State Officers

“Make Your Mark” is your State President, Nancy Munoz’s goal for Nevada DECA members. Entering DECA in an online setting, the Senior from East Career and Technical Academy is now a 4th year member. She was introduced to DECA from a friend and found a passion for it at the virtual State Conference held in 2021. She has held an officer position at her chapter before deciding to make an impact at the association level serving as your Team 62 Vice President of Leadership. She was able to create Community Service Events and the first Speed Friending Event!  

Aside from DECA,  your State President is involved in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and National Honor Society. When she is not in her State Officer Uniform, Nancy enjoy’s finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie, spending time outdoors, and reading a grand selection of books, and catching up on the world around her. A special quote she loves is, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure impact lasts in your absence.” (Sheryl Sandberg)  

Always with a pen in hand, Nancy is extremely grateful for the community of Nevada DECA. She sends gratitude to all of her family, friends and advisors who support her in every way, everyday. She is thrilled to be representing Nevada DECA for another term with Team 63, and is ready to present to members all that is offered in this organization!  

Shawn Gutierrez, a senior from Advanced Technologies Academy, is so excited to serve as Nevada DECA’s VP of Finance for the 2023-2024 school year. He is a third year DECA member where he served as A-Tech’s Executive VP and VP of Finance during his junior and sophomore years respectively. 

 Ever since his freshman year, he has developed an immense passion for DECA. It has helped him step out of his shell and truly get the edge in any situation. He has had numerous successes in DECA’s competitive events, with first place finishes in FTDM and ACT and second place finishes in PFN and PFL.  

 Along with DECA’s competitive events, he spread his love for DECA to the wonderful members at A-Tech through “funny” videos that made people laugh and participated in many community service events, which helped him to become the Nevada DECA Student of the Year. 

 He hopes to attend the University of Pennsylvania and study the intersection of finance and computer science. Shawn aspires to work in the fintech industry and one day develop a company of his own to help others live more comfortably.  

 Outside of DECA, he serves on the board of NHS, FBLA, and the AI Society. He loves serving the Las Vegas community and wants to give back as much as he can. One of the ways he’s giving back is through promoting financial literacy among the youth of Nevada. Shawn is looking forward to reaching the stars with everyone throughout Nevada DECA!  

Have you ever met a Karen? Now you have! She isn’t anything like the stereotype so if you see her in person please come up and say hi. As third year DECA member at Clark High School, Karen has served as the treasurer for her chapter, while holding leadership positions in other organizations, such as being a speech and debate captain, and co-president/founder of mock trial. Outside of school, Karen uses and maximizes all the skills she’s learned from DECA, acting as the Director of Fundraising for the non-profit AIQ Foundation, conducting research on her Helena Lagos Challenge winning business idea (a toilet leak sensor), and helping out at her family’s restaurant. 

 Karen’s DECA story began as a freshman when she joined after her friends told her about the organization. She quickly fell in love, giving her all to competition prep, and was pleasantly surprised when she won the Helena Lagos Scholarship. Her hard work only continued to pay off with a first-place win at SCDC in start-up business plan. While the success was nice, Karen would say that the memories and friendships she’s been able to form because of DECA are worth more. Through SCDC and ICDC, Karen has been able to travel to places she’d never dreamed of going while meeting more amazing high schoolers. As a state officer this year, Karen will strive to create the same if not better DECA experiences for all members!