HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTANTS STAFF PROFILES
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Thoran Towler
Thoran Towler is the Chief Executive Officer of the Nevada Association of Employers, where he leads the organization’s mission to support and strengthen Nevada’s HR and employment law community. Thoran brings deep expertise in wage and hour rules, employment law, and labor issues, developed through nearly two decades of legal and executive leadership.
Thoran served as Nevada’s Labor Commissioner from 2011 to 2014, administering and enforcing the state’s wage and hour laws, setting and enforcing Nevada’s minimum wage, and overseeing investigations into alleged labor law violations. From 2020 through 2024, he also served as a Nevada Ethics Commissioner, helping uphold transparency, fairness, and accountability in public service.
He was admitted to practice law in Nevada in 2006. Thoran holds a Bachelor of Science in Technology from Walla Walla University and a Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law.
Thoran additionally serves on several boards, including Nevadaworks, which provides vital funding and support to diverse job seekers across Northern Nevada. He previously served as the 2020 Board Chair of the Employer Associations of America, a national nonprofit focused on advancing the success of employers across the country.
Cara Sheehan, Esq.
Cara Sheehan joined the Nevada Association of Employers in March 2021. Prior to joining NAE, Cara assisted individuals with forming small businesses as well as nonprofit corporations, provided representation in numerous workers’ compensation hearings, and has advised business owners regarding a variety of legal issues.
Cara is a born and raised Nevadan. She attended the University of Nevada Reno for her undergraduate degree and then went on to obtain her law degree from Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon. Cara was admitted to practice law in the State of Nevada in 2016.
Shay Digenan, Esq.
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.
Audra L. Parton, JD
Audra Parton joined the Nevada Association of Employers in December 2016. Prior to joining NAE, Audra worked in legal and regulatory compliance for a nationwide workers’ compensation insurance carrier and served as the Deputy Labor Commissioner for the State of Nevada from 2013 to 2014. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding regulatory compliance to NAE.
Audra earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Reno and her law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California.
Amy Matthews, SPHR
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.
Larissa Faulkner, Ph.D.
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!
Pamela Murray, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
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.
Tanya Vial, SPHR, SHRM-CP, CAPM
Tanya Vial joined the Nevada Association of Employers in February 2023. Born and raised in Northern Nevada, Tanya came to Las Vegas to attend UNLV where she earned her bachelor’s in Hotel Administration with a Human Resources concentration. Since then, she has been providing human resource support to businesses in a variety of industries including health care, insurance, construction, transportation, publishing, gaming and technology. Tanya has experience in all areas of Human Resources including employee relations, training, and HRIS system implementation and management. She is a certified HR professional with both her SPHR and SHRM-CP. She is also a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
In her spare time, Tanya enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with family and friends.
Tyson Townsend
Tyson Townsend joined the Nevada Association of Employers in September 2025. Tyson is an experienced HR Executive with over 25 years in HR management, including nearly a decade in the marine industry supporting dealerships of all sizes. He has worked across industries such as construction, hospitality, dealerships, and sales, with a focus on building strong teams and positive workplace cultures.
Tyson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, and while originally from Oklahoma, has called Las Vegas home for 20 years. Outside of work, he enjoys boating on Lake Mead, San Francisco Giants baseball, concerts, and time with his wife and dog.
Mary E. Maika, SHRM-CP
Mary Maika joined the Nevada Association of Employers in March 2026. She brings over 10 years of professional Human Resources experience in manufacturing, healthcare, and consulting. Her HR expertise and sound judgement have made her a trusted advisor and strategic leader in solving complex people challenges. Mary also brings a high level of proficiency in HRIS, payroll, training/presentations, FMLA/ADA, compliance, and employee relations.
Born and raised in New York, Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Culture from Franciscan University, which included studies at Oxford University and Gaming, Austria. She holds a SHRM-CP certification.
In her free time, Mary loves to spend time with family, go hiking or paddleboarding, and garden.
Haley Duarte, MBA, MHRM
Haley Duarte joined the Nevada Association of Employers in March 2026. Haley brings more than 20 years of human resources experience, including as a multi-unit franchise owner and corporate HR in the gaming industry.
Haley holds a Bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College, a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Emmanuel College, and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Outside of work, Haley serves on the Board of Directors for FEAT of Southern Nevada and enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with her family.
Ilyana Nightingale
Ilyana Nightingale joined the Nevada Association of Employers in July 2023. She brings years of experience in customer service, tending to the needs of customers.
Ilyana is a Reno native and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theater Performance from the University of Nevada, Reno. In her free time, she is active in the local theater community and paddleboards at Lake Tahoe.
