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| SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022
20 UNDER 40
WELCOME TO THE 2022 EDITION OF
20 UNDER 40 The Arizona Daily Sun,, Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, City of Flagstaff and Twin Arrows Casino Resort have the distinct pleasure of announcing the 20 individuals under 40 years old who each made major impacts on Flagstaff and its surrounding
are chosen through a selection and nomination process. They will also be honored at a special reception held at Twin Arrows on April 14. This will be the sixth year of 20 Under 40 and we’ve chosen to do things a little differently, by configuring the publication to be question and answer. Our aim is
communities. From therapists to epidemiologists, touring musicians,
to allow the honorees to talk about themselves and their
restaurant owners and journalists, this year’s list represents
accomplishments in their own words. After all, who better to tell
a colorful tapestry of talent as well as a deep commitment to
their story than the person who experienced it first hand?
community–a thread that is woven between each individual
The answers have been edited only for length and clarity.
in these pages. Several of the people you will read about
Without further ado, please join us in honoring this year’s
here volunteer at local nonprofits, make daily efforts in and
20 Under 40 winners.
outside of work for racial equity, raise families, help vulnerable populations, all the while providing services without which Flagstaff would be greatly lacking. Svea Conrad
The 20 under 40 professionals recognized in this publication
CONGRATS TO THE 2022 WINNERS Evan Anderson
Jessica Garard
Heather Marcy
Barbara Tait
Molly Baker
Khara House
Kyle Miller
Stephanie Washington
Alexandra Fischer
Nick Jones
Collin Seay
Nicholas Williams
Renda Fisk
Angela Koder
Larami Sandlin
Hayley Yaglom
Felicia Fonseca
Jaelynn Lockwood
Jonathan Stone
Teri Yazzie
20 UNDER 40
Sunday, March 20, 2022 |
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| Sunday, March 20, 2022
20 UNDER 40
Evan Anderson Part-owner (alongside wife Kelly), Drinking Horn Meadery
What do you love about your work? I love getting to show people a “new” alcoholic beverage, fermenting from honey is not something most people have ever tried. When you see their faces light up after tasting it, makes all the hard parts worth it. Talk a little bit about the journey you took to get to your current job. It took about two years to get through licensing and building out the Meadery, and we have been selling mead for the last five. I used to be a fish biologist but was spending too much time away from home. I made a bunch of mead for mine and Kelly’s wedding and people loved it so much we decided to take it to the commercial level. It all started with the honeymoon, a term that comes from mead. You were supposed to have enough “honey wine” to last a full “moon cycle”, hence the term honeymoon. What are some of your greatest accomplishments? Surrounding myself with people that are
amazing at what they do. We did get on Guy Fieri’s show, Guys Family Road Trip, and got some big accounts including Whole Foods, but those pale in comparison to the pride I have for our team. Our team and community helped us be able to open our Mead Hall during a pandemic and to not only survive but eventually thrive. What projects or hobbies are you involved in outside of work? Outside of work? What is that? What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? Never give up on something you want to do. If you run into a barrier, pivot and find another way. Go around, drive over it, blow the barrier up, just never stop trying. Anything you’d like to add? A huge part of what has pushed me to excel in this field is bringing awareness about the plight of the honey bee. Many of the foods we enjoy are produced by using honey bees as pollinators, it is something that should be important to all of us.
20 UNDER 40
Sunday, March 20, 2022 |
Molly Baker
Alexandra Fischer
Marketing Director, The Orpheum Theater
Communications Specialist, Coconino County Health and Human Services
What makes you passionate about your work? My passion is a direct reflection of the passion of Flagstaff’s small-business owners. I want to help them present themselves online in all their amazing uniqueness so they are able to reach their goals in an ever-changing market. The businesses I’ve worked with are truly driven by offering something of value to the community, be it a product, meal or experience, and I feel honored to help serve our community in this way.
What are some of your greatest accomplishments? Running a digital marketing consulting company that helps small businesses and nonprofits. Getting certified in digital marketing services through the University of Arizona, as well as Google certified in ads and analytics this past year. Bringing music and educational content into people’s homes throughout the pandemic in the form of live streams and YouTube videos.
Talk about the journey you took to get to your current position. I have worked at the Orpheum for three years. Little did I know it would be a very strange time to start a job at a live music venue. I had only experienced the venue at its peak for about six months before COVID-19. The way the team persevered inspired me to see the job through to better days. The belief that music, arts and culture bring people together rings true with my heart and it fills me with joy to be part of an organization doing that for our community.
What projects are you involved in outside of work? Grand Canyon Youth has been the most influential organization of my life. I joined in 7th grade. This summer I went back on the river as a trip coordinator, which taught me an appreciation for all the adults who gave me these awesome experiences when I was a middle school participant.
What makes you passionate about your work? I love working in marketing and communications because it’s always changing. Whether I am staying up to date on the latest social media platform or studying a Coconino County Health and Human Services program so that I can effectively market it, I have to stay on my toes. What path did you take to get to your current job? I began my career in nonprofit fundraising and marketing. While living and working in New York City I oversaw destination marketing at Marriott International. When my position shifted to remote work, my husband, baby and I moved back to Arizona. We welcomed another child at the height of the pandemic. While I loved the role with Marriott, I needed connection to my community and was blessed to be hired by the county, first as senior communications manager with Public Affairs and then as the communications specialist with Health and Human Services.
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What are some of your greatest accomplishments? I served as the public information officer for the Rafael Fire and as the joint information center section chief for flooding in the Museum Flood area. I saw staff from the county, city and nonprofits come together and work endlessly out of a deep commitment to neighbors and friends. This collaboration made for a renewed belief that in every tragedy, there are helpers. What do you do outside of work? I love to travel and have enjoyed exploring closer to home recently. I volunteer at my son’s preschool, one of the Flagstaff co-ops and sit on the Coconino Community College Scholarship Committee. I spend time with my kids and husband, and our new Treeing Walker coonhound puppy, Mayberry. What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? Talk to anyone and everyone and follow through.
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| Sunday, March 20, 2022
20 UNDER 40
Renda Fisk
Felicia Fonseca
Educational Technologist, Flagstaff Unified School District
Northern Arizona Correspondent and Indigenous Affairs Reporter, The Associated Press
What makes you passionate about your work? Students. I am a teacher who realized early in my career the power of leveraging technology to differentiate instruction in meeting learner needs. Flagstaff Unified School district is full of talented staff who have access to 1:1 iPads, along with other technology. I have the honor of supporting teachers and staff; ensuring they are equipped with the skills and resources needed to develop empowered, creative learners. Facilitating programs such as FUSD’s Technology Peer Coaching program inspires me because I get to work directly with the incredible teachers who are also coaches supporting their colleagues and students daily. How long have you been in your current job? July will mark my fourth year as an Educational Technologist and my 9th year with FUSD. What are some [professional] accomplishments are proud of?
Supporting the implementation of the 1:1 iPad program in FUSD. A 1:1 device program was a dream and vision of the FUSD Technology department before I joined. The vision that I was able to support when Flagstaff voters passed a 2018 bond opened my eyes even more to the value technology can bring to education. So many learning barriers were removed as a result of this initiative. I am proud to be one of two facilitators of FUSD’s nationally recognized Technology Peer Coach program, which has seen more than 16 years of success. What are you involved in outside of work? I love gardening, camping and hunting. My husband and I love supporting our son and daughter in their sports and activities. I’m the current STEM City board president, working on various programs STEM City leads such as the Annual STEM Celebration; the STEMMY Awards and the Full STEAM Ahead Program, which connects STEM professionals with teachers and students through ongoing collaboration in the classroom.
What makes you passionate about your work? Journalism is an energizing profession, and I enjoy the attention to detail, accuracy and persistence it requires. Stories connect people through shared experiences, feelings and histories and also can reveal things around us that we didn’t know existed. I get to learn something new daily and highlight communities that often aren’t covered in the news, always seeking to amplify new voices. How did you come to be in your current job? I’ve been in this job since 2008 as a solo correspondent. I am an original member of the AP’s Race and Ethnicity team where I focus on Indigenous communities and work with reporters who cover water, the environment and public lands. I started with the AP in 2005 in an intern class and was hired within four months for a fulltime position in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, bureau. I built a beat centered on coverage of Indigenous communities that began with the Navajo Nation and has expanded to national coverage.
What are some of your biggest accomplishments? I lost my mind when I got a call in 2016 saying I was selected for the Nieman Foundation for Journalism Fellowship at Harvard University, one of the most prestigious and competitive programs of its kind in the US. I stayed through the summer to teach an advanced journalism course at the Harvard Extension School. I’m also proud of the Associated Press-Robert Eunson Distinguished Lecturer Award I received from Northern Arizona University in 2010. What are you involved in outside of work? Volunteering as a running buddy for Girls on the Run. It’s so inspiring to see young girls work toward a goal, and their faces beaming with pride when they cross the finish line. I also mentor a Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy graduate studying journalism at Arizona State University. I serve on a journalism scholarship committee for my college newspaper.
20 UNDER 40
Sunday, March 20, 2022 |
Jessica Garard Designated Broker, Best Flagstaff Homes Realty
What makes you passionate about your work? I am passionate about service and helping others and I get to do that every day. Whether I am helping someone buy their first house, or helping sell their home so they can retire to be closer to their grandchildren, I am there to serve them and navigate all the emotions that are involved in real estate. Tell us about your career journey. I have been a licensed realtor for almost 16 years. Six years ago my business partner and I started a real estate team. Last June we opened our own brokerage and now I get to focus on helping other agents find the joys and successes in real estate. I still represent buyers and sellers but I find so much joy in seeing the agents in my office succeed and helping their businesses grow. What are your greatest accomplishments? Opening my brokerage and having agents wanting to be a part of it. I am currently the president-elect for the Northern Arizona Association of REALTORS. 10 years ago I helped start Flagstaff Business Connec-
tions, a group of local business owners that meets regularly and does a tremendous amount of good in our community. What do you do outside work? I volunteer as often as I can with Flagstaff Family Food Center and hold fundraisers for Flagstaff Shelter Services and most recently will be having a bike drive for Lefty Loosey Bikes. My favorite hobby is trail running. What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? Make time to get involved. It is amazing what you can learn and the people you can meet by volunteering. There is so much competition as a real estate agent and navigating our current market is a challenge. Find a mentor that will help guide you. Anything you’d like to add? Being a graduate of Kinsey Elementary, Flagstaff Middle School, Flagstaff High School and Northern Arizona University I am very attached to this town and so excited to be raising my son here.
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| SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022
20 UNDER 40
Khara House Director of Community Engagement, Bella Investment Group, LLC
What makes you passionate about your work? I’m all about finding meaning and purpose in the work I do, and for me that purpose is the ability to meet people where they are, help cultivate a sense of belonging and push for what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called “Beloved Community.” I love that my work enables me to engage on personal, community and civic levels to cultivate community and bring a multitude of voices to the table.
rience Project to develop the Lived Black Experience Strategic Plan adopted by the city in 2020. One of the things I’m most proud of is receiving the Mayor’s Key to the City Award in 2020, not because it was my accomplishment but because it recognizes service to the community. I am a two-time recipient of Arizona Multihousing Association Tribute Awards. These recognitions are, again, not for me, but for the importance of community engagement, involvement and service.
How long have you been with Bella Investment Group? Nine years.
What endeavors are you involved in outside of work? I currently serve as the chair of the city of Flagstaff ’s Housing Commission, and president of the Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council. I also serve as the vice president for NAMI Flagstaff and sit on the boards of Flagstaff Shelter Services, the Southside Community Association and the Lived Black Experience Project Steering Committee. I volunteer with the Goodnight Flagstaff community storytime program.
What are some of your greatest accomplishments? Part of my work involves partnering within the community to foster meaningful change, and I’m proud of several projects. Most recently, service on the City of Flagstaff Housing Commission and passage of the 10-Year Housing Plan, and working with the Lived Black Expe-
Nick Jones Co-Founder, Freaky Foot Tours Flagstaff; Founder, Eat Sleep Launch Repeat; Co-Founder, New Orleans Flight Club; Market Expansion Manager, Sealed
What makes you passionate about your work? I’ve always loved to take a dream and turn it into a reality. Now I get paid to do it! My goal is to empower people by giving them access to what I’ve learned from my time at high-growth startups. No day is ever the same, and while most days are hard and a lot of work, there is satisfaction in building something new. Tell us about your career journey, how long have you been in each job? Eat Sleep Launch Repeat: I started two years ago, inspired by my experience working for Uber and Lime. I decided I wanted to take what I learned and create a consulting company to help smaller companies leverage those same techniques. Freaky Foot Tours: What began as a passion for history and tours–and a desire to help my mom succeed–has turned into a massive business that served over 5,000 customers last year. It’s fun, we show tourists and locals a different side of Flagstaff ’s past and we’re creating
high-paying gig work for Flagstaff ’s creative community. New Orleans Flight Club: Frustrated by how inconvenient it was to get my pilot’s license I co-founded a tech forward flight club with one of my former colleagues from Lime. We’re building the AirBnB of airplanes. Sealed: I’ve been at Sealed since October, heading the expansion into Chicago. We make it easy and affordable for people to upgrade the insulation in their homes and go fully electric, cutting our customers’ utility costs and lowering carbon footprints. What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? To all the younger people who’ve never quite fit into a traditional career and are looking for new ways of doing things, don’t let the world change you. Conventional people don’t change the world, the dreamers do. Keep dreaming big and putting in the work, the world needs you.
20 UNDER 40
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 |
Angela Koder Housing Programs Manager, Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona
! s n o i t a l u Congrat TO ALL THE 2022 20 UNDER 40 RECIPIENTS From all of us at
Congratulations What makes you passionate about your work? I enjoy witnessing how social and economic needs are brought to light and how the social service industry partners come together to meet those various needs in the community. Since I started working at HSNA in 2013, I have seen homes saved from foreclosure, housing for families stabilized through affordable rental options, families who were separated be reunited after gaining access to an affordable rental, down payment assistance provided for homeownership and more. What are some of your greatest accomplishments? I believe most HUD Certified Housing Counselors will agree the biggest accomplishment that you can smack a label on, is passing the HUD Housing Counseling Certification test. Even the counselors who passed it with ease will likely identify with my assessment of the brutality of the test and the training leading up to it. Now that the HUD certification is behind me, accomplishments look different. It’s the support I can provide other staff
when needed. It’s the access to resources and funding in underserved areas, seeing direct word of mouth referrals, the collaboration with other agencies to make a bigger impact and all the daily, small wins for clients (and me) in between.
Teri Yazzie
on being selected a 20 Under 40 recipient!
What do you do outside of work? I am a mother of two. We feel gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us and that we get to call northern Arizona home. We spend time as a family exploring the outdoors admiring critters, hiking with the pups, camping, feeding ducks and exploring other natural wonders in the area. What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? Life can toss us around a bit, but for the most part we find our niche in this huge wide world. Keep actively searching to find your people, so you can contribute to big things, even if right now you, have no idea what those contributions or big things look like. Any employment opportunity that interests you, just get your foot in the door.
Youth psychotherapist NACA – Native Americans for Community Action 1500 E. Cedar Ave., Suite 26, Flagstaff 928-773-1245 Nacainc.org
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| Sunday, March 20, 2022
20 UNDER 40
Jaelynn Lockwood Wedding Coordinator, Lockwood Events + Design & Northern AZ Event Rentals
Heather Marcy Deputy Director Northland Family Help Center
BLOOM HAUS STUDIO
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Why are you passionate about your work? I’ve always had a creative bone and needed a career that could satisfy this. The design and styling aspect of a wedding is my absolute favorite. Working with clients and seeing their vision beautifully come together is a reward in itself. Also, being a part of a couple’s most memorable day is inimitable. Tell us about your career journey? Northern AZ Event Rentals, started in May 2016. I started this journey by selling refurbished antique and vintage items. After doing so for two years, it was hard to get rid of certain pieces so I held onto them. I came up with the idea to provide clients with reinvented works of art to be captured for any occasion. Providing event rentals was something I did on the side while working full-time for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff. As the years went on, I learned designing events was something I wanted as a career. I continued to work my way up in the industry
until I could take a leap of faith in being my own boss. Fashion has always been near and dear to me as my grandmother is a seamstress and taught me how to sew. Watching her create wedding dresses from scratch inspired me to do the same as a service to my clients. I offer handmade boho dresses for elopements and micro weddings so brides don’t have to spend a fortune on a dress they will only wear for a few hours. What organizations are you involved in outside of work? I am a Big Sister (volunteer) with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff. What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? Don’t be afraid to take a risk or fail. Have your hands in many pots and get experience with different vendors in the industry (catering, photography, florists, etc.). It will make you a more wellrounded wedding planner.
What makes you passionate about your work? At my core I am drawn to public service and believe in equity and changing systems that lead to oppression and inequity. I want everyone to have access to what they need: food, housing, health care etc. Being able to work with victims and survivors of interpersonal violence has been a great privilege in my life. I meet people shortly after they have experienced trauma and my job is to help them navigate systems, work on their goals and find their voice. Over the years there have been many tears, hugs and laughs and I have met some of the most resilient, intelligent, resourceful and kind people while working at Northland Family Help Center. How long have you been with NFHC? I have been working for Northland Family Help Center for 15 years and have been the deputy director for almost three.
What are some of your greatest accomplishments? In 2021, I organized and participated in local advocacy efforts with local government, service providers and the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence to secure American Rescue Plan Act funding for victims of crime in our community. I assisted in establishing Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking (FIAT). Since FIAT’s inception funding has been secured to create a full-time director of human trafficking services. The director has trained hundreds of people through schools, churches, conferences, social services and hotels. I also helped develop and secure funding for the Outdoor Program coordinator position in NFHC’s Youth Shelter. The program is designed to help youth explore the natural world. Youth have shared via survey responses that they feel more creative, less likely to use drugs and have less anxiety after outings.
20 UNDER 40
Sunday, March 20, 2022 |
Kyle Miller Songwriter, recording and mixing engineer, Tow’rs Music LLC and Lore Audio Provisions
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, s n o i t a l u t Congra Fe li c i a ! Here’s to all your hard work and carefully informed storytelling. It’s journalists like you who allow our communities to be heard.
What makes you passionate about your work? I love how different my job is every day. Whether I’m working on a song for Tow’rs or producing and recording another artist’s work, it’s a constant adventure. At a more meta-level, it seems songs are always about something so much bigger and ultimately lead me back to a truth I keep seeing pop up over and over in music. I think music keeps reminding us that we belong to each other. This is the wind in my sails that keeps me pursuing music. How long have you been doing what you do? I have been songwriting as a career for the past seven years and operating my studio for three years. Tow’rs has spent much of our time on the road with our kids touring the United States. We’ve put out five albums at this point and are excited to keep songwriting and recording. What are some accomplishments you are proud of? The thing I’m most proud of in my
professional life is the opportunity to be trusted by artists to capture their craft via recording. I’m also proud of the space we’ve crafted at Lore to help everyone who comes in manifest a type of bravery to pursue their art.
Congratulations Jaelynn!
What are you involved in outside of work? There’s a nonprofit our studio has been partnering with called Beloved Arise. They work with LBTQIA youth and we’ve been helping them produce music with other artists that get featured on their platform. What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? Remember that making art is more about the process within us than our products. I have not found it to be enough to only stand by the songs we create. It has to be about how the art is making you a better human and making you love yourself and others more deeply. If you can figure a way to find that, the decisions you make toward a career in music will be more genuine and discerning.
saatyphotography.com
Making Wedding Dreams Come True
One sunset at a Time holledayproductions.com
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| Sunday, March 20, 2022
20 UNDER 40
Lt. Collin Seay
Larami Sandlin
Flagstaff Police Department
Owner, Dark Sky Brewing Company; Director, Dark Sky Community; Owner, Artitexture {design & build}
What do you love about your work? I love coming to work each day to serve the Flagstaff community and the courageous men and women who work for the Flagstaff Police Department. How long have you been in your current job? I have been in my current role as a patrol lieutenant for the past two years. This position requires me to manage the day-to-day operations of multiple patrol squads as well as assist them by giving them the tools and technology they need to do their job successfully and provide the best customer service to our community. I started as a patrol officer with FPD in 2006, and I spent much of my career working in the patrol division. My passions along the way were serving on our Swat Team and running our impaired driver program for several years. I was promoted to the rank of Corporal and Sergeant where I had the privilege to supervise many outstanding, brave and courageous men and women in the patrol division. During this time, I furthered my education by receiving my master’s de-
gree from NAU while raising four children with my beloved wife, Melissa. What are some of your biggest accomplishments? At this point in my career, I get more satisfaction out of the success of others and hope that I have been able to help them along their journey in law enforcement and life. My goal in this profession is to teach those around me to be better than I ever was. What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? I would tell them that police work is the greatest profession in the world with the most internal reward that no other profession can offer. I would tell them to have a strong work ethic, teamwork attitude and mentality, stay focused on customer service and equal treatment of all members of the community, have a guardian’s heart, and to never forget the reason you entered the profession which is to serve and protect the community without the expectation of anything in return.
What makes you passionate about your work? Ever since I was little, I never understood why girls were not allowed to play football or baseball alongside the boys. I was fortunate enough to have role models who taught me to believe in breaking barriers and be that woman in a male-dominated field. Even though I was part of an underprivileged family, the opportunity arose to attend Northern Arizona University with a full-ride academic scholarship. I completed my extended degree in business management, interior design, graphic design and construction management. During college I was able to become a project manager for a wonderful Flagstaff construction company. I was extremely lucky the owner supported a young, but strong, 19-year-old female to work alongside the male-dominated crew and sub-contractors. Later, a friend took me into her graphic design and printing company and I was able to create my Artitexture business card, promote my drafting skills to her clients. She also encouraged me to start my own interior design business.
How did Dark Sky Brewing Co. come to be? My husband, and partner in life, floated the idea of opening a brewery while he was hobby home brewing. The thought of creating our own community taproom space intrigued me. Dark Sky Brewing Company took shape in 2014 with the idea of creating a coffee shop-style space where people could work, create ideas, have community events and congregate. We opened with the goal to sell six pints an hour on our tiny three-barrel micro-brewing system. Our opening night was packed full of people for six hours and we had to close for two weeks to recover and make more beer! We love to brew beer for the city that loves to drink it! What are some accomplishments you are proud of? 2022 ATHENA Awards Nominee; Viola Award finalist in Philanthropy for Dark Sky Brewing; donating over $46,000 in 2021 to local non-profits; leading and mentoring over 30 employees, who I am also able to call family members.
20 UNDER 40
Sunday, March 20, 2022 |
Jonathan Stone Executive Director, Creative Flagstaff
What makes you passionate about your work? Fostering our collective passions is what makes me passionate. Serving as Creative Flagstaff’s executive director is an exciting convergence of my professional interests, economic development, design, creative expression, artmaking, placemaking and building strong inclusive communities. Creative Flagstaff unveiled its new name, previously Flagstaff Arts Council, at the Viola Awards in 2021. Alongside the new name, an ambitious strategic plan was introduced. It is stakeholder-driven and brings together a lot of what we believe Flagstaff wants from its cultural sector. Tell us about your career journey. I joined Creative Flagstaff in 2019. Previously, I was the executive director of Downtown Oregon City Association. My background started in architecture, designing and administering construction projects, from adapting a 100-yearold shoe factory into condominiums to
fitting out biomedical research laboratories for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. My experience in architecture cemented my love of place, community and civic life. I left architecture pursuing a great unknown via graduate school. I took up nonprofit management. What are some of your biggest accomplishments? Under my leadership, Downtown Oregon City Association received theGreat American Main Street Award in 2018. GAMSA is the highest honor given by the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. I was one of three founding board members for Willamette Falls Trust. WFT represents a collaboration between Native and non-Native communities to redevelop a historic industrial site and reestablish public access for the first time in nearly two centuries to the second largest waterfall in North America.
TGen North congratulates Genomic Epidemiologist Hayley Yaglom on being selected as one of Flagstaff’s 20 Under 40!
Congratulations Angela Koder
For being selected as one of e, this years 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
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20 UNDER 40
Barbara Tait
Stephanie Washington
Library Supervisor, East Flagstaff Community Library
Assistant to the Director, Northern Arizona Distance Learning
Why are you passionate about your work? I love and believe in the value of public libraries. It is a space that values learning in all forms and open access to high-quality information. Free public spaces are vital if we want strong communities and meaningful relationships between people from different backgrounds. Building relationships is the best part of my job, and it’s particularly exciting to be able to learn from other people who have had different experiences than me. What brought you to library work? I have been in my current position for almost three years. I visited Flagstaff in 2015 with my then-boyfriend, now husband, and we fell in love with it. We couldn’t get jobs then but went about our lives and kept applying anytime something promising came up. Four years later, I got my current job. After undergrad, I lived in Philadelphia and worked myself to the bone trying to get dance gigs and teach and bartend and wait tables. So, I threw in a million
applications and got a part-time library job working with kids after school. What are some of your biggest accomplishments? A very smart and inspiring group of people at the library joined me in starting an Antiracism Committee. It’s important to have dedicated time to examine certain issues more deeply and have honest conversations about what we can do to better serve everyone in our community. My colleague, Richard Tutwiler, and I started a reference by mail service for folks who are incarcerated in 2020; we are getting a lot of letters and people really appreciate the service. What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? Don’t let lack of qualifications or other perceived obstacles keep you from trying if given an opportunity. Skills can be developed on the job, things like values or personality aren’t as easy to change.
What makes you passionate about your work? I have the privilege and opportunity to encourage and assist the students of NADL. I help run a program that meets students (and in turn families) where they are. Remote learning is chosen for a variety of reasons, each of them valid and unique. It’s my job to make sure that our students feel supported and get the grades they need to graduate. How did you come to be in this job? I have been in this position with Flagstaff Unified School District since July 2021. I was previously the FUSD district receptionist. That gave me an amazing opportunity to work closely with the administrators and our super intendant. Prior to that, I was in the classroom as a special education paraprofessional for four years. What are some accomplishments you are most proud of and why? I am most proud of the reputation I have made for myself in six years with FUSD. I
am a graduate of Flagstaff High School and have always felt at home here. I have worked my way to this position and I feel that I have truly earned it. I make it my prerogative to leave a place better than I found it and truly feel that I have done that with my time here. What are you involved in outside of work? I am on the board for the Arizona Women’s Film Festival, a contributor to the blog Flagstaff Mom Collective, I have been a birth doula (trained and studied) and social media manager for Women’s Way Red Lodge. I have worked with local artists (David Grandon, Chip Thomas) for various projects. I was a league member of the local roller derby team H.A.R.D and have volunteered with many local organizations over the years. What advice do you have for a young person who aspires to be in your field? Being in education is tough, but very rewarding. When you get to make genuine connections with families, and the youth of your town, it really is something special.
20 UNDER 40
Sunday, March 20, 2022 |
Nicholas Williams
Hayley Yaglom
Owner & Chief Restaurant Operations Officer, THAT Place Projects Hospitality Group
One Health Genomics Epidemiologist, Translational Genomics Research Institute
What makes you passionate about your work? I am fascinated by the idea of human connection and our biological need for such connection. I believe that restaurants do not exist because of a need for food, but more so for this innate craving for connection and socialization. I am passionate about hospitality for this reason, and taking care of others before one’s self. How long have you been in your current job? I’ve been with THAT Place Projects since August 2013, beginning as a barback, then becoming head bartender, manager of the Annex Cocktail Lounge, then buying into the company and becoming an owner in 2017. My journey took passion, tenacity, courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to adapt and evolve. What are you proud of and why? I am proud to have been nominated for Best Bartender in Arizona by the Arizona Restaurant Association in 2018 and
2019, as well as the winner of Restaurant Hospitality magazine’s “Cocktail of the Year.” My proudest accomplishment is having navigated successfully through COVID, keeping our restaurants afloat and employing as many as 130 employees through such turbulent times. What do you do outside of work? I am a father to a 2-year-old boy named Cassius James, and husband to my incredible wife, Jessica Rose, who is an ER nurse. I love disc golf, hiking, snowboarding, playing guitar, watching movies, maintaining a gym routine at Flagstaff Athletic Club and spending time with my parents, who live in Flagstaff part-time. What advice do you have for a young person who wants to work in the restaurant industry? Put the work in now, and it will pay off down the road. “Fake it til you make it,” while at the same time putting in the work to become an expert in your field, and before you know it, you will no longer be “faking it.”
What makes you passionate about your work? My passion for One Health (the collaboration of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally and globally, to attain health for people, animals and our environment) and the collaborations with people leading to impactful and translational science drives my work. Working with tribal communities in Arizona and bringing public health surveillance programs and new genomic technologies to those areas has a special place in my heart. The diversity of the work we do at TGen is also a highlight. TGen set up one of the first clinical laboratories offering PCR-based testing (still in operation) for COVID-19, but we have also delved into all possible areas related to SARS-CoV-2. This includes genomic sequencing to track emerging and circulating variants, wastewater surveillance and animal surveillance. Tell us about your career journey. I have been with TGen North since July 2019.
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My father works in the radiology department at a hospital in New York where he would show me radiographs of broken bones and scans of brains and injured ligaments as a child. That coupled with my love of animals, fueled me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Later, a door opened for me to earn a second master’s degree with an emphasis in veterinary public health and epidemiology. In 2014, I joined the Arizona Department of Health Services as a vector-borne and zoonotic disease epidemiologist. Then I got the offer to work with TGen, helping lead some of their genomic surveillance efforts. My current work focuses on building One Health genomic surveillance programs and bringing next-generation genomic technologies to our public health, tribal health and clinical partners to address problems at the human, animal and environmental interface (emerging pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, understanding outbreaks and transmission patterns).
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20 UNDER 40
Teri Yazzie Youth Psychotherapist, Native Americans for Community Action
What makes you passionate about your work? What do you like about it? My collective realities have had a tremendous impact on shaping my view of the world and how I can assist in generating change, particularly in the communities in which I was brought up, which is also widely known as the “Rez”. My ability to connect and utilize my experiences gained through many dire and joyous instances gives me a keen vantage point, where I can give a firsthand narrative that can emphasizes the inequities not just on my homelands but other places with similar socioeconomic conditions. This body of work also adds to my understanding of a fractured faux social justice system in my homelands, specifically, injustices my people continue to experience. From teachings as a child, I was informed that helping others can start with a single person and grow exponentially from that point. What has your career journey looked like? I am 10 years into my mental health field journey. I was fortunate to have worked in various capacities, including suicide prevention fieldwork and providing therapy for individuals and families. Along the way, I obtained an advanced degree in social work. My personal introduction to this work
was mainly through circumstance and not so much choice. The circumstances I speak of are the ones that I had to endure as a child and carried on into my life as a constantly developing, growing, and learning human being. With the many negative outcomes and conditions, I lived through and observed as a child, and continue to see as a mother it was a clear choice for me to address the various issues within societal institutions. What are some of your biggest accomplishments? Nominated as the Chair of the NASW Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (AOTD) Specialty; Member of the State of Arizona Tribal Advisory Committee; Member of the Unsheltered Indigenous Relatives Task Force; A licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) professional. What do you do outside of work? Being a full-time mother, music, reading, concerts, travel, baking, hiking, physical fitness, my son’s sports activities, cultural activities, spending time with family and most importantly, re-investing in myself and addressing my personal challenges, mental health and physical well-being. The latter is very important because for me to serve my people, my own well-being is a priority.
Congratulations, Alex!
We are proud of you and thankful for all you do!
Additional thanks to the Coconino County Health and Human Services Team for everything you do! Alexandra Fischer Communications Specialist
For information on CCHHS services visit: www.coconino.az.gov/HHS
20 UNDER 40
Sunday, March 20, 2022 |
Books on Leadership
“Run to Win: Lessons in Leadership for Women Changing the World”
Instead of picking up the latest novel, you can bone up on your leadership skills with these books recommended by Teambuilding.com. “Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons” BY JULIA GILLARD AND NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA
This book explores challenges women face while earning or holding executive positions. It features interviews with Hillary Clinton, Jacinda Arden and Theresa May. The authors are also trailblazing women politicians, and bring their firsthand experience to the book.
“Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead” BY SHERYL SANDBERG
Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg encourages women to speak up, take risks and be bold.
BY STEPHANIE SCHRIOCK AND CHRISTINA REYNOLDS
Schriock is the president of Emily’s List, an organization that empowers female leaders to run for office. It’s geared toward politics, but it has lessons for self-confidence, resilience, ambition and grace that everyone can use.
Sandberg doles out advice on topics such as negotiation, mentorship and work-life balance, encouraging women to “lean in” and take control in the workplace.
“The Likeability Trap: How to Break Free and Succeed As You Are” BY ALICIA MENENDEZ
Women are traditionally taught that to be pleasant and well-liked is to be successful, and even women at the top of their game struggle with balancing being able and being likable. This book urges women to not cave to pressure to be liked and validated and instead embrace their true selves.
“We Should All be Feminists” BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
This book is inspired by the TED Talk of the same name and lays out the ways that misogyny harms both men and women. It shows how all people can benefit from feminism and empowers women to rise above society’s expectations.
“Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” BY ANGELA DUCKWORTH
Psychologist Duckworth argues that grit is the key to success, and grit is a blend of longterm persistence and passion. She uses case studies to show how people can survive in tough situations, showing that grit is a learnable trait.
“More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say” BY ELAINE WELTEROTH
Former Teen Vogue editor Elaine Welteroth’s memoir shows her rise to becoming one of the most successful executives in the magazine’s history. It shows you how to break down barriers and remake the professional world into a place where you can not just survive, but thrive.
Congratulations Jessica for being selected a
20 Under 40 Recipient! 120 N Beaver Street
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| SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022
McKenzie Bevirt
Claire Halligan
20 UNDER 40
20 40 Lindsey Blum
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UNDER
Emery Eaves
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Emily Giralt
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George Holberg
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Kayley Quick
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Elizabeth Vogler
Bret Wocjiak
CLASS OF 2021
Estella Hollander
Meghan Remington
Dawn Tucker
Travis VanderMale
20 UNDER 40
Sunday, March 20, 2022 |
Moving upward
TOGETHER Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort offers unique experience in beautiful Northern Arizona
When 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 logo arrow duo 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 8,700 square feet of elegant, multifunctional ballroom event space and over 1600 square feet of flexible meeting space. The Twin Arrows team will assist with arranging a special experience and ensure 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. We invite you to contact our sales team at 928-856-7237, or by email at TwinArrowsSales@nnge.org to schedule a walk through and to begin planning your event!
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| Sunday, March 20, 2022
20 UNDER 40
T X E N ! S R U U H O T Y I K W O E C O B N E R 7 E 3 F 2 CON928.856.7 CALL
WINE & DINE
DINÉ EVENT CENTER
Arrows Sports Bar, Four Elements Café and Zenith Steakhouse are now open to satisfy all your food and drink cravings!
Over 10,000 sq. ft of state-of-the-art meeting space.
Valid Photo I.D. & Masks Required. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.NEXTSTEP
Minutes East of Flagstaff
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SPIN & WIN
Get back in all the Vegas style action you’ve been missing in our beautiful casino!
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