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2025 Tahoe Economic Summit

2025 Tahoe Economic Summit Recap

Chart showing income and housing costs for local workers in Incline Village and Crystal Bay by job and home size.

About This Summit

The Envision Tahoe Venture Summit, hosted by the Tahoe Prosperity Center, is always an opportunity to catalyze change and take action to benefit our regional economy while supporting our community, quality of life, and environment. 2025 focused on accelerating Tahoe’s innovation ecosystem and featured local entrepreneurs and success stories, creative ideas, insight, and inspiration. Keynote Speakers shared stories about coming back from natural disasters and building an international business in Lake Tahoe. Breakout group speakers focused on improving health and wellness, encouraging environmental innovation and shared housing success stories. The Tahoe Trailblazers panel featured local businesses expanding and thriving and we celebrated all our regional partnerships that make Tahoe unique and special. Over 100 attendees engaged in dialogue to improve our regional economy and we are thankful for their input and inspiration.

A full day of Tahoe's Visionaries and Innovators

Welcome & Keynotes

John Rice, President of Ski California

Come learn how Sierra-at-Tahoe rebuilt and recovered after the Caldor Fire and why building economic resilience is critical for Ski Resorts and communities in the Sierra.

Jenny Molinelli, SVP, People & Operations at Ridgeline

Adapting for Prosperity: Building a Resilient Company in Tahoe’s Dynamic Environment
Networking

Connect Tahoe: Dig Once and Other Strategies for regional broadband expansion

Learn about initiatives and concrete steps being taken to bridge the digital equity divide in our rural mountain community. This interactive session shares vital information on expanding reliable, high-speed connectivity throughout the Tahoe region, opportunities and barriers around dig once, while providing space for community members to compare reported coverage with their real-world experiences. Discover how these efforts are making our area a more attractive place to live and work, and how you can participate in improving local connectivity
Breakout Sessions

Expanding Tahoe’s Health & Wellness Sector

Our 2nd largest contributor to our economy next to Tourism is the ever expanding Health and Wellness sector. Learn from our industry leaders who are building a year-round economy through world-class care, Olympic-aligned sports medicine, and high-altitude training.

Chris Proctor, Director of Community Benefit and Business Development at Barton Hospital

The future of the build out of the new hospital in NV and Barton’s economic impact in the community.

Jason Collin, CEO of PT Revolution

Shares how building a successful small business can be helped by local jurisdictions to grow in the health and wellness sector.

Environmental Innovation & Wildfire Mitigation

Fueling resilience through wildfire mitigation, public safety training, and high-quality local jobs beyond tourism.

Laura Metune, Senior Director @ Lake Tahoe CC | Government Relations, Grant Development

Learn how LTCC is providing a pipeline of job opportunities in wildfire mitigation and how the new public safety training center will support Tahoe’s economic resilience and how fire and forest management is related to workforce development, a key component of the Prosperity Playbook goals.

Eric Martin, Director of Public Works Northstar Community Services

Shares how the Community Services District is improving local wildfire mitigation efforts and how it relates to economic and community resiliency.

Housing Success Stories

Learn about three powerful solutions for tackling Tahoe’s housing challenges! Here’s what’s working.

Chase Janvrin, General Manager at Placemate

Learn how Placemate’s innovative approach serves as a solution in the housing market.

Samir Tuma, Founder Kila Properties

Shares how this creative housing project got built and what local government can do to support more creative housing projects.

Jean Diaz – St. Joseph Community Land Trust

Shares the hurdles and successes in building local home-ownership housing.

Tahoe Trailblazers

Hear stories from Tahoe-based partners who launched, grew, and thrived in our mountain community.

Sandra Santane, Founder Cuppa Tahoe

Share the highs and lows of running a small business in Tahoe and how to foster a sense of community.

Elizabeth Tweedale, Founder and CEO of Coco Coders

Share how having an online company can thrive working remotely in Tahoe, and how you connect with the community while being remote.

Tony Karwowski, North Tahoe Community Alliance

Shares how the community and businesses came together to support the TBID and how it is positively impacting the local economy and community.

Mount Rose

Sponsor

Castle Peak

Sponsor

Mount Tallac

Sponsor

Monument Peak

Sponsor

Speakers

Tony Karwowski

President/CEO, NTCA

Sarah Schmidt

Executive Director of TPC

Sarah Schmidt brings over 20 years of experience in sustainable community development, having led programs around the world to advance economic resilience, environmental stewardship, and inclusive growth. She has managed multimillion-dollar initiatives for USAID and other global partners, with a focus on workforce development, climate adaptation, and regional planning.

A skilled facilitator and systems thinker, Sarah is known for aligning diverse stakeholders and helping communities turn strategy into action. Now based in South Lake Tahoe, she brings that global perspective home to support local prosperity.

Sarah lives in South Lake Tahoe with her husband, two children, and two cats. She enjoys biking, swimming in the lake, and supporting the local businesses that make Tahoe so unique.

Sandra Santane

Owner/Founder, Cuppa Tahoe

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

Samir Tuma

Founder/CEO, Kila Properties

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

Laura Metune

Senior Director of Government Relations and Grant Development, LTCC

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

John Rice

President, Ski California

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

Jenny Molinelli

SVP of People and Operations, Ridgeline

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

Jason Collin

Founder, PT Revolution

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

Jean Diaz

Executive Director, Saint Joseph Community Land Trust

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

Eric Martin

Assistant Engineer, Northstar Community Services District

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

Elizabeth Tweedale

Founder/CEO, Coco Coders

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

Chris Proctor

Director of Community Benefit and Business Development, Barton Hospital

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.

Chase Janvrin

General Manager, Placemate​

Alexis Hill

Board Member

Elected in 2020, Alexis Hill represents Washoe County Commission District 1. Hill worked in public policy and city planning for more than a decade in the cities of Sparks and Reno. She has also dedicated time to the nonprofit sector in the arts at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and for special needs children at Kids & Horses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M and a graduate degree in public administration and policy from UNR. With a strong belief that government should make our lives better, Hill is passionate about how she can make can help Washoe County thrive.