Finishing the completion of her J.D. degree, Nevarez began a career at a law firm.[7] After a brief time practicing law, Nevarez was hired as the first full-time Director of Compliance for athletics at San Jose State University.[10] From there, Nevarez returned to her law school alma mater, joining the athletic program staff as the Assistant Athletics Director of Compliance and Legal Affairs, while also serving as the interim Senior Woman Administrator.[11] Following that, Nevarez began a term as the Associate Commissioner and Senior Woman Administrator for the West Coast Conference for the next 5 years.[5] In August 2007, Nevarez was named Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Oklahoma.[12]
In March 2010, Nevarez was named Senior Associate Commissioner and Senior Woman Administrator of the Pac-10 Conference, known since 2011 as the Pac-12 Conference.[11] During her time at the Pac-12, Nevarez oversaw all sports and championships except football and was the leagues' point person for men's basketball.[5] Additionally, Nevarez was instrumental in the Pac-12's expansion from ten institutions to twelve, the relocation of the men's basketball tournament in Las Vegas, and the women's basketball tournament in Seattle.[13] She was the lead on various international trips to China and Australia taken by Pac-12 teams, notably, Nevarez was instrumental in assisting UCLA when three players were arrested in China for stealing.[14]
In November 2022, the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors selected Nevarez as the new commissioner; she officially assumed her duties on January 1, 2023.[16]
Personal
Nevarez is married to fellow University of California, Berkeley, Law graduate Richard Young.[5] Additionally, Nevarez has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of San Francisco teaching on topics in sports law.[5] Her father is of Mexican descent and her mother is of mixed Filipina and Irish ancestry.[17]