Maria Mandaleni-Orozco joined NDVS in 2021 as a Veterans Service Officer. She helped veterans file claims for disability, pension, and survivor’s compensation and educated veterans and their families on the benefits available. Maria has now transitioned into the role of Outreach Director for the Nevada Department of Veteran Services. In this role, Maria will oversee community outreach efforts in southern Nevada and participate in community groups and professional organizations. Maria also manages and supports the Nevada Veterans Advocate (NVA) program and volunteers.
Before joining NDVS, Maria worked as an agent with the Gaming Control Board for more than seven years and decided to take the plunge into the healthcare industry as a medical liaison and community outreach manager. Maria realized that helping and advocating for others, especially the senior population and veterans, was her true passion and calling. Maria has more than six years of experience planning and implementing outreach programs and is excited to bring that knowledge to NDVS.
Maria has been a Nevada resident for 42 years. She attended the historic Las Vegas High School and graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration majoring in Management. Maria is married to a Marine Corps veteran, so she understands the life of a military soldier and the sacrifices they have made.
Our 2nd speaker will be Mechelle Nelson, the Admissions Coordinator at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City. She has worked at the home for over 10 years, seven years as a CNA, one and a half years as lead CNA and three years as current Admissions Coordinator. She is a military wife married to a Green Beret for over six years, stationed at the 82nd Airborne Division at Fayetteville North Carolina. She has three daughters and eight grandchildren. She has a great passion for our military veterans, their families and the sacrifices they have made for our freedom. She says it's an honor to work with our veterans here at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home and be able to give back to them.