The Empowerment Center is excited to extend the warmest of welcomes to our newest Board Member, Gabi Vascan! As Co-Founder of Pulse Business Consulting and a University of Nevada-Reno MBA graduate, Vascan looks forward to sharing her financial experience, as well as her expertise in guiding executive teams in strategy setting, with our organization.
She tells us, “Looking back, arriving here as an immigrant, I was in a vulnerable position. But I was fortunate—I had the chance to connect with the right people, to learn about the community, and to experience change that has been incredibly kind to me. Now, I feel it’s time to give back. I want others to have the same opportunities I was given. When someone is facing a major crisis, what they need most is support—kindness, guidance, and a sense that they’re not alone. Honestly, we all need that at some point.”
Meet Gabi Vascan
Gabi immigrated to the United States from Transylvania, Romania, 20 years ago with just $100 in her pocket and a heart full of hope. Although she already held a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Economics, her passion for learning and growth led her to pursue an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. She later went on to earn the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation through the Institute of Management Accountants, further strengthening her expertise in the field.
Vascan worked as Financial Controller and Financial Manager for several local companies, including B&J Industries, Clear Capital, Swift Communications, and Castelli North America. Through her work, she noticed how the local business community often lacked the support and the solutions they needed to thrive. She joined forces with a colleague, and together they co-founded Pulse Business Consulting. Today, they empower and support business owners by providing financial clarity, building sustainable systems, and guiding more informed decision-making.
Joining The Empowerment Center’s Board
Vascan’s been in the nonprofit space for a few years and appreciates how giving our local community can be. She’s a member of Thank you Ma’am Reno, a small group of women that fundraise together. They gather quarterly, hear four Northern Nevada nonprofits present their stories, and choose to support the one that inspires them most.
Ready to give back to the community in a bigger way, Gabi explained, “I started reaching out to people I knew were givers and had their hearts in the right places”. This included another Empowerment Center Board Member, who encouraged her to connect with us. She started learning more about TEC sustainable path to lasting recovery. Gabi adds, “I believe what The Empowerment Center offers is a true opportunity for a better life. They provide everything a person needs to succeed. It’s meaningful work—and a wonderful opportunity to be part of something that makes a real difference!”
Vascan is most inspired by the Center’s commitment to continuous improvement—enhancing their programs, refining treatment effectiveness, and preparing for their next phase of growth with the development of TEC2, a new 83-bed treatment facility. She’s particularly impressed by how the Center is expanding access and impact through increasingly personalized recovery programs, creating more opportunities for more people to succeed.
Outside of Work
Outside of work, Gabi enjoys spending time with her 7-year old daughter, Ellie, and exploring our mountains – both together and independently. They joined Sky Tavern for the first time this year, where Gabi is volunteering as a ski instructor and her daughter is taking her first turns. They also adventure to larger mountains together. Last month at Heavenly, they realized how much Ellie loved skiing between the trees and stayed until the lifts stopped spinning. As for longer hikes, one of Vascan’s favorites is Clouds Rest in Yosemite. She especially enjoys summiting 14,000 foot peaks – for both the experience of standing atop them and the comradery of training with a hiking group throughout the season.
We know Gabi Vascan has so many talents to contribute to our Board, and we’re honored she’s chosen to give her time to us. TEC Executive Director Roxanne DeCarlo notes, “I’m so grateful that Gabi chose The Empowerment Center. She’s incredibly talented and brings such a wealth of knowledge to our team — truly the perfect fit.”