Niki Gladys

Executive Director of WNC Foundation

Niki Gladys sets the strategic direction for Western Nevada College in fundraising and special events, in alignment with the college’s mission and strategic goals. Along with her talented staff, April Flynt and Jordan Smoczyk, she assists President Solis and the WNC Foundation Board of Trustees in identifying college needs and priorities while providing leadership to the college Institutional Development Department. Planning and carrying out campus and community events, pursuing grant funding opportunities, managing the Foundation’s Scholarship program and assisting the President in generating revenue for students, programs and college communities are central to her role.

Gladys has served as the Executive Director of Institutional Development and the WNC Foundation since 2016. As a community leader, with over 25 years of professional experience, Gladys served as a trustee on the Foundation Board for the seven years prior to taking on the role as WNC Foundation Executive Director. Gladys has built her career in a variety of revenue-generating roles that have translated well to fundraising; holding leadership positions as the Group Publisher/CEO of the Nevada Appeal and Record-Courier from 2008 to 2011 and subsequently as the Advertising Sales Director for the Reno Gazette-Journal. These positions allowed her to develop sincere passion for her community, strong ties with local organizations and deep experience managing events.
Prior to living in Nevada, Gladys served five years as the Sr. Director of Local Advertising Sales for the Dallas Morning News and nine years at the San Jose Mercury News in progressively responsible sales and management positions. Her career began with Capital Cities/ABC in St. Louis, MO and Detroit, MI.

Gladys earned her Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a major in marketing and minors in general business and graphic design from Western Michigan University.

Gladys is motivated by the mission of the college and impacting student’s lives through education. As a community leader, she also serves as the Public Image Chair for Reno Central Rotary. In addition to the WNC Foundation Board, she’s held board positions with the Carson City Circles Initiative, Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada, Carson City Chamber of Commerce, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, Partnership Carson City, Education Alliance Board, RGJ Foundation and American Heart Association.