John Waldron, CEO of The LGBTQ Center of Las Vegas (The Center), has lived in Las Vegas for 46 years and joined the board of directors at The Center for the opportunity to connect and serve, and for more than six years, Waldron has continued his passion for serving the community as its CEO.
Q: You have worked in many professions, so give a brief overview of your career path.
A: I spent 25 years in the newspaper business, leading advertising operations for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and working with Stephens Media newspapers across the nation. I was very fortunate to work for the LVRJ, as it changed my life in many ways, thanks to the opportunities it afforded me to grow and learn. The leadership was very supportive of me, allowing me to pursue my passion for leadership. I left the newspaper business when the LVRJ was sold and entered the nonprofit sector for the first time, working in organizational development for Opportunity Village. I achieved a lifelong goal in 2017, earning a doctorate in leadership, and I began teaching management classes at the Community College of Southern Nevada. I also launched a leadership development program with my business partner, James Magno, to develop leaders for clients across multiple states, a program we continue to operate today, in addition to our other community roles. I spent a couple of years working for Boyd Gaming, where I conducted leadership development at their properties nationwide.
Q: How did you get involved with The Center?
A: I began serving on the board of directors of The LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas (The Center), representing Boyd Gaming. There was an opening for a new CEO of The Center, and whoever was selected would be the sixth person to hold that role in six years. The revolving door of leaders proved challenging for The Center and its many stakeholders. I discussed the possibility of putting my name forward for the position with my husband and friends on the board. When I started at The Center, we faced remarkable challenges, needing to rebuild the organization with limited resources and a community that was hopeful, but not optimistic, that we could execute the necessary changes to recover. Seven years later, I’m proud to say that we have not only recovered, but we are also thriving as The Center was always meant to do. We have made our founders and supporters pleased with the extent to which we now serve the community. I’m grateful every day to work with our colleagues at The Center, and I am having the time of my professional life helping to achieve a greater vision of what The Center can do to help people throughout Nevada.
Q: What are some of the developments with the Center?
A: The Center is experiencing rapid growth, expanding its role as the heart and home of the LGBTQIA+ community in Las Vegas. Our programs and services all fall within three core pillars: Community Building, Advocacy, and Health and Wellness. With a full-service medical center, a sexual health clinic, two pharmacies, a mobile clinic that reaches people where they are and mental health facilities, The Center now serves thousands through accessible, inclusive health care. Recent milestones include the opening of the Gavin J. Goorjian Community Health Center, the launch of new mammography services and the expansion of outreach to rural Nevada. In addition to health care, The Center provides advocacy and community support through more than 300 trained victim advocates, community safety programs, weekly food distribution and shower services, as well as partnerships that address the needs of unhoused and vulnerable populations. The Center provides a safe, affirming environment where LGBTQIA+ individuals and all community members can access preventative and reactive care in one trusted place — reducing strain on taxpayer-funded systems. The Center has become one of the fastest-growing LGBTQ+ organizations in the nation, fulfilling its mission by providing a welcoming space for everyone. The Center has always prioritized treating people with dignity and respect, supporting their full humanity, not just their health conditions. We have a long tradition of whole-person wellness, blending health care with advocacy and community support that leads to healthier, more stable lives. The expansion of The Center is a major win for Nevada, as we provide many of the services for vulnerable populations that help minimize the need for taxpayer-funded urgent and emergency services.
Q: How do you decompress?
A: My favorite things are spending time with my husband and traveling whenever we can. He’s a nurse for intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, with his own busy schedule. I have a long commute to and from the office every day, and I use the time as an avid audiobook listener. And if I am feeling the pressure excessively, I only need to speak with the amazing people we serve at The Center, our volunteers, and the incredible team and board members who make it all happen. Our Center community has remarkable stories of resilience and service to others. You can’t stay down long when in their presence.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?
A: I’m a passionate baseball fan. My grandfather imparted a love of baseball and the New York Mets to our family. I also make it a hobby to research and learn. It’s one of the keys to staying young, well-informed and an engaging citizen.
Q: Do you like to cook and what are some of your favorite dishes?
A: I don’t have time to cook as much as I would like to. But I am known for my pasta sauce, and my family loves it when I make French toast. Simple. But some of the simple things in life are the most satisfying.
Q: What is the one aspect of you or your life you want the readers to know about you?
A: I can never fully express the depth of my gratitude for all that I’ve been given, especially the remarkable acts of kindness that have so often altered the course of my life. My professional journey has been shaped by those who opened doors at just the right moments, provided me with opportunities to learn and grow, and believed in me long before I believed in myself. Today, the ability to serve our community through my role at The Center is the greatest gift of all; an honor that allows me to stand with and for those too often overlooked by society, in tribute to those who paved the way for me.
