azfoothills Magazine - The Innovators Issue

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NOVEMBER

INNOVATORS

& NOW

FEATURES

(That’s

THIS ISSUE OF azf IS A SPECIAL ONE FOR MANY REASONS.

WE CELEBRATE THE magazine’s 25th an niversary this year; looking back on how azf has evolved from a print-only publica tion in 1997 to the leading luxury omni channel media brand that it is today. It is in this spirit of invention and innovation that we are so proud to introduce the inaugural Innovators—a group of 20 stand-out individuals who have each made a positive impact inspiring and enriching the lives and well-being of others as leaders and experts across a wide range of disciplines: from architecture and arts to health and wellness, philanthropy, tech nology and more.

Of course, success is never a solitary endeavor. Each Innovator has selected five other deserving individuals and/or businesses in their respective category to pay the honor forward. Meanwhile, our Young Innovators recognize budding talent whose bright ideas and progressive actions will continue to influence and direct Arizona’s future. The 2022 Innovators have set the stage for the Innovator Awards to become an annual issue and event to look forward to.

We also hear heartening stories from our community that reveal homegrown acts of kindness. In “Then & Now,” travel back in time to see what azf, fashion, sports and more were like in the late ’90s and early aughts.

I can’t wait to look back in the next 25 years and see how far we’ve come. For now, we invite you to enjoy the present moment and turn the page along with us.

P.S. Be sure to follow @azfoothills on Instagram and visit azfoothills.com to learn more about the incredible Innovators and stay tuned for what’s new and next.

Christina Silvestri

, Victor Amarillas

BEING BORN AND RAISED

here in Central Phoenix, I view this city as a beautiful and intricate fabric that continually evolves as the world innovates.

Individually, we are one-dimensional threads, but as we work and interact together in everyday life, there’s this incred ible interweaving that happens to create an extraordinary fabric of infinite colors, patterns, shapes and sizes through inno vative ideas and powerful connections.

This special and inaugural Innovators issue honors the trailblazers, the risk-takers and the forward-thinkers in our community.

Innovators are the originals. They are the change agents who act with kindness and add value through their craft to pull industries forward. They are the shapers of culture and city. They are the story tellers of neighborhoods. And they stay endlessly curious.

Fabric also has the capacity to catch and to hold. The fabric of our community offers a support system of resources and encouragement to those who choose to boldly step forward to take a chance.

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary in print, azf has the unique responsibility as a storytelling platform to amplify, foster and connect our community’s diverse talent.

Being other-oriented is what pushes the weaving of the city’s fabric forward. We wouldn’t have this city without each other’s shoulders to stand on to support our individual goals and dreams. I encour age you to get to know your neighbors, understand what they’re passionate about, see where you can add value and have the boldness and the confidence to be original and advocate for others who are making a positive difference.

TRUST LOVE. BE AN ORIGINAL. BE KIND. ADD VALUE. STAY CURIOUS.

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© Copyright 2022, Arizona Foothills Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in Arizona Foothills Magazine is accurate and complete, no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Arizona Foothills Magazine pro vides information in articles such as phone numbers, times, prices, etc. as a service to our readers. All informa tion has been researched and checked for accuracy at press time. We are not responsible for any changes or vari ances in information following publication.

A Year in the Life of an ATHENA Businesswoman of the Year

Molly Stockley: ATHENA Award,

Sector 2021 2022

Molly Stockley, regional vice president of marketing at Cancer Treatment Centers of America™ (CTCA), part of City of Hope, was named the 34th Annual ATHENA of the Year.

The ATHENA Award is sponsored by the Greater Phoenix Chamber, which recognizes the achievements of businesswomen in the community who demonstrate excellence in professional leadership, community service and mentorship of future leaders. The awards highlight three women at the top of their field in the Private Sector, Public Sector and Young Professional. The winners were selected by a panel of judges from a group of 64 nominees, divided among the three categories.

Awarded the Athena Award for the Private Sector, Molly holds an executive-level position within the CTCA enterprise. Before CTCA, she rooted herself in the Phoe nix market and was excelling in her 18-year career in broadcast media. She knew she could do more to honor her friend, Kristi, who had passed away from cancer at 28 and help others. In 2008, she took initiative and made the courageous leap from sports to media to

healthcare at CTCA where she leads with her direct-to-consumer expertise, grassroots marketing and passion—with Kristi ALWAYS engrained in her heart.

Molly has spent her year as an ATHENA recipient, networking, speaking at leadership events and encouraging other businesswomen to become a part of the ATHENA process.

“My year has been focused on finding the ‘unsung’ heroes of women, women who are humble yet powerful, quiet yet impactful. These are women whose contributions you have seen but were not aware they were the ones making them. These women will never boast or take credit,” said Molly. “These ATHENAs need to be celebrated. Women need other women in their lives who think they are a big deal. I have the ‘microphone’ to do just that.”

When asked why she strives to excel in her community she says, “I strive to be a virtuous leader, an authentic mentor and purposeful community contributor to leave a legacy for my two boys, Jackson and Jacob. My husband and I teach them to be kind, humble, helpful and contribute to society. To be a good person. A great human. To be an ATHENA.”

Molly’s hope for future Athenas is to recognize the important of “using your voice” and the power that comes from it. She wants young women to trust in themselves and know that what they have to say has value. And most importantly: Be Kind, Be Humble, Be Genuine and always smile with your eyes.

For more information on the Athena Award winners’ speeches and details on the 2022 awards, visit www.phoenixchamber.com/events •

Molly, Bob and Jackson Stockley. Not pictured: Jacob Stockley

Left to right: Molly Stockley (Private), Stella O’Rourke (Young Professional), Jeanine Bashir (Public)

4 ways to prioritize recovery during the holidays

The holidays may bring time off work, but this time of year is rarely relaxing! With so many expectations, it is crucial to prioritize recovery. The best part? It can be a family activity. Not only will you get the recovery you need, but you’ll set your kids up with essential life skills.

Remember to breathe

Use your breathing to shift your body from a sympathetic (aka fight-or-flight) state to a parasympathetic (aka rest-anddigest) state. For example, inhale for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. Repeat until you feel relaxed. This simple breathing technique is a great way to teach kids how to downregulate when overwhelmed.

Take time to play

When you’re laughing and playing, your body releases endorphins, or feel-good hormones, which can help relieve stress. The best part is that play doesn’t require a lot of planning. You can bring a ball or frisbee to your next family gathering, set up a puzzle in the living room for the family to work on, or have an impromptu dance party while dinner is in the oven.

Find your 昀ow

Flow is the optimal state of mind that comes when you’re fully immersed in a task, energized, and enjoying the process. In his Ted Talk, Adam Grant referred to flow as the antidote for languishing — that ‘meh’ feeling you get sometimes. And research tells us there are known flow triggers, such as setting clear goals, risks or challenges, enjoying rich environments like nature, moderate to higher intensity movement, and so much more. So take your family on a walk or a bike ride post-dinner, or get into a fun video game.

Add some fuel

About Exos

Founded in Scottsdale, Exos is a coaching company committed to helping people get ready for the moments that matter. With over 20 years of experience empowering corporate employees, elite athletes, and many other performers operating in some of the toughest environments, Exos’ world-class team of coaches personalize an integrated approach across the pillars of mindset, nutrition, movement, and recovery.

Whether hiking hills, working out, or wrapping countless presents, your body needs energy. Giving your body the proper fuel it needs to replenish will help perk you up. Whip up a snack with a balance of carbs and protein, like Greek yogurt with mixed berries or hard-boiled eggs with a banana.

Learn more at teamexos.com.

Leadership & Vision Meets Purpose

r. Kevin Tulipana, president and CEO of Cancer Treat ment Centers of America™ (CTCA) Arizona Market, leads with a servant’s heart. Compassionate, honest, innovative, spiritual and charismatic are a few traits that he embodies as the leader of CTCA, now part of City of Hope, a nationally accredited cancer hospital with outpatient care centers Valleywide.

D

Kevin has a deep passion for leadership and clinical excellence focused on patient safety, experi ence, clinical quality and physician engagement. He is blessed with the ability to both empower his team and leverage their talents for the benefit of CTCA’s patients.

“A leader must first be of great character and willing to risk in order to proceed to success,” said Kevin. “We have a responsibility to utilize the gifts that we possess and infuse them into our organization and our community. This is not only true for business but for family and friendships as well.”

Kevin follows his own advice, in not only the world of health care but in life. His accomplishments include achieving his undergraduate degree in biology with a minor emphasis in vocal music. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic medical degree, becoming board certified in Family Medicine and running a prac tice for seven years while pursuing a Master of Science in Bioethics.

His career as a physician flourished, and during that time, he challenged himself spiritually and felt a need to serve. As a devout Catholic, he completed a theology and philosophy program necessary to become an ordained deacon of the Catholic Church. He currently serves at Saint Thomas the Apostle in Phoenix. Kevin and his wife Kara, married 27 years ago, have eight children, 7 to 25. He keeps his family at the center of everything.

Kevin continued to hone his leadership skills as a physician, then hospital administrator, eventually making his way to CTCA as a hospitalist. Kevin combined his passion for patients both clinically and spiritually. He was quickly promoted to a hospital executive, taking on the role of chief medical officer of two hospitals. In 2020, he was named as the new leader of the CTCA Phoenix hospital. As the CEO, he purposefully challenges himself and his team to grow the hospital’s market share while focusing on patient experience and satisfaction.

Throughout his life, he has been surrounded by entrepre neurs, physician leaders and religious advisors. His diverse path as a deacon, physician and now CEO allowed Kevin to develop a compassionate communication style that patients and stake holders witness daily. His team calls him a visionary, who will chal lenge the norm and work to better both CTCA and the community.

“I can see the pieces coming together and unfolding,” said Kevin. “I am humbled by the opportunity to lead this amazing team who together work to change the trajectory of cancer every day!”

“A leader must first be of charactergreatand willing to riskin order to proceed to success.”

FAUX

FINISHES ARE NO FAUX PAS

Decorative finishes can take any space from ordinary to extraordinary.

By Alyssa Grabinski

Sometimes, a few words is all it takes to change your career’s course. And sometimes, you don’t even know that those few words are going to do just that.

For Marianne Cox, owner and founder of AZ Painting & Consulting, LLC, those words were quite simple: “Hey, is there somebody that can make these columns look like marble?” While working her job at an art store, an employee at a neighboring jewelry store popped in to ask for that simple request.

Cox’s reaction? “I’m thinking, ‘How hard could that be?’ So that’s when I first did it. And then I found out, I realized, you know, I can actually make anything look like something else.”

She eventually trained under highly esteemed artisan decorative finisher,

Barth White, who has worked on such famous hotels as the Bellagio and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas; they remain good friends. Building relationships and hard work are keys to her success. Cox became fluent in high-end finishes that designers, architects and contractors were needing. Working with Tony Sutton of top design firm Est Est, Inc. was pivotal in opening doors. After working and refining her skills, Cox decided to launch her business and received her painting and drywall license.

Now with years of experience, Cox has worked on a host of projects, some more peculiar than others. And while Cox has taken on bigger projects, recreating exterior signage for Empower College Prep as well as interior signage for Barrio Queen, no job or task is too small. Seriously. She once was commissioned to paint parts of a

urinal to match its brass adornments.

Her insane color-matching skills also regularly come in handy. When asked to recreate a metallic-looking wallpaper fea turing tiny glass beads along the whole wall, Cox was up for the challenge. In order to create the perfect blue pewter, Cox spent time mixing eight different colors to craft the gleaming result. Creating concrete finishes on fireplaces, fixing old, discontin ued frames or Venetian plastering entire houses has become Cox’s livelihood. As it turns out, Cox knows just how to make beautiful things.

While Cox says she struggled to run a business and raise her son, Connor, as a single mother during the pandemic, she looks to a higher power. “My success and strength come from God.” www.azpaintingllc.com

Barrio QueenVenetian Plaster Hall

Concrete Fireplace With Rivits

P.F. Chang’s Mural

Chef WILLIAM TURNER’ S HOLIDAY CHICKEN ROULADE

By Alyssa Grabinski Photography by Debby Wolves

SCOTTSDALE’S FAVORITE PRIVATE CHEF IS HERE TO HELP YOU SERVE UP A DELICIOUS DISH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

As a teenager in a South Carolina town, William Turner had no idea that his unglamorous job as a dishwasher, shrimp peeler and fish cutter was only the first stepping stone for his very glamorous career as a private chef. Managing a McDonald’s at 16, attending business school and training under French and Cuban chefs later followed suit. Never even having attended culinary school, years later, Turner oversees a very successful business as a private chef which runs the gamut from fancy, romantic anniversary dinners to more lax and lively bachelorette parties. Aside from the time he spends whipping up flavorful feasts, he does us all a service by sharing his delectable recipes with the public. (Check out www.azfoothills.com/recipes for a list of previously shared recipes.) As the holidays are fast approaching, Chef Turner’s got the perfect recipe for all the holiday festivities to come. While the mixture of ingredients could seem daunting—cheese, crab meat, chicken, prosciutto—this cozy meal will have your family begging for more. www.chefwilliamturner.com, @phxprivatechef

Chicken Roulade With Pumpkin Spice Risotto in a Madeira Cream Sauce

“I created this dish for the not-so-tradi tional holiday menu. I recommend usinga store-bought deep fryer for convenience and safety, but with a little skill you can definitely make this on the stove stop orin the oven. You can also stuff the chicken with just about anything to make this classic your own.”

William Turner

Chicken Roulade

Ingredients

• 4 organic chicken breasts

• ¼ pound truffle gouda cheese, sliced

• 4 sun-dried tomatoes, sliced

• 4 shaved slices of prosciutto

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 3 cups seasoned bread crumbs

• 2 cups buttermilk

• Salt and pepper

Directions

• Prep the chicken roll-ups at least one hour ahead of time. This will help the chicken stay together during the frying process. I also suggest using a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.

• Start by trimming the breast. With your hand, lightly pound the breast to make sure it’s the same thickness throughout. You can

also use a rolling pin to roll the chicken flat, if preferred. I like to place the breast in a Ziploc bag first; this reduces splatter. Salt and pepper the breast.

• Place sliced cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and prosciutto in a line and roll the chicken breast up tightly and pinch the ends. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

• The breading process is dry-wet-dry. Set up flour, buttermilk and bread crumbs in three separate containers. Start by rolling the stuffed chicken in the flour, then dip into the buttermilk and, finally, the bread crumbs. Make sure the chicken is coated completely. Place on a metal rack over a pan and repeat with the remaining breast, then refrigerate.

• Heat oil to 325°F, then carefully and gently submerge the chicken into the oil, one at a time being careful to not overcrowd. Fry for 4–6 minutes until light brown.

• Place directly into a 400°F oven for 6–10 more minutes. Check the internal temperature to make sure it’s 165°F. Remove and let rest before slicing and serving.

Pumpkin Spice Risotto

Ingredients

• 1 lb Arborio rice

• 3 cups vegetable stock

• 6–8 cups water

• 1 cup cream

• ½ cup pumpkin puree

• ¼ cup grated parmesan

• Salt and pepper

• Pinch of cinnamon

• Pinch of nutmeg

•

Directions

In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of cooking oil over medium heat. Add rice and stir, coating and slightly toasting the rice.

• Add two cups of water that should cover the rice. Stir, add vegetable stock and keep stirring. As the liquid is absorbed, keep add ing more water and stirring until the rice no longer absorbs the liquid. This is a little tricky and not an exact measurement.

I suggest tasting the rice until it is cooked, which generally takes about 15–20 minutes.

• Finally add cream pumpkin purée and parmesan cheese. Stir and remove from heat.

Madeira Cream Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 1 cup cream

• 2 oz Madeira

• 1 tablespoon flour

• 1 tablespoon oil

• Chopped herbs

• Salt and pepper

Directions

• Start your sauce by making a roux by heating flour and oil in a pan over medium heat, stirring until it’s a blonde paste.

• Then, add the Madeira and chicken stock. Follow with the cream seasonings and herbs. Allow to simmer for a minute or two before removing from the heat.

• With a sharp knife, slice the chicken into small rolls, serve over the risotto, finish with the Madeira cream sauce and enjoy!

CHRISTOPH KAISER

Christoph Kaiser is the founder and principal of Kaiserworks, a Phoenix-based architecture and design studio with a reputation for innovative and sustainably built product and building designs.

KAISERWORKS IS PASSIONATE about creating elegant solutions to relevant problems and seeks to approach each project with the same optimism and rigor of invention that existed in mid-century American design culture.

One of the firm’s most notable projects, the Silo House, has received international attention and was awarded Dwell Magazine’s “Best of Design” award in 2018. Kaiser’s studio continues to develop a growing line of sustainable compact dwelling units in addition to maintaining a broad range of client projects with a focus on place-making—from restaurants to office

design to multi- and single-family residences. In his talk, “Big Ideas in Small Spaces,” given at Design Within Reach in Scottsdale, Kaiser said that he aspires to design spaces that “are evocative—that inspire wonder and feed the soul, in as much as architecture can so do.”

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

An innovator is a creative problem solver. A good innovator knows how to articulate the problem in elemental terms, stripping away existing conventions and inviting the possibility of a truly novel approach. Our world is filled with “design by synthesis.” We see things we like and build a collage of

them. That can yield nice design and certainly nice Pinterest boards, but you don’t get Ronchamp Chapel that way. Innovative design yields newness that delights the soul, strikes a chord deeper down and sometimes hits you in the face like a blast of fresh air. I am far from mastering this but feel blessed beyond words for the team of brilliant minds that strive toward this ideal with me every day, with every project we take on at Kaiserworks. •

www.kaiserworks.com, @ksrwrks, @christoph.g.kaiser

INNOVATOR IS A CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVER. A GOOD INNOVATOR KNOWS HOW TO ARTICULATE THE PROBLEM IN ELEMENTAL TERMS, STRIPPING AWAY EXISTING CONVEN TIONS AND INVITING THE POSSIBILITY OF A TRULY NOVEL APPROACH.”

CHRISTOPH’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

BEN HALL

Benjamin Hall Design

Benjamin Hall Design, founded in 2011, is a Phoenix-based design practice. The firm, led by Benjamin Hall, is committed to the lost profession of master builder and provides top-quality services on both sides of design and construction.

From conceptualizing projects to producing the final product, Hall works side-by-side with trades, swinging hammers and welding steel. His work has been recognized with awards, including the American Institute of Architects Honor Award in 2015 and 2020 and the Arizona Masonry Guild’s Honor Award in 2021. Hall’s well-known Valley projects include White Stone Studios and White Stone Flats. www.benjaminhalldesign.com, www.whitestonephoenix.com, @benjaminhalldesign

LAWRENCE JARVEY

Provision Coffee

With a background in the fine dining and bar industries, wholesale sales and management and production coffee roast ing, Lawrence Jarvey is the co-founder of Provision Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, cocktail bar and all-day eatery in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood. www.provisioncoffee.com, @provisioncoffee

CALEB BARCLAY

Dwellito

Caleb Barclay is the founder and CEO of Dwellito, a tech startup that is building an internet marketplace for made-to-order homes. Dwellito lets customers find and design a home within the browser, walk through the home virtually, get financing and click “buy.” Barclay and his team look to increase the housing supply in cities that desperately need affordable housing. www.calebbarclay.com, www.dwellito.com, @dwellito

JAY ALABASTER

Journalist

A Phoenix native and a longtime journalist, Jay Alabaster lives in Japan, focusing his work on a small fishing town’s struggle to adapt to modern-day environmentalist concerns.

CHEF AARON CHAMBERLIN

Chef & Restaurateur

Captivated from a young age by an image of his grandfather in chef whites, Chef Chamberlin left home to pursue his culinary education in San Francisco at the age of 19. He spent a decade traveling and training under such noted chefs as Michel Richard, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Nancy Oakes before returning to Arizona to work with LGO Hospitality’s La Grande Orange Pizzeria and Chelsea’s Kitchen. He went on to open his own establishments, including St. Francis, Phoenix Public Market and, most recently, Taco Chelo, a taqueria on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix, where he is a collaborative partner with Chef Suny Santana and artist Gennaro Garcia. @aaron_chamberlin

, Rachael

Koscica

Photography

WHITE STONE FLATS

,

Winquist Photography

More Cancer Expertise.

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By being part of City of Hope, one of the nation’s top 10 cancer hospitals, we’re able to combine groundbreaking clinical research with precision cancer treatment, providing you with the comprehensive, personalized care you deserve.

“INNOVATORS NEVER LOSE THEIR CURIOSITY. IT IS LIKE AN ITCH. IT IS ONLY SATISFIED BY SCRATCHING.” - LARRY J. ORTEGA

LARRY J. ORTEGA

My art explains my life. My life explains my art.

IT IS HARD to detect plagiarism in my work, but it comes by simulating the beauty of nature and light. The spirituality and the ethos of the desert have become the aesthetic in my art. I use light as a medium and a metaphor. My personal spirituality is nurtured and enhanced by my wanderings in the wilderness, both physically and mentally.

My studio/home is surrounded by an undisturbed desert in an obscure canyon overlooking the lights of downtown Phoenix. It provides daily inspiration for my work.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you? Artists that cross the boundaries of conventional wisdom and norms produce innovation. We are all born curious. But it is something easily lost. Innovators never lose their curiosity. It is like an itch. It is only satisfied by scratching. To be effective as an innovator is never losing interest but persevering. You must use more than one’s eyes to see the invisible. Faith plays a significant role in steering innovators to explore unknown realms.

www.larryjortega.com, @anobliqartist

LARRY’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

DYANA HESSON

Painter

Botanical artist Dyana Hesson loves a good adventure. As a child in the gold country of Northern California, she was always happiest exploring outdoors. Hesson found art in college and has been painting professionally for 29 years. Represented by Bonner David Galleries, Hesson is a Master of the Southwest award winner, Master Signature member of American Women Artists and a founding member of the Art on the Wild Side art exhibit program at the Phoenix Zoo. Hesson lives in Mesa with her husband, Randy, daughter, Sydney, and Jack Russell terrier, Beau. www.dyanahesson.com, @dyhesson

CATRINA KAHLER Artlink

An Arizona native and a Valley resident since 1989, Kahler has over 27 years of experience in marketing, community devel opment and public relations and has been actively involved in the development of urban Phoenix for 17 years. As president and CEO of Artlink, a 33-year-old nonprofit that connects artists, businesses and community, she leads the development and implementation of engagement strategies.

PETE DEISE

Sculptor

Deise effortlessly intertwines a love of science and nature with his art in a way that draws the viewer into his own world of curiosities. For the past 20 years, Deise has studied the relationship of art and nature through his writings, drawings, paintings and sculpture. Through the elements of fall, winter, spring and the fire of the desert summer, Deise continues to adapt along with the movement of each season, absorbing information from nature and expressing it through his handcrafted raw steel sculptures.

Kahler is also publisher of Down town Phoenix Journal, the first online magazine for downtown Phoenix, and serves on the board of Arizona Citizens for the Arts and Phoenix Community Alliance as chair of PCA’s Arts, Culture & Public Life Committee. www.artlinkphx.org

MELISSA ZIMMER

Tattoo Artist

Phoenix-native Melissa Zimmer is co-owner of Iron Key Studio, a custom tattoo and piercing shop, in Old Town Peoria. Whether the style is realism, neo-traditional, old school or black and gray, her craft demonstrates her ability to create professional and original work that keeps clients coming back time and again. She also exhibits at art shows, donates artwork to nonprofit organiza tions and creates commercial painting projects.

MARK TARRANTI

Altamira Fine Art

Mark Tarranti is the executive director of Altamira Fine Art, which specializes in the exhibition and sale of Western Contemporary artwork with two gallery locations in Old Town Scottsdale and Jackson, Wyo. Altamira offers fine art in a range of media, from oil paint ing, acrylic, contemporary glass and bronze to digital art installa tions and mixed media.

, Paul Markow

ROBERT & WILL BRUNNER

OUR FOCUS IS to deliver a life style that will allow golf (and everything else) to be more inclusive, inviting and straightup less boring. We design and deliver apparel that the world of golf wants and needs; we welcome the next generation of golfers who are breaking stigmas and evolving the outdated standards.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

ROBERT: It’s humbling to be considered an innovator when I just consider myself a person who follows my own set of rules. There may be parallels between the two, but I express my vision through the art of apparel design. In our case, innovation exists by embracing the direction in which we see the game of golf heading and figuring out how to share it with millions to get them

excited about the sport. So, to me, being innovative means leaning into your true passion, executing it with an authentic and unapologetic point of view and adapting through the failures.

WILL: Innovation to me means interrupting the status quo and challenging the “typicals.” From content to business structure to design, we embrace disruption as a brand. We were previously in the wholesale world, as all other golf apparel brands are, and chose to become the first premium direct-toconsumer golf brand on the market. While it was definitely a risk, we saw the room for growth in the golf apparel space and the potential to make us more accessible to our core customers. •

@devereuxgolf

Founded by brothers Robert Brunner and Will Brunner, Devereux is a family-run business fueled by passion and optimism.

“BEING INNOVATIVE MEANS LEANING INTO YOUR TRUE PASSION, EXECUTING IT WITH AN AUTHENTIC AND UNAPOLOGETIC POINT OF VIEW AND ADAPTING THROUGH THE FAILURES.”

- ROBERT BRUNNER

ROBERT & WILL’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES THEM

JEREMY DAVIS

ELLYSE NICHOLE ENC Agency

As the visual brand strategist and creative director behind ENC Agency, a full-service creative agency that combines design and strategy, Ellyse Nichole began her creative career while working in the hustle-bustle of Los Angeles and New York City. For the past 10 years, she has had the opportunity to develop unique content, create global campaigns, build customer engagement, grow brand identity, strengthen the visual aesthetic and curate a collection of knowledge she loves to share with her clientele. www.encagency.com, @encagency

Manor Phoenix

Manor is a Phoenix-based retailer focused on specialty footwear and premium goods for the entire family. Own ing a specialty footwear store was a lifetime dream turned reality for owner Jeremy Davis. “In second grade, our class was asked what we wanted to be when we grew up,” says Davis. “Most kids chose professions such as pilot, police officer or firefighter. I was the only one who said mall owner, derived from my obsession with footwear.” Located at Uptown Plaza, Manor offers premium goods from a curated selection of brands, including Adidas, Birkenstock, Champion, Ray-Ban, Veja and more. www.manorphx.com, @manorphx

GORDON LY

LYVISUALS

Gordon Ly is the owner of LYVISUALS, a Scottsdale-based creative agency that specializes in ad creation for e-commerce, commercial and personal brands. www.lyvisuals.com, @lyvisuals

PHOENIX GENERAL

With two Phoenix locations, including The Colony Uptown and Monorchid Downtown, Phoenix General showcases a collection of clothing and lifestyle gifts inspired by our modern desert city. Co-owners Kenny Barrett and Joshua Hahn handpick high-quality, ethical and sustainable gifts from local and international designers and artists. www.phxgeneral.com, @phxgeneral

FOURTILLFOUR CAFE

Founded in the desire to bring new life to old objects, restore adventure to vintage machines and unite a community through the ritual of coffee, the Fourtill four brand is the first of its kind, uniting the worlds of cars and coffee through an appreciation for detail and design. Fourtillfour Cafe opened as a specialty shop that brings third-wave coffee to its locations in Scottsdale and Encinitas, Calif., and hosts weekly vintage car gatherings that bring the community together through the love of adventure and a great cup of coffee. www.fourtillfour.com, @fourtillfour

patients an integrative treatment approach, focusing on brain-behavior, mind-body relationships for mental health and well-being. We provide evidence-based services that integrate psychological wellness with a person’s primary and specialized health care, linking with educators, physicians, and allied services such as nutrition counseling, speech/occupational/physical therapies, and complementary medicine.

adult

pediatric

evaluations for

learning

Witness

psycho-

therapy for children,

MILES WILLIS McDERMOTT

MILES WILLIS McDERMOTT is a multidisciplinary design dealer based in Phoenix, single-handedly slangin’ his nationally-awarded agency-level brand ing, iconoclastic interiors, killer content creation, handmade decor and bespoke antiques from his office and showroom in Sunnyslope.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you? I believe innovators have the conviction and courage to be the black sheep of their industry. Hearing someone say, “Well, that’s just the way we’ve always done it” makes their skin crawl. Innovators aren’t scared of face plants and messing up when doing something that’s never been done and they see “playing it safe” as a dangerous game.

•

www.milesmcdermott.com, @mcdamnright

MILES’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

ANTHONY FERRARA Oxy

Anthony Ferrara is a designer who believes creativity is a science. After freelancing for a decade and working at a startup accelerator, Anthony formed Oxy, a user-experience design agency that specializes in the development of ambitious brands and visual systems for clients, including LinkedIn, Axon, The National Football League, New Era and more. www.oxy.co, @andtheknee

TERRENCE MURTAGH

Heavy Pedal

What started as a passion project for Terrence Murtagh turned into what is now the disruptive cycling apparel company, Heavy Pedal. Featuring cutting-edge designs for men and women, the brand aims to make cyclists feel confident in gear that’s comfortable, effective and accessible. www.theheavypedal.com, @theheavypedal

SHELBY RINKE

Designer & Illustrator

Shelby Rinke is a Phoenix-based designer, illus trator and all-around color enthusiast. Known for their fun, vibrant and colorful brand work for the likes of Dazzle Dry, Scoopwell’s Dough Bar, Zia Records and more, Rinke also creates inde pendent comics that feature LGBTQ+ characters and themes. www.shelbyrinke.com, @shelbyrinke

ALBERT BARROSO

ThreeSevenFive

Albert Barroso is an award-winning art director and graphic designer based out of Phoenix. He specializes in brand identity and customer/user experience that grows business and builds enduring relationships between brands and humans. www.threesevenfive.com, @threesevenfive

MATT FISCHER

Provoke Creative

Matt Fischer has a reputation in the creative world. His work is driven by passion and crafted with intent from the ground up. With 23-plus years of industry experience, his résumé features everything from chief creative director in the advertising game to in-house marketing director for direct-to-consumer brands to digital colorist for feature-length animated films. He’s brought home more than 50 ADDYS for the American Advertising Awards in Phoenix and was the 2018 and 2019 nominee for Creative Director of the Year. Now, he’s taken the creative reins and launched Provoke Creative, an independent agency for bespoke branding, marketing and beyond. In just more than a year, it’s quickly become a client destination for “work that stimulates emotion, instead of getting lost in the commotion.” www.provokecreative.com, @provokecreative

ANTHONY FERRARA

SHELBY RINKE

ANTHONY PIETRANGELI

Known affectionately as “Mr. Anthony” by students, Anthony Pietrangeli has been principal of Kenilworth Elementary School in Phoenix since 2015.

PIETRANGELI BEGAN HIS career teaching special edu cation and holds masters’s degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership. In addition to being a certified principal in Arizona, he is a recipient of the Rodel Exemplary Teacher award and was the prior principal of Maie Bartlett Heard Elementary School in Phoenix from 2011–2015. Pietrangeli is married to his high school sweetheart with whom he has two children, Bella and Anthony.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

When we asked why Principal Mr. Anthony is an innovator in education, the “Super Cool Kenilworth School” community had the following to say:

• Leads with his heart. Mr. Anthony always considers what is best for students when making decisions.

• Love. Not just the love for his job but the love for everyone involved. Mr. Anthony

uses the words “I love you” to so many people every day, while bringing manners into everything with the words “please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome.”

• Clear communication. He will take the time with students, their families and teachers to ensure that everyone is heard and understood to welcome trust.

• Courage. He remains focused on his commitments to the students, their families and their teachers. The easy choice is not always the right choice, and Mr. Anthony has the courage to make the right choice with his team.

• Trust is the glue that holds all of our systems together. Mr. Anthony under stands that trust needs to be earned by having his actions match his words; he will walk his talk to do all he can to keep everyone improving and moving forward. •

anthony.pietrangeli@phxschools.org, www.phxschools.org/kenilworth

“TRUST IS THE GLUE THAT HOLDS ALL OF OUR SYSTEMS TOGETHER.” - ANTHONY PIETRANGELI

ANTHONY’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

MARYLOU GONZALES

Coordinator of Language Acquisition for Phoenix Elementary District #1

A native Phoenician and proud Sun Devil, Gonzales is a first-generation college graduate who attained all of her degrees at ASU, including a bachelor’s in ESL elementary and three master’s, of Bilingual Educa tion, Language and Literacy, and Educational Administration and Supervision.

“I was fortunate to have had great teachers who pushed me to further my education,” says Gonzales. “I am thankful for innovative programs, like Achieve a College Education and ASU’s Hispanic Mother-Daugh ter Program that truly prepared me to successfully pursue higher education. Early on I knew that I wanted to come back and work in the community I grew up in and become an advocate for student learning and outreach program opportunities.

“Building positive relationships has played an important role in my educational work, either through connecting with other educators who are also striving to reach all students or by connecting with our students and families to better understand what they seek in their educational experience.” marylou.gonzales@phxschools.org, www.phxschools.org

NEW CITY CHURCH

CARLOS “CHICO” ROBINSON

Educator & Community Advocate

Chico Robinson grew up the child of two high school teachers in a long line of educators, so it was no sur prise when he chose teaching as a profession. As a middle school social studies educator, he was able to make valuable connections that helped his students excel in understanding the world around them. In the wake of the Red for Ed movement in Arizona, Chico felt empowered by gaining a better under standing of the way politics and politicians were able to create change or block progress with regard to the public school system. In an effort to help engage other educators and their advocates, Chico created “Cafe con Chico e Isela,” a talk show with former state representative Isela Blanc. Through this platform, he hopes to elevate the voices and ideas of those who support Arizona public school students. He was recently selected for a fellowship through the National Education Association to foster his continu ing work to encourage educators to stand up for their students and themselves. www.cafeconchico.com

The nondenominational church in downtown Phoenix has acted like a true neighbors to the Kenilworth School community, says Principal Pietrangeli, serving students, their families and teachers. Shaun Horne, New City Church’s Justice and Care Pastor, oversees the church’s strategic ministry partners and leads the holistic care and response team to those facing significant trauma or who fall within the unhoused population. www.newcityphx.com

GREAT ARIZONA PUPPET THEATER

Nancy Smith, CEO and founding director of the Great Arizona Puppet Theater, began playing with puppets when she was 5 years old and never outgrew it. Smith co-founded the nonprofit professional puppet theater in 1983, which now serves more than 80,000 schoolchildren each year with engaging shows that further literacy and arts education as well as celebrate Arizona’s heritage, cultures and natural environ ment, both on tour and in the theater. www.azpuppets.org, @greatazpuppets

BALLET ARIZONA

Ballet Arizona is dedicated to serving the people of central Arizona through Community Engagement programs, which touch the lives of more than 35,000 children each year. DanceAZ is Ballet Arizona’s after-school residency program which allows students to explore the world of dance, choreography and performance, all while learning how to be themselves and make friends! Ballet Arizona teaching artists work with partner schools and centers to develop children’s social and emotional learning skills and 21st-century skills through this program www.balletaz.org/danceaz

,

of Ballet Arizona

Zoe and Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children Therapy Dog, Leo

It’s simple. We help kids with cancer. Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children empowers families impacted by a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Join us in the fight to save lives.

Make your year-end tax credit donation today and save up to $800 on your Arizona taxes! azcancerfoundation.org

AS A PARTNER OF the Arizona-based promotion company

Relentless Beats, Ryan Auhl has built himself into a seasoned operator and live event producer in just over a decade. While he started more organically in dance music, building the Relentless Beats brand into one of the Southwest’s largest independent promoters and operators, Auhl has aspirations to open the brand and himself to new opportunities across the country. Having produced thousands of live music events, Auhl has cultivated the team at Relentless Beats, which has introduced dance music to

masses, into a company that has brought the Southwest

conversation with L.A., New York, Chicago and

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

means continuing to push our company and product further than

quality or features that aren’t otherwise being done in the Valley.

inspired by peers across the globe and am always working

delivering better and better experiences for our fans here.

RYAN’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

RYAN HIBBERT

Riot Hospitality Group

A third-generation Arizonan, Ryan Hibbert is known as an accomplished and creative CEO leading Riot Hospitality Group (RHG), one of the country’s premier hospitality management companies that has co-created such unique restaurant, nightlife and hotel food and beverage brands as Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, El Hefe, Farm & Craft, Hand Cut Chophouse, Riot House, and Cake Nightclub, while also managing The District, Maya Day and Nightclub and Clubhouse at Maya.

Drawing from his business background and extensive work experience inside the hospitality business over the past 20 years, Hibbert has used the idea of a “culture based on interactive service” to turn RHG into a $100-million annual revenue business.

CHARLIE LEVY

Concert Promoter

Phoenix concert culture arguably wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for Charlie Levy, who started the concert promotion company Stateside Presents in 1995. Levy went on to launch popular music venues, including Crescent Ballroom, Valley Bar and The Van Buren, bringing more than 700 shows to the Valley each year across a wide range of genres. In 2021, Live Nation Entertainment acquired The Van Buren in Phoenix and Stateside Presents.

CHRIS TURNER

Sawyer Twain

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Arizona State University, Chris Turner set out to build on his academic achievements and become a leader in the business world. Self-described as a humble innovator who prioritizes a work-life balance, Turner ventured into the niche market of upscale game room furniture. In 2017 he founded Sawyer Twain, a luxury brand offering unique game room furniture, gaming tables, such as table tennis, billiards and shuffleboard, and home and recreation décor. With annual revenues in excess of $12 million in under five years, Turner credits continually creating successful vendor relationships to the growth of Sawyer Twain, which will help him achieve his overall goal of expanding its offering of high-quality products that customers can embrace. www.sawyertwain.com, @sawyertwain

DANNY ZELISKO

Danny Zelisko Presents Legendary concert promoter Danny Zelisko’s focus has always been on putting the right acts in the right places at the right time with the right ticket prices in order to maintain fun and excitement for audiences and artists alike.

Zelisko began promoting concerts in Arizona in 1974 with Evening Star Productions, bringing such talent to the Valley as Talking Heads, KISS, Bon Jovi, No Doubt and Nirvana to Tempe’s old Dooley’s Nightclub. By the time the ’80s and ’90s rolled around, Zelisko was the Southwest’s preeminent concert promoter, including host ing Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney at ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium, and was instrumental in the opening of what is now the Ak-Chin Pavilion (formerly the Desert Sky Amphitheatre).

In 2001, Evening Star Productions consoli dated with other fabled promoters nationwide to join SFX, which was later purchased by Clear Channel Communications, now known as Live Nation. Currently, Zelisko owns and operates Danny Zelisko Presents which continues to bring top-name acts to the Southwest and throughout the country. www.dzplive.com, @dzpresents

SCOTT PRICE

Shady Park & Darkstar

Scott Price is the owner and creative mind behind popular downtown Tempe music venues, including Shady Park, a hybrid restaurant and performance space that’s a favorite among electronic dance music enthusiasts, and, most recently, Darkstar, a 4,500-square-foot venue that features upcoming artists across genres. www.shadyparktempe.com, @shadyparktempe, www.darkstartempe.com, @darkstartempe

DANNY ZELISKO

T. DUSTIN WILLIAMS

Fascinated with art, fashion and entrepreneurship, Williams grew up in Arizona taking private art classes, learning how to utilize space, color and contrast.

WILLIAMS WAS ALWAYS intrigued by the business world, wanting to infuse an artistic perspective into the corporate environment.

He began his entrepreneurial journey by identifying industries that seemed lackluster or outdated, finding that pest control, carpet cleaning and auto glass services had been run and branded the same way for decades.

He established Hype Pharm, Arizona’s premier home service companies, which includes Agave Auto Glass, Coconut Cleaning and Green Mango Pest Control, as a solution.

Williams credits his business partner, Cameron

Bawden, pictured left, for “being the reason

I could be balanced as he [Bawden] is a world-class operator, allowing me to be creative and push limits.”

“By creating an unforgettable experience with unparalleled results and a creative artistic brand, we revolutionized the industry,” says Williams.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you? Being an innovator to me means transcend ing boundaries that others too easily accept and not settling for mediocrity in the perpetual pursuit of greatness. •

@tdustinwilliams, @hype_pharm

T. DUSTIN’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

CAMERON BAWDEN Entrepreneur

In addition to being Williams’s business partner at Hype Pharm, Bawden is the founder of Green Mango Pest Control, one of the largest pest control companies in Arizona, and Black Hat Security, the fastestgrowing private home security provider in the state. www.greenmangopest.com, @greenmangopestcontrol, www.blackhatsecurity.com, @blackhatsecurity

CRAIG BREINHOLT

Breinholt Insurance Group Breinholt Insurance Group is a professional inde pendent insurance agency specializing in brokerage and consulting services with deep roots in the Arizona desert. www.breinholtinsurance.com

DR. BRIAN HARRIS

Dentist

BRAD LEAVITT

A Finer Touch Construction Brad Leavitt is president and founder of A Finer Touch Construction, a Scottsdale-based luxury residential and commercial builder. AFT Construction, as it’s known through out the industry, is an award-winning construction firm which has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliabil ity and quality. Leavitt also hosts “The AFT Construction Podcast,” which covers marketing, social media, entrepre neurship, organization, building science and construction with a focus on bringing value to its listeners, no matter the industry. www.aftconstruction.com, @aft_construction

A nationally recognized and top-ranked cosmetic dentist, Dr. Harris is known for his ability to create beautiful-looking smiles. Harris Dental in Phoenix offers comprehensive dental services: from general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry to dental implants and virtual smile consultations so patients know what to expect even before coming into the office. www.harrisdental.com, @harrisdentalexperience

KURTIS TOOLSON

Chunk Cookies

Kurtis Toolson is the founder behind Chunk Cookies, delivering fresh and warm, melt-in-your-mouth cookies straight to customers’ doorsteps, as well as at two locations in Gilbert and Tempe. www.chunkcookies.com, @chunkcookies

LEVI CONLOW

After moving to Phoenix for college from Lakeville, Minn., Conlow and a friend co-founded Lectric eBikes, a direct-to-consumer eBike company, at the age of 23, after noticing a gap in the market for affordable electric transportation.

AS CEO, CONLOW HAS watched the company grow from a handful of employees working out of a garage to an office of more than 90 employees. Since the begin ning of the company in 2019, Lectric has become one of the fastest-growing eBike providers in the U.S. and has sold over 185,000 bikes in its first three years.

Lectric is currently on track to help electrify more Americans in 2022 than GM, Ford, Rivian, Nissan, Volkswagen and Audi com bined. Most of the company’s growth is powered by the success of Lectric’s most popular electric bike, the Lectric XP, which in 2021 was the third most popular electric vehicle in the U.S. behind Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

When I think of what it means to be an innovator, I think of the people who forge forward and are real trailblazers in their space. So many people think that you have to be in the tech industry to be considered innovative, when in reality it’s less about what field you’re in and more about your state of mind. If you’re constantly obsessing over doing things better and/or more efficiently, you have that innovator mindset.

Frankly, it’s all about growth and constantly making your product and business the best it can be. Innovators are never satisfied; it’s just one of those things that’s in the DNA of someone who has that kind of mindset.

“SO MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE TECH INDUSTRY TO BE CONSIDERED INNOVATIVE, WHEN IN REALITY IT’S LESS ABOUT WHAT FIELD YOU’RE IN AND MORE ABOUT YOUR STATE OF MIND.”

LEVI’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

LUCID MOTORS

An American electric vehicle manufac turer headquartered in Newark, Calif., Lucid is the future of sustainable mobility, designing luxury electric cars that further reimagine the driving experience. www.lucidmotors.com, @lucidmotors

CULDESAC

Real estate developer and property manager Culdesac builds neighborhoods that embrace community, open space and mobility to prior itize biking, walking and transit over cars and parking with residential units that integrate local retail and commercial uses as well as nature and public plazas. Culdesac partners with leading mobility companies to deliver convenient and affordable transportation services to create a vibrant, urban lifestyle without the need for a private vehicle. www.culdesac.com, @liveculdesac

ARIZONA COMMUNITY TREE COUNCIL

With a mission to encourage and facilitate the planting and care of trees across the state, Arizona Community Tree Council programs bring together communities to encourage green spaces, urban forests and great neighborhoods with shade and other benefits through professional training, public education and awareness, partnerships and advisory support. www.aztrees.org, @azcommunitytree

SOURCE GLOBAL

Headquartered in Scottsdale, SOURCE is the world’s first renewable drinking water system. Its groundbreaking Hydro panel™ technology taps into the endless supply of solar energy and moisture in the air to produce clean drinking water that’s entirely off-grid in a self-contained system for industrial, commercial, residential and community applications across more than 40 countries. www.source.co, @sourcewater

WAYMO

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company whose mission is to make it safe and easy for people and things to get where they’re going. www.waymo.com, @waymo

“IT TAKES GRIT, PERSEVERANCE AND COURAGE TO SHOW UP FOR YOURSELF WHEN OTHERS DON’T BELIEVE IN THE VISION.” - SAGE AUBREY

ESTABLISHED IN 2015 by former women’s boutique owner Sage Aubrey, the self-taught designer’s eponymous label creates accessible luxury handbags and accessories that are consciously crafted. Her love of community, iconic style and women’s advancements continue to guide her design approach and influences: shapes, conversations and aesthetic.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

I believe it’s having the courage of seeing things differently and executing on the vision. It’s pushing the boundaries in your said field. It takes grit, perseverance and courage to show up for yourself when others don’t believe in the vision. To think outside of the box or to go about a different direction isn’t always popular, so it’s understanding this, having patience in the process; it is a virtue.

SAGE AUBREY

SAGE’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HER

SOLSTICE INTIMATES

Solstice Intimates create vintage-inspired hand made intimate apparel from Tempe. Made with love, each piece is created and crafted with a level of expertise and attention to detail that will make your grandmother proud. www.solsticeintimates.com, @solsticeintimates

WMP EYEWEAR

WMP started as a big dream in a small Chicago apartment in 2012. Founded by a young husband-and-wife team on the belief that quality eyewear shouldn’t be exclusive to designer labels, the company has become one of Inc. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Companies. Now based in Tempe, WMP remains committed to creating finely crafted, fashionable and affordable glasses that are accessible to everyone. Every product is (W)orn and (M)ade with (P)urpose.

As proud supporters of the Arizona Humane Society, the company donates a portion of every eyewear purchase to animals in need in our local community, where more than 100K cans of food and truckloads of other much-needed supplies have been donated to date. www.shopwearmepro.com, @wmpeyewear

WMP EYEWEAR FOUNDERS DAVID & ULA

, Joseph Maddon

WMP EYEWEAR

DARYL BLAND BLERR

Daryl Bland is a self-described multi-hyphenate LGBTQ genderfluid Filipino fashionpreneur. Bland founded BLERR Magazine during the height of the pandemic with the goal of creating a platform to highlight fashion through queer-poc individuals focusing on diverse identities, self-expression and those who are looking to revolt and revolutionize as a creative. BLERR has since evolved into an umbrella encompassing a creative media production house and agency to elevate brands and individuals to their highest potential.

Bland’s related endeavor, Avant Yarde, is an immersive “yarde” and safe space that supports experimental ideas from queer-poc creatives and entreprenuers to be themselves and embrace the unknown space of possibilities, a constant state of BLERR. Bland also founded fragrance and beauty company Osai, which creates tranquil and transcending memories. www.blerrmagazine.com, @blerrmag, @doseofdaryl

MAYFAIR GROUP

Mayfair is here to build your internet happy place through purposeful merch, feel-good content and an empowering digital community by changing the narrative around unrealistic societal standards and celebrating the unfiltered human experience that connects us all.

This mindset has been in the brand’s DNA since CEO Sam Abrahart launched The Mayfair Group in 2017. After years of struggling with her mental health, Abrahart sought to create a more meaningful life through uplifting content and a digital safe space. Mayfair is now a growing global lifestyle brand, including private label merch, wholesale sales management and strategic partnerships, where every one is welcome in the #MayfairWorld.

WHISH BEAUTY

Aimee Werner founded Whish in 2007 as a natural, luxury shaving line for women. Whish has since evolved into a high performance, all-natural skin care and body care global brand with 100-plus products, manufacturing and fulfilling the entire line out of the Scottsdale corporate facility.

Werner oversees many facets of Whish, including new-product development, sales strategy, supporting key customers and all aspects of marketing for the brand. Prior to founding Whish, Werner worked as a distribution channel manager for various semiconductor companies and directly managed over $40 million in sales. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Westminster University. www.whishbody.com, @whishbeauty

HEINRICH STASIUK

BASED OUT OF Southern California, Wild Thyme Restaurant Group is a collection of award-winning restaurants founded by Heinrich Stasiuk in 2008. As a graduate of the prestigious Modul University in Vienna with a background in accounting, he has grown the company from one brick-and-mortar location to now 30 food and beverage operations. Concepts within the franchise include Shorebird (Newport Beach, Sedona, Palm Springs and San Diego), Stagecoach Country Roadhouse (Sedona), Jay Bird’s Nashville Hot Chicken (eight locations with 20 more in the pipeline), and Molé (Sedona and Palm Springs).

What does it mean to be an innovator to you? To make a difference in the restaurant scene and to continue providing outstanding food, beverage and service. I like to do things differently and what has never been done before while pushing the boundaries as far as possible. Being an innovator to me means to always do things the right way and to never take shortcuts, even if it means taking higher risks. Surround yourself with people who are highly passionate about their work and always collaborate with the best talents out there.

www.wildthymegroup.com, @heinrichstasiuk

HEINRICH’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

ROBERTO MADRID

Wild Thyme Group Corporate Executive Chef

A native of Northern Mexico, Chef Roberto Madrid has spent decades crafting unexpected and delectable recipes of Latin American and Asian fusion cuisine that feature distinct tastes from around the world using locally-grown produce. Before joining Wild Thyme Group as corporate executive chef, Madrid served as executive chef at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Ranch in addition to working with some of Scottsdale’s finest chefs. @robemad

ANTONIO “TONI” GORDILLO

Wild Thyme Group Corporate Executive Chef

Raised in Phoenix, Chef Toni Gordillo has worked within the food and beverage industry for 19 years, including for the likes of Marriott, Hilton, LGO Hospitality, Houston’s and now Wild Thyme Group, where he has helped open over 20 of the group’s locations across the western U.S. and in St. Maarten. Chef Gordillo has also hosted the Children’s Health Orlando Golf Tournament for four consecutive years and has appeared on numerous TV cooking segments and is featured in two cookbooks. @cheftoniwildthyme

MOSCATO ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Owners Salvatore Moscato and Jenny Robbins bring authentic and homemade Italian cuisine in an elegant setting to the heart of Camp Verde. www.moscatoazcom.wordpress.com, @moscato_ristorante_italiano

JAY BOGSINSKE

Wild Thyme Group Director of Culinary

In his role at Wild Thyme Restaurant Group, Chef Bogsinske has created menus and facilitated the launches of Sedona-based restaurants including Jay Bird’s Chicken, Shorebird, Molé Sedona, Stagecoach Country Roadhouse as well as Kai Modern Japanese Bistro in Huntington Beach, Calif. His vast experience also includes such well-known Valley eateries as The Phoenician, St. Francis, Chelsea’s Kitchen, Zinc Bistro and more. @chef_jay_b

MELISSA REIN LIVELY

The Brand Consortium Public Relations (TBCPR)

With 15 years of experience, Founder and CEO Melissa Lively of TBCPR has been instrumental in developing and executing some of the largest and most successful publicity campaigns for a wide range of lifestyle, real estate, luxury, hospitality and entertainment companies and brands in Arizona, across the West Coast and in the UK. TBCPR is a collective of integrated public relations, strategic marketing communications, brand strategy, social media and event design services all under one roof. www.thebrandconsortium.com, @melissareinlively

ROBERTO MADRID

ANTONIO “TONI” GORDILLO

,

Michael Franco

DR. RYAN HOUSE & JASON LAW

Health Center of America

DR. RYAN HOUSE:

Born and raised in Phoenix, Dr. House is a co-founder of Mental Health Center of America, a multidisciplinary, outpatient mental health treatment center. He received his undergraduate degree in psychology and business from Pepperdine University. After spending the first 10 years of his career in business while transitioning back to psychology in 2016, Dr. House graduated from Midwestern University’s Clinical Psychology Program in 2021 and completed a psychology doctoral internship at Southwest Behav ioral & Health Services. Dr. House is also a RxP Committee co-chair for the Arizona Psychological Association, where he is working on legislation that will allow a path for specially trained clinical psychologists the right to pre scribe medication.

JASON LAW:

After leaving a career as a firefighter/EMT in Scottsdale, Law has been an integral part of many successful nonprofit and for-profit companies, including co-founding 1MISSION, a community development organization that has built over 950 houses throughout Mexico, El Salvador and Nicaragua since 2008; Mission Create, a nonprofit incubator that successfully launched over 90 nonprofits throughout the U.S.; and The Zach Hoffpauir Project, a nonprofit bringing mental health resources to student athletes.

Law’s own mental health journey is the motivation behind his recent focus on the global mental health crisis. He is passionate about developing a comprehensive mental health center to address the fractured and confusing system

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

DR. RYAN HOUSE: Life is continuously changing, which means that we need to be willing to change with it. For me, this doesn’t mean that we blindly subscribe to the old adage, “Out with the old and in with the new” ... but we leverage what we have learned from our past in effort to support a better future.

JASON LAW: An innovator is someone who creates a better way of doing something. Hopefully, for the better of mankind. •

@mentalhealthcenterofamerica

DR. RYAN HOUSE JASON LAW

RYAN & JASON’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES THEM

CALEB MITCHELL

The Phoenix Counseling Collective

Caleb Mitchell is the co-founder of The Phoenix Counseling Collective, a group of therapists based out of a historic home in downtown Phoenix that offers a welcoming and safe place for individuals of all walks of life to grow and flourish. A licensed professional counselor and supervisor in the state of Arizona, Mitchell believes that his work as a counselor is to facilitate a process in which clients listen to their stories, are mindful of their bodies and become aware of their internal experiences. www.phxcounselingcollective.com, @phxcounselingcollective

STEVEN SHEETS

Southwest Behavioral & Health Services

ALEX STAVROS

Embark Behavioral Health

For the past 10 years, Alex Stavros has been CEO at Chandler-based Embark Behavioral Health, an organ ization dedicated to premier mental health treatment for teens and young adults across the U.S. Prior to Embark, Stavros was the founder and managing partner of a social investment fund focused on acquir ing and leading mission-driven businesses While at Stanford University, he earned an MBA specializing in social entrepreneurship and a public management certificate and was also a Rising Fellow at the Hoover Institution, a world-renowned public policy think tank. The son of missionaries, Stavros grew up in Peru, living and playing alongside the troubled youth and orphans of Lima’s slums. He is passionate about the topic of happiness versus joy, and the idea of using business as a force for good—how “doing good” is good business. www.embarkbh.com, @alex.stavros

With experience in the behavioral healthcare industry since 2009, Steven Sheets has served as president and CEO of Southwest Behavioral & Health Services since 2018. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University and his master’s in professional counseling from Ottawa University. Sheets has held an Arizona Independent Professional Counseling license since 2016. www.sbhservices.org, @southwest_behavioral

DR. MONA AMINI Psychiatrist

Dr. Mona Amini is a psychiatry leader with a proven track record in mental health administration, clinical psychiatric care and advising. She enjoys leading complex clinical mental health operations for patients and families as well as managing the delivery of psychiatric medications. Her mission for mental health is to deliver early interven tion and support to individuals, destigmatize mental healthcare and be a leader on approaches to revolutionary mental health treatment. www.mentalhealthcenter.com, @mentalhealthcenterofamerica

DR. ALISON REUTER

The Reuter Center

Dr. Alison Reuter is an Arizona licensed psychologist, board certified in pediatric neuropsychology. Dr. Reuter works in private practice where she conducts evaluations (both private and forensic), and also provides family and professional consultation and counseling. In addition, Dr. Reuter works within an acute inpatient medical setting at Encompass Health Valley of the Sun Rehabili tation Hospital, specializing in the evaluation of and support for individuals with brain injuries and other medical diagnoses. She is a member of the board of the Arizona Psychology Training Consortium, which creates and oversees quality postdoctoral training sites throughout the state. She earned her doctoral degree at Arizona State University. www.thedoctorsreuter.com

CARSON & AMBER EILERS

About 100 miles north of Phoenix, The Strawberry Inn is a boutique hotel located in Arizona’s scenic Rim Country that’s designed for roadtrippers, adventure seekers and nature-lovers.

OWNERS CARSON EILERS and Amber Eilers are a husband-and-wife team who are self-described “serial entre preneurs”; they also manage Original Realty Co., a full-service boutique real estate brokerage in Scottsdale.

“We have been working together since the very beginning of our relationship,” says Amber, reflecting on the couple’s 11-year marriage and two children. “Together, we’ve flipped hundreds of houses, built several businesses and are always looking for new opportunities. When we’re not

working, we both love trying new restaurants, grabbing drinks with friends, going to concerts and traveling to new places.”

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

“We both really try to be forward thinkers and anticipate industry shifts,” says Amber.

“With the hotel, we saw an opportunity to create something really unique and new for the area. People flocked to it because it filled a gap in what travelers were looking for! We’re over six years in now, and we continue to try to adapt to create incredible experiences for guests. With

the real estate brokerage, we discovered that the research said that most new agents quit after less than a year in the industry. We wanted to change that and create opportunities for agents to grow and thrive, while still serving clients with excellence!”

• www.thestrawberryinn.com, @thestrawberryinn www.originalrealtyco.com, @originalrealtyco

, Paul Markow

CARSON & AMBER’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES THEM

LIMELIGHT HOTEL KETCHUM, ID

The Limelight Hotel Ketchum features 99 hotel rooms, 14 residences, plus a Limelight Lounge restaurant and lobby. The hotel is close to downtown shops and restaurants as well as Sun Valley Ski Resort’s River Run Base area. The hotel is consistent with the Limelight brand, featuring amenities and extras such as an expanded continental breakfast, après ski deals in the lounge, adventure activities for guests as well as pet-friendly rooms.

SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN RESORT, UT

Founded by Robert Redford in 1969, Sundance Mountain Resort is an all-season resort that offers multiple outdoor activities, including downhill skiing, ziplining, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding and fly-fishing. The resort has artistic roots, authenticity and a strong connection to nature. “I loved that everything was curated and ready for guests right on site,” says Amber. www.sundanceresort.com,

LA PLAYA CARMEL, CA

La Playa Carmel is a 75-room historic luxury boutique hotel, newly restored to preserve its turn-of-the-century charm while updating it to modern-day standards. Located two blocks from the beach and village shops, art galleries and restaurants, the hotel is situated in Carmel, Calif., and anchors its most prestigious residential neighborhood. The grounds encompass meticulously tended gardens, intimate patios, secluded courtyards and a tranquil terrace swimming pool. “Our favorite part was the lush, amazing landscape that is straight out of a fairy tale,” says Amber. www.laplayahotel.com, @laplayaca

HOTEL EMMA, SAN ANTONIO, TX

Once a 19th-century brewhouse, the AAA Five Diamond Hotel Emma is a 146-room boutique hotel in the Pearl District of downtown San Antonio that includes seven top-floor suites, a bar and club room, an excellent restaurant, a purveyor of fine foods and public spaces reminiscent of fine old hotels in far-flung locales. “We loved all of the amazing high-end finishes throughout the hotel and area, and it’s perfect for a couples getaway,” says Amber.

@thehotelemma

AUTOCAMP RUSSIAN RIVER

GUERNEVILLE, CA

Located just 90 minutes north of San Francisco in Sonoma wine country, AutoCamp Russian River is the ideal destination for those who want to relax on the beach, take scenic drives along the coast or explore the Redwood Forests. Each accom modation includes a separate bedroom and living room as well as luxurious bathrooms with spacious showers, while every suite comes with its own private picnic table and fire pit.

,

Syms

LAUREN LUYENDYK

Lauren Luyendyk, née Burnham, is a business owner, fashion designer, social media influencer, reality TV star, martial arts enthusiast, and most recently, a mom.

LUYENDYK FOUND LOVE while on Season 22 of The Bachelor, where she met Arie Luyendyk Jr. Since their time on The Bachelor, Arie and Lauren have gotten married and started several businesses and now have three beautiful children, Alessi (3) and their twins, Lux and Senna (1). Lauren and Arie spend most of their time at their home in Scottsdale and enjoy real estate, flipping houses, hiking and spending time with their family and friends. Lauren believes in giving back to charity, empowering her kids to explore (Alessi absolutely loves the outdoors and animals), and is passionate about health and wellness. She believes that a balanced lifestyle is key to overall happiness and strives to find balance and fun every day!

What does it mean to be an innovator to you? It is an honor to be recognized as an innovator in my category because I feel this is a unique opportunity for me to connect with other creators and businesses in my local community!

•

@laurenluyendyk

LAUREN’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HER

BELLA WEEMS-LAMBERT

With more than 1 million subscribers to her popular YouTube channel, Della Vlogs, Bella Weems-Lambert is also a singer and founder of jewelry brand Origami Owl. @bellagraceweems

ALEXA JEAN BROWN

Alexa Jean Brown is a fitness influencer, blogger, mom of four and creator of Shop Lex Brown, an online women’s clothing boutique. @alexajeanbrown

CHANTELL MOULIN NIGHSWONGER

VIDA I MOULIN

After years in fashion PR and marketing, Chantell Moulin Nighswonger started VIDA | MOULIN in 2016 with the intention of bring ing unique, trend-forward fashion to the Valley. Influenced by online retailers, such as Revolve and Shopbop, it was important that VIDA | MOULIN had a quick and constantly changing inventory introduced monthly to customers with editorial-style photography and lookbooks. Moulin Nighswonger later would take the lessons learned as a retail shop owner, and along with her husband and family’s investment group, Moulin Group, would spend the past several years redeveloping a mid-1960s office building in North Central Phoenix. The now-open curated shopping center, named The Frederick on Missouri, houses VIDA | MOULIN along with eight other small, locally-owned businesses. www.vidamoulin.com, @chantellmoulin, @vidamoulin

LAUREN GARCIA

Lauren, aka “Lola,” of the blog and social media platform “What Lola Likes,” is a mom of two and passionate content creator. What was once a popular space to share style inspiration and her journey into motherhood has successfully evolved into inspiring women to stand confident in their true beauty and self-love, have open conversations and promote happiness. Lauren shares content based on present and personal experience, professional and local resources and all the milestones of her life. www.whatlolalikes.com, @whatlolalikes

CARA DUMAPLIN

Taking Cara Babies

Arizona-based mom of four and former NICU nurse, Cara Dumaplin is the founder of Taking Cara Babies. Through online classes and resources, Dumaplin is on a mission to help babies and toddlers sleep so families can thrive. With over 2 million followers, Dumaplin has become a household name and trusted voice to parents worldwide. www.takingcarababies.com, @takingcarababies

LAD MAKINDE

ASELF-DESCRIBED “multipotentialite,” Lad Makinde is driven by the desire to connect people through storytelling. He is a creative director, filmmaker and marketing executive with more than 15 years of experience leading teams and serving some of the world’s most notable brands. He is cofounder of Phoenix-based Web3 media company, Co-Media, and the VP of Phoenix-based outdoor startup, Tru Flask.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

To me, being an innovator is about being curious. A curious mind leads to questions, which typically serve as the starting point on the journey to solving problems, both great and small. • www.co-media.co, @co__media, www.truflask.com, @truflask

LAD’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

DORRELL EDWARDS

Always Timeless Productions

Dorrell Edwards is the founder and CEO of Always Time less Productions, where he specializes in photography, videography and music production. Edwards has been behind the lens for a decade-plus in a career in which he has been blessed to work with everyday individuals, major brands and celebrities. His goal is to expand his company in a capacity that impacts his community in a positive manner, leaving an indelible mark on each individual he encounters while making each memory timeless. www.alwaystimelessproductions.com, @alwaystimelessprd

DIANA BRANDT Influencer

Diana Brandt—also known as Arizona Foodie— began sharing food photos in 2014 as a way to create a community around food locales. As she began her journey, Brandt had a goal to help support the food industry and to try to shine a spotlight on all the amazing things happening in town. She had no idea that taking pictures of food and posting on social media would lead to it being a career. Since Arizona Foodie was whipped up, Brandt has been able to create her own event, Smoked, host the podcast “Social Dysmorphia” and even launch her own coffee line, Brew’d. www.arizonafoodiemag.com, @azfoodie

ANEBI AGBO Eikon Labs

Anebi Agbo is the founder and chief strategist of Eikon Labs, a full-service web design consultancy that helps brands come to life through custom Webflow websites, UI/UX design and marketing. www.eikonlabs.com

O’SHEA TOMETI

Photographer & Creative Director

O’Shea Tometi is the photographer and creative director for Shoutheory Collaborative Group. Born and raised in Phoenix, Tometi has employed his camera to capture authentic moments and create content for more than seven years. His expertise includes, but is not limited to family portraits, couples, weddings, maternity photos, brands, headshots and senior photos.

DABI ADEYEMI Co-Media

Adeyemi is co-founder of Co-Media, a media collective and collaboration network, with Lad Makinde. “We believe in stories,” says Adeyemi.

“We believe stories are the thread that tie the entire world together, the driver for everything we do. And we use our passion for storytelling to produce original film and TV content and create new startups, all centered around community.

Our current projects are #Afterthehashtag (film), Phoenicians Getting Food (online video series), Musicshed (startup) and The Goat Is A Lamb (startup).” www.co-media.co, @co__media

LEWIS NASH

“Rhythm Is My Business” is the title of his 1989 debut recording as a bandleader, and legendary drummer Lewis Nash is all about the business of keeping rhythm.

UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED AS one of the great drummers in jazz history and one of jazz’s most-recorded musicians, Nash has had an illustrious fourdecade career, appearing on over 500 recordings including 10 Grammy winners and numerous Grammy nominees.

A Phoenix native, Lewis arrived in New York City in 1981 at the age of 22 and first gained international recognition as a member of vocalist Betty Carter’s trio. In the years to follow, Nash toured, recorded and performed with many of jazz’s most celebrated icons, including Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson and more.

In 2012, The Nash, a jazz education center and performance venue named in Lewis’s honor, was established in downtown Phoenix, where jazz masters Randy Weston, Jimmy Cobb and Roy Hargrove played some of the final performances of their careers.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

I see an innovator as a visionary . . . someone who is able to see and perceive possibilities where others cannot. An innovator often has the ability to simplify the complex and to make accessible to many what was previously only available to few. Innovators are the catalysts and initiators of change, advancement and development in their chosen field.

For example, musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker influenced jazz in a way that dramatically changed the way the music was played by all jazz players on every instrument. The rhythmic, melodic and harmonic innovations of these two musicians, who played trumpet and alto saxophone, respectively, altered the way that pianists, drummers, bassists, guitarists and vocalists approach the music. To be an innovator is to be fearless, determined and committed to creating new pathways, parameters and possibilities.

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www.thenash.org, @thenashjazz

LEWIS’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

ELIO VILLAFRANCA

Born in the province of Pinar del Río, Cuba, Elio Villafranca is a Grammynominated pianist and composer. Since his arrival to the U.S. in 1995, he has been at the forefront of the latest generation of remarkable pianists, composers and bandleaders. Villafranca shared his double album “Cinque” with a performance at The Nash in 2020. www.eliovillafranca.com, @eliovillafranca

JIMMY HEATH & BARRY HARRIS QUARTET

RON CARTER TRIO

Ron Carter’s dexterity, creativity and harmonic sophistication on the bass have few rivals in the history of jazz. He has appeared on 2,221 recording sessions, making him the most-recorded jazz bassist in history. Carter appeared at The Nash in 2017 with his Golden Striker Trio, featuring sensational Nicaraguan-born pianist Donald Vega and stellar guitarist Russell Malone.

Jimmy Heath, nicknamed Little Bird, has long been recognized as a brilliant jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger and big band leader, while Barry Harris was a jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger and educator of the bebop style of jazz. Both Heath and Harris performed together with Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash himself on drums to celebrate The Nash’s second anniversary in 2014.

RANDY WESTON

The pianist, composer and bandleader Randy Weston is considered one of the world’s most influential jazz musicians and a remarkable storyteller whose career has spanned five continents and more than six decades. His autobiography is memorialized in the book African Rhythms, as told by him to the music journalist Willard Jenkins. Weston performed at The Nash in 2017.

THE CHARLES

McPHERSON QUINTET

The Nash celebrated its ninth anniversary in 2021 with a special performance by bebop luminary Charles McPherson on alto sax, Terell Stafford on trumpet, Bruce Barth on piano, Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums.

JIMMY HEATH

BARRY HARRIS

, Mark Sheldon

COCO & CICI

We are two Maltese sisters living in Scottsdale, Arizona.

WE ARE BOTH registered therapy dogs work ing weekly at Phoenix Children’s Hospital with our human mom, Katee, and in 2020 we received GMA’s Pet of the Week Award for our outstanding work. Our human sister, Jessie, runs all of our social media accounts, which is where Coco has become very popular for her “paws up” pose. Online or in person, we have a goal to spread love, joy and happiness to all. Coco has a plushie for sale, where all proceeds are donated to Phoenix Children’s Pet Therapy Program.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you? We are using our platform to bring awareness and donations to the Animal Assisted Therapy program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The amount of gratitude from the children and their families is amazing. These kids spend days, weeks or even months in the hospital. We are a little vacation from their normal day. The kids light up the second they see us and they can’t wait for us to get in their beds and love on them.

COCO & CICI’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES THEM

SCOTT HUBBARD Content Creator

With 7.8 million TikTok followers, Arizona-based digital creator Scott Hubbard’s cute chihuahua, Gracie, is the star of the show in their humor-filled posts that are well worth the double tap. @scottyhubs

SIR WESFORD & BRADFORD Pet Influencers

Follow along as Scottsdale’s adorable corgi brothers, Wesly and Brady, travel and explore the world together with their “corgmom.” @weslythecorgi

RUNBUDDY MOBILE

Since 2017, the K9-certified fitness coaches at RunBuddy Mobile have been training pooches in the convenience of their homes with a 30-minute fitness session that uses specifically created non-motorized dog treadmills in a safe and climate-controlled fitness unit. Owner David Lopez has been rehabilitating and training shelter dogs for over 20 years using a proprietary combination of exercise and mental stimulation to successfully burn off energy, build confidence and melt away anxiety (and weight!) in a variety of dog breeds and personalities. A portion of all proceeds benefit local shelters and rescues. www.runbuddy.com, @runbuddymobile

WHITNEY CHEWSTON

Whitney Chewston is a 5-year-old miniature dachshund who is full of sass and love. She was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, but recently moved to Scottsdale with her dads, Ben and Logan. Whitney has been on Instagram (@whitney_chewston) since 2016, but recently gained popularity after becoming a now infamous internet meme (Google “the homophobic dog” meme.) While Whitney is far from homophobic, she’s used the attention to bring awareness to LGBTQI+ causes. Whitney and her family love living in Arizona and can’t wait for many desert adventures to come! www.whitneychewston.com

PHOENIX CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Phoenix Children’s is one of the nation’s largest pediatric health sys tems, named the #1 children’s hospital in Arizona by U.S. News & World Report for 2022–2023. It comprises Phoenix Children’s Hospital— Thomas Campus, four pediatric specialty and urgent care centers, 12 community pediatric practices, 20 outpatient clinics, two ambulatory surgery centers and seven community-service-related outpatient clinics throughout the state of Arizona. The system has provided world-class inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care to children and families for nearly 40 years. Phoenix Children’s Care Network includes more than 1,175 pediatric primary care providers and specialists who deliver care across more than 75 subspecialties. www.phoenixchildrens.org

CH R ISIE

FU N ARI

CHRISIE FUNARI IS the president and founder of the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children, a local nonprofit whose mission is to provide social, emotional and financial support to families who are managing the health and well-being of a loved one with pediatric cancer. An Arizona State University graduate with a degree in Marketing, Funari always knew she wanted to have her own business, but it wasn’t until she lost her daughter, Ava, to cancer that she found herself with the passion to start a nonprofit.

In 2014, Funari’s personal experience inspired her to launch Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children, which offers

everything from navigating hospitals, providing financial assistance and other support needed by families. Funari enjoys spending time with her family, reading and traveling when she is not working on grow ing her organization and helping others.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you? Being an innovator in the nonprofit sector can be challenging. As a nonprofit, you are constantly trying to do more with less. I have always believed that children with cancer deserve more attention and com passion. I work every day to raise the bar for children with cancer and the support they receive. By specifically focusing on the cancer warrior, the siblings and the parents/caregivers, we provide individual

ized support tailored to each person. Ava’s Tree House, our new facility, is innovating great change for kids with cancer. Ava’s Tree House claims a courageous and bold vision to radically transform the way children with cancer and their families are supported. The first facility of its kind in the U.S., Ava’s Tree House will offer children the gift of childhood in a safe, clean environment—a combination of peace of mind and marvel under one roof. Families as a whole will feel part of a community with ongoing financial, social and emotional support, allowing them to leave their troubles behind, if only for a short time.

CHRISIE’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HER

RYAN HOUSE

Ryan House embraces all children and their families as they navigate life-limiting or endof-life journeys. The only facility of its kind in the state, Ryan House offers palliative and respite care that addresses the emotional, spiritual and social needs of the family. www.ryanhouse.org

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHARITIES

Executive Council Charities is dedicated to providing grants to programs and nonprofit organizations focused on helping Arizona youth overcome adversity and reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The organization has supported more than 125 charities during the past year, distributing more than $2.2 million. www.ec70phx.com

SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY (SRPMIC)

The SRPMIC is a sovereign tribe located in the metropolitan Phoenix area. Established by Executive Order on June 14, 1879, the Community encompasses 52,600 acres and operates as a full-service government, over seeing departments, programs, projects and facilities. www.srpmic-nsn.gov

CENTRAL ARIZONA SHELTER SERVICES (CASS)

Founded over 35 years ago, CASS is the largest and longest serving homeless emergency shelter provider in Arizona. Both the adult and family shelters operate at full capacity 24/7, 365 days of the year. “I want to give a voice to those who have been marginalized,” says CASS Executive Vice President Alisa Chatinsky, who also runs NPO Success, LLC that is focused on assisting social benefit organizations. “Everyone deserves dignity and respect.” www.cassaz.org, www.nposuccess.org

THE THUNDERBIRDS

Founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports, The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 280 “life” members who have helped the Phoenix Open, one of the oldest and most popular golf events on the PGA Tour, eclipse a total of $165 million in charitable giving. Next year’s Waste Management Phoenix Open taking place at TPC Scottsdale on February 6–12, 2023, will mark the tournament’s 88th anniversary and the 14th year that Waste Management is the title sponsor. www.wmphoenixopen.com

BORN AND RAISED in Phoenix, Nick Witherill became obsessed with the game of soccer after playing college basketball, thus leading to the creation of Biñho Board! Biñho’s goal is to provide the highest quality boards and a true brand experience Bring the world together with Biñho and hear someone’s story from the other side.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

being an innovator means to me is creating something that brings people together in the form of a good time. Our goal at Biñho is for our customers to have authentic, organic experiences with friends, family and whoever wants to take a flick on the Biñho pitch!

NICK’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

TRUE LINKSWEAR

Founded by five-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Moore and his brother, Jason Moore, TRUE crafts naturally comfortable footwear and golf gear ready to perform from the links to the streets. Born amidst the rugged golf landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and inspired by links worldwide, all TRUE gear uses only the finest and responsibly sourced materials to protect golfers from the elements and help them #enjoythewalk. www.truelinkswear.com, @truelinkswear

JACOB ELGGREN

Andar

Meaning “to carry” and “to ride” in Spanish, Andar was founded in 2015 by Jacob Elggren with the goal of helping customers “carry what matters” with high-quality handcrafted leather goods, such as bags, wallets and tech cases, to organize and minimize through unique and durable designs. www.andar.com, @andar

EMILY (EMERGENCY INTEGRATED LIFESAVING LANYARD)

EMILY is a robotic lifeguard that was invented in 2009 by Hydronalix in Green Valley, Ariz. Ready at a moment’s notice, the flotation device strives to save lives in beach, ocean, river and flood situations and also aids in search and recovery missions using sonar technology. www.emilyrobot.com, @emily_rescue_robot

PARADOX

Launched in 2016, Paradox offers recruiting software to drive automation with a human touch to serve global clients, such as Unilever, McDonald’s, CVS Health and more. Paradox’s conversational AI assistant, Olivia, screens and schedules interviews with candidates through fast, easy and mobile-first interactions. The Scottsdale-based start-up raised $200 million in Series C funding last year, valuing the company at $1.5 billion. www.paradox.ai, @paradoxolivia

FRESHLY

With a corporate mission to break down the barriers to healthy eating, Freshly is a weekly subscription service that delivers fresh chef-cooked meals directly to customers’ doors that can be heated and served in three minutes. Freshly’s food philosophy is centered on less sugar, fewer processed ingredients and more nutrients through better-for-you versions of classic comfort foods with smart ingredient swaps. www.freshly.com, @freshly

RYAN AND JASON MOORE

HAVING FIRST ARRIVED at the world-renowned performance enter prise back in 2013 as an intern, Kollars eventually earned her keep at Exos in a full-time capacity, leading some of the world’s best professional athletes en route to greatness.

As one of the few leading female performance experts in her field, Kollars annually directs Exos’s NFL Off-Season Program, preparing the NFL’s best for their return to the gridiron the following season. A true Swiss army knife, Kollars’s expertise stretches across injury prevention, nutrition strategies, speed, field work, strength, and power.

Known in some circles as “Chef Nat,” she doubles down as a scratch chef in her downtime, devoting herself to her rooted passion of nutrition and cooking.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you? To me, being an innovator means using my knowledge and experience to challenge the status quo. In the field of sports performance, we are always searching for ways to find a new competitive edge for our athletes, making it necessary to progress and evolve year after year. I believe in using my platform, specifically as a female in a maledominated industry, to not only make a positive impact on my athletes’ lives but also the lives of other females in this field. • www.teamexos.com, www.chefnatskitchen.com, @nataliekollars

NATALIE KOLLARS

A mainstay within the performance industry for nearly 10 years, Natalie Kollars has been an anchor for the Exos Sports division since 2017.

NATALIE’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HER

JELANI PORT

Culinary Chef

ANDREW CHAVKIN

Chiropractor

As an active release chiropractor for the Arizona Cardinals’s athletic training and medical division, Andrew Chavkin ensures the football players are in tip-top shape.

DR. BRANDON BOOTHE

Chiropractor

@chefjman

Jelani Port has been a private chef for over a decade, providing nutritionally balanced, elevated dishes to some of the world’s top athletes. His passion for the culinary industry is stimulated by serving and connecting with others through sharing a hand-crafted meal full of love. Chef J started his culinary journey as a junior at Metro-Tech High School in Phoenix, where he received the Heavy Medal Scholarship his senior year from C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program) in 2009. Today, he operates his private chef company, Chef Xport, and has the privilege to work with elite professional athletes, such as Odell Beckham Jr., Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and Christian Kirk, among many others. He gives back to C-CAP, the same program that gave him his start, through employment opportunities and mentorship for students.

“Get Treated Like a Pro” is Dr. Brandon Boothe’s philosophy and focus for every patient he treats. As owner of PROCARE Spine and Sports Therapy, Brandon Boothe, DC, CCSP strives to treat all patients with the same skill and approach as he does with the wide range of professional athletes he works with. As a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, Dr. Boothe has been running his clinic in the Scottsdale area for nine years, providing preventive, functional and sports rehabilitative care to his patients. He uses a comprehensive therapeutic approach, incorporating spinal manipulation, dry needling, myofascial soft tissue therapy and corrective exercises Dr. Boothe also treats a large number of professional athletes, spending time traveling across the country to help these athletes get through their rigorous seasons. He dedicates his time and skill to helping people feel and function better and recover as quickly as possible from sports and other injuries.

@procare_sportstherapy

GIOVANI URRUTIA

Tactical Education Specialist

KEEGAN ROSS Performance Specialist & Physical Therapist

A leader within the sports performance industry, Ross spreads his expertise across nearly all sports performance programs, athletes and functions. His unique, dual-threat role as performance specialist and physical therapist allows him to truly deliver success and results based on continuity of care from the field to the PT table. Within his current role at Exos, Ross serves as the lead NBA offseason performance coach, the strength coach for Exos’s industryleading NFL Combine program and as well as a leader among the WNBA, college, youth, adult and Olympic training programs. www.teamexos.com, @keegan_ross_dpt

Specializing in elite-level physical preparation, Urrutia has dedicated himself to the pursuit of elevating elite performance, traveling across the world to work with all types of athletes— from Olympic sailing to the military. Urrutia’s love and understanding of biome chanical, psychosocial and technological principles are maximally leveraged for all those he comes in contact with. Urrutia’s clients note his attention to detail, intensity and infectious energy. www.teamexos.com, @evolve_to_rise

DR. BRANDON BOOTHE

JONATHAN COTTRELL

JONATHAN COTTRELL DESCRIBES

himself as a Jesus follower, family man, people lover, serial starter, community builder, tentmaker, Phoenix dweller, film nerd, iced americano addict and cranial nudist. But really, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Ever since the first business he started at age 11, he’s been starting things from scratch and serving the Phoenix community in myriad ways: from being the instigator behind #yesphx and PHX Startup Week, all the way to his current focus as author of Do Nothing and CEO of Journeyage. He’s been married to the love of his life, Nicole, since 2005, and together they have three

precocious kids, Riley, Tolan and Beckett.

What does it mean to be an innovator to you?

“It’s funny that ‘Innovation’ starts with the word ‘in,’ because I think innovation is all about being ‘out,’” says Cottrell. “Thinking outside the box, standing out, delivering outof-the-ordinary service. It means challenging the status quo and being willing to dream and ask, ‘What if…?’ And most of all, it means being willing to fail—sometimes over and over again—because it’s about the promise of some thing better, even if it’s at your own risk.”

• www.jonathancottrell.com, @jonathancottrell

JONATHAN’S PICKS

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES HIM

SHANE ETTESTAD

HomeKey

Shane Ettestad was driven to create a world in which managing a home and keeping a detailed record of its history is simple, immutable and passes from one homeowner to the next. As co-founder and CEO of HomeKey, Ettestad builds and leads the team to execute his big vision for the B2B2C HomeKey product, driving innovation and raising capital. A serial-founder, he experienced the dot.com boom in the ’90s at his first company, Interactive Sites. In 2007, he had a successful exit of his second company, Blue Square Studios, to TravelClick. Ettestad then served as TravelClick’s VP of digital marketing products and VP of innovation, launching the company’s first mobile app. www.gethomekey.com, @gethomekey

GABE COOPER

Virtuous Software

Gabe Cooper is the founder and CEO of Virtuous, the first responsive fundraising CRM platform designed to help nonprofit teams build better donor relationships and increase impact with confidence. www.virtuous.org, @virtuouscrm

LOREN FRANKLIN

Dutch Bros. West Valley

As the CEO for Dutch Bros. West Valley, Loren Franklin has helped the coffee company achieve 30% growth. His journey as a CPA laid the foundation to creating innovative solutions throughout his career. During his time at the waste disposal company Republic Services, Loren was recognized by Waste360’s 40 Under 40 for his work on alternative fuel solutions. When not spending time with his wife and three children, Loren enjoys a round of golf with friends. www.dutchbros.com, @dutchbroswestvalley

EMILY ANNE GULLICKSON

A for Arizona

A unique background of executive, advocacy, legal and teaching experience as a Teach For America—Phoenix alumna, Emily Anne Gullickson is the CEO and founder of A for Arizona, which aspires to a system where all Arizona students have access to a high-quality school and classroom proximate to them. She has been recognized by the Arizona Capitol community for her leadership and advocacy skills, including the 2021 Best Activist, 2021 Leader of the Year in Education, 2020 Best Political Rising Star, Inaugural 2019 Women Achievers of Arizona—Nonprofit Leader and 2019 Breakdown Breakout recognizing the sharpest Arizona political minds under 40. She serves on the governing boards of notMYkid, Playworks Arizona, Policy Innovators in Education Network and Every Kid Counts Oklahoma. www.aforarizona.org

ROMI DHILLON

Sonoran Founders Fund & Arizona Founders Fund

Romi Dhillon is the CEO, co-founder and managing director of the Sonoran Founders Fund. He also serves as founder and managing director of the Arizona Founders Fund, Arizona’s first-ever seed-stage investor dedicated to its startups. His funds currently hold a net-IRR of 39%, making them a top-decile performer nationally Dhillon brings more than 14 years of investing experience in Seed, Series A and Growth Stage technologies in the Southwest and Mountain West region, along with a deep experience in startups, fundraising, management and board leadership. www.sonoranfund.com, www.azff.co

INNOVA YOUNG

THE NEXT GENERATION OF EMERGING LOCAL TALENT IS ALREADY MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON BOTH OUR COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD. MEET AND TAKE NOTE OF THESE THREE RISING YOUNG INNOVATORS WHO ARE SURE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE MOVES FOR YEARS TO COME.

ATORS

Reble

AZF: What is the change you wish to see in your area and what do you think is needed to make that change?

RR: My ethos as a designer is to challenge consumers to think more critically about what and how they choose to consume. Unfortunately, I think that many consumers are not as educated on the impacts of their purchases, through no fault of their own. Fashion as an industry is extraordinarily vast and sadly has many shortcomings in both environmental and ethical standards. To truly make change, I think these issues need to be addressed via legislation and regulation as it is impossible to ask every consumer to take the time and energy to investigate issues that they have little, if any, control over.

AZF: Crystal ball—Where do you see yourself in 25 years?

REMINGTON REBLE is a sustainable accessories designer and recent gradu ate of the Arizona State University Fashion Program. Born and raised in Phoenix, Reble has developed an affinity for the beautiful Sonoran Desert through frequent hiking and desert photography. He has channeled this inspiration in combination with his love for fashion, design and handcrafted accessories made out of sustainable cactus leather. Currently serving as a program coordinator for the ASU Fashion Program, Reble has held many roles and responsibilities, including executive assistant, stylist and tailoring assistant and has worked across fashion, commercial and retail settings.

AZF: How have you seen fashion develop in Arizona?

Remington Reble (RR): I think that fashion in Arizona is starting to take a real foothold due to a number of factors. Driven by consumer and public interest, many more outlets for fashion expression have grown: retail, media, fashion shows, and, of course, education. Due to my

inside perspective, I see the most development firsthand at ASU. The Fashion Program began in 2017 and already there has been tremendous growth!

AZF: What exciting things are happening now in Phoenix fashion?

RR: I think it is a very exciting time to be a Phoenix fashion creative. From an educa tional standpoint, The Fashion Program at ASU has been growing rapidly, shifting downtown to a brand new building with industry-standard studios and stateof-the-art industrial equipment. I have already seen these dividends in the recent graduate classes; the access to new resources has absolutely elevated the cap stone collections of graduating seniors. My peers also excite me, both inside and outside of ASU. There is a hotbed of talent in Phoenix that continues to inspire and drive me, be it other designers or even art ists of other mediums. And, of course, I am also excited by the growth of new store fronts, particularly multi-brand boutiques, like Now or Never and Wunderkind, that stock designers I am interested in such as Maison Margiela, Commes des Garçons, Dries van Noten and Alexander McQueen.

RR: This is a tough question as with all the tumult of the past few years and the uncertainty of the present, it is tough to imagine what even the next five years will look like. However, I hope that I will have had the opportunity to continue my education, both in a formal and informal setting. While I do love Arizona, I have lived here for my entire life and I could see myself exploring other settings, yet possibly returning to the alluring Sonoran Desert. There is a part of me that envisions myself on a ranch near the Superstition Mountains, farming prickly pear and agave, with a workshop where I have the freedom to create without inhibition. There is another part that could visualize myself in Italy, working for a fashion house that I have always looked up to. Yet, there is even another part that sees me living near Cancún and operating a scuba dive shop, with little, if anything to do with the fashion industry.

AZF: How do you see Phoenix evolving over the next 25 years?

RR: I see Phoenix continuing to grow rapidly. Many industries are establishing roots here, bringing additional inhabitants. However, I think this is contingent on investment into our infrastructure. With many of the recent headlines surrounding Arizona’s sustainability practices, or seeming lack thereof, I do get a bit anxious about the possible future of Phoenix. I think we need to start intertwining sustainability into all aspects of how we function in Arizona in order to secure a successful future.

AZF: What advice would you give to the next generation?

RR: Aside from the cliches of “Put down your phone” and “Don’t be afraid to fail,” I think it is important to find balance in life. This is very much easier said than done, and I am no master myself, but learning early to balance different facets of life can be absolutely instrumental in one’s growth.

AZF: Please tell us a little bit about yourself

Yassamin Ansari (YA): As a daughter of immigrants growing up in Arizona, I saw firsthand the injustice and inequity per vading our communities. Like any young person, your first thought is: I have to get out of here and see what’s out there.

Well, I did just that. I graduated from Stanford and Cambridge universities. My career led me to serve as a senior policy advisor in the United Nations and allowed me to travel to countries I’d only dreamed of, and, more importantly, re-inspired me to make change at home.

I was often the youngest person in the room asking huge corporations and global leaders to take climate change seriously and make bold commitments for our future. Inaction and no follow-through motivated me to run for office.

Today, I can proudly say I am the youngest woman ever elected to the Phoenix City Council and the first Iranian American elected to public office in the state of Arizona.

I’ve been serving District 7 for a little over a year now and have focused on delivering overdue investments to every corner of my district, such as new parks and green spaces, safer streets, affordable housing, new businesses and equitable access to clean public transportation.

In year one, I dedicated a lot of time to ramping up our response to the climate crisis through our new Phoenix Climate Action Plan and first-ever Transportation Electrification Plan. Phoenix is the fifth most populous and fastest-growing city in the country. We are in a defining moment that will determine if we can continue to provide what so many residents move here to find: opportunity through goodpaying jobs and quality of life that ensures clean air and water for all. I am determined to do so and show off the innovation burgeoning in our city daily.

AZF: How have you seen public policy develop in Arizona?

YA: I’m extremely proud of the diversity one can find in this bubble of Arizona politics. The Phoenix City Council is now a female majority, and more women are running for higher office than ever before nationwide. I have written more recommen dation letters for young leaders than I ever have. Today, it’s no longer your typical family names. It’s a mom who’s been impacted by gun violence. It’s a hospitality worker fighting for living wages. It’s every day people with real-world experiences who have solutions to our biggest challenges.

AZF: What exciting things are happen ing now in Phoenix?

YA: We are constantly adding new restau rants, breaking ground on mixed-use developments and expanding light rail and transit systems to better connect pockets of our city.

I’ve been heavily focused on setting and implementing policy that makes Phoenix the model for sustainable cities in America. We just passed the first-ever transportation electrification plan in the Valley which outlines a roadmap to have 280,000 more electric vehicles on the road by 2030 and positions Phoenix as a leader in EV adoption.

It’s also hard not to be excited for the future of our city! With Phoenix hosting the Super Bowl next year, I can’t wait to have so many people see the remarkable growth we have had and to experience all the city has to offer.

AZF: What is the change you wish to see in your area and what do you think is needed to make that change?

YA: I’m focused on two very critical efforts: 1) Transforming the way Phoeni cians move in our city; and 2) Making sure we all have access to housing. If we want to fully reduce our dependency on gas-powered vehicles, we need to shift to a focus on walkability and micro-mobility. Car-centric planning is a policy of the past; we need streets focused on people. We need to provide adequate shade and

coverage on our sidewalks, add more bike lanes to streets and continue the work of our prior initiatives, such as our E-Scooter pilot program! This effort will require immense outreach and education, but the benefits I cannot stress enough.

This is the fastest way we can improve air quality and build a 15-minute city where everyone has access to their basic necessities within walking distance. We also need to position public transit as a valuable city resource and a useful alter native to other forms of transportation. Our focus must be on removing any negative stigma associated with our public transit. It has proven itself to be safe, reliable and cost-effective. Of course, there is always work to be done to make it even more dependable and easier to use. I just had a meeting with the new Valley Metro CEO, and we have a lot of faith that she is the right person to help lead this change!

As our city continues to rapidly grow, it is imperative that we concentrate on housing development, especially for affordable housing. With our unsheltered population growing by the day, we need to increase transitional, regional shelter options for our most vulnerable while putting forth long-term strategies for permanent housing. The right to shelter is a human right and one that Phoenix must uphold.

AZF: Crystal ball—Where do you see yourself in 25 years?

YA: I hope—that in the year 2047 and at 55 years old—I will be alive and healthy! And if I’m lucky, I’ll be surrounded by loved ones. I intend to still be serving in public office either at the state or federal level— looking back on the policies that we set today and feeling proud that we took important steps to ensure that Phoenix remains a healthy, livable city that is welcoming to all. At that point, we should be just three years away from 100% renew able energy use citywide!

AZF: How do you see Phoenix evolving over the next 25 years?

YA: Phoenix will be a leader in sustainable, equitable living and viewed as one of the most diverse desert cities in the world.

AZF: What advice would you give to the next generation?

YA: Politicians, unfortunately, sometimes do not listen unless the people speak up. If you want to see policy change, you have to start it. Join a political club, an advocacy group, call your councilmember or repre sentative. You need to be involved and make your voices heard for them to listen. And if they don’t listen, run against them. It will be a lot of work, but trust me, it’s worth it. Most importantly, focus on your self and how you can take care of those around you. Don’t be afraid to have fun, explore the city and practice self-care to make sure you’re ready to face whatever task comes next.

Name: Vincent de Sarthe

Age: 37

Title: Owner & Director, de Sarthe Gallery

Contact: www.desarthe.com, @de.sarthe @vincedegram

AZF: Please tell us a little bit about yourself

Vincent de Sarthe (VDS): Prior to settling back in Arizona, I lived between New York City and Beijing. I started my art career in 2006 working at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery, which pioneered artists such as JeanMichel Basquiat and Keith Haring. I then continued on to join my father, who has a gallery in Hong Kong and has been in busi ness for over 45 years. I then spent three years representing David LaChapelle’s photography works in Asia, with multiple museum and gallery exhibitions across the region. After seeing the new generation of Asian artists, I knew I had to be involved and opened the second de Sarthe gallery location in Beijing. I would then go on to spend the next five years discovering and cultivating our represented artists’ careers. These artists are now collected by top museums, sold at auction and shown at Art Basel Hong Kong, which our gallery has been participating in since its incep tion in 2013. I now plan to bring these artists as well as others to Scottsdale.

AZF: How Have you seen art develop in Arizona?:

VDS: Growing up in Arizona in the ’90s, I always remembered the Southwestern art in Old Town Scottsdale. As I grew up, I would go on to live in New York City and Beijing and travel across the world to attend and exhibit at art fairs. I would continue to see the art world move into a more contemporary direction. When I would visit home, I noticed that Scottsdale was still heavily focused on Southwestern art and had few options for contemporary taste. Although there have been outliers as well as the museums, we are still heavily referred to as a regional art scene. I believe this is now starting to change in a major way.

AZF: What exciting things are happening now in the Phoenix art/gallery scene?

VDS: The art community is poised to make a push in the upcoming years and become an international destination for contemporary art. We will soon see James Turrell’s Roden Crater in Flagstaff slated to open to the public in 2024. This will make Arizona a travel destination for the

arts as Marfa did for Texas. Although more of a parallel to the art world, I also noticed the success of the immersive Van Gogh Experience, which proved art is in high demand.

AZF: What is the change you wish to see in your area and what do you think is needed to make that change?

VDS: I think an important aspect to pay attention to is the desire that now exists more than ever for our city to have a heavy focus on culture and art that extends out beyond a regional feel. I have started to notice a change; art lovers and collectors seem to already have a good base in art knowledge as many have attended art fairs such as Art Basel. I hope to see this grow and develop over the years, which will attract more galleries to the region.

AZF: Crystal ball—Where do you see yourself in 25 years?

VDS: I’ve spent my early years traveling and living abroad. Setting roots down in Scottsdale is what excites me; I want to commit long term and have a presence here that lasts. We are one of the fastestgrowing cities, and I believe we are not

going to slow down anytime soon.

AZF: How do you see Phoenix evolving over the next 25 years?

VDS: My family moved to Scottsdale in 1994; since then I can hardly recognize it, but one thing that has never changed is how genuine the people here are. As we grow, I hope we are able to balance turning into a major metropolis that never forgot its Southwestern hospitality. I wouldn’t be surprised to see artists and galleries relocate here to find a sense of peace and security. I also envision our museums to continue to grow and become a destina tion in the art world.

AZF: What advice would you give to the next generation?

VDS: As much as I realize the future is digital and we are in many ways set on a path to enter the metaverse, art can be the final frontier in which we can live and feel in the real world. As the world becomes more and more automated and we become replaced by AI, art is the one thing that will continue to be a mystery to us, we should cherish it and lean on it for support as we move forward.

•

THEN&NOW

IT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT TO SAY THAT A LOT HAS CHANGED OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS.

azf’s HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS A PRINT-FOCUSED MAGAZINE STARTED IN 1997, THE WORLD CELEBRATED THE TURN OF THE MILLENNIUM AND THE TECH REVOLUTION LAUNCHED FULL THROTTLE (FRIENDLY REMINDER: THE IPHONE ONLY DEBUTED IN 2007!).

AS THEY SAY, HISTORY SO OFTEN REPEATS ITSELF. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW SOME FAVORITE VALLEY BUSINESSES LEAD WITH HERITAGE AT THE FOREFRONT, EARLY AUGHTS FASHION TRENDS THAT ARE MAKING A COMEBACK AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE SUPER BOWL IN ARIZONA AS THE STATE SUITS UP TO HOST THE 2023 GAME.

THIS ONE-MILE STRETCH OFF 7TH AVENUE IS AFFECTIONATELY known as the “Melrose Curve” for its slight eastern-leaning bend that breaks from the city’s usual straight-lined coordinate plane. Back in the 1950s, this area served as a vibrant commercial corridor that connected industrial downtown to the residential suburbs of Phoenix.

“In the suburban spread-out of the 1950s and 1960s, 7th Avenue in the Melrose District was where the auto-attracting buildings and businesses were located that catered to clients who were making their way to and from work downtown,” says Roger Brevoort, historic preservation activist and director at TRU Realty.

Anchoring the neighborhood on the northwest corner of 7th Avenue and Indian School Road is one emblematic building that has stood the test of time.

Constructed in 1957, the space originally housed Paris Laundry & Dry Cleaning, identifiable by its large slanted structure that’s supported by three tilting columns and an eye-catching sign that lights up at night. The wide porte-cochère enabled cars to easily dash in and out for drop off and pick up.

The building’s unique shape is representative of Googie architecture, a retro-futuristic style that was inspired by industrial progress, car culture and the space age during the postwar era.

Modern Manor

WITH ITS MIDCENTURY MODERN BUILDINGS AND BOLD GEOMETRIC SIGNS , 7TH AVENUE BETWEEN INDIAN SCHOOL AND CAMELBACK ROADS IN THE MELROSE DISTRICT OF PHOENIX CAN MAKE YOU FEEL AS IF YOU ’RE MAKING YOUR WAY THROUGH A TIME CAPSULE.

BY CHRISTINA SILVESTRI

“Googie architecture was a very optimistic look into the future with everything moving forward,” says Michelle Dodds, retired Phoenix historic preservation officer. “The soaring roofline of the Paris Laundry building was really indicative of that architectural style along with the signage that went with it.”

When Paris Laundry & Dry Cleaning closed in 2016, the building’s preservation was at risk. Coincidentally, local entrepreneurs Ryan Durkin and Kylie Durkin were searching for a new location to expand their vintage modern furniture store, Modern Manor, that was then just up the street.

“After three years of looking, we found the Paris Laundry building,” says Ryan. “It’s an iconic building; everyone in town knows it. There was fear of it being torn down. We thought: Let’s do a concept where lots of people can appreciate and experience the building above and beyond just shopping for couches.”

Nowadays, the building is not only home to Modern Manor but also shares space with an all-day restaurant, Valentine, in the front, and speakeasy, Bar 1912, in the back.

Vestiges of the old edifice can be spotted inside and out—from the well-preserved exterior, given a fresh coat of paint with a new “Modern Manor” sign, to the interior, where the original “Paris Laundry & Dry Cleaning” sign hangs for an Insta-ready photo opp.

“It’s a really beautiful and charming space,” says Ryan. “We intentionally left a lot of it raw on purpose. We wanted it to feel authentic to what the building looked like in the ’50s while achieving the aesthetic and function of what we’re doing now.”

Perhaps Googie futurism predicted it all along. The Melrose District, freshly revived with vintage nostalgia, is now hotter than ever.

“Architectural character draws people who identify with the amenities and assets that the unique buildings in Melrose have inherently,” says Brevoort, noting the rise in popularity and appreciation of historic neighborhoods such as Melrose.

“I see the Melrose District continuing to thrive,” says Ryan. “It has culture and creativity. As people continue to believe and invest in the neighborhood, it can’t go wrong.”

Modern Manor is located at 4130 N. 7th Ave, Phoenix, Ariz. 85013. www.modernmanorphx.com, @modernmanorshowroom, @valentine_phx

THEN&NOW

Ryan Durkin and Kylie Durkin inside Modern Manor

Greene

“

FASHION IS THE EXPRESSION OF TASTE, AESTHETICS, MOOD AND ART through clothing, accessories and wearable items,” says retail consultant

Dr. Danielle Testa. “It is a direct reflection of society, culture and individual moods.”

The fashion industry is always on the fasttrack to what’s new and next; however, the irony is that fashion can’t escape from being an artifact of time. And fashion, just like history, so often repeats itself.

“Twenty-five years ago, denim took off,” says Tom Simon, operating partner at The Clotherie, an upscale boutique at Biltmore Fashion Park which has outfitted some of the Valley’s most well-heeled men and women in top-selling dress wear and luxury sportswear since 1969.

Simon, who started his career at The Clotherie in the ’70s, also founded the former Hub Clothing store that brought luxury denim to the Phoenix market in the ’90s before returning to The Clotherie as co-owner in 2019.

The Clotherie

“WHAT IS FASHION?” DEPENDING ON WHOM YOU

ASK, IT’S AN OPENENDED QUESTION.

BY CHRISTINA SILVESTRI

“A stylish pair of jeans—think super low-waisted styles from Diesel, Big Star or Frankie B—was considered a status symbol circa 1997, when name-brand denim broke over $200 for the first time,” says Simon. “It was also the era of ‘pre-athleisure,’ as evidenced by Juicy Couture velour tracksuits and when stretch was first incorporated into denim.”

Now, these nostalgic trends from the last millennium are making a comeback.

“Expect that any late ’90s or early ’00s trend is fair game for fashion brands,” says Dr. Testa, noting trends such as midriff-baring tops, wide-leg trousers, shimmer makeup and butterfly hair clips. “Looking back 25 years provides a joyous escape with our clothing because we are all balancing a lot coming out of a couple years that were pretty somber for society as a whole.”

Dr. Testa also observes a direct correlation between fashion and world events as trending styles capture the zeitgeist.

“What we wear is becoming more directly related to the economy and society,” she says. “Take the massive loungewear trend of the last two years; can you imagine a ‘Mad Men’ character wearing sweatpants to the office in the ’50s, even if there was a pandemic? The boundaries of what is socially acceptable in fashion have widened, and subsequently, our fashion choices are now more direct reflections of our environment and sentiments.”

While styles continue to evolve and change, some elements of the fashion experience have stood the test of time. For Simon, that’s prioritizing the individual wearing the clothes.

“In the present, past and future, what has always been number one for us at The Clotherie is service,” he says, noting The Clotherie’s personal shopping and in-house master tailor services. “It’s about instinct, not imitation.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Testa forecasts the future of fashion in Arizona to be bright. “Phoenix is a place for innovation,” she says. “There are so many entrepreneurs and innovators here that are making this a destination for—not just jobs in fashion and related fields—but creative opportunities to ignite new ideas in a rapidly evolving industry.”

The Clotherie is located at 2502 E. Camelback Road, Suite #169, Phoenix, Ariz. 85016. www.theclotherie.com, @theclotherie

THEN&NOW

The Clotherie ads from 1978–1981

Looks from The Clotherie

Tom Simon, operating partner at The Clotherie. , Brad Reed

TEN YEARS AGO, PHOENIX-BASED PHOTOGRAPHER DEBBY WOLVOS wanted to begin shooting food and beverage jobs in the metropolitan area. The Minnesota native had quality experience in F&B photography, reporting and television in other markets, but she didn’t have much of a Valley résumé in the culinary work she particularly enjoyed.

So, she called Melissa Larsen, then editor-in-chief of Arizona Foothills , making a pitch as a photographer/writer for a monthly culinary feature. “When she said ‘yes,’ I was so happy that I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I owe my F&B photography career to Melissa and Arizona Foothills, and I’m forever grateful to her and to the pub,” she says.

Immediately, it was the start of a beautiful friendship. “The assignments were great. Melissa gave me so much flexibility. I enjoyed meeting chefs and interviewing them. I photographed many of the best chefs and cooks in Arizona, such as Chef Kevin Binkley.”

FOOD & TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER GETS A FIRST SHOT IN VALLEY WITH AZ FOOTHILLS

Debby Wolvos

BY DAVID M. BROWN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBBY WOLVOS

The jobs also helped her build a local portfolio; the chefs often needed images for their restaurants for marketing and websites. At the same time, Wolvos photographed events and submitted galleries to the magazine. Nowadays, her commercial photography, cookbooks, culinary textbooks, marketing images, billboards and editorial have prevented her from contributing to azf, but she’s proud to be Best of Our Valley winner.

Food photography was different 10–25 years ago than it is now. “It was a bit more formal back then. Food photography is a little more relaxed looking now, showing food that is ‘perfectly imperfect.’ Today, you might see a few crumbs or a bite taken out of the dish now.” She adds: “Images used to be more sharply focused then. Now you usually see ones with only part of the food in focus, and the background is out of focus.” And, “There are a zillion food photographers on social media now.”

She shoots for both editorial and commercial clients and has worked in the Sienna hills of Italy, the Sonoita plains of Arizona and kitchens wherever she can find chefs soliciting her skills. Clients have included periodicals such as Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Imbibe, Phoenix Magazine, Southwest Airlines Magazine and USA Today and companies such as The James Beard Foundation, IHOP , Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and Market Watch

Wolvos began still work in 1980 in Minnesota and has been specializing in F&B work for about 14 years. She was a corporate photographer and later a radio and television reporter/anchor in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market and a TV reporter in the Boston and Phoenix television markets. From Boston, she moved to Phoenix with her husband, Tom, and two children 21 years ago, working first as a reporter on ABC 15’s Sonoran Living Live for several years. All the while, she wanted to return to her joy of taking pictures.

“I’ve had a passion for photography ever since I received a Kodak Instamatic camera for my 10th birthday. I spent time in my father’s darkroom and was excited to see the creative process come alive,” she says.

She loves F&B in particular because it’s always challenging—chef to chef, kitchen to kitchen, dish to dish. “Each shoot brings something new: chefs, cooks, food and cocktails. I was a ‘foodie’ before most of today’s ‘foodies’ were born,” she adds with a smile. “When I was asked to photograph a cookbook 13 years ago, that was it. I put the two joys together, and we’ve been together ever since!” www.dw-photography.net, @debbywolvosphotography

THEN&NOW

Debby Wolvos

JAMES ‘JIM’ DUKE FOUNDED DUKE PHOTOGRAPHY IN 1950, AS PHOENIX was beginning its post-World War II boom; Americans were caravanning West from the Rust Belt and Midwest for bright opportunities and an affordable locale to start their families in the sunshine.

After early years photographing families as a sidelight, he opened the photography studio and built it into the largest in Arizona, the company says. Many locals will remember the landmark building at 7th Avenue and Thomas Road across from St. Joseph Hospital.

On April 25, 2015, Duke died, and his son Darrell built the business until 2021 when Phoenix native and Arcadia resident Aaron Klusman became the new owner; he moved the studio into its current contemporary space on Central Avenue north of Camelback Road, explains Darcy Carter, who manages the company.

Duke Photography

72 YEARS & STILL PICTURE PERFECT

BY DAVID M. BROWN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID WILLKIE

The business was known for a variety of quality work and the clients served. “Mr. Duke was active in the Phoenix and surrounding areas, organizations. He did lots of weddings, school yearbook and sports photography, cotillion and business photography, and he also did pro bono work for the homeless and many other causes,” says photographer David Willkie, who has been with the company for 32 years.

“If you needed a portrait for the family wall in your home or to build a holiday greeting card, you called Duke Photography,” says Carter. “Your child’s prom, corsage, dress, tux and all, wasn’t complete without a Duke photographer capturing the experience for everyone to enjoy in posterity. Your son came home from Vietnam or the Gulf War: You strung a banner across your house façade, invited relatives and friends—and Duke Photography. And when your parents celebrated their golden anniversary, you threw them a party and had one of the company photographers add to the joy.”

With Duke Photography now in bustling uptown Phoenix, the future is in sharp focus, she says. “In a fresh studio with our trusted photographers, we’re still capturing the moments for families, seniors, schools, for sports events and for business.” She adds that the company will soon debut a “Crown Club Studio” as a membership-based studio lounge for the neighborhood to enjoy.

A graduate of the Lindsey Hopkins Institute in Miami, Florida, Willkie moved to the Valley 34 years ago after working as a ship photographer for six years. He and his wife have two girls.

In the last 20 years, almost everything has shifted in photography from film to digital imaging, he explains. “Digital cameras completely changed the photo business, allowing more people to become photographers because of the ability to see images in real time, make changes and produce an acceptable product.”

Willkie’s favorite moment in his three decades for the company was a heavenly assignment years ago. “We showed up to the event only to discover that the main speaker was actor Charlton Heston, who played Moses in The Ten Commandments,” he recalls.

Willkie took divine shots that day. After all, for 72 years that’s been rule #1 at Duke Photography: Thou shalt not take bad pictures. www.dukephotos.com, @dukecrownclub

THEN&NOW

The Super Bowl

BY CHRISTINA SILVESTRI

THE COUNTDOWN TO THE 2023

SUPER BOWL IS OFFICIALLY ON. ARIZONA LOCALS WON’T HAVE TO VENTURE FAR TO WATCH AND CELEBRATE THE BIG GAME. THE GRAND CANYON STATE IS SET TO HOST SUPER BOWL LVII AT GLENDALE’S STATE FARM STADIUM, THE HOME OF THE CARDINALS, ON FEBRUARY 12, 2023.

T

HIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TIME THAT ARIZONA HAS HOSTED the NFL’s annual playoff championship, joining only four other sites—including Southern Florida, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Tampa—with this distinction.

While we wait to see which two teams will battle it out to score the winning points for the prized Lombardi Trophy, let’s take a look back at the Super Bowl’s history in Arizona and what there is to look forward to next year.

1996 | Super Bowl XXX

Arizona’s very first Super Bowl saw the Dallas Cowboys win against the Pittsburgh Steelers 27 to 17 at Tempe’s Sun Devil Stadium on January 28, 1996. Diana Ross performed hits from her days with The Supremes during halftime before being dramatically airlifted off the field in a helicopter, all while singing “I Will Survive.”

2008 | Super Bowl XLII

The Super Bowl first arrived in the West Valley on February 3, 2008, at the former University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Considered one of the greatest games in sports history, the New York Giants beat the then-undefeated New England Patriots 17 to 14 during an epic fourth quarter that awarded Giants quarterback Eli Manning Super Bowl MVP. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed the halftime show.

2015 | Super Bowl XLIX

Arizona’s most recent Super Bowl was once again at the University of Phoenix Stadium, where the New England Patriots faced off against the Seattle Seahawks, 28 to 24, on February 1, 2015. Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott were the halftime performers.

Between Perry’s “left shark” and Malcolm Butler’s last-second goal-line interception, this game retains the record as the most-watched TV show in U.S. history, seen by 115 million viewers. According to the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, 120,000 visitors joined the festivities in person, resulting in a $719-million economic impact.

2023 | Super Bowl LVII

With former Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald as the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee’s executive chair, the upcoming Super Bowl aims to be the most sustainable yet.

“Working with APS, the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee’s Official Green Partner, and NFL Green, the Host Committee will ensure all materials are recovered, reused or repurposed,” says Lesley Miller, the committee’s communications director. “Everything from unused food at events to the lumber to the sod used in the stadium will be donated. Plus, beautification and tree-planting events will take place around the Valley.”

A free, multi-day, outdoor festival with live music and entertainment, local cuisine, and multicultural celebrations will take place at Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix the week leading up to Super Bowl LVII, where Rihanna is slated to headline the coveted halftime show.

The NFL’s Super Bowl Experience at Phoenix Convention Center is also planned where fans can collect autographs from football players, participate in interactive games, youth football clinics and more. www.azsuperbowl.com, @azsuperbowl

THEN

BY CHRISTINA SILVESTRI

A Gift That Keeps On Giving

When Robert Altmanshofer ended up hospitalized at 23 years old, his life completely changed course.

- Robert Altmanshofer

pursue a career in radiology as a first-generation college graduate.

A bright and ambitious student, Altmanshofer approached the Yavapai College Foundation with the idea to establish a scholarship to pay his good fortune forward.

“I wanted to give back by helping a hard-working student, and not just one time,” says Altmanshofer. “I wanted to continue to give back year after year. As I became more successful, I wanted to share that success by following the example of the generous donors who made my scholarships possible.”

Altmanshofer first contributed his own money bit by bit until launching a crowd-funding campaign in 2020. In just six days, the $3,000 goal was met; and, within 30 days, $6,200 was raised, ultimately benefiting two Yavapai College radiology students that same year.

IT WAS SPRING 2011, and Robert Altmanshofer was a young, healthy and fit 23-year-old.

He rigorously trained up to six days per week, fueled by a whole-foods diet, in preparation for his first physique competition.

One day, Altmanshofer’s world turned upside down when he suddenly felt excruciating pain in his upper abdomen unlike he had ever experienced.

“It may sound like an exaggeration, and I’ve never been stabbed, but I felt like there was a knife in my stomach,” says Altmanshofer. “I got home, went straight into bed and laid in the fetal position, writhing in pain until about 3 a.m. Then, as quickly as it came on, it was gone.”

This debilitating and unpredictable pain soon increased in frequency to almost every other day, with symptoms lasting for up to 36 hours at its worst in fall 2011.

Doctors were dumbfounded, with some even doubting Altmanshofer’s condition, until an acute abdominal X-ray series uncovered a massive bowel obstruction that required emergency surgery.

Before he knew it, a portion of his intestine, which was also found to contain benign congenital tumors, was removed.

If another 24–48 hours had passed, the doctor said, Altmanshofer would’ve most likely died from sepsis. Meanwhile, another abdominal CT scan revealed two large abscesses in his abdomen.

“During my time in the hospital, I had a lot of time to think,” says Altmanshofer, who was in the midst of a painful divorce and had also lost his home at the time. “I reflected a lot on the idea that I had no control over my circumstances, and I kept thinking to myself, ‘I am so incredibly lucky to be alive . . . What am I going to do with this second chance I’ve been given?’”

Realizing how an X-ray and two incredible doctors had saved his life, Altmanshofer was inspired to enroll at Yavapai College, where he received a series of scholarships, including a full-ride to

Overwhelmed by the community’s outpouring of generosity, Altmanshofer raised the bar higher by creating The Robert Altmanshofer and David Moore Radiologic Technology Endowment Scholarship. The initial fundraising goal of $30,000 was shattered by 93 donors who contributed $48,000 over 12 weeks.

“When I first started the scholarship, it was my goal to be able to pay for one student’s entire tuition for the program, which is around $15,000,” says Altmanshofer. “Now that I’ve started an endowment, my goal is to be able to do this every year. This will require around $350,000 to be in the endowment, meaning I have another $300,000 to raise in order to accomplish this.”

Now 35 years old, Altmanshofer has been a lead surgical radiologic technologist, and, most recently, a sales associate at the medical devices company NuVasive.

“One of the best parts about my job is that I get to frequently work with my hero, Dr. Walters, the man who saved my life,” says Altmanshofer. “It is possible to make a difference in this world and change people’s lives through kindness and generosity . . . It becomes a domino effect, and you never know how far your kindness will go.”

Donations to The Robert Altmanshofer and David Moore Radiologic Technology Endowment Scholarship can be made by scanning the QR code or visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ycrad techendowment2022

Yavapai College radiologic technology students that maintain a 3.5 GPA are welcome to apply for the scholarship at www.yc.edu. •

“I REFLECTED A LOT ON THE IDEA THAT I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY CIRCUM STANCES, AND I KEPT THINKING TO MYSELF, ‘I AM SO INCREDIBLY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE . . . WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THIS SECOND CHANCE I’VE BEEN GIVEN?’”

Robert Altmanshofer, right, with past scholarship recipients

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE azf

BY ALYSSA GRABINSKI

IT’S ALMOST THAT TIME OF YEAR. Yes, the holiday season is almost upon us. While these next few months are often spent making memories with loved ones and friends, they’re also spent racking your brain for gift ideas. Instead of spending hours online scouting out the perfect gift for your fashion-loving, beauty-obsessed best friend or for your impossible-to-shop-for-father, read on for an all-encompassing list of swoon-worthy gifts. Be warned: You’re about to be everyone’s new favorite person.

RESCUEDby

As a volunteer with local animal rescue groups, Lindsey Blazevich saw firsthand the number of animals in shelters. She soon discovered that 90 percent of the rescue population were pit bulls. Sadly, only 50 percent of those dogs made it out alive. Blazevich decided she had to help!

BY STEPHANIE PERRAULT

IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014, she founded One Love Pit Bull Foundation with the mission to support, rescue and rehabilitate at-risk dogs, increase shelter adoptions, and provide assis tance to families with companion animalsin under-resourced communities.

In the last eight years, One Love hasflourished and now offers a variety of programs and services to at-risk petsand under-resourced families. One of its primary programs is the Shelter Dog program. Through this initiative, the OneLove team identifies dogs at the Maricopa County Shelter with the most extendedlength of stay or who need additional training and medical care.

“We do weekly enrichment at the Maricopa County Shelter & Control. We walk thedogs and look for specific needs,” saysDana Close, vice president and chief operating officer. “We’ll sponsor those dogs, promote them on social media and help get them adopted. Since the beginning of

the year, we’ve taken in 45 dogs that have been adopted out or are currently still with us,” she says.

Although the shelter population is still predominantly pit bulls, they are now seeing more mixed breeds, shepherds and huskies, says Close. One Love workswith all of them.

In addition to the Shelter Dog program,One Love offers a variety of programsto help families keep their pets ratherthan surrender them to the shelter. Mutt Manners classes connect trainers with families virtually to help address behaviorissues. Pools for Pups provides kiddie pools to families with outdoor pets who need access to water. And the Tag Me Homeprogram offers free ID tags for pets.

“Microchips are awesome, but if a dog has a collar [with a tag], people are more aptto pick up a dog, and if animal control sees a tag, they will take them right home,” says Close.

Another important initiative is the Spay and Neuter Community Outreach Program. One Love hosts the events everyother month at one of the Poverty Pets locations. The group does not advertise on social media but rather through neighborhood flyers so that they can focus on assisting the immediate surrounding area.

Since its founding, One Love Pit Bull Foundation has helped 550 shelter dogs findhomes and is on track to continue expanding its services and programs to thecommunity. If you are passionate about animals and want to partner with One Love as a foster/adoptive home, volunteer or be a donor, go to www.oneloveaz.org to learn more.

Upcoming Events: Party for the Paws Annual Fundraiser, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022; at FABRIC (Fashion and Business Resource Innovation Center), Tempe. • www.oneloveaz.org, @onelovearizona

ONE LOVE PIT BULL FOUNDATION IS THE 2022 azf NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR.

SALT & SPICE.

Oh So Nice!

ALYSSA

FOR SOME, COOKING IS A CHORE. A HARD TASK that requires patience, instructions and a very critical attention to detail. But for Jessica Helgeson’s mother, cooking was the opposite.

Take Christmas dinner, for example. Guests were mingling. People were hungry. And the tenderloin was baking in the oven. Instead of meticulously checking the meat and its temperature, Helgeson’s mother could tell that it was ready another way. Despite having macular degeneration, which results in vision loss, Helgeson’s mother could sense this culmination just by the sound of the sizzling steak and the strong smell wafting through the air.

“She goes, ‘Oh the tenderloin’s done,’ and we pull it out,” says Helgeson. “And it’s the most beautiful, medium rare, you know, light, little crust on it.”

This innate ability to flawlessly cook any meal was not a rare occurrence either. Throughout the course of her life, Jessica and her single mother, who some times worked as many as three jobs, used the act of cooking to both bond and find beauty in everyday moments. To Jessica, opening the fridge to find random foods and ingredients presented a challenge. But to her mother, everything came naturally.

“It’s what her passion has always been and her love language and how she serves others,” says Helgeson. “And she just has a way about her for making you so grateful for what you have and seeing the beauty in it.” This ultimately led mother and daughter to share their love for cooking and food through multiple means.

Before they launched their own brand of finishing salts, or fleur de sel—which translates to “flower of salt” from French—which are very different from run-of-the-mill-table salts, they actually began sharing their recipes with the world on YouTube. As they continued to post recipe videos, they began to receive more and more questions from people inquiring about finishing salts.

“Well, what is that? And what do you mean by finishing salts? And which ones do you recommend? And that really got our wheels turning even more,” says Helgeson.

All that was left to do was grab their Frenchspeaking friend, get in contact with someone from Île de Ré, an island off the west coast of France, and figure out a way to get the salt to the U.S. So, they did just that.

The mother-daughter duo officially launched See Salt in 2015. With Jessica as the force behind the entrepreneurial responsibilities and her mother getting her hands dirty to create the various flavors, they began to sell the same exact finishing salt they had been using for years prior in their own kitchen. • www.seesalttaste.com, @seesalttaste

FIN THAT’S ALL, FOLKS

IN AZ — YOUR GUIDE TO THIS SPRING’S HOTTEST EVENTS

Coming up next, your in-the-know guide to the hottest events in the Valley to kick off the new year, including Barrett-Jackson, Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Super Bowl and MLB Spring Training. Stay tuned on where to go, stay, dine and everything in between IN AZ this January.

Get the inside scoop at azfoothills.com and @azfoothills