Celebrating Women’s History Month
This March we celebrate the success and accomplishments of the inspiring women who are part of our Lexicon Bank family by spotlighting two incredible women - Diana Bennett and Robyn Caspersen - driving the vision of Lexicon Bank as Board Members.
Diana Bennett
Lexicon Bank Board of Directors,
Marketing Chair
Meet Diana:
One of the most respected gaming executives and philanthropists in the Southern Nevada community, Ms. Bennett is the co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Paragon Gaming. The Las Vegas-based gaming developer and operator boasts a portfolio that includes Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe; and Ms. Bennett has led turnaround, management, and development efforts for multiple properties, including the Riviera Hotel and Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton, Alberta. She serves as President of the Bennett Family Foundation and is actively engaged in the Las Vegas community, supporting Three Square Food Bank, Noah's Animal House, the I Have a Dream Foundation, and Black Mountain Institute, among others. Since 1994, she has been named repeatedly to the Outstanding Women of Nevada and, most recently, was awarded Vegas Inc.’s 2019 Humanitarian of the Year award.
Having served on the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees since 2008, Diana stepped up to the role of board chair in May 2020 where she is just the third woman to head the UNLV Foundation board since its inception in 1981, following Claudine Williams (1983-1985) and Elaine Wynn (1985-1991). Her service to UNLV has earned her numerous honors. Among them are the Silver State Award, presented by the UNLV Alumni Association in 2016; an honorary doctorate from the university in 2015; and induction into the Lee Business School’s Business Hall of Fame in 2014.
Robyn Caspersen
Lexicon Bank Board of Directors Vice-Chair
and Audit & Compliance Chair
Meet Robyn:
As a board member, volunteer and retired partner of Deloitte, Ms. Caspersen is an experienced business leader who is passionate about serving the needs of the community through leadership, philanthropy and volunteerism. Ms. Caspersen uses her expertise to assist and advise businesses, Boards and organizations, to capitalize on strengths, manage risk, and overcome challenges. Significant to Ms. Caspersen’s over 30 years of experience included over 24 years at Deloitte & Touche LLP, where she was a senior partner providing audit and advisory services to public, private and municipal entities until her retirement in 2013. Critical to Robyn’s success is her ability to lead and collaborate with both internal and external groups, including operations, financial planning and analysis, and compliance, to bring leadership and solutions to challenges while maintaining strong relationships across those groups.
Today, she is Vice-Chair of the Board for Lexicon Bank, serving as the Audit & Compliance Chair, and a member of the Governing Board of University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, serving as the Chair of its Audit and Finance Committee. In addition, she is a long-time contributor and volunteer with United Way, serving on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Southern Nevada for many years including leading its local Women United community, a global, growing force of 70,000+ women dedicated to creating a world of opportunity – for everyone.
“One of the things that attracted me to Lexicon Bank was the Board and knowing that I would have the incredible opportunity to be mentored by some of the greatest leaders in our city. I knew exceptional leaders like Diana and Robyn would challenge me and help me grow, and they’ve done just that. This past year, I have experienced tremendous growth under these courageous, strong and supportive women, and I’m so thankful for their leadership and guidance. Each is a key firestarter behind Lexicon Bank’s success. In honor of Women’s History Month, they most definitely have helped make history with Lexicon Bank and we are grateful for their leadership and support”
Q&A WITH DIANA & ROBYN
1. What is your greatest impact to-date in Southern Nevada and why is it so special to you?
Diana: Besides my family, I am most proud of my work at Three Square Food Bank. Not only have I helped raise more than $10,000,000 over the course of five years with our Fashion for Three Square events, but I helped bring awareness to those events created for food-insecure individuals in our Valley, particularly children, who are faced with it each and every day.
Up until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were very close to closing the gap for the people in Las Vegas who often did not know where their next meal was coming from. Unfortunately, the pandemic and the sky-high unemployment rate have once again raised our levels of food insecurity and the battle continues but with much greater awareness.
Robyn: When I first arrived in Southern Nevada back in 2008 it was important for me to find a way where I could get engaged, a way to feel at home. Having been fortunate to lead women’s development programs in my career I was looking for an organization of like-minded individuals who were passionate about supporting other women. Regardless of “where you’re from”, I believe we all have an obligation to make the community we live in a better place for all by putting our gifts to their highest and best use.
Then, by chance, I met one of the members of United Way’s Women United. I was hooked. The opportunity to be a part of and lead amazing women, pooling our resources and investing our time and talents in organizations in the Valley benefiting women, children and families, has been humbling. All the women who have partnered together to truly make a difference in this community we call home is remarkable. While I have found it challenging to stay active, Women United is very important to me and I continue to provide support. Its members and leadership make magic even in this new normal.
2. What other “history in the making” moments are you working on?
Diana: I’m currently doing some work on an advisory board for the UNLV Medical School and the Nevada Medical Center Advisory Board. Both boards are vital to not just the overall healthcare of the Valley, but also as a source of diversified economic growth for Nevada.
Just as we recognize the need for a vibrant and successful educational system for our young people, and to entice new businesses to come to Nevada, the same can be said about health care. We can and we must do a better job.
Robyn: This new normal results in plenty of need to make history and we are doing just that at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. As a member of its Governing Board, I’ve been fortunate to see firsthand how UMC has been at the forefront of leading and serving our community through the pandemic. Our COVID testing programs, our lab and our people have been instrumental in supporting businesses in the Valley get back to work, and of course, care for those who are suffering from the terrible virus.
3. Why did you choose to become a Lexicon Bank Board Member?
Diana: I was asked if I would consider joining the Lexicon Bank Board by Perry Rogers. I was very quick to point out that I knew very little about banking. I knew gaming and finance, but that is very different from the regulated structure of the banking world. Perry told me that I understood regulations from gaming and that relationship building would be essential to the Bank’s success. He wanted to create a Bank that would truly meet the needs of Las Vegas and its people. Not just big businesses, but all businesses. Plus, he had lots of smart people already on the Board. And he does. I learn something new every meeting and with each meeting, we continue to exceed the expectations of our clients thanks to the exceptional team top to bottom. It is truly a privilege to be a part of the Lexicon Bank family.
Robyn: What attracted me to Lexicon was all about the “community” in community bank, a way for me to continue to apply my qualifications and experience to benefit Southern Nevada. We were hit hard by the Great Recession, losing quite a few banks to closures or acquisitions by out-of-state banks. We found an underserved market as a result. Companies were looking for private banking-like services and often found it challenging to get the attention they needed to be successful, or, not realizing the value that a true banking relationship could bring. Lexicon is Southern Nevada - in its leadership, in its investors, in its resources, in its customers - all we do results in strengthening this community.
“When we solicited members for the Board, diversity was something we were conscious of, but it was never the focus. The focus was on getting the best possible people to serve on our Board. Gender might matter if all else was equal. All else was never equal. Regarding experience, knowledge and overall contribution to our Board, Diana and Robyn were the best fits then, and continue to be so now. Sometimes the best people also happen to create diversity. We have been very lucky in that regard and we appreciate having these trailblazing leaders on our side. ”