WOMEN IN BUSINESS
2016 AWARDS
Recipients of the 2016 ATHENA and ATHENA Young Professional Awards will be announced during the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting Luncheon on Friday, February 10, 2017 at High Country Conference Center. The Chamber is honored to recognize 12 extraordinary nominees for the 2016 Awards.
ABOUT US The Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and Northern Arizona Healthcare present the 28th Annual ATHENA Awards celebrating and honoring women who demonstrate excellence, leadership and creativity in their careers, valuable service to the community, and inspire other women in reaching their full leadership potential.
ATHENA HISTORY
Athena Nominees Leona Bix Cheryl Blume Marlene DeRosa Kim Duncan Amy Flory Jacquie Kellogg Pragna Prema Eve Ross Athena Young Professional Nominees Dr. Lisa Campos Marissa Griffin Kelly McCue Stephanie Smith
The Athena Leadership model identifies eight tenets of leadership that reflect women’s unique ways of leading. Infused with the 21st century demands for balance, accountability, and continuous learning, the model is a guide for leadership behavior and emphasizes the tenet’s interdependent relationship to the practice of dynamic leadership. The tenets include the authentic self, relationships, giving back, collaboration, courageous acts, learning, fierce advocacy, celebration and joy. The ATHENA Award was founded nationally in 1982 by Martha Mayhood Mertz and ATHENA International, a non-profit organization that seeks to support, develop and honor women leaders. The goddess Athena was chosen as the symbol for the program to reflect the qualities the award honors strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment. The 2016 ATHENA Award also marks the ninth year that the Greater Flagstaff Chamber recognizes an emerging female leader with the ATHENA Young Professional Award, designed to honor women under the age of 40 who have demonstrated excellence in their careers, contribute to the community, and clearly stand out as role models for young women both professionally and personally.
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Congratulations Cheryl! And congratulations to all the other Athena and Athena Young Professional Nominees!
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2016 ATHENA NOMINEES Leona Bix
Owner — Flagstaff Face & Body Leona Bix has been the owner of Flagstaff Face & Body since 2009 when it was located in an old building on Sullivan Street. In 2011 she moved the practice to a beautiful location in Aspen Place at the Sawmill where she did a complete build out from a dirt floor. Since then Leona has grown the skin care and body therapy salon into a million-dollar grossing business. Leona keeps her therapists and aestheticians on the cutting edge of new treatment techniques and technologies by frequently sending her staff to training seminars, urging professional growth that might not be afforded otherwise. Some of her staff have even gone on to begin their own businesses. Leona recognizes the importance for both men and women,
young and old, to look their best and every day her business serves people who smile a little bit bigger because of a treatment that might make them appear more rested, more youthful or more confident. In 2014 Leona suffered a terrible loss with the death of her son but still managed to maintain focus on her business and her customers. Flagstaff Face & Body has won 9 Arizona Daily Sun’s “Best of Flagstaff” awards since Leona has been its owner. Leona instilled in her three children at a very young age the importance of giving back. Together they worked in soup kitchens and homeless shelters, adopted families, and brought gifts to those facing extreme hardships. At the age of 29 Leona served
as President of the Epilepsy Society of Arizona. In 2005 she volunteered for the Red Cross and spent three weeks cleaning up the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Leona’s commitment to children is evidenced by her involvement in the Flagstaff Childhelp chapter that helps abused and neglected children. She has been Chair since 2009, organizing their fundraiser “25 Men Who Think They Can Cook,” which raised over $30,000 last year. Through Flagstaff Face & Body, Leona supports many charities and organizations in Flagstaff such as United Way, Shadows, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, FMC, FUSD, Flagstaff Symphony, and Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.
Cheryl Blume
Development Director — Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona Cheryl Blume has dedicated her life to helping those who are less fortunate, through her work with Planned Parenthood, the American Red Cross, Camp Colton, the Museum of Northern Arizona and now, as Development Director for Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona. Through her various positions within these nonprofit organizations, Cheryl has made a tremendous difference, inspiring others to give their best, put clients first, to be fearless and creative. Cheryl dedicates great effort to generate funds through grant writing and fundraising for Sharon Manor (transitional housing for women and children who have experienced
domestic violence) and Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona or HSNAZ (a nonprofit housing organization focused on implementing programs designed to help local residents identify and maintain safe, decent and affordable housing). Over the past three years, Cheryl has been the driving force behind the Flagstaff Tax Credit Coalition, a group of 14 local nonprofits that qualify for the AZ Charitable Tax Credit. Cheryl has led marketing and outreach efforts for the group, created branding messages, developed the website and other outreach materials. Cheryl is a graduate of the Flagstaff Leadership Program and has served on the Board of
Directors for the Flagstaff Leadership Program, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Flagstaff, Hozhoni, and North Country Community Health Center. She also serves on the North Country Foundation Board and as a Community Engagement Committee Member for the Civic Service Institute at NAU. “Cheryl is, in the truest and best sense of the word, a mentor. She believes in the women she works with, she sees your best characteristics and she is your loudest cheerleader. Cheryl is there when you need her, even if you didn’t know at the time that you needed her help. She shows up with food, she gives you a shoulder to lean on and she’s honest.”
Marlene DeRosa
President & CEO — DeRosa Physical Therapy Marlene DeRosa is considered one of the leading physical therapists in Arizona and is credited for mentoring countless women in the business of health care. In 1979 she founded the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center at Flagstaff Medical Center, the first of its kind in Flagstaff and in 1985 became the President of DeRosa Physical Therapy. At that time the physical therapy profession had few women who were owners of a private practice and she soon developed a reputation for mentoring women in healthcare. Through Marlene’s tireless work, DeRosa Physical Therapy
became, and remains, the largest physical therapy private practice in Northern Arizona and her leadership skills are well known nationally. Ten years ago Marlene was awarded the Outstanding Practice Award given by the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association and she was one of the fist physical therapists in Flagstaff to work with the Department of Developmental Disabilities to provide services to their pediatric clients. Marlene has demonstrated extraordinary community leadership as well, serving on the Big
Brothers Big Sisters Board of Directors of Flagstaff for over 20 years and she served on the Victim Witness Board of Directors for 6 years. She is recognized for her compassion, caring & sound decision making in both of these leadership roles. Marlene has been a tireless advocate for children and young adults with disabilities and has worked with them as their physical therapist to make their lives as rich and fulfilling as possible.
Kim Duncan
Owner/Designer/Wedding Planner — Kim Duncan Design Kim Duncan, Owner and Designer of Kim Duncan designs, is a visual story teller. She can take any space and transform it into a showcase. Her work can be seen and enjoyed all over Flagstaff, beautifying our community one local business at a time. Her work in interior design in the Southside neighborhood has helped revitalize and transform an area of town that was once bleak into a shining light. Her work is demonstrated at Historic Barrel + Bottle House, Root Public House
and Pizzacletta. Click Co-Working on Aspen Street is where she turned an old photography studio into a bright, modern, comfortable co-working office allowing small Flagstaff businesses to take their home office out of their home. Kim is currently working with the new owners of Grand Canyon café to restore the 50+year old Route 66 icon. Kim is also a regionally renowned wedding planner earning her the vote of “Top Wedding Planner” in Sedona and the
attention of Mountain Living Magazine, Borrowed & Blue, and brides.com. For years Kim has donated her time and talents in support of the fundraising efforts of many local charities including: American Cancer Society, Shadows Foundation, Mountain Film Festival, Flagstaff Bike Organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Flagstaff Shelter Services, Forest Highlands Foundation, North Country Healthcare Foundation, Hullaballoo and the Flagstaff Food Bank.
Amy Flory
Majority Owner/Physical Therapist — CoreBalance Therapy, LLC Amy Flory is the majority owner of what is now CoreBalance Therapy LLC - the second largest privately-owned outpatient rehabilitation therapy clinic in Flagstaff founded in 1999. It is a regional resource for treatment of pelvic floor and vestibular dysfunction, a condition that affects women at about twice the rate as men. Over her career, Amy has sought to give back to her profession by mentoring other young women in the field. She has accepted physical therapy interns the entire time she has been in practice, mentoring dozens of them over the years. She also has served as an adjunct faculty member with the Northern Arizona University doctoral program in physical therapy, teaching students in her area of clinical specialization. Just this year, she
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also took on teaching their Organization and Administration course, educating the students about clinic ownership, business practices, and federal and state regulatory requirements. Amy is a sought-after clinical instructor who gives enormous energy to her mentees and shares her hard-won knowledge and experience with new entrants into her profession. She has been involved in Flagstaff’s business community, maintaining an active membership with the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce since 2005. She has mentored and supported other women small business owners as a member of the “BizChix” group, and supports High Altitude Roller Derby (HARD) both financially and with professional advice and screenings to reduce injuries.
HARD is a great example of Amy’s efforts to help and assist other women by encouraging and supporting their involvement in an empowering sport. At a national level, Amy has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association for over 20 years, and has served as a regional representative for the Women’s Health section of the APTA. She also maintains a membership in the International Pelvic Pain Society. She has made service to the community a part of her professional identity by volunteering her time to serve veterans with High Country Stand Down and by providing free and discounted physical therapy services to members of the community without insurance coverage or financial means to afford care.
2016 ATHENA NOMINEES Jacquie Kellogg
Owner/Broker — USA West Realty of Flagstaff Jacquie Kellogg came from humble roots to achieve a reputation as one of Flagstaff’s top and most respected realtors. As a broker/owner of a successful real estate office, she has elevated the profession as a whole through innovative use of videos and visual imagery as a marketing tool. Her dedication to constant selfimprovement and to her clients has earned her top awards in her profession including the Northern Arizona Association of Realtors’ Distinguished Service Award and President’s Award. Jacquie’s commitment to serve her profession and the community is apparent by the numerous board
and committee positions she has held including American Cancer Society (5 years), Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce (2 years), Northern Arizona Association of Realtors Board (10 years) serving one year as President, Northern Arizona Government Affairs Committee (2 years), Arizona Association of Realtors’ Professional & Business Development (1 year), and Arizona Association of Realtors’ Risk Management Committee (3 years). Jacquie’s agency is an affiliate partner with Homes for Heroes, Inc - the largest nationwide network of affiliate real estate specialists and business
affiliates committed to simplifying the home buying process for firefighters, law enforcement, healthcare workers, military and teachers. Jacquie is generous of her time, treasure and talent whether being a bridge-builder, sponsoring events or coaching young business women to become polished professionals. She supports many local charity fundraising activities including Northland Health Care’s Angel Fund Golf Classic, NAU and Lumberjack Athletics Association, Toys for Tots and Childhelp. Recently Jacquie volunteered to serve meals at Flagstaff Family Food Center.
and operations of many hotels and businesses throughout Arizona including local business Super 8 Motel, Speedi Car Wash & Fuel, Ogden’s Cleaners, Reena Car Rental & Sales along with properties in Tempe and Florida as well. Throughout Pragna’s 31-year career, she has always been willing to help out others by hosting charitable events at her home and inviting organizations to host fund raisers at her car wash. During
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Pragna opened rooms at her hotel in Houston and allowed survivors and west-bound travelers to stay for free. Pragna has mentored countless hotel and restaurant management students, hiring them as interns and promoting many to management. With a kind heart and bubbly laugh Pragna is dedicated to protecting her loved ones and her community.
Pragna Prema CEO — Prema Companies LLC
Pragna Prema, CEO of Prema Companies, LLC, began her career in her 20’s working three jobs while raising three children all the while saving money to assist her family in purchasing a business in Flagstaff. A tech-savvy entrepreneur and versatile leader, she built her hotel businesses and learned about every operational aspect from wielding a hammer to managing the books. Pragna has been integral in the development
Eve Ross
Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives — W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Eve Ross, J.D., heads Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives for W. L. Gore and Associates, Inc.’s (Gore) Medical Products Division, culmination of a career that included roles as a product specialist, regulatory affairs professional, lawyer, and strategic advisor to divisional leadership. Over her 40 year career, she has helped ensure the success of many Gore Medical Products in over 70 countries around the globe. This year Gore will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in Arizona and Eve, who started at Gore when she was 11, has played a leading role in the success of the Medical Products Division. Eve Ross currently holds key leadership roles in many national and state organizations including: Arizona Zanjeros BioScience committee; Greater Phoenix Leadership; Arizona BioScience
Board of Directors; Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy’s Board of Advisors and the Flinn Foundation’s BioScience Roadmap Steering Committee. She serves on Governor Ducey’s Trade and Transportation Corridor Alliance; is a member of the Board of Directors for Teach for America – Arizona; co-Chair of AdvaMed’s Value Based Health Care Initiative, Merit Reviewer for the federal Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI); and serves on MDEpinet’s National Medical Device Registry Task Force and the International Medical Device Regulator’s Task Force. Over the last decade, Eve has led Gore’s University Initiatives program supporting the Colleges of Engineering at Arizona’s three public universities and Gore’s
Congratulations Kelly McCue & Cheryl Blume
community engagement activities in Northern Arizona in support of STEM K-12 Education. Her leadership has resulted in Gore providing funding to numerous local organizations and initiatives that provide hands-on, experiential learning in STEM subjects to underserved communities and girls. Eve is a former Chairperson of the AdvaMed Technology and Regulation Steering Committee; she was a longtime Board member for Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff; former Chairperson of Northern Arizona Technology and Business Incubator (now NACET); and served on the Board of Directors for SenesTech, Inc. (SNES) a publicly traded, Flagstaff-based agbio startup.
INTERIOR & GRAPHIC DESIGN
C 2017
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL DESIGN
Congratulations to all of the Athena & Young Professional Athena nominees!
J anet M. Sweigart is Owner of SweigART Designs a Full-Service Interior Architectural Design Studio specializing in Commercial & Residential Interior/Exterior Design. Voted “Best of Flagstaff” several times by AZ Daily Sun readers, Janet brings a high level of Professionalism, Expertise & Creativity to all design projects, large or small, and provides a valuable link as a Professional Liaison Between the Home/Business Owner and Contractor. Janet is a Professional Member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and is Certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). NCIDQ Cert. #021306 • Design Consultation •Product/Finish Specification • Pre-Construction Design •Space Planning/Drawings
Diabetes Program Coordinator Nominated for the 2017 ATHENA Young Professional Award
Board Member Nominated for the 2017 ATHENA Award
• Job-Site Supervision • Kitchen/Bath Design • Cabinet/Furniture Design • Lighting/Electrical Layout
• Window/Fabric Treatments • Furniture/Accessories •Floor/Wall Coverings • Colorization & More
For more information call 526-2127 or visit www.SweigARTdesigns.com
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PROFESSIONAL LIAISON BETWEEN HOME/BUSINESS OWNER & CONTRACTOR
The staff of Flagstaff Face & Body would like to congratulate our very own Leona Bix as well as all the other nominees for the Athena and Athena Young Professional Awards!
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2016 ATHENA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL AWARD NOMINEES
Dr. Lisa Campos
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics — Northern Arizona University Athletics Dr. Lisa Campos, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at NAU, is an emerging leader amongst collegiate athletic directors. When Campos was hired, she was quoted as saying, “I look forward to building an even stronger bond between athletics and academics” and she has stayed true to her word. Her first year on the job, she guided NAU to ownership of the Big Sky Presidents’ Cup – an honor recognizing excellence both athletically and academically in a Big Sky school. Campos’ continued pursuit towards academic success
and winning championships led to a second win in the following year. In the 2015-16 academic year a total of 58 student-athletes earned their degrees with a cumulative GPA of 3.20, and 184 athletes made the Dean’s List. Dr. Campos sits on the prestigious NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee, is on the Board of Directors at NACWAA (National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators), and is on the Board of United Way of Northern Arizona. At the time of her hire at NAU in 2012, Campos became
one of just 26 females, and the youngest in the country, to lead a Division I program, including 13 head athletic administrators at the Football Championship Subdivision level. Dr. Campo’s success at this young age - she was recognized as a Top 20 Under 40 - is an inspiration for young women desiring careers within collegiate athletics. Dr. Campos and the Lumberjacks give back to the community and student athletes have set a new record for community service hours at 5,428!
Marissa Griffin
Community Manager — American Cancer Society Marissa Griffin, Community Manager for the American Cancer Society, has a strong passion for using her talents to make a difference. In her role as coordinator for both the Climb to Conquer Cancer and Denim and Diamonds Gala, she has taken these long-running events and made them better through small improvements in process. The Climb alone attracts 4,000 participants and nets $250,000 and she is in charge of every aspect from
obtaining sponsors to coordinating volunteers. As a member of Chi Omega Fraternity, the largest national women’s fraternal organization, she was an advisor to women at Northern Arizona University for three years and she worked with other fraternity members to coordinate Camp Kesem - a student-run summer camp for kids who have cancer. She successfully challenged students to give back to our community off campus in
meaningful ways including joining Relay for Life. Marissa has also been active with Make-A-Wish of Arizona for two years, granting wishes to kids with life-threatening medical conditions, and she has served as an Ambassador for the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce for two years. Last fall Marissa was recognized as a leader in the 20 Under 40 Awards, hosted by the Chamber and The Arizona Daily Sun.
Kelly McCue
Diabetes Program Coordinator — North Country Healthcare Kelly McCue is the coordinator of the Diabetes Program at NCHC and as such is dedicated to finding ways to improve patient care, access, and education while working on a limited budget. In just over a year, she has added grants, programs, and education sessions for North Country Patients and residents of Northern Arizona. She is creative in reaching and retaining patients to change their lives for the better, has emphasized the need for
patient education in Spanish, and has leveraged technology to bring people and services together. Kelly mentors student interns every semester and shows them the ropes of public health. Through her position and volunteer work, she has shown her commitment and dedication to helping build a strong and healthy Arizona. As an active Board member of Girls on the Run she encourages and support girls in maintaining a healthy lifestyle
and is committed to helping the program expand in Northern Arizona. She has published and/or presented seven papers on a range of public health issues from children’s oral care to patient mental health. Additionally, she sits on the regional council of First Things First Northern Arizona, an organization committed to supporting the healthy development and learning of Arizona’s young children from birth to age five.
Stephanie Smith
Director of Alumni Engagement — Northern Arizona University Stephanie Smith recently became the Director of Alumni Engagement for Northern Arizona University after working for the City of Flagstaff for 10 years. At the City, Stephanie took a leadership role in the development of the annual City budget, she championed the City’s Strategic Plan, led inclusive community engagement initiatives and she managed the intergovernmental affairs program ensuring needs were identified and perspectives shared with decision makers at the state and national levels. Stephanie mentored young undergraduate women on their career path through the establishment of internships and new career opportunities at the City. Stephanie has
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always held that volunteerism is vital to a growing vibrant community and this value is evidenced by her commitment to various organizations including: Americorps (3+ years), NAU Alumni Relations Board (’15-’16), Flagstaff Leadership Program (’08-’09), Literacy Volunteers of Coconino County (’05-’08), Grand Canyon Youth Board (’06-’09), United Way City City of Flagstaff Campaign Coordinator (’16), International CityCounty Management Association (’13 - present), Arizona City-County Management Association (’13 - present), and Arizona League of Cities (’06 - present). “I continue to be impressed with Stephanie’s desire to help other people grow
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in their personal and professional lives. She is a champion for women who may not see or understand their value to an organization or the community and is tireless in her efforts to show them a vision of success. Stephanie excels at what she does because she loves it, she loves the people in this community, and she has changed lives because of her willingness to look beyond perceived limitations and judgement. She is also a role model for young women (and even some of us older women) by demonstrating her commitment to her family and friends, while working 50 to 60 hour weeks at her job and for her community.” - Kim Ott
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