Opportunity Alliance Nevada

To build financial stability for all Nevadans

Erik Allison

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Erik Allison has 15+ years of experience spanning wealth management, venture capital, risk management, and lending.  As Associate Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Farther, the fastest-growing RIA in the country, Erik specializes in guiding entrepreneurs, professionals, and non-profits towards informed financial decisions through wealth visualization. His proven track record of success is a testament to his ability to deliver exceptional value and innovative solutions to his clients, solidifying his reputation as a trusted advisor in the financial industry.

Erik’s career began at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, where he developed a strong foundation in wealth management. He then advanced to United Capital as a wealth advisor, playing a pivotal role in the firm’s growth and its subsequent $750 million acquisition by Goldman Sachs. Demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit, Erik founded a venture capital firm and a global insurance & reinsurance brokerage. These ventures have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of diverse financial landscapes and the expertise to navigate complex financial scenarios.

Erik lives in Summerlin, NV, with his wife Tamara and their twin kittens, Maverick and Mia. He has a deep interest in artificial intelligence, actively exploring and testing various AI applications in both his personal and professional life. Erik received a scholarship to play golf in college and maintains a 0.2 handicap.

Wendy Madson

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Wendy Madson is the Executive Director of Healthy Communities Coalition in Dayton, NV.

Executive Director of Healthy Communities Coalition, Wendy Madson has been providing programmatic direction of a multitude of focus areas inclusive of food security efforts, substance mis-use prevention, behavioral and mental health, resource connection, oral health and connection to primary care and chronic disease prevention and education for over 13 years.

Her work with community members, state, local and federal partners, the boots on the ground staff, and the most beloved volunteers have provided a unique perspective of the diverse communities served. An added value piece of her work includes the opportunity of creating a “grown your own” model, empowering volunteers, youth and individuals engaged in community service the opportunities to delve into the Community Health Worker (CHW) pipeline through CHW classes and connection to employment opportunities both within HCC and beyond.

Her enthusiasm in innovative programming, identification and implementation of opportunity, and seeing the hidden talents and potential in people of all ages is a highlight of her work.

Dian VanderWell

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Dian VanderWell’s long history of community service in Northern Nevada has spanned industries and issues from affordable housing to financial literacy to responsible development, workforce, youth empowerment and achievement, women’s leadership, and more. Dian’s service of more than 30 years to these issues reflect her commitment to the smart and sustainable growth of—and quality of life in—our community for current and future generations.

Dian was appointed to the Sparks City Council in September of 2020, where she served until elected to a full four-year term in November of 2022. Previously Dian served on the Washoe County Planning Commission, Washoe County Parcel Map Review Committee, Sparks Planning Commission, Sparks Charter Committee, Regional Planning Commission, the Technical Review Committee of the Washoe County Home Consortium, and the Sparks Citizens Advisory Committee.

Dian has been a licensed mortgage agent for 33 years and a licensed real estate agent for 7 years. Since 2014, Dian has been working with the Northern Nevada Apprenticeship Coordinators Association-NNACA as their Building Trades Recruiter for the union construction apprenticeship programs.

A Washoe County native, Dian graduated from Reed High School, attended TMCC and the University of Nevada. Dian lives in Sparks with her husband Blake of 34 years along with their rescue dogs Taz and Coco.

Barbara Smalley

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Barbara Smalley is so excited to step into the role as the Program Manager for OANV in 2022. Since July of 2021, she has worked as an Eviction Mediation Navigator and Volunteer Financial Navigator for OANV. Both of these positions have allowed Barbara to help Nevadans as they navigate their finances, find resources and work through the eviction process.

Before coming to OANV, Barbara started a business as a learning coach working with school age children to help them navigate their e-learning studies during the COVID-19 shutdown.

She was also a South Carolina First Step 4K teacher working with children to encourage their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development by implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum to prepare them for five-year-old kindergarten.

Barbara has a degree in Liberal Arts and enjoys time spent with her two sons and four pets.