20 Under 40 2023

EDITOR’S NOTE

Congratulations

The Arizona Daily Sun, the Greater Flagsta Chamber of Commerce and the City of Flagsta are thrilled to present this special section celebrating the 2023 class of 20 Under 40 winners who, through their work and service, are imprinting themselves into the fabric of Flagsta and their respective fields. As we put together this section, we were blown away by the level of talent and passion displayed by the 20 individuals being recognized here today. They are not only excelling in their careers but also driving innovation and positive change in our community.

These winners come from diverse backgrounds and contribute to the community in their own unique ways. From a basketball star who founded her own company to help kids build leadership skills and self-confidence, to an avid sewer who turned her passion into a non-profit that fosters connection through creativity, each has their own story to tell, and we’re excited to o er them a space where they can share those stories.

In a world that can sometimes feel uncertain and daunting, we hope the work of these remarkable individuals inspires you as much as they have inspired us. We congratulate them

on their achievements

so far and look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the future.

Thank you to all of our readers for your continued support, and we invite you to join us in celebrating these outstanding young professionals.

All the best,

Matthew Hayden mhayden@azdailysun.com 928.556.2280

MATTHEW BURTON

COO | Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

I’m proud of the relationships I’ve been able to cultivate with staff, and as a nonprofit and housing outsider, I’m proud of what I’ve been able to learn regarding the industry, working environment and players around Flagstaff, and Northern Arizona.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Flagstaff is a tough place to live if you don’t at least enjoy the outdoors a little, I’ve been an avid mountain biker, skier, climber, runner, you-name-it! I was the guy with the cheap car and the expensive bike on top, or in my case the trunk, because bike racks are expensive! My partner, Kate Wyatt, and I also just got a puppy to keep our current dog, Bentley, company, so my life has been pretty busy with potty training, and “Sit”, and “Down”. Her name is Andromeda (Andi for short).

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

What makes you passionate about your work?

For me it always comes back to the people. Whether it’s colleagues that make the day-to-day enjoyable or the individuals and communities served that make the work meaningful, I always finding myself doing what I do because of the people. At Housing Solutions, despite my short tenure, I believe I got lucky on both of these fronts. We get to work for people in the community. Many of the people we serve love our community and are important pieces in what makes Flagstaff such a great place to live and grow a family but are forced to leave due to the extreme price of simply living here. Being born and raised in Flagstaff, I have felt the pressure of trying to make rent while holding 2 and 3 jobs and have seen many friends with the same struggles, struggles that are only getting worse for members of our community. Housing Solutions is also a great place because of the people who make it. It’s nice to know there is always a laugh to go around and a very supportive staff who has each other’s backs both on the professional side, but also on the side, where life just gets tough sometimes. There are experts in every field, and I feel very privileged to be able to work for the experts in housing for Flagstaff.

I’ve done some volunteering for Northland Family Help Center and their Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking program. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Kyrgyz Republic for their Sustainable Community Development program. For about a year I lived in a village of about 2,000 living with a local family, learning the Kyrgyz language, and working with a small organization making traditional style handicrafts. I then worked with a nearby NGO working to increase capacity for those small rural organizations. We would provide technical training for small handicraft producers and operated a store for them to be able to sell their items.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

People are the true assets of any organization/company/agency. You can have the healthiest balance sheet in the world, and it won’t mean anything unless you have the right people in the right places. As my career has advanced, I have come to realize the potential of a highly motivated and creative individual is near limitless. The proper care and feeding of your people has been a major, and ongoing, lesson in my time with Housing Solutions.

Recreation and Fair Manager | Coconino County RICKY

CONWAY

What makes you passionate about your work?

The thing that makes me most passionate about my work is seeing the people we serve enjoying themselves. I get to see smiling faces from the attendees of the Coconino County Fair, participants of our recreation programs, and those enjoying our parks and natural areas. What’s

an accomplishment you are proud of?

I am very proud of my work with the Coconino County Fair, specifically the integrating with technology. We now have online ticketing, credit card purchases, an app for cell phones, and a presence online with our website and social media.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I recently discovered that I enjoy performing and have been part of three shows at Theatrikos. I even got to share that experience with my 13 year old son, who performed with me in the last holiday show.

Do you volunteer? If so, for who and why?

I volunteer with Theatrikos as a member of their board and sit on a few of their committees. I am also a City of Flagstaff Parks & Recreation Commissioner. My goal is to use what I’ve learned in my professional career to benefit others.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

A valuable lesson I’ve learned is to plan for the future but make sure to enjoy the present.

Matthew Bruton

For being chosen as one of this year’s 20 under 40 recipients. We are thankful for all you do in our community to help families find and keep safe, decent and affordable housing. housingnaz.org

DR. EMILY COPE

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences | NAU RILEY

What makes you passionate about your work?

I’m super passionate about improving human health through targeting our microbiomes. My research broadly focuses on understanding how our microbiomes, or the trillions of microbes that colonize us, contribute to chronic and progressive disease. The cool thing about studying our microbiomes is that it’s relatively easy to modify (e.g., by diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors). Understanding how to change a microbiome that’s associated with a disease may well lead to improved health. Beyond the research side of my work, I absolutely love mentoring young scientists and teaching undergraduates. I put my heart into developing and supporting undergraduate research in my laboratory and it is hands-down one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Knowing that I helped in some small or large way is incredibly fulfilling.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

Well, I’m proud of academic accomplishments because as a freshman undergrad, I wasn’t certain of my career path or passions. I got involved in undergraduate research (thanks, Jeff Leid!) and that set me on a course to a PhD. Within that realm, as I briefly discussed above, I’m proud of my contributions to get women, minorities, and especially first gen students involved in science in my lab. It is important to diversify the scientific workforce, and having even a small part of this mission is rewarding. Outside of academia, I am proud that I snagged a great husband and partner (that’s

DONALDSON

General Manager | Findlay Volkswagen Flagstaff

you, Mark Stover!), and of the work in activism that I’ve taken part in toward social justice and equality since 2016.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Living in Flagstaff is a dream for me — after all, I love hiking, camping, craft beer, and exploring the southwest. We have access to beautiful and unique geography, and it’s a privilege to experience these lands. I also love to travel outside of the southwest and around the world, a passion that was fostered by my husband. One of the ways that I like to experience a culture is through food, and I like to bring back recipes and recreate them at home. Cooking is another thing that I enjoy, especially making meals that I have enjoyed through travels for friends and family. Finally, I’ve always loved dogs so just know that if I see you around town with yours, I will ask to pet them. We have a sweet pandemic puppy named Mal (Captain Malcolm Reynolds) who is just a joy, and prior to him, we had a gentle giant (Lizzy) who lived to the age of 16, despite being 80lbs!

Do you volunteer? If so, for who and why?

I serve as treasurer of Together We Will Northern Arizona, a group that formed after the 2016 election that stands for equality and against sexism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and environmental destruction. Together, we have put on art shows and donated the proceeds to regional and national non-profits, we have organized the Women’s March/March for Love, and have organized successful campaigns to raise money for organizations that contribute to Black Lives Matter, among other accomplishments. I also enjoy volunteering in STEM events throughout the community and nationally. I have also participated in Skype a Scientist, a non-profit organization that connects scientists to classrooms, community groups, and families across the globe.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

At the risk of sounding cliché, I would say that an important lesson that I’ve learned is to persist. Academia is full of rejected papers, rejected grants, and you kind of need to have a thick skin and keep at it. Eventually the rejected papers get improved through peer review and at least some get accepted. Same for rejected grants. I remember my first National Institute of Health (NIH) grant reviews and, wow, they were brutal. But I persisted, improved the grant, and it eventually got funded. This lesson carries over to the challenges we experience in our personal lives as we experience the ebb and flow of burnout.

What makes you passionate about your work?

I’d say the thing that makes me the most passionate about my work are the customers. Flagstaff is filled with unique, kind, and energetic folks. All things that also describe a typical VW customer. We really do have the best clients around. They all have a passion for the VW brand and a story to share. Working with the people of Flag-town is not only what my job is all about, it’s also the highlight of it. Additionally, would be our ability to contribute to the community. The Findlay Family and I are very passionate about our community involvement. We seem to have our hands in a little bit of everything: Snowbowl, NAU Athletics, numerous youth sports teams and schools, and that’s just scratching the surface. The Findlay’s really empower us to embrace our local events, teams, and people.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

Professionally, my biggest accomplishment would be the team I have around me every day at the store. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by (in my humble opinion) the best group of ladies and gentleman in the business. Sales, Service, and Parts are truly filled with highly capable and skilled people and I’m very proud to count myself among them every day. Secondly, being the youngest General Manager in the history of the Auto Group. Doesn’t mean much, but it’s something that I’ve come to be proud of. Personally, I am proud of marrying my wonderful wife, Danielle. She is a kindergarten teacher here in town and being able to call her my better half is the proudest I’ve ever been.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love to spend time with my wife, our dog Hank, and our friends. We love to attend NAU basketball games. Men’s and Women’s. My wife and I went to nearly every home game last season and just love that community. It may be hard to believe, but I am also prolific reader. Once I pick it up, I can’t put it down! I love to read and do so daily. We also enjoy hiking and camping. My perfect day would be waking up from an afternoon nap in a hammock surrounded by my friends and family with a book in my hand.

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

I volunteer as a Director on the Board of Directors for our local credit union, Coconino Federal Credit Union. I got involved because I was both curious about the workings of a credit union and felt like I could bring something to the table with my background in the car business. It’s proven to be a great opportunity. Coconino Federal is a top notch organization and really is the best place to bank in town. Some of the sharpest people I have ever met run the organization. I also volunteer at the numerous events that the dealerships are involved in. My favorite being serving hot coffee at the start of the Climb to Cure Cancer walk every year. It’s a great event, for an even better cause.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

Most important thing I have learned is to acknowledge your deficits and trust your team. If you work with great people, you’ll see great results. Empowering people and supporting them along the way will get you far better results than if you were to try and do it yourself or micromanage every aspect of the project. Your leadership team is there for a reason, let them lead.

HEATHER FISER DAVID HAYWARD

Sales Agent and Associate Broker | Realty Executives of Flagstaff

the community. You never know what you will be doing day to day or what may come up and every day is a new challenge.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

my family and friends, going to the lake, and watching my kids play sports

Do you volunteer? If so, for who and why?

Principal at Square Peg Development and Co-founder of Restoration Soils

What makes you passionate about your work?

What makes you passionate about your work?

I love looking at homes that come up on the market for sale and helping the community purchase or sell their home. I also manage over 180 rentals in

I am proud of being able to multi task and be good at both managing rentals and helping sellers list their homes and buyers purchase their new home. I am also proud of becoming an associate broker at Realty Executives of Flagstaff and hope to continue to grow in my profession

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy hanging out with

I have not had a lot of time to volunteer, but I do like to donate to organizations. I adopted two rescue pups from High Country Humane Society, I donate to Habitat of Humanity as well as Toys for Tots.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

Enjoy life it is too short to sweat the small things.

Regarding Square Peg Development, I sincerely believe places and spaces can have a significant impact on the feelings, viewpoint and interactions of the people that inhabit them. Real estate development, though on a much smaller scale, allows me to create spaces that also make people feel comforted, excited, energetic or at peace. There is little better feeling for me than enjoying a piece of property once I have been able to leave my mark on it.

Regarding Restoration Soils, my education in International Political Economy at UC Berkeley, and my experiences since living in cities across the world have led me to believe the market economy, for all its flaws, provides the greatest lever we have to effect social change at scale. Forest health is the most important local factor affecting fire risk, flooding risk, and climate change. Restoration Soils is rebuilding the forest products industry in Flagstaff through modern, environmentally friendly processes to convert low-value thinned timber into value added products Only by creating a market for these products will we have a significant impact on the health of our forests, and consequently our community.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

Just over two years ago, I closed my residential development business and had some time on my hands while Square Peg Development and Restoration Soils

were getting off the ground. So when Ross Schaefer at Flagstaff Shelter Services asked me if I would join the board and help the organization purchase a motel for conversion into affordable housing, I immediately said yes. Ross knew how to get the money, and how to run the place once they had it, but she didn’t know how to find a property and execute the transaction. Together we have since purchased one motel and have our eyes on another. Those properties will provide homes, basic though they may be, for over one hundred and fifty folks who would otherwise be in the Shelter, on the street, or camping in the forest

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

When I really want to do something just for me, I garden Gardening is something of a national pastime in the UK, where I grew up, and I spent many a weekend playing in the dirt while my mother tended ours. Now I have my own patch of dirt, as soon as the weather is warm enough I spend as much time as I have free working in my yard, a one man fight against the frankly terrible growing conditions of our local climate!

Do you volunteer? If so, for who and why?

My volunteer work and local political activism brings me considerable satisfaction. I was Chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission, where I put my love for historic buildings, and knowledge of how to rehabilitate them to work I worked on the recent campaign to pass the

affordable housing bond, hoping to demonstrate that complex social problems require complex solutions involving both the public and private sector I am a member of the Business Advocacy Division at the Chamber of Commerce, where it is my unrepentant goal to prove that you can be social liberal and still push for an efficient regulatory environment Lastly, I enjoy sticking my nose into local politics where it doesn’t belong and generally pushing folks to recognize both some common sense and that we all agree on many more things than we would like to think

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

Leadership is the commitment to take responsibility for the consequences of your decisions Those decisions are not going to be right 100% of the time, you are not going to have 100% of the information you need to make the decision every time, and without question you are not going to please 100% of the people every time. Moving any organization forward means being comfortable with that uncertainty and doing it anyway.

where the experts are ™

Here’s to your hard work and dedication We are proud you are a part of Realty Executives of Flagstaff and know you exemplify “where the experts are.”

Fiser, Managing Broker • 928 Rentals

Public A airs Director | City of Flagsta SARAH LANGLEY

ering community members with the information they need and want.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

Growing the City’s communications team and expanding the ways in which we communicate with the community.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love taking advantage of all of the hiking trails in northern Arizona.

What makes you passionate about your work?

I am passionate about listening to community members and communicating in a way that is impactful and helpful, empow-

Chief of Sta to the Mayor and Council | City of Flagsta

labors. Making the city better for everyone is what brings me to work every day and keeps me excited to see what can be done to further everyone in our community.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

watch a movie or one of my favorite shows.

Do you volunteer? If so, for who and why?

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

The power of listening and dialogue in solving community issues.

What makes you passionate about your work?

My ability to work, live, and play in the city that I also work at allows me to actually connect with our citizens and see the fruits of our

One accomplishment that I am very proud of would be the development and growth of the Mayor and Council o ce as a whole. It’s important that our elected o cials are present and in the community, as well as being in communication with our Federal Delegation at all times and we are growing our sta to make sure we can adequately cover all needs of our o ce.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I like to cook for family and friends, take my dogs on adventures, and just kick back and

I’ve volunteered for Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club, the League of Women Voters and many other organizations. I feel it is so important to give back to my community whenever I can and volunteering is a great way to do that.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

The most important thing I’ve learned thus far in my career is to not take things personally. Not many people call our o ces to tell us how good were doing, and I always remind myself that while I will not be able to please everyone, I am doing everything I can to enhance the lives of everyone.

LAWRENCE

What makes you passionate about your work?

I am a creative placemaker in the literary arts. As Executive Director of the Northern Arizona Book Festival, I get to collaborate with experts to develop literary events that reflect, challenge, conserve, and, when necessary, transform the communities we serve. Being a book festival, we have to recognize that books themselves are a somewhat arbitrary product of a lot of extra-literary activities One’s memories, imagination, body, culture, language, etc. are all manifested in the book. Therefore, a book festival should also reflect that wide range of activities. These days, in addition to book readings and book signings, the festival features literary fun runs, translation slams, and maker spaces.

KIKI LOCKET

What makes you passionate about your work?

The reason I am so passionate about my work is it is so much bigger than basketball. My passion is helping kids develop positive life skills and build confidence in themselves and understand if they put God first,work hard, have determination,are dedicated,haveperseveranceand believe in themselves they can achieve anything in life.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

Being able to inspire and help people reach their full potential. There is nothing greater than a kid or person telling me because of you I did not give up, because of you I believe that I can be successful in life and achieve my goals and overcome ob-

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

I am proud of the work the book festival has done to develop and deploy an ambitious and cohesive mission to support Indigenous authors, young authors, and LGBTQIA+ authors. I am also proud of our interdisciplinary programs that promote ecological storytelling about the Colorado Plateau alongside scientists and multimodal storytelling with artists who work off the page. We get to know ourselves and our audiences more meaningfully when our work is oriented toward a mission.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Right now, I’m working on an opera about the black-footed ferret for Creative Flagstaff’s ArtX Festi-

val.My latest book,Backvalley Ferrets, is about the reintroduction of North America’s most endangered mammal species to the sage steppe of northern Arizona. This operatic adaptation is a bit of a cowpunk fantasia where I get to turn some of the animating themes of the book inside out. I’m composing a bunch of songs and designing a lot of strange props in my garage— like the ferret Roomba! Other than that, I play ice hockey and love up my family.

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

I am a creative writing professor at Northern Arizona University. That’s my day job. So, my work with the Northern Arizona Book Festival is in a volunteer capacity. Some weeks, when I’m writing grants or attending meetings

or updating the website, my work with the fest is the equivalent of a second full-time job. I do it, first, because the Colorado Plateau is an incredible place of literature and I count myself lucky to participate in its traditions. Also, the self-determination of any group of people is deeply connected to their ability to tell their own stories. If they don’t or can’t tell their own stories, who will? There is no acceptable alternative.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

Telling stories is a hard-wired biological part of what it means to be alive. I am driven to make northern Arizona a place where everyone can tell their story, and therefore, a place where everyone is fully alive.

COURTNEYMCCARRON

Case Manager | Health Services Advisory Group, Inc.

stacles that I encounter.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love spending time with my family.

Do you volunteer? If so, for who and why?

I love helping the Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff I also do Xmas drives and Thanksgiving drives, donating to families in need. I love giving back to the community when there are families that want to do programs but cannot afford it they are still able to do programs.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

I have learned that we will

always go through trials and tribulations in life, but we must Let Go and Let God lead us, believe in yourself and never give up Never let anyone set limits for you. Trust the process and the journey, everything takes time, patience, hard work dedication and determination. Success consists of going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm because nothing is impossible we must learn to never quit and continue pressing forward. What I have learned is what I teach my kids.

What makes you passionate about your work?

Working in healthcare, both in an inpatient hospital setting and now in the realm of quality improvement, which is more behind-thescenes, it’s knowing that no matter what,the work being done is helping improve the quality of care and improve the quality of life for someone.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

I’m very proud that I have been able to follow in the footsteps of my grandmother by being an Athena nominee and being an active alumni of the Flagstaff Leadership Program. My entire life she has modeled being a well-rounded member of the community and

Do you volunteer? If so, for who and why?

Currently, I volunteer for the Board of Directors for the Flagstaff Leadership Program. After graduating from the program in 2021, I decided that I wanted to continue being a part of the organization. I highly value the program’s ability to enhance your knowledge of the community and the network that it creates and maintains.

in general, modeled being a good human, and I want to continue on that path.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy running, baking bread, making pasta, reading, and caring for my many plants.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

The most important thing I’ve learned thus far is the importance of empowerment. We can accomplish so much when empowering and supporting those around us.

LENHART Executive Director | Northern Arizona Book Festival

Founder and Owner | Unlocked Potential

Search Like It’s Your Job

CUSTOMIZE YOUR PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTS

The importance of keeping your resume up to date is obvious. It is also essential to customize your professional documents to each job for which you apply. If you are applying for several positions at once and have decided to adapt your cover letter from one position to another, have someone other than yourself proofread it. The last thing you want to do is send a cover letter and resume to one employer with another’s name on it.

NETWORK OFTEN

When you are looking for a job, you should find ways to network. Networking is an invaluable professional skill, so take the steps to get your face and your work in front of other people. This can be in the form of emails, meeting former colleagues and peers for lunch or coffee, or attending conferences and organized networking events. You need to be able to sell yourself in two minutes or less; this is what professionals call the elevator pitch.

CREATE ORIGINAL CONTENT

Crafting and publishing original content on your professional social profiles is an

effective way to demonstrate your knowledge and show people what you’re passionate about. This is about getting your name in front of leaders in your industry. Keep a routine publishing schedule, whether this is once per day,

per week or every two weeks; the regularity will not only keep you writing but will hopefully gain you a few followers.

SEND A THANK YOU NOTE

Send a quick note thanking

each potential employer who took the time to interview you. This is your final opportunity to get your name in front of those with hiring power in a company and to leave them with a positive impression of you. This prac-

tice isn’t exclusively for interviews. By sending someone you met at a networking event a quick email soon after — even a brief, “it was so nice chatting with you this afternoon” — will help you grow your professional network.

Searching for a job can be as passive or as active a task as you want it to be. The question is how bad do you want it? When you treat your job search as your first priority, you are guaranteed to see better results more quickly.

GRACIE MCGILL

not worth sacrificing my physical and mental health. I had to make a difficult decision to leave my comfort zone and take a chance on something new. The pivot was not easy, and there were definitely some difficult moments along the way. However, three years later, I do not regret my choice for a second. What I am most proud of is the opportunity that my teacher pivot has given me to give back to the community of educators I care about. As someone who has experienced the challenges of leaving the classroom firsthand, I am grateful for the chance to coach other educators through the process and help them make positive changes in their lives.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

MADISON POMPEO

What makes you passionate about your work?

As the Communications Specialist at FUSD, I am passionate about highlighting the incredible accomplishments of our students and staff. Throughout the year, I attend a wide variety of events across our school district including the first day of school, field trips, athletics, concerts, award ceremonies, graduation, and so on. In my role, I love capturing these moments via photography and videography to share with our community.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

What makes you passionate about your work?

What makes me passionate about my work is the opportunity to think creatively, to solve problems, work with new technologies, and collaborate with smart and talented people. I am driven by the challenge of finding the best possible solution and delivering outstanding results for clients. Being able to see the impact of my work and the positive outcomes that it generates is incredibly fulfilling, and it fuels my passion for what I do every day.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

I am incredibly proud of my decision to pivot out of my career as an elementary school teacher during the pandemic, and of the hard work and perseverance that it took to successfully transition into a new career as a project manager. At the time I wasn’t sure if I was making the right choice to leave education; however, I realized that staying in a career that was no longer serving me was

I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and camping in the beautiful landscapes of Arizona. These activities allow me to connect with nature and recharge my batteries, which I find to be essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In addition to exploring the great outdoors, I am also an avid traveler and love visiting new places. Whether it’s exploring a new city, trying out local cuisine, or immersing myself in a different culture, I find that traveling helps broaden my perspectives and feeds my curiosity. Whether I’m exploring new places or simply enjoying the beauty of my own backyard, I find that these activities help me feel more alive and present in the moment.

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

I volunteer in classrooms, at High Country Humane occasionally and music festivals! In particular, I am always looking for more ways to volunteer with kids in the Flagstaff community whether it be in the classroom or in the great outdoors! I enjoy volunteering because it allows me to make a meaningful impact in my community while also learning and growing as a person.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

Overall, I have found that the ability to adapt and stay resilient has been critical to my success throughout my career. Whether navigating a rapidly changing career landscape or overcoming unexpected obstacles, these qualities have allowed me to stay focused, motivated, and achieve my goals.

Throughout my four years at FUSD, I have been able to learn and grow immensely in my career. I’m proud of the amount of new skills and knowledge I have gained over the years to get where I am today. When I started my current role, I was fresh out of college and new to the communications and public relations field. Additionally, the only previous experience I had in the education field was at an after-school program that I worked at in high school. Now, four years later, I am able to use the knowledge and skills I have learned to act as a reliable asset to my team and help improve FUSD.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and creating new experiences. Whether I’m on a road trip around the states or exploring a new country, I truly enjoy creating new memories that I can look back on for the rest of my life. Other than traveling, you can often find me hiking around Flagstaff with my dog or spending time with my family and friends.

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

I love to get involved in my community whether it is volunteering to plan and work a local event, helping to sandbag during a flood, or packaging food at the food bank. Notably, volunteering to plan and work the Annual STEM Celebration is one of my favorite volunteer activities that I look forward to each year. It is incredibly rewarding to plan the STEM Celebration, a free community event, from the ground up then see our community members enjoy the event firsthand.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

One of the most important things I have learned in my life so far is to never stop learning. Learning doesn’t just happen in school but during all walks of life. We continue to learn everyday whether it’s teaching yourself new skills at work, meeting someone from a different culture or background than you, traveling to a new place, or trying a new hobby. I think it is essential to be open-minded and continue to learn things from ourselves and others that could possibly change the outlook we have on life.

Project Manager | Blokhaus Inc. and Freaky Foot Tours

Communications Specialist | Flagstaff Unified School District

BRIAN SCHMITZ

Physical Therapist | Summit Health and Fitness

munity as President of APTA Arizona since 2020 and feel fortunate to be in a position to give back to the profession whichhasprovidedsomuchformepersonally and professionally.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Financial Advisor | Edward Jones

What makes you passionate about your work?

What makes you passionate about your work?

Ibelievepassionatelyinthebenefitsof exercise and physical activity for physical and emotional health. Most people understand the importance of sleep, stress management, proper diet and nutrition, and regular physical activity yetonly28%ofAmericansmeetrecommendedguidelines.Ibelieveprioritizing healthandwellnesscanhaveaprofound impact on our quality of life which can improve our entire community. As a Physical Therapist, there is no greater joy than optimizing movement to improve the human experience. Physical therapists help empower our community to manage their health proactively and conservatively and I am honored to practice Physical Therapy in such an amazingmedicalcommunity.Thedrive to provide the best possible patient experiencehasalwayskeptmepassionate about the Physical Therapy profession.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

Iammostproudofbeingamemberof theamazingcommunityhereatSummit Health and Fitness We have created a culturethatiswelcoming,inclusive,and supportive of our members’ health and fitness needs. I have had the privilege of serving the Physical Therapy com-

I love Flagstaff and everything the community offers. I enjoy riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, Olympic weight lifting, Buffalo Bills football, and spending time with my wife Sara andtwochildren,HadleyandHouston.

Do you volunteer? If so, for who and why?

I volunteer at the Coconino County Juvenile Detention Center where I coach weight lifting for Forging Youth Resilience(FYR).Ifeelitisimportantto expose our youth to weight lifting as a healthyalternativeforyoungteensand adults to promote improved physical and emotional health. The self-confidence and personal gratification that results from a hard workout can be life changing!

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

Good times often plant the seeds of their own destruction through complacency and comfort while bad times planttheseedsoftheirownturnaround by building resilience and an opportunity for problem-solving Nothing too good or too bad stays that way forever butgratitudeforthosearoundyou,hard work, and relentless forward progress will always result in sustained success

What makes you passionate about your work?

I enjoy being helpful to people. I have been working with many first time home buyers this year and it is such a satisfying feeling to be a part of such a big moment in someone else’s life.

I’ve always been relationship driven. Being adopted when I was five years old, I realized that the people around me may or may not always be there.That drove me to focus on building connections. The family I was brought into prioritized education and built an environment where I could try and fail at different things. From the start, I was drawn to analytics. The idea that numbers on a page or screen can be reorganized and effect a person’s life has always intrigued me. As a grade schooler, I wouldn’t doodle or drew, I would instead build out a financial profile of a successful person and try to decide where different money would get deployed. Being a financial advisor is the perfect combination of both my passions.I have the opportunity to build relationships and positively influence the financial trajectory of a client.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

I started building my practice in July of 2020, which was far from an ideal time to build trust between myself and clients.The struggle of that year was slightly muted, as I didn’t have years prior with Jones to compare it to. Looking back now, I see how difficult that year really was; the

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

I am most proud of my service in the Marine Corps of the last five years. For my current job I am happy to have surpassed the annual average for realtors nationwide within the first couple months of this year.

inability to meet face to face,the initial awkwardness of Zoom, the palpable uncertainty of the times. Looking back, I’m proud of how I navigated the year and thankful that I had the team I had.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

My time outside of the office is spent primarily visiting with friends – whether it be back East, in Phoenix, or here in town. I have a great group of friends around me and an equally great family. Outside of that,I spend the lion share of my time being active with running, jiu-jitsu, climbing, soccer, hiking, and the list goes on.

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

I volunteer with the Sunrise Lions Club, Northern Arizona Alliance for Dementia and Alzheimer’s, Adopt-a-Grandparent, and open volunteer days with the Rotary that I like to participate in. The Lions Club is heavily involved in our community and is a great group of people who meet every Tuesday morning at Mike and Rhonda’s It’s an opportunity to spend time thinking about something other than myself and work; it’s about what we can do for others NAZADA is an organization that was started by a group of professionals here in town. One of those people being Tasha Vigil

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

When I’m not working I find myself enjoying time with my dog as well as remodeling my home. I also have a hobby in cars, so you can expect me cruising Route 66 whenever I get the chance.

Angel’s Care Home Health. She has shown me, and many others, the impact of Alzheimer’s and Dementia and puts together events to support that community of individuals and caregivers. Adopt-a-Grandparent is a coalition of local individuals who put together a team of volunteers like myself to get names out to the public, receive and wrap the gifts, and send them to their respective locations. The gifts requested might appear basic to the average person, but they are unbelievably impactful to the recipient.

What

would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

It’s imperative to understand the why behind what my client is telling me.There’s a difference between providing a cookie cutter strategy versus providing a solution to the need being presented to me.Truly listening allows my client to be heard and provides the space for trust to be built.

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

I have just started working with the Boys and Girls Club here in Flagstaff. I look forward to being a mentor to the next generation and posing as an example they could look up to

BeaMore Confident Leader

Beingseenasaconfidentleaderis oneofthemostsought-aftergoals ofprofessionalseverywhere.Butbeing aneffectiveleaderisnotadestination asmuchasitisacontinualjourney.You shouldconstantlyassessyourefficacy.

Here are three behaviors you can adopt to strengthen your leadership skills.

LEARNHOWTOSAYNO

Communication is the key to success When information is shared effectively, it helps to nurture and build relationships, which in turn keep business running smoothly Choose your words carefully. The power of saying no isn’t merely in turning down projects,

but how we turn down projects. Many people use the word can’t when saying no. That implies a lack of options. Don’t implies the decision is a choice.

LISTENACTIVELY

Many leaders focus so much on what they’re saying they can overlook what others are saying. Listening to people is just as important as what you say to them. Active listening makes other people

feel heard and that their opinions and ideas are valued This is a technique that involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding and remembering what was said. Active listening also involves watching the speaker’s body language and responding to it.

UNDERSTAND(AND APPRECIATE)YOUR LIMITATIONS

Know one person cannot do it

all, and that’s OK. Executives at the top of their industry didn’t get there on their own. They had a whole network of people that advised, guided and supported them on their journey to success The key is to use your limitations as a guide when building your team. Working with people who fill your gaps and push you to learn will not only make you a better leader but will cause others to respect you.

JULIE SOKOL

ARTx Festival Director | Creative Flagstaff

What makes you passionate about your work?

Directing the experiences of ARTx in an engaging and authentic way is an opportunity to support and elevate the uniqueness of our community. I am passionate about finding ways to retain the diverse neighborhoods and residents that make our community vibrant.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

I am proud to have been a part of several women’s growth and development in attaining their chosen career paths. Making key introductions, ensuring opportunities, and encouraging women on their journey is the best part of being in a management role and is my personal measure of success.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

My free time is spent with my son Forrest, two dogs and family. We love exploring North-

DR. AMANDA “IRIS” CHACONAS

Neurologist | Flagstaff, AZ

ern Arizona, traveling broadly, gardening and cooking.

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

I currently volunteer as the Flagstaff Junior Academy Parent Teacher Group President de facto. I have also previously enjoyed my time with the Green Corn Project and TreeFolks, both in Austin, Texas. I find volunteering to be a genuine way to build community and engage with other like-minded people.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

The community outreach and engagement aspect of my work is humbling and is a constant reminder of how much I still have to learn. One of my favorite phrases is, “both can be true”, highlighting that two seemingly disparate experiences/emotions can simultaneously be true. Which explains and allows for some of the divisions we experience in ourselves and with each other.

What makes you passionate about your work?

In 2012, I had just ridden my bicycle across the country and graduated with my first nursing degree. I was in top physical shape. I experienced blurry vision that prompted my doctor to order an MRI. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Two months after my MS diagnosis, my dear mother, who was a PICU nurse, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Her death came in 4 months and left me devastated. I had a new passion, born from desperation— Neurology. I became nationally certified in multiple sclerosis and set out to complete my Doctorate of Nursing Practice. I was accepted at Johns Hopkins, and I worked as a Neuroscience nurse in the hospital. Johns Hopkins excelled in my studies. In the hospital, I took care of patients just like myself and my mother. My passion, born from desperation, was turned into one of the greatest gifts of my life—compassion. Finding compassionate grounds in the context of neurology is what makes me passionate. It helps that I have been a patient, a family member, and a provider. I moved back to Flagstaff to provide neurology services to this population.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

I am proud that I have received the nursing division’s CaRING Award at Johns Hopkins: The Johns Hopkins Alumni Council awards university rings to nine students, one from each division (Nursing, Medicine, Public Health, etc.), who have excelled in leadership activities and positively impacted the campus and/or the community while in school. I also received the Compassion Award: “This student embodies the heart of nursing by seeing need and responding with kindness and generosity. This person demonstrates compassion not only towards patients and their families but also among classmates. Their actions plant seeds from which spiritual, physical, and emotional healing grow.”

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I am an avid exerciser in my free time, including hiking, biking, skiing, swimming, and workout classes. The Flagstaff life is my jam! I have a two-year-old and a 5-pound Chihuahua, and we all go out and hike for hours.

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

I volunteer for MS lectures and MS support groups. I am a prominent member of the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses which serves to disseminate best care practices for neurology patients.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

The most important thing I learned in my education is that everyone is human. I met some brilliant people at Johns Hopkins, but the ones that were most effective at being a provider presented themselves as a trusted friend that genuinely cared about those around them. It is the acknowledgment of our humanity that ensures we can write wrongs and strive towards health in the provider-patient dynamic. Seeing the whole patient and what is important to them allows us to create a successful health team. My patients know that I show up for them 100% but that I am human; thus, I occasionally have to say, “I don’t know, but I will find out.” My goal is to teach and learn. Patients are experts on themselves, and my goal is for them also to be neurology specialists, just like me.

LAWRENCE WATSON

Assistant Principal | Mount Elden Middle School

beginning of the school year that needed to be addressed. We invested time toward educating and empowering our students and staff to know how to respond to situations and to take care of each other. We’ve been honest about our concerns and creative in solving challenges.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I really enjoy working out. I feel like about 50% of my time outside of work this winter has been spent shoveling snow, so these last few weeks of sunny warm weather have been rejuvenating. One of my kids is learning how to play guitar, so it’s been especially fun getting to work with him on that and being able to plug in and have someone to play with. If that gets too cognitively demanding, I can take a Lego or Mario break with my younger son. Right now my wife, Annie, is in the dissertation stage of her PhD program, and we are all very excited for her graduation in December!

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

LINDSEY WATSON

Executive Director | Threaded Together

ing over 25,000 pieces of reusable PPE for our medical facilities and essential organizations during the pandemic, to providing free textile and sewing classes for teens in our shelter system and local hospital, I am just so proud of all we have accomplished during these first few years, even amidst the challenging circumstances of the pandemic. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our community, so I am just unbelievably grateful for every individual, business, and grant-making organization that has shown us love over these past three years!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Life feels a little chaotic with two jobs and three small children, but when I am not joyfully swamped with grant writing, finishing clinic charts, and folding endless loads of laundry, I love to read, garden, make quilts from reclaimed textiles, cook elaborate meals for my beloved family, and learn new things (like aerial silks)!

Do you volunteer?

If so, for who and why?

What makes you passionate about your work?

I love working with so many people from so many backgrounds. All of these students, families, educators and other community stakeholders each play an essential part in making Flagstaff a unique and beautiful place to live. It’s an enriching experience to work with families who have deep roots in the Flagstaff community and to learn from community partners who’ve been sharing their time and energy with our students for years. It is inspiring when I think of how our students will be the future leaders and neighbors that will continue to make this community a special place. My own kids joke that everywhere we go, we run into people I know from work. That’s one of the things I love most; that I feel like an invested and engaged partner in the Flagstaff community.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

I am proud beyond words of all of our staff here at MEMS, and the active role they play in making MEMS a safe and supportive place for our students. I think we all know that this is a challenge nationally as well as locally, and we deal with the pressure daily. For us, it was clear that there were needs and challenges at the

My kids are still young so most of my volunteering revolves around supporting their activities. We are doing the whole “bring snacks on game day, help with the potluck celebration, coach the AYSO team” thing right now. In my role, but outside of the scope of my regular work, there are tons of opportunities to step up and help. For example, I serve on the AZ ACT Council, do some work with the district CTE department to improve career development for students, and I usually end up with a few side projects going at one time, like working on employee onboarding, improving pay rates for club sponsors, or working with community partners for out of school opportunities.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

The most important thing I’ve learned is that there are a lot of people out there who care about you and who will be there to help you. I am grateful in my life that I’ve always been surrounded by exceptional people who’ve told me what I needed to hear at the right times and helped me discover who I wanted to be. It’s a blessing to be in a public school and community where I can share some of the good things in my life for the good of Flagstaff.

What makes you passionate about your work?

I love fostering connection in our community, and I find that I am even more passionate about this after the isolating years we have all recently experienced. Whether it’s bringing people together to learn and share skills through our textile programming at Threaded Together or spending time listening to and getting to know my patients, most of whom are veterans, at Harmonizing Healthcare, I am always looking for ways to help people feel connected and cared for.

What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?

Threaded Together recently won the Viola Award for Community Impact Organization. I am so proud to be part of this organization that has become so meaningful to our community over the last three years. From mak-

Volunteering has been one of the greatest joys of my life! I am privileged to be able to donate my time as Executive Director at Threaded Together. Having a parttime, unpaid role allows me the flexibility needed to pursue other passions, like acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and take care of my three young children. Having a part-time, volunteer Executive Director has also helped foster a collaborative, non-hierarchical organizational structure at Threaded Together, which has become one of our greatest strengths.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?

That the world is a more beautiful place when we acknowledge and celebrate our interdependence. Through my work in the nonprofit sector, I have come to understand that communities become more resilient when we give what we can, ask for help when we need it, and work together to make life better and more equitable for everyone. When we participate in community work, we experience a compassionate and wholehearted side of society that we don’t often see on the internet or in the news. We need each other, and that is a beautiful thing!