Boyd Senior Fellow Dr. Nancy E. Brune Named to a Key Obama Administration Post

In an announcement released by The White House on April 8, President Obama announced his intention to appoint
Dr. Nancy E. Brune, Senior Fellow at the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law and Executive Director of the Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, Nevada, to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

Dr. Brune is one of four individuals named by the President to a key administration post. In the announcement, President Obama said, “I am honored that these talented individuals have decided to serve our country. They bring their years of experience and expertise to this Administration, and I look forward to working with them.”

In her role at the Boyd School of Law, Dr. Brune is focused on global policy in the areas of security, natural resources, energy, and trade.

Vincent Kwan, First-Year Law Student, Elected to Director of the Rebel Venture Fund

Congratulations to first-year law student Vincent Kwan who, after having joined his first semester of law school, was recently elected to director of the Rebel Venture Fund (RVF).

The RVF is UNLV’s venture capital (VC) fund that looks to make equity investments in private high-growth companies throughout Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. The fund invests in startups at every stage and provides knowledge, resources, and support to the growing tech and small business community here in Las Vegas. Unlike other university VC funds, the RVF is entirely student lead and run. Students work closely with entrepreneurs and leaders in the business community to conduct screenings, due diligence, investments, negotiations, and close deals.

Founded in 2013, RVF draws its membership from graduate and undergraduate students who work closely with a board of seasoned angel investors and venture capitalists in the community to arrive at investment decisions. In addition to having strong ties and relationships with business leaders, investors, and professionals in the community, RVF is supported by the UNLV Center for Entrepreneurship.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Kwan decided to escape the hot desert and go as far away as possible to the cold East Coast. He went to New York City where he attended NYU Stern School of Business for his undergraduate, pursuing a degree in international business and political economy. Having worked in management consulting, corporate business strategy, and tech startups, Kwan has a broad range of experience and knowledge in the business world. Now hoping to supplement and further enhance his business knowledge, he in back home in Las Vegas attending the Boyd School of Law where he is currently in his first year as a full-time student.

With a strong passion for the Las Vegas tech and small business community, Kwan plans to make RVF a top VC fund and UNLV one of the best resources for the talented entrepreneurs and businesses in Las Vegas. The city has undergone a lot of change in recent years, especially with the Downtown Project, Work In Progress, the Innevation Center, and more to attract talented techs and entrepreneurs. He hopes to connect this community, help it flourish, and bring new young talent to Las Vegas.