Board of Directors
Eva Secchiari – Founder/President & Executive Director
Raised in a military family, Ms. Secchiari as a Founder brings 15 years in the health care industry, ranging from direct patient care and service provider. Through her work, she interacted and supported individuals and groups from differing socioeconomic backgrounds, including the military.
She is trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Solution-Focused Coaching as a practitioner, and she earned an International Coach Federation (ICF) certification from Erickson College.
Ms. Secchiari’s first-hand experiences in a military environment, professional background, and credentials are invaluable resources that enabled her to identify widespread problems shared by many active service members & veterans nationwide; and conceptualize a solution to improve the quality of life for service members, veterans and their families, as well as to help veterans reintegrate back into civilian society.
Nathan Atkins – Chairman and Vice President
Nathan Atkins entered the business sector after eight years of service in the U.S. Army. During his service, Nathan was a participant in various operations and was part of the original combat deployment for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. With his leadership capabilities clearly distinguishable, Nathan spent most of his career focusing on developing cohesive organizations, and tactical and strategic teams. Nathan has an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
Before arriving in the Las Vegas region, Nathan held several management and sales positions with leading companies such as AT&T, XO Communications, Intermedia, and MCI/WorldCom. Within each organization he managed internal and external accounts across the spectrum of city, county and state municipalities and in the health care sector. Nathan has an unwavering passion for life-long learning and advocating for community service. With his background in building and developing organizations he will assist Veterans LYFE Services in sustaining long term sustainability in the community.
Leah Gonzales – Member, Board of Directors
Leah Gonzales runs a local real estate team who specialize in VA home ownership, loan awareness and education. Leah has been selling real estate in the Las Vegas valley since 1999 and has helped 1000’s of clients, most of them Veterans and Active Duty Military, realize the American dream of home ownership. Through these efforts she has received countless awards and commendations for their team’s productivity in sales and contributions to the industry. Leah was raised in a very proud Veteran family and is a Veteran spouse. With this experience she has decided to dedicate herself to Veteran/Military advocacy through her real estate team and work with nonprofits such the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, KW CARES, USA Homeownership, Rebuilding Together and Veterans LYFE Services just to name a few.
Annie Baca – Member, Board of Directors
Served as Executive Director and Program Director for 10 years with Operation Homefront. Worked with organizations and corporations in the communities throughout the state of Nevada to secure contributions and volunteers to support the programs and services.
In 2009, Prior to working with Operation Homefront was a Contract Negotiator for TIBH (Texas Industries for Blind and Handicapped) out of Austin. Nevada State Purchasing Program held a contract which developed and secured employment positions with state and local municipalities for individuals with significant disabilities.
As Program Coordinator, she worked with Easter Seals and Progressive Choices was responsible for contract negotiation with corporations in the state of Nevada as well as municipalities purchasing departments, DOL certification process,
She served with the Clark County Fire Department Station 80 as an Emergency Intermediate Medic, FFII, and Wildland Burn for 10 years. Recipient of an award for recruitment and retention of 89 volunteer FF/ EMT for Clark County Southern Rural Nevada Fire Departments. She studied at Cal State Long Beach as an Audiologist and fit hearing aids for 5 years. She participated in research and development of an innovative hearing aid while you wait. Proven to be successful, this has been replicated in many brands throughout the industry.
Annie has been blessed throughout her professional career to engage her passions and benefit those she served. She believes that with her extensive experience in Program services, volunteer recruitment, and donor engagement that she will be an asset to Veterans LYFE Services organization.
Vickie Barrios – Member, Board of Directors
Vickie Barrios is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. She relocated to Las Vegas, NV March of 2000. A wife of 30+ years, she and her husband jointly have two amazing children that are now grown-ups. Being a daughter of a Vietnam Era USMC Sergeant, Vickie has been part of every step of housing needs beginning in 1985. She has seen from homeless to real estate wealth in many markets across the United States, and have facilitated with getting the resources needed to make dreams become realities. One of the largest ideas that need to be understood by civilians is that we have homeless Veterans and houseless Veterans. Knowing the difference and having the resources to make their needs become manageable and obtainable make Vickie standout within the community. She has volunteered an average of 500 hours of her time a year for most of her adult life.
“Things I love to do include DISNEY EVERYTHING, My Family, My Country, OUR Troops (ALL), My Business. All of it goes hand in hand to create the most rewarding life I can create.”
Peggy Kearns – Advisory Board Member
Peggy W. Kearns, retired member of the Senior Executive Service, served as Director/CEO of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Southern Nevada Healthcare System. Ms. Kearns was responsible for 2600 employees, a $600 million annual operating budget and the overall operations of a Medical Center, four large Primary Care Clinics; a Community Resource and Referral Center; a Veterans Recovery Center; an Outpatient Clinic in Pahrump, Nev.; and a Rural Outreach Clinic in Laughlin, Nev.
Ms. Kearns began her career with the VA as a Dietetic Intern at the Hines (Ill.) VA Medical Center in 1983 and, prior to her current appointment, served as Director/CEO of the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, Mich. She has a master’s degree in Adult Health Education from Indiana University, a master’s degree in Organization and Management from Capella University and a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from Purdue University. Ms. Kearns is a Registered Dietitian, is board certified as a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives and a VA Certified Mentor.