. He was originally born in Northern California & moved out to Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of three years old. He has a passion for meeting new people & engaging everyone together when it comes to social activities or events. He’s the type of person that leaves you energized and gives welcome air hugs, or maybe sometimes Virtual Hugs! He enjoys talking to Friends & Family about anything. As a Membership Chair, Rhaven’s goal is to recruit a diverse population, including people from different ethnic backgrounds. Don’t be afraid & JOIN NOW! We are all In this Together!
Contact me at: membership.snapiqs@gmail.com
Mark Evaristo
Membership Co-Chair
Mark, is identified as a Filipino/Asian American who is an outgoing, friendly, talkative person. He was originally born in the Philippines but immigrated to the United States in 2001 as a little kid to fulfill his dreams of continuing school life up to higher education. Mark obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Mark realized his true passion for Marketings, Management, Entrepreneurship, and Information Technology. He currently serves as SNAPIQS Co-Membership Chair. You can find him at some rave event music festivals such as EDC, trade show conventions, virtual karaoke, dining out in Chinatown, and shopping. Mark loves to help those that need help and support.
Contact me at: membership.snapiqs@gmail.com
Judy Nalos
Volunteer Coordinator
Judy was born and raised in Hawai’i and moved out to Las Vegas in 2015 to attend college to become a nurse. She recently graduated from UNLV in 2019 and is now working as a Registered Nurse. Judy became a dancer at a young age and credits her dance career as a big part of who she is today. With dance not being limited to age, sex, race, or gender, dance has given Judy exposure to the LGBTQ+ community at a very young age and she has been an ally ever since. She was formally in an organization that she started with her best friends in high school called Gay-Straight Alliance Club, and was part of the leading organization named GSA Hawai’i. She had the role of spreading awareness, providing a safe environment, and planning events for the LGBTQ+ community in Hawai’i, and she hopes to do the same for SNAPIQS as the Volunteer Coordinator!
Contact me at: snapiqs@gmail.com
Carlo Miciano
Community Liaison
Carlo is a Vegas local in the queer, API community. He earned his Bachelors in the Science of Nursing at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and has a passion for public health and social issues. His life goals include traveling the world, trying new foods, and advancing in his career by getting his Masters in Nursing Education to better train future nurses in their nursing practice. As a SNAPIQS board member, he seeks to carry out the organizations' mission and foster healthy relationships with the various LGBTQIA+ and Asian-Pacific Islander organizations in the Las Vegas Valley and nationwide.
Contact me at: community.snapiqs@gmail.com
Drew
Member at Large - Finance, Founding Member
Drew is a Hapa from Dallas, Texas who moved to Las Vegas in 2016. He has a passion for creating a space to meet other LGBQT+ professionals, and also doesn’t mind getting into the details. Being in the Construction industry since 2011, traveling has not only been a job for Drew, but also a hobby. You’ll see him singing karaoke at home, on a hiking trail, or at the gym. Ask him about his quarantine hobby, and he’ll tell you all about his newest plant!
Kangcheng Yin
Member at Large
Kangcheng Yin is the owner of the Massage App, and Kuma Health Club in Las Vegas. Kang was born and raised in the Northwestern region of China, moved to the United States to pursue higher education. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in geology from Missouri University of Science and Technology, Kang realized his true passion for hospitality business and entrepreneurship. He then graduated from UNLV with M.B.A. and M.S. in Hospitality Administration. Kang serves as the Treasurer for the LGBT Center of Southern Nevada Board and a Member at large for SNAPQIS. Kang has dedicated his life to chasing his WHYs and being an advocate for others. He believes that we, as a society, can do so much more for our community and help all those who are in need.
SNAPIQS Leadership Immortals
SNAPIQS couldn't do our great work without their leadership, guidance, and more. We recognize the achievements of SNAPIQS Leadership Immortals for their many contributions to building our history.
John Ericson - Chair, Founding Members
2019-2020
John identifies as a Filipinx who moved to Vegas with a vision in bringing the API Queer/LGBT community together through workshops, activities and events that highlight our individual cultures and identities. He has lived in Phoenix, New Orleans and now Las Vegas. His background is in public health and health promotion. He loves photography especially when he goes backpacking, camping and hiking. You can find him aquascaping or karaoking at home.
Brian McClure - Events Coordinator, Founding Member
2019 - 2020
Brian identifies as a gay Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) man and a Chinese adoptee. He moved to Nevada from Ohio to pursue a career in teaching. He is currently the event coordinator with SNAPIQS and hopes to create a brave and challenging space for queer APIDA folx. Through mutual support and discussion, we can gain better insight into our own identities and begin the work to break down systemic barriers. In his free time, he enjoys exploring Las Vegas and it’s nearly limitless food options. If you have any suggestions let him know!
Daniel Nero - Marketing Lead, Founding Members
2019 - 2020
Daniel is an Alaska-to-Nevada transplant with a background in secondary education and student affairs programming. He teaches English at a Title I high school and remotely interns for the Bulosan Center at University of California Davis. His natural habitats are the following: the library (for a stack of books), the mountains (to get some fresh air and sunshine), and the kitchen (to make and eat food).
June Santos - Membership Lead
2019 - 2020
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