Tammi Odegard, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NyE Communities Coalition, has dedicated her career to serving the needs of the community, driven by a deep commitment to improving health and wellness across Nye, Lincoln, and Esmeralda counties. With a background in business administration and extensive experience in grant management and nonprofit work, Tammi’s journey to her current role has been marked by a passion for helping those whose needs often go unmet.
Tammi’s path to becoming COO began with her work in grant management at a courthouse, where she was closely involved in providing direct services to the community. Her work often intersected with the efforts of the NyE Communities Coalition, giving her a firsthand look at the impactful programs and initiatives the coalition offered. “I was really tied in with what the coalition was doing,” Tammi recalls. “When the opportunity arose to become the workforce director here, it felt like a perfect match—a positive work environment where everything we do is for the health of the community.”
In 2015, Tammi joined the coalition as the Workforce Director, bringing her expertise in community service and nonprofit management to the role. Her dedication and passion quickly became evident, and three years later, she stepped into the role of COO. “I was content with what I was doing, but I felt like I could use my skills and knowledge for the greater good,” she explains. Since then, Tammi has continued to lead the coalition with a focus on strategic growth and maintaining the organization’s financial health. “I see myself working out the remainder of my career here,” she adds, reflecting on her commitment to the coalition’s mission.
For Tammi, the most rewarding aspect of her role is seeing the tangible impact of the coalition’s work on the lives of community members. “It’s incredibly rewarding when we see people go into new careers or improve their mental or physical health because of the services we offer,” she says. Although she now works more behind the scenes, ensuring the coalition’s operations run smoothly, Tammi finds great satisfaction in supporting her team. “I love that the community sees our team out there doing great things, and I’m in the background making sure everything runs smoothly.”
Tammi oversees a significant portion of the coalition’s operations, managing the financial side of around 55 grants, which provide essential funding for the coalition’s various programs. “We’re dealing with funders daily, making sure we follow all their regulations,” she explains. The coalition’s strong reputation is evident in the frequent offers of additional funding from satisfied funders. “It’s a testament to the great work our team is doing,” Tammi says proudly. “It’s incredibly rewarding when we get those calls asking if we can take on more funds because someone else couldn’t spend them.”
Balancing the demands of her role with her personal life is no small feat, but Tammi emphasizes the importance of self-care. “I take good care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally,” she says. Her motivation comes from knowing that there are always more people in the community who need help. “We serve all of Nye, Lincoln, and Esmeralda counties, and there’s always more to do.”
NyE Communities Coalition offers a wide array of services, touching on every aspect of health and wellness, from physical and mental health to occupational and environmental well-being. “People often think of health as just physical, but we touch on so much more,” Tammi explains. The coalition’s largest program is its workforce development initiative, which helps individuals 14 and up find jobs, receive training, and overcome barriers to employment. “We help people get CDL licenses, learn computer programming, and so much more,” Tammi says.
One of the coalition’s unique strengths is its network of community health workers, who serve as a bridge between those in need and available resources. “Community health workers meet with individuals, triage their needs, and connect them with the services they require, whether it’s mental health support, food, or transportation,” Tammi explains. This network has grown significantly, and community health workers are now embedded in schools, hospitals, and other community settings.
The coalition’s impact extends beyond direct services. Over the years, NyE Communities Coalition has played a pivotal role in launching and supporting various community initiatives. From helping to start public transportation in Pahrump to placing social workers in schools during the recession, the coalition has a long history of identifying community needs and providing solutions. “We like to start projects, build them up, and then hand them off to the community,” Tammi says.
Looking to the future, Tammi’s vision for the coalition is focused on strategic growth and maintaining the organization’s fiscal health. “We’re really strategic about the grants we seek and the services we provide,” she says. While the coalition’s income has increased significantly over the past five years, Tammi emphasizes the importance of fine-tuning operations to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the community.
The coalition also faces challenges, particularly in responding to the rapidly changing landscape of substance abuse. “We don’t always know what the next problem will be,” Tammi admits, citing the rise of fentanyl as an example. However, the coalition is well-positioned to respond quickly to emerging issues, thanks to the strong connections and proactive approach of its leadership. “We see challenges as opportunities to provide something the community needs,” she says.
Tammi’s leadership at NyE Communities Coalition is marked by a deep commitment to the community, a focus on strategic growth, and an unwavering dedication to improving the health and well-being of those in the communities they serve. As she looks ahead, Tammi remains focused on ensuring the coalition continues to be a vital resource for the community, ready to meet whatever challenges come next.
