American Access Institute Presents the 2026 Galactic Gala

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at AAI's Galactic Gala. Co-chairs Ayesha Mehdi, Esq. and Shane Young, Esq. welcome you to a night full of great energy, purpose, and celebration.

What to Expect:

  • Vacation stays and travel experiences

  • Event and entertainment tickets

  • Dining experiences and gift certificates

  • Spa and wellness packages

  • Unique products, services, and professional experiences

Caring people like you make this mission possible. Step into the room, celebrate with us, and help build a world where vulnerable young people find their way to economic security.

keynote Speaker

A lifelong Henderson resident with 25 years of municipal service prior to her election, Mayor Michelle Romero leads Southern Nevada with a focus on smart growth and community opportunity. Her administration champions economic diversification, innovative redevelopment, and robust education initiatives that build practical workforce pipelines. Mayor Romero actively advances high-impact initiatives that equip youth with essential skills, strengthen local career pathways, and ensure long-term prosperity.

Celebrity DJ

American Access Institute welcomes celebrated Las Vegas talent DJ Eric Snow to headline the soundscape for Galactic Gala on November 14, 2026. A premier Strip performer across iconic venues including Mandalay Bay, The Venetian, and Wynn Resorts, DJ Snow delivers an irresistible musical journey spanning high-energy classic hits, smooth yacht rock, and timeless slow dances for romance on the floor. Get ready for an extraordinary evening of vibrant celebration and unforgettable good vibes.

Meet Your Galactic Gala Co-Chairs

Ayesha R. Mehdi, Esquire

Ayesha R. Mehdi is Partner-in-Charge of the Las Vegas office of Zumpano Patricios, a national firm with a significant managed care and healthcare litigation practice. She advises medical practitioners and healthcare organizations on regulatory, transactional, and dispute resolution matters, and previously led the healthcare law practice at an Am Law 200 firm's Las Vegas office. 

She holds a Master of Health Services Administration and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas, and a Master of Laws in National and Global Health Law from Georgetown University Law Center.

As a CAP attorney with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, Ayesha has represented children in the foster care system, an experience that shapes why AAI's mission resonates so deeply with her.

She has chaired the American Bar Association's Healthcare Fraud and Compliance Interest Group, previously served on the Board of Governors at the University of Kansas School of Law, and taught health law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has also been selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 for Corporate Law and recognized by several Nevada organizations, including Leading Lawyers of Las Vegas, Women Inspiring Nevada, and Vegas Inc.

Ayesha has called Henderson home for almost seventeen years, where she lives with her husband, Dr. Raja Mehdi, founder of Hope Cancer Care of Nevada, built with her support, and their three children. She ran her first marathon in Athens, the birthplace of the race, and believes every young person deserves the same thing a runner does: a fair starting line.

Shane Jasmine Young, Esquire

Featured as a Top Businesswoman in Nevada by Vogue, Vanity Fair, Fortune 500, Forbes, and Entrepreneur Magazine, Shane Jasmine Young brings visionary leadership to her role as Attorney and Founder of Young Law Group, a 46-time Best of Las Vegas Gold Winner. Shane focuses her practice on Legal Life Planning, delivering robust counsel in Asset Protection, Trusts and Estates, Business, Long-Term Care, Kids Protection, and Pets Protection. She educates, counsels, and provides innovative, comprehensive asset protection solutions and strategies.

As a dedicated advocate for generational security, Shane channels her passion into empowering individuals, rising entrepreneurs, and underrepresented youth to build self-reliance, safeguard their futures, and make well-informed decisions. Her work directly advances the mission of American Access Institute by expanding access to economic resilience, keeping community members and business owners out of court and conflict, providing true peace of mind, and establishing lifelong pathways to protection, legacy, and generational wealth.

Shane accepted the International Leadership Award at the 20th Annual ATHENA International Gala and entered the Women’s Hall of Fame.

An alumna of both Pepperdine University and the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, she holds recognition across legal and civic sectors in Nevada. In Business selected her twice for the 40 Under 40 Award, and Nevada Business Magazine named her among the Legal Elite. In addition, the Las Vegas Aces recognized her as a Woman of Impact, the American Cancer Society celebrated her as a Game Changer, and the William S. Boyd School of Law designated her the 2025 Alumna of the Year.

These recognitions are not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the Supreme Court of Nevada or the State Bar of Nevada, and do not constitute a certification of specialization.

The beautiful Hanneman Hall ballroom is located at :

Plenty of free parking. Enjoy beautiful views of the strip from this facility.

Get Involved with the Galactic Gala

The Galactic Gala is more than an unforgettable evening—it is a community movement to create life-changing opportunities for foster, unhoused, and other vulnerable youth.

There are many ways to support this special event:

Join our team and help make the Galactic Gala a memorable experience for our guests and honorees.

Partner with American Access Institute and showcase your commitment to empowering young people as they build pathways to education, employment, and independence.

Your gift helps expand access to innovative tools, mentorship, and workforce readiness resources that empower vulnerable youth to thrive.

Donate to the Silent Auction

Contribute items, services, or experiences that inspire excitement and generosity. We welcome donations such as:

  • Vacation stays and travel experiences

  • Event and entertainment tickets

  • Dining experiences and gift certificates

  • Spa and wellness packages

  • Unique products, services, and professional experiences

Become a Galactic Gala Partner

Help create an extraordinary evening of inspiration and impact. Whether you volunteer, sponsor, contribute a silent auction item, or make a financial gift, your support helps open doors and create opportunities for young people who need them most.

Check out these great photos of our past fundraisers!