20 Under 40 2019

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AUSTIN LEGGET Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer

(928) 440-5301

MOUNTAINMOJOGROUP.COM

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| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019

20 UNDER 40

Congratulations for excellence in service to NAU and the Northern Arizona community.

Melissa Mount, Senior Director of Development at NAU

BRING YOUR ASPIRATIONS TO

Congratulations

Heidi!!

From all your friends and co-volunteers at Yes for FUSD we want to thank you for your time and energy in advocating for our local public schools.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2019 20 UNDER 40 RECIPIENTS! Brittany Baker Austin Begley Lauren Brooks Kelsey Drayton Kelly Hanseth Monica LeDesky Austin Leggett Dustin Mast Matthew McMahon Zachary Meier Taylor Moody Jordan Morales Heidi Mortensen Melissa Mount Galen Olson Michael Oxendale Megan Roach Penelope Scott Sarah Smallwood Cassity Smith

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019 |

EDITOR’S NOTE

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Welcome to the 2019 edition of ‘20 Under 40’

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he Arizona Daily Sun, Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and Twin Arrows Casino Resort are pleased to present this year’s group of 20 individuals under 40 years of age who have made and continue to make significant contributions to Flagstaff.

These 20 individuals come from diverse backgrounds and careers, yet they all stand out for their commitment to Flagstaff’s economic and community vitality.

From a student who decided to start over in her career to provide strong mental support to the community to a business owner who first got involved in the family business at two months old, each honoree has a unique story of how they came to work and thrive in our beautiful

Sponsored by:

AUSTIN LEGGET Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer

(928) 440-5301

MOUNTAINMOJOGR OUP.COM

WE’RE PROUD OF YOU, BOSS!

mountain town.

However, a common thread between most of them is service with local nonprofit organizations.

Many are role models for the next generation as Big Brothers or Sisters with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff. Many more are involved

with Flagstaff Young Professionals and volunteer and/or have served on the board of directors for The Literacy Center. It all comes back to service to the community.

The 20 Under 40 professionals recognized in this publication are chosen through a nomination and selection process. They also will be honored at a special reception at Twin Arrows in January.

This is the fourth year of the 20 Under 40 initiative, and we are proud to feature the positive impact young adults are making here in Flagstaff.

Their unique stories can be a source of inspiration for professionals of any age as their dedication to success is truly impressive.

Please join us in a big round of applause for this year’s 20 Under 40 honorees.

Congratulations

MacKenzie Chase

We’re looking for some

Volunteer Christmas Ambassadors for The Salvation Army’s 2019 Red Kettle Campaign.

We are issuing the #OneDayFlagstaff challenge to individuals, groups, companies, churches, family/friends - all of Flagstaff.

To the Daily Sun’s very own

Give just one day of your time to help your neighbors in need this Christmas and throughout 2020.

ZacharyMeier

Call or message us today to find out how. We begin the OneDayFlagstaff challenge on 11/25. We have a shorter window this year to raise the necessary funds to continue the work we do every day right here in our community so we need your help.

For being recognized as a 20 under 40, 2019 recipient!

Who will get the bragging rights & trophy!

Sign Up Today!!! familes with a month of food

families with holiday meals

kids with a summer kids with camp experience Christmas gifts

Call 928-774-1403 or sign up online at: volunteer.usawest.org/ OpportunityDetail. aspx?ID=4344

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| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019

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20 UNDER 40

Brittany Baker

Austin Begley

Corps Officer, The Salvation Army

Store Manager, Fixit Mobile

orps officer Brittany Baker has been doing work with The Salvation Army for seven years, but her involvement with the organization dates back to when she was a child.

Growing up, both of Baker’s parents were addicts, and her family relied heavily on the support of The Salvation Army’s food box program for their daily bread. Her family also received holiday assistance, rent and utilities, and food.

“I was later introduced to The Salvation Army’s church and children’s programs. I got to enjoy character-building activities, summer camps and [Vacation Bible School] through The Salvation Army,” Baker said.

“Because of the impact The Salvation Army had in my life and my belief in their mission, I have dedicated my life to serving others through [the organization].”

While serving in Burbank, California, Baker was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the city for her involvement in a “connect day,” in which hundreds of homeless individuals received clothes,

food, medical and dental help, and housing assistance. Because of her involvement with The Salvation Army, Baker has dedicated her life and work to building up and supporting her community. It’s also given her a solid foundation of who she is and wants to be, something she hopes to impart on other young professionals.

“Know who you are and build your career around that,” she said. “Fulfillment will come out of working within your strengths, so build on those.”

Part of what makes her stronger is her involvement with the Flagstaff community.

“I believe that fostering a sense of neighborhood is vital to the growth and development of our community,” Baker said. “We need to reach out to those who live around us and begin to build relationships so that we know how we can celebrate in times of victory or help in times of struggle.”

For her tenacity, bravery and dedication toward making Flagstaff a better community, we’re proud to highlight Baker as one this year’s 20 Under 40 recipients.

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hones. You can’t live with them, can’t live without them. It’s true; in the days where everyone has a palm-sized computer in their pocket, our cell phones are both a blessing and a curse. And when you have an unfortunate accident, the crew over at Fixit Mobile repairs and protects your mobile devices so you can stay connected to the things that help you succeed.

Spearheading that team is none other than store manager Austin Begley.

After four years in the food industry, Begley was looking for a change. His friend over at Fixit Mobile on San Francisco Street told him about an opening for assistant manager, and within a few months Begley went from assistant manager to full blown store manager. Since that time he’s opened a second Fixit Mobile location at the Woodlands Village Shopping Center and has helped numerous Flagstaff residents repair their devices to allow their businesses to run as smoothly as possible.

What earns Begley his spot on our 20 Under 40 list this year is his propensity to go above and beyond the expectations of his position. The secret? Always be on the lookout for ways to be better.

“As long as you are always looking for ways to improve your performance and the performance of your business [or] company, the results will show it. It’s easy to let your performance degrade when you feel you’ve reached an accomplishment and get comfortable in your weekly work routine, but there’s always another on the horizon to aim for,” Begley said. “As leaders it’s our job to push towards those opportunities, and the other people in this community can see when you do.”

Begley is also an ambassador with the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, participating in numerous local events such as Night at the Oscars, Good Morning Flagstaff, Business After 5 and more. As a member of Flagstaff Professionals, Begley is keen to the benefits of shopping local and giving back to the community that has helped him thrive.

“I feel like keeping as much money as possible in the Flagstaff community is what helps growth and development,” Begley said. “Shopping local as much as possible comes with the bonus of getting to see and experience all the great shops and people that Flagstaff has to offer.”

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019 |

Lauren Brooks

Kelsey Drayton

Client Relations Coordinator, Independence Capital Property Management

Owner, Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery/ Brandy’s Café

n business, as with many defining moments in life, the first step is always the hardest. Client relations coordinator at Independence Capital Property Management Lauren Brooks knows that better than anyone.

“But once that first step has been taken, there are so many resources out there to help you be successful,” Brooks said. “Keep things local. Support others, and they are willing to support you.”

Brooks knows this because, well, in part, she is where she’s at because of the help of others, her sister, brother-in-law and the Flagstaff community.

Back in the mid-2010s, Brooks was working at the Flagstaff Medical Center as a project specialist when she received a call from her sister who had started Independence Capital Property Management in New Mexico. She and her husband were looking to expand to an area with a great rental market when she called Brooks to help with research on the Flagstaff market. In 2017, at age 27, Brooks received an Arizona Real Estate License, and here they are: Brooks the first property manager at the organization’s Flagstaff office and her sister as a broker. Within a year, the Flag-

staff office started earning Best of Flag awards, an accomplishment Brooks sees as one of its top.

Also pertinent to Brooks’ success as a young businesswoman and community ambassador has been her involvement with the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. In fact, Brooks encourages other young professionals to join the chamber.

“I would not be where I am at or have made the connections I’ve made without the chamber,” she said. “They are a great resource for new and old businesses alike.”

Upon joining the chamber in 2017, Brooks was immediately assigned to the ambassador committee. The following year she was nominated to co-chair and, beginning in January 2020, Brooks will serve as the chair of the chamber. She also cites her involvement with the Flagstaff Professionals referral group and the National Association of Residential Property Managers among the reason her business here in Flagstaff has been so successful.

Beyond her work at Independence Capital Property Management, Brooks enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs, as well as hiking, hunting and camping.

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elsey Drayton’s professional journey began 24 years ago when he took a dishwashing job at Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery. As a 15-year-old, he found an encouraging environment where he could grow and continued working there until he graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s degree in percussion performance in 2003.

After living in Los Angeles for a brief period, he and wife Jamie moved back to Flagstaff to set down some roots. They made a deal with founders Brandy and Ed Wojciak that would see Drayton as general manager of Brandy’s while the couple secured funding to purchase it. They became proud owners of the restaurant in 2014.

It was important to Drayton to carry on the quality of service and dining established by the Wojciaks, and he sees much of that same dedication in his current employees, many of whom have been working at Brandy’s for years.

“We get to watch people grow up, get married and have kids, and be there for each other through trials,” Drayton said.

“We also work really hard to cultivate and maintain an upbeat, low-drama work environment. The result has been that it has created a team mentality and the positivity,

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in turn, is palpable to the customers.”

The restaurant has earned its fair share of regular customers, and that support carried over when the Draytons opened Brandy’s Café downtown this past summer, a milestone Drayton said he didn’t expect to happen so soon, “but we are really excited to have more presence in town and to be a part of the downtown vibe.”

Community involvement has remained an important part of Brandy’s, with the restaurant hosting art exhibits featuring a range of media from seasoned professionals like David Edwards and Sky Black to high school students and adults from LOU Corporation. A partnership with Lowell Observatory this past August encouraged students from Flagstaff and Coconino High Schools to create moon-related artwork for a show coinciding with Lowell’s Lunar Legacy.

Although running both locations is hard work, Drayton said it’s also very rewarding.

“Just as with any big goal, you have to make the decision in advance that you’re not going to give up when it gets hard,” he said. “Be willing to do the work to gain the skills and knowledge you don’t already have.”

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Kelly Hanseth

Monica LeDesky

Marketing Manager, Lumberyard Brewing Company and Beaver Street Brewery

Human Resources Director, Over the Rainbow Butterfly Garden

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hen Beaver Street Brewery opened in 1994, Kelly Hanseth was in first grade. While children generally aren’t allowed in breweries, she had the unique honor of being the owners’ daughter and spent a lot of time there while her dad was the brewmaster and her mom ran the attached restaurant.

“I would go into ‘work’ with them when I was younger and help by setting up tables, cleaning windows and even helping to seat tables until I officially got on the schedule when I was 16,” Hanseth said.

She worked her way through the front of house, becoming proficient in hosting, bussing, bartending and managing Beaver Street before moving to San Luis Obispo where she studied business administration at California Polytechnic State University.

Upon graduating in 2009, Hanseth returned to Flagstaff, eager to help her family with the Lumberyard Brewing Company, which was in the planning stages.

Now as marketing manager for both gastropubs, Hanseth said her favorite aspect of this role has been her involvement in the Lumberyard’s annual Okto’Beer’Fest, which has raised more than

$100,000 for local animal welfare organizations over the years. She is also on the committee for the Arizona Brewer’s Women’s Collaboration Brew which gets brewed each year to raise money for various women related charities throughout the state. She first participated in the brew in 2018 when it was hosted at the Lumberyard and has continued to be active in the industry, currently serving as vice president on the board of directors of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild.

“Each year I learn more and more about the family business and love to see it grow,” she said. “Following in my family’s footprint is hard to do, but I try every day.”

Her family legacy is one that runs beyond the boundaries of these two businesses though. Hanseth’s grandparents Dick and Jean Wilson helped start Camp Colton, donated 245 acres of land to the Nature Conservancy that became the Hart Prairie Preserve and founded Second Chance Center for Animals.

“They constantly helped create Flagstaff into what it is today and we can only dream of doing everything that they once did,” Hanseth said.

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n 2013, Monica LeDesky was working as a branch manager for a large in-home care provider, a place that helped families in need of care for their loved ones with disabilities. It was here she met and hired a young woman who was charismatic, driven and kind—their connection was immediate. When she became pregnant, LeDesky left the job, promising herself she would find a way to collaborate with the young woman again.

“I told myself, ‘If a future opportunity arises for us to work together and make a difference, we’ll cross paths again,’” LeDesky said.

That woman was Kari Watson, who, with her husband, owns Over the Rainbow Butterfly Garden, a nonprofit that provides services to adults and children with disabilities. In 2016, Watson wanted to start a new wing to provide in-home care through OTRBG. She called LeDesky, who accepted immediately.

LeDesky helped the program in its infancy, hiring employees, doing marketing and finding volunteers. Now, LeDesky oversees almost 70 employees and works

as the organization’s human resources director.

“My leadership and community involvement is being an advocate and voice for those who do not have one. My everyday goal is to be a resource and a reflection of compassion. Our community has individuals from all demographic backgrounds in need of assistance whether for mental health, education, justice, ethics and so on,” LeDesky said.

LeDesky attended some college, but did not graduate. Instead, she considers herself “self-made.”

“Although I do not have a degree, I have been able to build a career with hard work, dedication and self-belief,” LeDesky said.

Her two years with OTRBG have been extremely important for LeDesky, with several milestones that stand out for her.

For example, not long ago LeDesky spearheaded and opened The Red Door Meet-up Space, a venue offered to all local nonprofits to use for board meetings, community outreach, training, literacy classes and more. She considers the space to be her “top success within my community.”

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019 |

Austin Leggett

Dustin Mast

Co-Founder & Creative Director, Mountain Mojo Group

President, Flag Landscaping, Inc.

ustin Leggett didn’t set out to own a business, but even the best-laid plans can fall by the wayside. Originally a pre-med student at Northern Arizona University, he later switched his focus to education and then photography before finally deciding on a double major in photography and advertising.

“Once I figured out that I was motivated by creativity and just creation of things in general, the marketing, design and photography world just started to make sense to me,” he said.

In 2015, Leggett and Rand Jenkins saw a need in Flagstaff that they sought to fill: small local businesses didn’t have access to streamlined, simple and effective marketing services. Thus, Mountain Mojo Group was born. From the LLC’s launch in January 2016 to now, the two owners have helped it grow to encompass eight full-time employees and two rotating interns from NAU who help them provide market research, press releases, photography, web design, search engine optimization and more for

local and national businesses alike. Consistent growth and happy customers have led them to work with organizations like Lumberyard Brewing Company, Rose Capital Funding and Summit Fire & Medical.

Leggett said he is proud to have helped create a business and culture where employees enjoy coming to work every day.

Mountain Mojo Group supports the Flagstaff community through the Mountain Love program in which its specialists donate 10 hours of their services each month to a local nonprofit, as well as offering a 10% discount to all nonprofits in need of a marketing strategy.

“I think the continued support of small business in Flagstaff will be incredibly important as the town continues to grow and more large businesses come to town and the competition increases,” Leggett said.

“We love what we do and love bringing success to our clients by offering unique access to a tremendous amount of incredibly talented resources throughout the Southwest.”

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now. It happens every year. Sometimes not as much, but as sure as the sun shines, snow is to be expected during Flagstaff winters. And to assist Flagstaff residents with plowing, snow blowing, shoveling, berm removal and any other snow removal needs, Dustin Mast and his crew at Flag Landscaping, Inc. are here to help. But that’s only one of the many services the business provides. Landscaping services, snow removal, holiday and event lighting, Mast and his team do it all.

Since 2006, Mast has been in the lawn care business. Beginning with work at Flag’s Favorite Landscaping, Inc., Mast quickly turned his part-time summer job into full-time work. By 2008 he became a certified contractor. By 2009 he graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy with a certificate in entrepreneurship and bought out the business. In 2014, Mast bought a Christmas décor franchise to help keep his crew busy during winter seasons with little snow.

Not only is Mast the president of an award-winning company, he’s taken his determination to the community level.

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From 2012-2018, he served as a board member at The Literacy Center, and as president from 2016-2018. Mast is also a founding member of Flagstaff Business Connection. It’s this experience, in addition to this 13-year small-business career, that has shown Mast that “local nonprofits and businesses are the lifeblood of the community,” he said. “I believe fostering an environment where they can best succeed in Flagstaff is critical for their growth and development.

This starts from leadership at the local level.”

Mast understands that owning a small business is both challenging and rewarding. It’s a constant project that he has spent his professional career molding.

When asked what advice he’d give to someone just starting out, Mast said to “have business mentors in place, set challenging but realistic goals and also to understand that steady growth is more sustainable and manageable than quick growth.”

Through community involvement and a commitment to his crew, Mast has earned his spot in this year’s 20 Under 40.

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| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019

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Matthew McMahon

Zachary Meier

Certified Financial Planner, Strategic Financial Planning

Retail Advertising Manager, Arizona Daily Sun; Owner, Tanning Time Salon & Boutique

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t Strategic Financial Planning, owned and operated by 34-yearold Matthew McMahon, individuals receive help planning for and entering retirement.

When McMahon set out to study for his future, he knew from the get-go that he wanted to combine business and philanthropy. Helping people, McMahon said, had long been something he wished to prioritize.

What he didn’t anticipate, however, was that he would be entering the job market during one of the worst financial downturns in United States history. When the housing bubble burst and the stock market crashed in 2008, McMahon witnessed many people lose some, if not all, of their retirement savings.

“It was truly unfortunate to witness and see the impact on people’s lives from this recession,” McMahon said. “Though I now view it as a blessing, to experience this major market event so early on in my career, as this allowed me to see all the mistakes and flaws other financial planners made and learn from them. I think

about these events daily and approach every retirement plan making sure that realistic and conservative decisions are made and developed.”

As a Certified Financial Planner, McMahon—who earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Northern Arizona University and his CFP certificate from Xavier University—aids people in meeting their retirement goals and educates clients and the community about the best financial practices and decisions.

In addition to providing one-on-one consultations and pro-bono work, Strategic Financial Planning has several free classes on financial topics in Flagstaff and northern Arizona.

When asked what advice McMahon might give those just starting in a financial planning career, he stressed the importance of forming strong relationships with clients.

“People are trusting you with their retirement plan, which is what they have worked on their whole life, so do not take this lightly and advise them as if they were your family,” he said.

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everal of our 20 Under 40 recipients are multitalented, stretching their skills beyond one realm of the professional world and into many. Zachary Meier is not only an award-winning employee and top sales performer in his position as retail advertising manager with the Arizona Daily Sun, he’s also the owner of Tanning Time Salon & Boutique Meier says he was drawn to the newspaper industry when an associate informed him there was an opening at the local paper.

“I had grown up reading newspapers, and so I thought that the opportunity sounded interesting and something that would be more of a career for me as opposed to the daily grind of restaurant work with long hours and not great compensation,” Meier said. “So I came and interviewed and 12 years later I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I love being able to be out in the community and meet with my cusomers and help them grow their business.”

Although a new experience when it came to managing a tanning salon with his fiancé,

Meier said his time at the paper helped with the success they’ve seen thus far. In fact, Tanning Time was recently selected to be a feature in an upcoming issue of the nationally recognized Smart Tan Magazine.

Meier is an Illinois Wesleyan University and Northern Arizona University graduate with a background in biology and environmental science and policy. During his 17 years as a Flagstaff resident, he’s helped a number of nonprofits raise money and create a difference in the community. He’s also a strong supporter of NAU, the Shadows Foundation, a local nonprofit that provides financial assistance and services for those affected with a life threatening disease, and the Coconino Human Association.

His work at both the Arizona Daily Sun and Tanning Time are recognized in this year’s 20 Under 40 as well as his tenacity in achieving his goals. For people just starting out, Meier said it “can be a scary time, but one that is also filled with great joy and expectations… Stay focused, know what your goals are and never stop striving to achieve them.”

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20 UNDER 40

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| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019

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20 UNDER 40

Taylor Moody

Jordan Morales

Owner & Lead Master Aesthetician, Allure Aesthetics

Teacher, Kinsey Inquiry and Discovery School

t only 21, Taylor Moody has already established herself as one of Flagstaff’s hardest working professionals.

As owner and master aesthetician at Allure Aesthetics Az, Moody provides customized skin care treatments to locals of all ages and skin types using the hands-on knowledge she acquired at the National Institute of Medicinal Aesthetics, the nation’s leading provider of medical aesthetics education, where she graduated at the top of her class as a certified Master Medical Aesthetician.

Prior to attending NIMA, Moody said she had never had a facial or even owned more than two facial products in her life.

“I had no idea what I was doing. It was terrifying at first, but the moment I was able to submerge myself into schooling and practice treatments, I knew that this is what I was meant to do,” Moody said.

“Skin care became a passion for me when I realized how I could truly help and change lives.”

Part of what makes her job so rewarding is creating a space where clients feel beautiful and confident. But it wasn’t always easy. Being so young, Moody worried no

D one would take her passion seriously, “but right from the start my doubts about myself were proved wrong by the overwhelming support from the Flagstaff community, family and my friends,” she said.

As a member of the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Moody understands the impact of community involvement. At Allure, Moody is constantly donating gift certificates, free services, products and packages to charity fundraisers to raise awareness for their causes.

“I think it is important to give back to the community that supports me directly and I am happy to do so,” she said.

Although she has only one year of professional experience, Moody said she’s already learned so much. Perhaps the most important thing: believing in yourself.

“As cheesy as it sounds, it is so necessary and true,” she said. “If I had not believed in myself, I would have continued down a path pursuing a career that did not make me happy… If I had not believed in the passion I had in my heart to serve others through skin care, I would not be here doing what I am today.”

uring her first two years as a teacher, Jordan Morales has learned a lot: How to break through a struggling student’s shell, how to encourage parent involvement, how to advocate for minorities in her classroom.

But it all started during her student teaching assignment at Kinsey Inquiry and Discovery School where she worked with a class of first graders under supervision of Katrina Collins-Hernandez.

“After that semester of student teaching, I knew that I was exactly where I needed to be,” Morales said.

After graduating from Northern Arizona University with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, she came on board as a part-time instructional aide at Kinsey before being hired fulltime to teach second grade the following school year. She credits guidance and support from mentors like Elizabeth Perkins and Joyce Eckhart with providing her the building blocks necessary to launch her career.

“They helped me learn the ins and outs of second grade, and encouraged me through my difficult first year,” Morales said.

Kinsey principal Tammy Nelson also played an important role in Morales’ growth, sending her to various professional development workshops and giving her

the freedom to experiment with the techniques she learned there.

“Throughout my second year, I grew more and more confident in my abilities to create a warm and inviting classroom where all students know they are loved and they can succeed,” Morales said.

And all this hard work did not go unnoticed. Last year, Morales was named Coconino County Rookie Teacher of the Year, a recognition she worked hard to earn, spending countless hours writing essays and going through the rigorous interview process.

“I was so nervous that I don’t remember any details,” she said of the award ceremony. “All that I can remember when the time came is hearing my name called as the winner, and looking to my family with tears in my eyes. Everything I do is for my family, and it meant the absolute world to me that I could make my parents proud by being honored with this distinction.”

Morales’ future goals as an educator include continuing to participate in the parent-teach organization, encouraging parents to volunteer in the classroom and supporting Kinsey’s partnerships with organizations like McKinney-Vento, CPLC Parenting Arizona and Willow Bend Environmental Education Center.

20 UNDER 40

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019 |

Heidi Mortensen

Melissa Mount

Student, Northern Arizona University

Senior Director of Development, Principal Gifts, Advancement at Northern Arizona University

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t takes courage and dedication to start over. Although Heidi Mortensen had an established career as a real estate agent with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty for several years, she knew she wanted to do more.

“My heart was really in another place, so I decided to go back to school and begin contributing in an area that I am passionate about and needs my voice and my energy,” she said.

Now a student at Northern Arizona University working toward her master’s degree in school counseling, Mortensen said she’s always focused on ways to promote education, health and well-being for individuals outside of her job. She has contributed to the Flagstaff community through volunteer roles with education organizations like Yes4FUSD, LAUNCH Flagstaff, Boy Scouts of America, FUSD Parent Committee and DeMiguel Elementary’s parent-teacher organization.

Once she begins this next chapter of her life as a school counselor, she plans to build a strong foundation for students to build

upon as they continue to grow.

“If we want to be healthy, contributing members of society, we need to continue to find innovative and creative ways to support people when they are struggling with social, emotional and mental health challenges,” Mortensen said. “There are fascinating findings coming out on just how critically important it is on a neurobiological level for our institutions and communities to be safe places. Our brains function totally differently when we feel unsafe and it decreases our ability to learn, problem-solve, work collaboratively, develop fully, and create and contribute.”

Mortensen said she is looking forward to providing support for members of the community and is grateful for the opportunity to work toward a healthier Flagstaff.

“It has been a dream come true for me,” she said. “I believe that our schools are such important institutions in our community, and I look forward to being able to provide support in the areas of learning, social, emotional and mental health and wellness of children, youth and families in Flagstaff.”

or Melissa Mount, the career ball got rolling at Second Chance Center for Animals in Flagstaff. The University of Wisconsin journalism and mass communications graduate was fresh out of college when she accepted a marketing and public relations position at the former animal shelter. And, because the nonprofit was so small, she did almost everything from grant writing to working alongside volunteers—something that would prove pivotal to her work life.

Her success in fundraising efforts for the shelter sparked her interest in the field and, in 2011, a friend encouraged her to apply for an entry level fundraising position with NAU Advancement. The job was ideal for someone as invested in education as Mount was and is.

“I am a firm believer that education equity makes communities thrive,” she said.

As a first generation college student, higher education was something Mount never took for granted. She worked parttime jobs, bundled together scholarship and financial aid funds and whatever support her parents had the wiggle room to give her. Thus, working to help advance educational funding meant a great deal to her on a personal and professional level.

It didn’t take long for Mount to be promoted at NAY and she soon moved to the

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Office of Gift Planning.

Recent career highlights for Mount include increasing corporate support for NAU’s Geology, Engineering, Computer Science and STEM Education programs, totaling $5 million since Mount joined NAU. She also secured a $1 million estate gift from an alumni, a $1 million donation for NAU athletics and another $1 million in scholarship support for female students at NAU. “I am extremely proud of the work and collaborations I lead at NAU to inspire transformative philanthropy in our community,” Mount said.

Outside of her job, Mount is a Big Sister at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff, a candidate for the board of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona, a volunteer for Girls on the Run, and an avid supporter of High Country Humane and the Grand Canyon Trust, among others.

Mount could not be more pleased with the work she is doing and attributes her many successes to the people who surround her.

“My career progression has been possible because of the encouragement and support of my colleagues, friends and family, and past and present supervisors and mentors that continue to build my confidence and push me to think big,” Mount said.

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| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019

20 UNDER 40

Galen Olson

Michael Oxendale

Owner, Mini Storage of Northern Arizona

Owner and Vice President, Oxendale Auto Group

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ini Storage of Northern Arizona owner Galen Olson’s involvement with the company began when he was just two months old. His parents bought the storage when his father moved to Flagstaff in 1970 and the rest, as they say, is history.

“We lived on-site the first three years of my life,” Olson said. “Growing up, my father put me to work, sweeping out units, mowing the weeds and running the office.”

When his father died unexpectedly five years ago, Olson stepped up to take over operations of the storage facility.

“I had a lot to learn, but my lifelong exposure to the business helped make the transition successful,” he said.

Olson is proud of his ability to run a profitable business while also providing an environment conducive to growth for his employees, watching as they achieve milestones like starting a family, earning a college degree and buying a first home.

“Business should not focus solely on the bottom line, but rather the dual goal of profit and employee quality of life that ultimately results in upward mobility,” he said.

Although born and raised in Flagstaff, Olson took some time to travel in his 20s, teaching English as a second language in Latvia and Turkey before returning stateside to teach in Boston and Los Angeles. He eventually found his way back to Flagstaff in 2014 where he began volunteering at The Literacy Center as an ESL instructor. After another brief period away from his hometown while his wife attended law school, Olson joined TLC’s board of directors in 2017 and has served as president the past year and a half, enriching the community through the betterment of the wide array of people served by the nonprofit.

Olson further contributes to Flagstaff ’s well-being as a volunteer Court-Appointed Special Advocate with CASA of Coconino County. In this role, he works with children in foster care, advocating for them in court reports to ensure the judge understands their unique needs.

“It is so important to be a voice for these kids who are the most vulnerable in our society,” he said, adding more male volunteers are always welcome. “Women [volunteers] vastly outnumber the men, but boys benefit greatly from a male presence in their life.”

M

ichael Oxendale’s family has been in the auto business for four generations. His great-grandfather was a car dealer in Minnesota in the 1920s when Henry Ford first applied mass production techniques onto cars, and Oxendale was raised in the business at Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Cottonwood when his family moved to northern Arizona in 1979.

He later studied industrial engineering at Arizona State University and took a job at Guardian Industries as a production engineer upon graduating. Although it turned out to not be what we was looking for in a career, he’s glad to have taken the opportunity.

“Don’t be afraid to go all in and commit to an opportunity that presents itself,” he advised people getting their start in

the professional world. “You can always change your mind later. Even though [Guardian Industries] wound up not being my career, it was a great job, and a great learning experience. The job helped prepare me to manage people and be a better car dealer.”

Now back with the family business since 2004, Oxendale is proud of the team he’s been able to build, as he credits them with the successful increase of sales and revenue at all Oxendale Auto Group locations.

Oxendale’s company supports local northern Arizona organizations like Sunshine Rescue Mission, Hope Cottage, Dorsey Manor, Leap of Faith Learning, Rainbow Acres, The Old Town Mission, Verde Community Church and more, and he contributes his time as board member to several as well.

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About Our Banquet Venue Twin Arrows Casino Resort

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hen good people work together, great things can happen. This is the overriding mantra of Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort on Interstate 40, about 20 miles east of Flagstaff. In the 1950s, the exit — with its iconic two arrows piercing the ground — served as a popular rest stop. Now, like a turnaround story, the casino and hotel complex sits on the opposite side of the interstate, with its duo arrow logo pointing skyward.

Twin Arrows opened in late May 2013 as the only casino and resort north of I-40 in Arizona. Like the outbound twin arrows — reflective of the Navajo journey through time — the aim is to move the Navajo tribe and the upscale enterprise upward together. What does it take? Team, talent, training and tradition.

With 8,500 square feet of elegant, multifunctional ballroom event space, the Twin Arrows team will assist with arranging a special experience and en-

sure no detail is overlooked. Events are executed seamlessly and within any budget. The ultimate mission is to provide a memorable experience by providing exceptional service coupled with creative menus that emphasize the chef’s inspirations.

Congratulations!

Megan Roach

Congratulations Kelsey on being a 20 under 40 winner!

You made it by the skin of your teeth.

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| SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019

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Megan Roach

Penelope Scott

Event Specialist, Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation

Senior Accountant, SenesTech, Inc.

n today’s world, where young people especially bounce periodically between jobs, those who stick with an employer longer than one or two years are increasingly rare. Megan Roach is, in that sense, an outlier, bucking the trend of the momentary workplace as she celebrates her fifth year with Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation.

Roach began working as an event specialist for the organization shortly after graduating from Northern Arizona University with both a biology and psychology degree. While her position at NAH has shifted between different roles over the years, her current duties are in the realms of event planning in order to “advance community health priorities through special events,” she said.

“We live in a time where healthcare costs are constantly rising,” Roach said. “Many people in our community cannot afford or do not have access to good healthcare. As our community grows, we have the opportunity to make an impact on the social determinants of health, strive to provide equal access to healthcare and cultivate a healthy community.”

And fundraising, according to Roach, is an important part of achieving that goal.

Recent highlights for Roach include raising almost $1 million to support NAH initiatives and community nonprofits; increasing education and awareness of various healthcare initiatives through events, planning and coordinating the annual Veteran’s Day celebration at NAH; and building professional relationships throughout Flagstaff and the health community.

Additionally, Roach recently joined the board of directors for Flagstaff Young Professionals, where she has helped promote and attend events that engage young working people. Work mixers, seminars and volunteer opportunities have each been important events for Roach during her time on the board. Next year she will step into the position of board chair for the group, something she is looking forward to immensely.

Roach said she sees a great deal of value in all the NAH does.

“By collaborating with community organizations, funding local nonprofits and providing opportunities for donors to give, we are able to create a healthier northern Arizona,” she said.

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enesTech is prominent among local businesses. The first publicly traded company to come out of Flagstaff, its focus lies in agricultural biotechnology, specializing in rat fertility management.

For Penelope Scott, a job opportunity at SenesTech came at the perfect moment.

The senior accountant position would allow her to use her knowledge and experience in finance while helping a company whose approach to pest control did not involve killing—the job was nothing short of ideal.

“I accepted this job wanting to be part of an innovative company that demonstrates there is a more compassionate alternative to rodent population control, which subsequently makes the world a safer and healthier place,” Scott said.

SenesTech’s technology involves bait stations rather than traps, which have proven to be ineffective in population control. Its first commercial product, ContraPest, is sold across the United States to combat difficult rat infestations.

Scott stumbled across the company

just a couple months after it went public and has now been working there for more than two years, starting when she was just 27. Her degree in finance from Northern Arizona University and a certificate in business economics and investment financing each help her stay abreast within her own company as well as to financial trends on a larger scale.

“I never wanted to limit myself to one specific sector of accounting,” Scott said.

“I have spent many years practicing tax, corporate and nonprofit accounting. I want to be able to absorb as much knowledge in this discipline as possible so that I am able to better assist individuals and businesses wherever there is need in the Flagstaff community,” she said.

In addition to her work at SenesTech, Scott serves as treasurer on the board of directors for the Northern Arizona Pride Association, an organization she has dedicated her time to for more than five years.

“I feel blessed to be a part of this organization as well as honored to serve the LGBTQIA+ community of northern Arizona,” Scott said.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019 |

Sarah Smallwood

Cassity Smith

Arts Programming Manager, Flagstaff Arts Council

Event Coordinator, Andrew Maguire & Associates, LLC; Owner, Mama Maggie’s

he arts have always been at the forefront of Sarah Smallwood’s aspirations. From a young age the Flagstaff Arts Council arts programming manager—who only recently turned 30—had dreams of pursuing a career that allowed for deep immersion in culture.

The opportunity to do so came in 2012 when she was hired for a year-long AmeriCorps position at the Flagstaff Arts Council (then the Flagstaff Cultural Partners).

Originally from Vermont, Smallwood attended Keene College in New Hampshire where, before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, she was heavily involved in campus life, especially on the entertainment side of things. During her time as an undergraduate, Smallwood developed a solar-powered music festival on campus in an effort to promote sustainability within entertainment, among other things. She settled in Flagstaff after graduation, following a summer of working music festivals across the country.

“I’m very grateful to have started my Flagstaff career there,” Smallwood said of the Flagstaff Arts Council. “Working with the nonprofit allowed me to make tons of connections within the arts community.”

Smallwood went from her yearlong position with FAC to venue manager for the Or-

pheum Theater where she booked hundreds of concerts each year, helped with marketing and managed a staff that ranged from four people to upwards of 25. It was a challenge, she said, but one that led to a great deal of growth.

“Managing the Orpheum as a young female in a largely male-dominated industry was very empowering for me. I’m proud of the hard work I accomplished there and the experiences I had to grow from,” she said.

Smallwood is a person who wears many hats, she said, both during her time at the Orpheum and now at the Flagstaff Arts Council, which she returned to in 2016.

Her experiences in graphic design, marketing, programming and event planning each come in handy in her current role; managing the Coconino Center for the Arts, booking concerts in its amphitheater, coordinating workshops for creative professionals and organizing the annual Viola Awards each fall into Smallwood’s duties. She’s also behind the First Friday ArtWalk maps and calendar listings on the free Flagstaff365 website.

“There are many reasons I love living in Flagstaff, but I’d say it’s the people and the projects I’m involved in that make me want to stay. The community is so ingrained in the work that I do,” Smallwood said.

A

s a proven leader in multiple capacities, Cassity Smith knows it can be difficult to juggle all of life’s responsibilities. She’s learned to remain on the right path through several techniques during her time organizing events like Flagstaff Festival in the Pines, encouraging fellow young leaders as board chair with Flagstaff Young Professionals and launching her own catering business with Mama Maggie’s.

“We all have so many ideas, wants, needs, aspirations, and it can become so overwhelming that we end up getting nothing done,” she said. “Making lists and holding yourself accountable will lead you in the direction your life is supposed to go.”

Shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in special event management and communications from Arizona State University, she made the decision to move to Flagstaff and never looked back.

An event planning position with the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce led Smith to co-found the Flagstaff Young Pro-

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fessionals organization, building up membership from zero to 125 over the course of two years. As an event coordinator for Andrew Maguire & Associates, Smith worked hard to bring back the long-running Festival in the Pines, a three-day arts and music festival during Fourth of July weekend. But her true passion is the independence she enjoys being a business owner of Mama Maggie’s Mexican Food, which caters events around Arizona with up to 20,000 attendees.

“When I take a step back and see what I have created with all those long nights and frustrating obstacles, it feels like an accomplishment no matter what happens with this business,” she said.

Outside of her career goals, she’s contributed to organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff, where she’s been a Big Sister for the past three years and cites that experience as one that’s been instrumental to her self-growth. Smith also volunteers with Praxis Waste Solutions, a waste management company that recycles waste at events and educates the public on local recycling practices.

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