Feb.7 - Clara Andriola, Reno Rodeo Foundation

Clara Andriola is the executive director of the Reno Rodeo Foundation, the charitable arm of the city’s longest-running special event. A 27-year Reno resident, Andriola was previously CEO of the Northern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross. “I really wanted to do something to give back to the community,” said Andriola, “Everyone knows the Reno Rodeo. How can you be in Northern Nevada and not know the Reno Rodeo. It was just a perfect fit for me.”

The Reno Rodeo Foundation is committed to enhancing and enriching the lives of Northern Nevada families by aiding children with extraordinary needs, building community partnerships, providing grants and scholarships to eligible Northern Nevada high school graduates.

The organization annually assists students with undergraduate educational scholarships at universities and colleges in Nevada, or out-of-state if the degree is not offered in Nevada, provides thirty to forty local non-profit organizations with well-deserved grants to support their programs, chooses a child with critical illness or physical/mental impairments to receive a special “Rodeo Wish,” conducts a “Denim Drive” in 14 Northern Nevada counties each November/December to clothe neglected, abused and abandoned children rescued from unsafe homes and serves as the anchor for large capital projects to improve the lives of children. The Reno Rodeo Foundation is committed to leveraging community partnerships, putting financial resources to the highest impact use possible and establishing an identity as a major supporter for local children’s services in Northern Nevada.