2025 Great Friend to Kids Award Honorees

Julie is a respected philanthropy expert, board member, and business leader. As CEO of the Moonridge Group and President of the Moonridge Foundation, she has reshaped Nevada’s social impact landscape through strategic, collaborative efforts. She played a key role in founding Three Square Food Bank, co-founding Delivering with Dignity, and launching the I Have a Dream Foundation, where she adopted 60 youth in kindergarten through 3rd grade, stayed with them through high school and helped pay for college. Julie has taught philanthropy at UNLV and delivered the commencement speech for UNLV’s College of Business. With Mark Wahlberg and Vicki Fertitta, Julie is co-chairing a capital campaign for Holy Spirit Catholic Church’s new community center. She is enjoying her new role on corporate boards. She cherishes time spent with her three children, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters, and enjoys travel, sunrise walks, Pilates, and gardening.

Punam has spent her life championing opportunities for others. In her most recent role as the Executive Director of the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, she has been a tireless advocate for children, working to expand access to quality education and meaningful arts experiences. Her efforts have helped ensure that every child, regardless of background, can explore creativity, pursue knowledge, and thrive. Her career has spanned leadership in the energy and gaming industries, where she helped shape corporate culture through diversity, philanthropy, and employee engagement. But it’s her philanthropic heart that stands out most which is highlighted by her work co-founding Three Square Food Bank, co-founding Delivering with Dignity, advocating for children in foster care, and serving on the United Way board for over two decades. A devoted mother of four, Punam continues to be a tireless advocate for Nevada’s families and future.

In Memorium

Elaine Wynn was a visionary business leader, philanthropist, and advocate for children. She was recognized with DISCOVERY Children’s Museum’s first Great Friend to Kids award in 2000 at the Inaugural Magic of DISCOVERY Gala for her deep commitment to children’s welfare and work championing access to education and opportunity for every child, especially those facing the greatest challenges.

Elaine co-founded Wynn Resorts in 2000. Her leadership helped drive the company’s growth, from the debut of Wynn Las Vegas in 2005 and Wynn Macau in 2006 to the opening of Encore in 2008.

As a Trustee of the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, Elaine remained personally and deeply engaged with organizations that shared her passion for community impact. Her unwavering commitment to improving children’s lives through education inspired her involvement in leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels.

The ripples of her philanthropy are widely felt and include 20 years and Chair Emeritus with Communities in Schools of Nevada (CIS), The Elaine Wynn Palliative Care Program at Nathan Adelson Hospice and The Elaine Wynn Studio for Arts Education at The Smith Center for Performing Arts, both in Las Vegas.

Her impact continues to shape lives, inspire changes and uplift communities across Southern Nevada and beyond.