Human Resource Consultants Staff Profiles

Thoran Towler

Chief Executive Officer

Thoran Towler is the Chief Executive Officer of Nevada Association of Employers.  Thoran possesses extensive knowledge and experience in wage and hour rules, employment law and labor issues.

Thoran served as the Nevada Labor Commissioner from 2011 to 2014, where he administered and enforced Nevada’s wage and hour laws, set and enforced the state’s minimum wage and investigated complaints related to violations of Nevada labor law. Thoran was admitted to practice law in the State of Nevada in 2006.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Technology from Walla Walla University and he earned his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington.

Thoran is an Ambassador for Donate Life, a non-profit working to save and heal lives through organ transplantation. In addition, Thoran serves on several boards including Nevadaworks, which provides funding to qualified service providers who work directly with a diverse population of individuals who are seeking employment.  Additionally, Thoran served as the 2020 Board Chair of Employer Associations of America, a non-profit whose core purpose is to collectively advance the success of America’s employers.

Shay Digenan, Esq.

Legal Counsel

Shay Digenan joined the Nevada Association of Employers in March 2025. Prior to joining NAE, Shay represented Nevada employees in administrative proceedings and lawsuits throughout the state. She gained valuable insights on regulatory compliance through her internship at the Nevada Equal Rights Commission.  

A native Nevadan, Shay was born and raised in Elko and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is a graduate of UNLV Boyd School of Law, where she completed the Workplace Law Concentration program. Shay was admitted to practice law in the State of Nevada in 2023.

Amy Matthews, SPHR

Human Resources/Business Development

Amy Matthews joined the Nevada Association of Employers in June 2017, with a focus on Southern Nevada. Amy brings a unique perspective to our members, having been a private sector executive level HR employee as well as operating as an independent HR consultant.

She is a native Las Vegan with 20 years of experience in Human Resources, Operations, Training and Compliance, and is certified in Human Resources Management and Employment Law.

Pamela Murray, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

HR Consultant

Pam has a Bachelors in Management from College of Notre Dame and has over 20 years of Human Resources experience.   She has worked in leadership roles across various industries from warehouse, customer service, ecommerce, and governmental agencies and has been responsible for all aspects of Human Resource support from set up, recruitment, benefits, compliance, payroll, employee lifecycle events, and termination support.  She has led HRIS implementations to include ADP, UKG, NeoGov, and Workday and looks to utilize system automation to streamline HR Operations.  

Pam is based in Northern Nevada and enjoys spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoor activities with her husband and family dogs.   

Brian Laharogue, Esq.

HR Consultant

Brian Lahargoue joined the Nevada Association of Employers in 2022. Brian has over 20 years of professional experience in human resources and business operations management, including as a Manager of Human Resources for one of the largest law firms in the Midwest.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and a Juris Doctor from Southwestern University. Brian is licensed to practice law in the State of California. 

Larissa Faulkner, Ph.D.

NAE Trainer

Dr. Larissa Faulkner is one of our contracted trainers and has been working with NAE since 2012. She facilitates trainings at our offices, virtually and on-site for Nevada business including our popular Supervisory Skills series.

Dr. Faulkner is a leadership expert who has published her communication and media research in academic journals and books. She has taught both the corporate and university communities better professional leadership and communication skills for over 15 years. She helps companies and individuals improve performance and job satisfaction through professional development workshops and coaching tailored to their specific needs. Her expertise and trustworthiness are the key to our community of employers!