Vegas Young Professionals Council
ARIEL BARRETT
VYP CHAIR
Ariel Barrett serves as a Security Services Associate on the Software Integrity team at SYNOPSYS Inc., assisting companies with their application security, quality, and compliance risks. In her free time, Ariel loves hosting game nights, dinner parties, pool hangs, and other social gatherings with friends, and makes a point to experience ALL of the amazing food spots and craft cocktail joints around Vegas. Ariel was born and raised in Montana, lived in Southeast Texas and has called Vegas home for nearly 8 years. She became a member of VYP early on, and has made numerous friends and connections through VYP and currently serves as the co-chair for the VYP Ambassador Committee. If you haven’t met yet, find her at the next mixer and say hello!
SHEA HARMAN
AMBASSADORS CO-CHAIR
Shea is a native of Atlanta and moved to Las Vegas in 2022. With a background in Sports Business - Shea has spent time with Professional Teams, Collegiate Athletic Departments, and Entertainment Agencies. In his current role, he manages Sports & Corporate Partnerships for MGM Resorts Intl.
With a long-time passion for community involvement, Shea has held Chamber positions in two other cities and brings outside knowledge to the Vegas Young Professionals network. In his spare time, he is an avid music-fan and hiking enthusiast – often collecting vinyl, attending live-shows and conquering desert trails.
CALEB GREEN
AMBASSADORS CO-CHAIR
Caleb Green is an Intellectual Property Strategist and Technology attorney in the Dickinson Wright Las Vegas office. His primary practice areas include intellectual property law, cyber-security and data protection laws, entertainment law, start-ups and business law, and technology law. Namely, Caleb’s experience revolves around trademark prosecution, intellectual property litigation and enforcement, intellectual property management, corporate due diligence, and data protection compliance. Caleb merges his legal acumen with his unique background in computer science and information technology to help clients understand complex technical and legal issues and advise them on how to best protect their proprietary goods and services through intellectual property and privacy laws.
Caleb is a double alumnus of UNLV, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering in 2015 and his Juris Doctorate from the William S. Boyd School of Law in 2019. He also currently serves as the Co-Chair for the Ambassador’s committee, and his favorite VYP events are the Big Wig lunch events. When he is not speaking at a conference or networking at VYP mixer, Caleb enjoys catching the latest musical at the Smith Center after sipping on afternoon tea at his favorite local tea shop.
BIANCA BARBARYAN
EVENTS CHAIR
Bianca Barbaryan is a Las Vegas local, one of the few born and raised here. She earned her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management with a concentration in meetings and events and a minor in dance from UNLV in 2021. Also, at UNLV Bianca found her passion for the events industry not just in her classes but as a part of the Rebel Events Board planning a multitude of events for the student body. She was apart of MGM Resorts for 7 years learning all she could from her roles in front services, Special Events, and lastly landing in Conventions and Catering. Currently She is a Event Manager at Fontainebleau Las Vegas with the experience of being apart of the opening team for the property still learning and growing with the new property. Bianca also has a small business for event planning and balloon decorations called Shooting Star Events that she started in 2021 shortly after graduating. Committed to growing her business and being more connected with her community she joined Vegas Young Professionals eager to meet new people. With in her first year, she joined the events committee to assist in providing event ideas, locations, and connecting VYP with her contacts for such events. Bianca recently assumed the role of Events Committee Co-chair starting January 2024.
ROBERT CAPOZZOLI
MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA CO-CHAIR
Robert’s expansive career first took root with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and Stephens Media. He later became a founding member at AdUs Inc, a Las Vegas-based digital marketing company which was later acquired by Gatehouse Media (Gannett Inc.), an industry leader for marketing and technology. Robert has managed multiple national clients and large local advertisers with custom strategies and complex product mixes—totaling more than $10M in annual revenue. Most recently, Robert was tapped to serve as Architect of Custom Digital Solutions for Gannett Co. / The USA Today Network- where he is responsible for the creation and oversight of digital marketing strategy for Gannett’s large portfolio of clients.
CHRISTOPHER MILITANO
COMMUNITY OUTREACH CO-CHAIR
Raised in Florida, Christopher Militano has been on the East coast throughout his whole life. As a balanced man who represents relentless commitment, exceptional analytics, and community advocacy, Christopher obtained his Bachelor Degree in Sociology and Master of Science in Management at the University of Florida. Christopher is deeply rooted in the commitment to community advocacy by serving multiple positions on Red Shoe Society in order to spread the awareness of the Ronald McDonald House Charities' mission through volunteering, fundraising, and networking . During his time at the University of Florida, Christopher worked as a fiscal assistant for nearly four years in the Department of Pediatrics at UF Health before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. Christopher is now an accounting specialist for WBF Management LLC, which owns and operates forty-five McDonald’s stores between Arizona and Nevada. Coming onboard as a Community Outreach Co-Chair, Christopher is excited to serve the Las Vegas community and have FUN along the way in charity!
C.J. NEFF
IMMEDIATE PAST VYP CHAIR
C.J. believes in the power of mentorship and professional development – that’s why he loves Vegas Young Professionals. C.J. is a Wealth Advisor with Hightower Las Vegas where he helps clients organize and optimize their financial lives. C.J. graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton College with concentrations in Math and French. Originally from Maryland, he’s now spent most of his life on the West Coast. After over 10 years in San Francisco, he fell in love with the desert and landed in Las Vegas in 2016. He spends a lot of time outdoors – running, hot-springing, and stargazing. C.J. lives in Summerlin with his husband, Alex, and their German Shepherd, Cody. When you meet him, ask him about investing, technology, or travel.