JUNE 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 6
DIANA GREGORY PACKS A GENUINE CONCERN FOR SENIORS
KEEP CALM AND LIVE A 2ND ACT CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: BLOOM365 SUMMER GIFT GUIDE JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 1
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PUBLISHER
Andrea Tyler Evans EDITOR
Karen Werner How to drive stick. He made it mandatory before getting my license.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Cheyenne Brumlow CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Tom Evans WEB EDITOR
Jamie Killin Keep your sense of humor. It will always come in handy.
Every day is a new opportunity, a chance to do more and be more than I was the day before.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lynette Carrington, Judy Pearson, Carey Peña FASHION WRITER
Tyler Butler
That I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Jillian Rivera
On the Cover PHOTOGRAPHY
Thurlkill Studios PICTURED ON COVER
Diana Gregory
BEAUTY PARTNER — MAKE-UP
The Sparkle Bar BEAUTY PARTNER — HAIR STYLING
Julia Mendez PHOTOGRAPHY PARTNER
Thurlkill Studios What important lesson did your dad teach you?
GENERAL INFORMATION & PRESS RELEASES
info@frontdoorsmedia.com 3104 E. Camelback Road #967, Phoenix, AZ 85016 480-622-4522 | frontdoormedia.com
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 3
Frontdoors Magazine is dedicated to the memory of Mike Saucier.
TABLE OF CONTENTS {june 2018, volume 16, issue 6}
EDITOR’S NOTE................. 05 30 For 30 NEXT DOORS..................... 06 Summer Camps Are Fun COVER STORY................... 10 The Produce Queen: CAREY’S CORNER. . ............ 18 From Here to Paternity 10 QUESTIONS WITH......... 22 Gene D’Adamo KITCHEN DOORS............... 26 Where We Ate This Month OFFICE DOORS.................. 28 Dr. Sarika Desai
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GIVING IN STYLE............... 30 Model on a Mission SUMMER GIFT GUIDE........ 36 Shopping with a Conscience CHARITY SPOTLIGHT........ 38 Bloom365 BOOKMARKED................... 42 Who’s Reading What this Month A 2ND ACT. . ....................... 44 Keep Calm and Live a 2nd Act OPEN DOORS.. ................... 46 Season in Review
30
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EDITOR’S NOTE {on the job}
30 FOR 30
“Just pop the whole thing into your mouth,” I told my son, handing him a bright orange kumquat.
“Even the skin?” he looked at me incredulously. “Yup,” I answered with a smile. Inspired by Diana Gregory, who graces our cover this month, my family is embarking on a challenge of eating 30 different fruits and vegetables over June’s 30 days. Instead of the boring bananas, corn, apples and carrots we usually eat, we’ll treat our palates to the new, multi-hued splendor of dragon fruit, celeriac, durian and chard. I had the pleasure of interviewing Diana Gregory recently and seeing her passion for sharing the nutritional value of produce with seniors at two of her farmers markets. Full of new ways to work with and love fresh fruits and vegetables, Gregory knows that if she can persuade more older adults to eat fresh fare and actually enjoy it, she can improve the health and lives of underresourced communities. So she’s made it her
mission to help people eat better every day. Summer seems the perfect time to start. With looser schedules and fewer commitments, June is an ideal time to get amped up about new possibilities, whether it be a summer camp (see page 6), a new restaurant (check out page 26), a novel read (some ideas on page 42) or a fresh chapter in life. Perhaps that’s why June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month – a time to slow down and savor bounteous crops and new flavors. With faith that I wasn’t playing a prank, my boy plopped the whole kumquat in his mouth and chomped down. A smile of surprise and discovery spread across his face. “It’s really good,” he said.
Karen Werner EDITOR
@kwerner409
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 5
NEXT DOORS {ahead of the curve}
SUMMER CAMPS ARE FUN AND BIG BUSINESS FOR NONPROFITS Tom Evans | Contributing Editor
Ah, summer in Arizona. For many, this means…leaving Arizona. But for those who are unfortunate enough to have to stick around and also have children, it means finding something for those children to do while we go to work. It used to be that kids just hung out all summer, or played in the neighborhood, or maybe joined a club. Or maybe they went off to a sleepaway camp every now and then. But nowadays, the options are almost limitless.
“Our mission and vision include more than just the adoption of cats and dogs. We want to engage the community and create a joy and love of pets,” said Michelle Ramos, community engagement manager for the Arizona Humane Society, which provides summer camps for children from ages 9 to 17. “We’re teaching children at a young age about how to care for pets at these camps. And besides being a revenue source, camps are something that drives visibility for us. We want kids to be advocates for animals.”
This is because the nonprofit community is smart. They realized at some point that by offering camps for kids, they not only could create a new revenue stream, they could start to engage with future donors and volunteers at a very young age, while doing their parents a solid that also increased engagement.
Over at the Desert Botanical Garden, the organization’s summer camps completely sold out well before they started, providing children with a chance to bond with nature instead of bonding with their PlayStation 4 for the summer.
Parents now have choices ranging from theater camp to museum camp to science camp to zoo camp — with nonprofits providing experiences for children that help shape their development while building an affinity for their organizations.
“They help us push our mission forward,” said Tina Wilson, director of education for the Garden. “One of the audiences we want to engage with is families with young children. We want to help them develop and cultivate a passion for the Southwest. Camps
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Top row: Kids at Childsplay summer camps learn from theater professionals. Bottom row: Kids interested in learning more about animals and animal careers have a range of options at Arizona Humane Society summer camps.
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NEXT DOORS CONTINUED
are a format that reaches and motivates and excites children, so that they go home and talk about it with their family and it becomes a family conversation.” For those more drawn to the arts, there’s a ton of choices for performance camps. Steve Martin, Childsplay’s managing director, said a side benefit of the camps is an opportunity to keep performing artists employed during the slower summer months. “Summer programs are only as good as the people teaching them,” he said. “Childsplay is proud that the same professional artists we hire to be in our shows are the teachers working directly with the young people in our Academy.”
Frank Lloyd Wright summer arts and architecture camps give kids a chance to think and learn outside the box.
Some of the nonprofits now offering camps might surprise you. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, for example, now offers summer camps at Taliesin West, with the architectural elements providing for a natural transition into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) learning. “We use Taliesin and Taliesin West just as Wright did, to educate and inspire people of all ages to live beautifully, by giving them firsthand experience of his philosophy and work, challenging them to embrace innovation in their own lives,” said DeDee Ludwig-Palit, director of education at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. “We continue his legacy of experimentation and invention so that Wright’s ideas can grow through new technologies, materials and construction, now and for all time.” Ramos said that the camps require some significant costs to put on, but do serve as a revenue stream for the organization — as well as an opportunity to receive donations and grant funding. 8 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
“There’s a customer life cycle, and we like our adopters and donors to stay with the organization,” she said. “We don’t want them to come in the door and then walk back out and forget us. When we bring children in, it helps us create meaningful relationships, and brings in a multitude of people from the community. We see it in revenue and then see it in the life cycle with children. Some of them start as kids, work here as teens, and maybe work for us or intern with us later on. Some may even end up being employees as adults.” It’s a win-win-win for everyone involved. Kids are exposed to a broad spectrum of experiences that help shape their growth and build bonds with causes they care about. Parents get their kids out of their hair for the summer. And nonprofits have a new recruitment tool, one that generates its share of revenue but also helps them hook potential donors. With all this going on, maybe summer in Phoenix isn’t so bad after all.
The Eide Bailly
RESOURCE
NESS AWARD 2018
HONORING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR CREATIVE REVENUE GENERATION The Eide Bailly Resourcefullness Award recognizes nonprofit organizations that are challenging themselves to find new, exciting ways to generate sustainable streams of revenue. We’re looking for creative, impactful initiatives that are making a difference in their communities, and honoring them with cash prizes.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Submissions Due - July 13 Winners Announced - September 20
LEARN MORE AT eidebailly.com/resourcefullness
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 9
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COVER STORY {by karen werner}
DIANA GREGORY PACKS A GENUINE CONCERN FOR SENIORS It’s a Friday morning and Diana Gregory has been up for hours, coordinating delivery logistics for hundreds of pounds of produce. She oversees 40 volunteers as they arrange bright yellow boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables along a long row of tables at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center on 7th Street and Indian School Road.
create an attractive display that functions well. She splits the row of tables into two, so that two lines of shoppers can browse at the same time, avoiding bottlenecks.
She inspects the produce, pulling a bruised tomato from the pile, and prepares to greet her guests. With support from ONECare by Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc., Gregory, a retired sales executive for Anheuser- Gregory and her volunteers will be giving Busch, uses her merchandising acumen to 500 Valley veterans the chance to eat a
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COVER STORY CONTINUED
healthy meal by handing out bags of fresh produce in honor of Memorial Day. “Thank you for your service!” Gregory calls out with high energy and a genuine smile. But Gregory offers more than friendly greetings. The food, knowledge and community she provides are helping to save lives. Gregory’s Fresh Market, the mobile produce market she started in 2009, brings farmers markets to senior and veteran facilities, making it easy for them to shop for healthy foods.
out of seven ❝One seniors in Arizona
reasons for donating their time — but all cite Gregory’s heartfelt passion for the mission as a primary cause. It was the summer of 1964 when Gregory’s dedication to seniors began. She was an 8-year-old girl playing with friends when she noticed that her 85-year-old neighbor, Ms. Fannie, needed help. Ms. Fannie had taken two buses to the grocery store and needed assistance hauling her groceries up the eight flights of stairs back to her apartment. So Gregory stopped playing games to make Ms. Fannie’s life a little easier.
goes to bed hungry because they have to choose between food and medication.
❝
— Diana Gregory
Gregory and a group of volunteers travel throughout the Valley on a mission to enrich lives through healthy eating — they provided more than 100,000 pounds of fresh produce to over 7,500 low-income and underserved seniors in Maricopa County last year. Committed to the cause, Gregory and all of her volunteers work for free. “I met her on the golf course and she was talking about doing something after retiring. I told her I’d volunteer until she got it going, and I’m still volunteering,” said Rufus McClain, an eight-year veteran with the organization. Gregory has never had a problem getting volunteers. They offer multiple 12 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
Gregory didn’t know it at the time but Ms. Fannie lived in a “food desert” and had limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Today, more than 50 years later, this problem has not gone away. So Gregory has made it her mission to supply healthy foods to older adults like Ms. Fannie, a group that has limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables — and respect.
In Maricopa County, adults over 65 experience high levels of poverty, which has a direct impact on their health and well-being. “One out of seven seniors in Arizona goes to bed hungry because they have to choose between food and medication,” Gregory said. “Most of those seniors live in food desert areas and they live on a fixed income of less than $700 a month. By the end of the month, many of them don’t have money to buy food.” With little money and limited resources, Gregory’s clients often lack the support and services needed to obtain fresh, healthy foods. “Most of the people we serve are seniors. They’re on walkers and scooters. They’re in wheelchairs. So they can’t get out to go to the grocery store,” Gregory said. “We thought the best way to help them would be to bring a mobile market with fresh fruits and vegetables to where they are.” In doing this, Gregory discovered that she
Fresh Express
These are the programs and services Diana Gregory Outreach Services provides: NOURISHING SENIORS offers interactive workshops that teach healthy eating and lifestyles VEGGIES FOR VETERANS provides homeless veterans with access to fresh fruits, vegetables and nutrition education HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES works with nutritionists and nutrition experts to offer healthy cooking classes
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN helps grandparents stay healthy as they raise grandkids NOURISHING GRANDKIDS teaches children healthy eating and cooking GIFT OF NUTRITION gives more than 2,000 seniors bags of fresh produce during the holidays
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Veg Love Diana Gregory shares produce tips: STORE POTATOES with an apple to keep them from sprouting. Your potatoes will last longer. WATERMELON JUICE is refreshing on a hot day, keeps the heart healthy and is easy to juice. Just slice a cold watermelon and remove the rind and seeds. Put a small amount of water in a blender to cover the bottom and add the watermelon slices. Puree for 60 seconds, depending on the number of slices, then drink and enjoy. GINGER is filled with antioxidants and boosts the immune system, but it can quickly dry out. To preserve fresh ginger, peel off the skin, cut in small pieces and freeze until needed. It lasts frozen for at least three months. PUT OFF BY THE TEXTURE OF RAW KALE? Give it a rubdown! When you massage kale, it breaks down the toughness and releases a sweetness in the leaves. After removing the leafy kale from the stem, place the leaves in a large bowl and top with a little olive oil. Gently knead the leaves for a couple of minutes until the texture is soft.
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could attack multiple problems. Today, Diana Gregory Outreach Services runs several programs that work together to eliminate health disparities in under-resourced communities.
That’s music to Angela Banks’s ears. “If you can cook, cook! We don’t want you to just get Meals on Wheels and have these services disable you,” she said.
Her flagship “Nourishing Seniors” program Gregory’s Fresh Market also runs “Veggies delivers fresh, quality produce to older adults in for Veterans,” which targets Maricopa independent senior residences and care facilities. By setting up farmers markets where they live, Gregory provides opportunities for seniors to make their own food selections while eliminating barriers such as transportation or navigating bad weather. “There’s a sense of pride about being able to shop for yourself, being — Diana Gregory, on the Nourishing Grandkids program independent,” Gregory said.
We saw an opportunity ❝ while they’re there with
In addition to the produce, the seniors receive wellness information, health screenings and take healthy cooking classes. “We try to have her here monthly, usually the first or second week of the month, because our residents are on a very modest income and that’s when they usually have money to get their produce,” said Angela Banks, service coordinator at Tanner Terrace apartments, which provides affordable housing for seniors. “The residents love it.” Banks says it’s easy for residents to come downstairs to shop, but she noticed something remarkable that came along with these trips. “They started socializing and building unity with that, so we started introducing nutrition classes. From there, we expanded into voter registration and building advocacy behind their nutrition,” she said. “I’ve seen our people improving their health,” said Lou Woody, a Tanner Terrace resident. Woody used to own a restaurant but found herself cooking less and less over the years. Thanks to Gregory’s Fresh Market, she’s cooking again. “I buy a lot of vegetables. I buy their tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli. I’ll use it to have fresh vegetables or I make soup,” she said. “It’s really improved my health and nutrition.”
County veterans living in poverty. “A lot of veterans, especially homeless veterans, have diabetes and hypertension,” Gregory said. She is attempting to combat that with fruits, vegetables and nutrition information. At the Veteran’s Administration event, Willy Jones, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, selects cabbage, celery, tomatoes, onions, grapes, strawberries, apples and bananas. “It’s good for you! My wife is gonna cook the cabbage up,” he said. “This is a nice program. It helps the veterans out and gives something back.” Another program Gregory’s Fresh Market offers is “Nourishing Grandkids,” an intergenerational project that supports grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. In Maricopa County, this growing population consists of nearly 9,000 seniors over 65 who are caring for one of more grandchildren — many on a permanent basis. Children are an important part of this program and are encouraged to participate in all of the activities. “The kids get so involved that they wanted to start doing the cooking. So we got them all little aprons,” Gregory said. “We saw an opportunity while they’re there with JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 15
❝
their grandparents to teach them life skills.
COVER STORY CONTINUED
their grandparents to teach them life skills.” This can-do spirit has been key to Gregory’s success. Raised in the Pruitt-Igoe housing projects in St. Louis, Missouri, she graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and won a scholarship to Boston University. After graduation, she had a successful 30-year career at Anheuser-Busch and always knew that she wanted to give back after retiring. “All those skills that I learned in corporate America, I was able to apply to running my own nonprofit organization — marketing, communications, brand management, merchandising and how
around the farmers market. So it’s just the platform that we use to get them here.” At Tanner Terrace, the residents are building community out of it. “When they come and there’s not a speaker, they know what to do,” Banks said. “They talk, they chat. So it has taken on its own life.” If produce is the main ingredient Gregory’s Fresh Market serves, the volunteers are the secret sauce. They genuinely care about their customers and greet them with smiles and hugs. “Relating to them is so important,” said Pete Weston, a volunteer for six years. “Sometimes just a smile, just knowing their name and them knowing your name. When they come up and hug you it’s a worthwhile feeling.” Rufus McClain agrees. “They come down and socialize, and you can tell that they don’t do anything else during the day. This is the area for them to greet and meet one another. They like to laugh and have someone to laugh at, and I’m good at that,” he said.
to bring a product to the people,” she said. Her father’s health challenges provided inspiration. Diagnosed with both colon cancer and prostate cancer, he began eating raw and vegetarian foods to regain his health. “I saw firsthand how diet can make a difference,” Gregory said. “It actually helped heal my father.” Today, her farmers market is a platform to create healthy change. “The other piece is the socialization factor,” Gregory said. “We do healthy cooking classes, nutrition education, voter registration and fitness education 16 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
True to form, McClain playfully teases Tanner Terrace resident Lou Woody when she enters the room. “When we get our age, we miss that with our families. This fills a void to go socialize,” she said. “There’s a lot more than just coming down for the vegetables.” In the course of their service, the volunteers form real relationships. “I’ve had volunteers come a week later and say, ‘Your resident was looking to get some greens and we didn’t have them, but now we’re here to deliver them,’” Banks said. Such service is no accident. “Most farmers markets are more transactional. With us, it’s all about building the relationship,” Gregory explained. “We stay in touch
with them. They become like family. Sometimes we may be their only family.” The community has taken note of the impact Diana Gregory is making. She received the 2017 Experience Matters Encore Impact Award; the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award from the City of Phoenix; and the Small Business of the Year Award from the Arizona Black Chamber of Commerce, among others. BHHS Legacy Foundation was so impressed by the organization’s work, it presented Gregory with a refrigerated van earlier this year to help her deliver fruits and vegetables. “I think we’ve changed a few lives with the nutritional programs,” McClain said. “People come down to that cooking program and say, ‘I didn’t know things could be so easy and taste so good.’” Senior citizens themselves, Weston and McClain have learned a few things while volunteering. “I’ve learned the nutritional values of different things. Go to that little bag in the corner and you’ll see one stem of kale and some apples that I’m going to juice,” Weston said.
Want to Help? More than 100,000 older adults in Maricopa County are living below the poverty level and face significant barriers to accessing fresh, healthy food. To help close the gap, donate to Gregory’s Fresh Market by visiting dianagregory.com or using the United Way designated write-in number, 27-1030793.
Tales of improved health abound. One customer lost 100 pounds; others have lowered their cholesterol. “We’ve had some that were taking over 20 medications and are now taking just four,” Gregory said. It’s all part of her plan to enrich the lives of older adults in Arizona, one meal at a time. Back at the VA Medical Center, Gregory has served hundreds of veterans before noon. “These are people that have served our country. And it touches my heart where we want to do more,” she said. “We owe it to them to pay it forward.”
Frontdoors editor Karen Werner is a writer, editor and media consultant. She has interned at The New Yorker, worked at Parents Magazine, edited five books and founded several local magazines. Her work has appeared in Sunset, Mental Floss and the Saturday Evening Post. JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 17
CAREY’S CORNER
FROM HERE TO PATERNITY
A Valley woman takes a chance and discovers a vital piece of her past. Carey Peña | Contributing Writer
If there is a door, walk through it. Otherwise it is just a wall.
But a door was about to open for her in a most unexpected way.
This bit of encouragement comes from a life coach I interviewed on my podcast. She encourages people to embrace change and push past their fear of the unknown. In other words, walk through the door. Valley mom Paula Wichterman walked through the door and it changed her life.
Forty-four years ago, Wichterman was born in South Carolina but given up for adoption as an infant. Hers was a closed adoption, so no details about her biological parents were known. She was adopted by a loving couple in Greenville, South Carolina. Her father was a minister and her mother was a nurse. Wichterman had a great childhood.
Wichterman is well-known in philanthropy circles. She is on the Phoenix Heart Ball committee and takes part in many other charitable causes. Formerly a bank executive, Wichterman left her full-time career to spend more time with her husband and children and explore entrepreneurial endeavors (including a jewelry line called Sugar Mama Jewels). She had a full life. A successful life. A life she was able to control.
Fast-forward to last year, when Wichterman and her children were watching TV and saw a commercial for Ancestry.com. Her boys encouraged her to take a chance and find out more about her roots. She had no idea that this simple test would open a door to finding her biological parents. “This was like careening down a highway with no steering wheel,” Wichterman said. “It’s like being out of control, and I don’t like that feeling.”
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Paula Wichterman with her biological father, Terry.
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CAREY’S CORNER CONTINUED
Wichterman attended a large family reunion with Terry earlier this year. Meanwhile, Terry enjoys getting to know his daughter and two grandsons.
The test at Ancestry.com provided a piece of a puzzle about her DNA, and the opportunity to see if any others were a match. She posted in a closed Facebook group called “DNA Detectives” and received a message from a so-called search angel named Maria who was willing to help. Maria, by the way, does all of this in her spare time — for free. Apparently she is good at what she does. Maria quickly narrowed down the search and found Wichterman’s biological parents. As this story took several emotional twists and turns, Wichterman would find out that her biological father, Terry, never knew she existed. He had no idea that his girlfriend from so many years ago had been pregnant. And that the baby — their baby — was given up for adoption. All of this came as a shock. Still, he welcomed a meeting with open arms. Wichterman and her husband traveled to
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South Carolina to meet her biological father. As they anxiously rode down the escalator in the airport, not knowing what to expect, they got a glimpse of something truly special. Terry and his big extended family stood there waiting with a bundle of pink balloons and signs that read, “It’s a Girl!” The moment was captured on a video that later went viral. Wichterman who is, in her words, “not much of a crier,” broke down in tears. The reception was one of true acceptance and love. Quickly she would learn a lot about the father she never knew. He builds custom Harleys. And he had no children — that is, until this moment.
At 62, Terry is celebrating Father’s Day for the first time. Not only did he find out that he’s a father, but he is also a grandfather. (Paula has two boys, and there is a striking resemblance.) In one of their many long phone conversations, he shared with his daughter, “I feel like a piece of me was broken off and I’ve just gotten it back.” Her journey would not have happened without the love and encouragement of her adoptive parents, without help from Maria, the selfless search angel, and without the willingness to walk through an open door. I invited Wichterman on my podcast, Carey Peña Reports, to share the story, because to me it represents all that can happen when we overcome our fears and take chances. If we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and to explore possibilities, life can become so much more rewarding. For Paula Wichterman, this was a journey to find out more about her life. She opened up — on our podcast and on social media — to share the hope and courage that her story represents. “Raising kids is hard, marriage is great and hard. There were so many opportunities for me to quit, and I really, sometimes, wanted to,” she said of her search for answers. “Sometimes you don’t get the story you want. Sometimes you don’t get the pink balloons. But you can get that inner peace.” To see Carey’s interview with Paula, go to inspiredmedia360.com/dnadetective-delivers-prayer.
Carey Peña is the founder & CEO of Inspired Media 360, a modern media company fueled by inspiration. She is an Emmy-winning news anchor and host with a passion for politics, social media and inspired communication.
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10 QUESTIONS WITH
GENE D’ADAMO
President and CEO of Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust 22 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
1. Has philanthropy always been a part of your life? I was assigned as a loan executive for United Way and remember going on a tour of Sojourner Center, which is a domestic violence shelter that at this time was in downtown Phoenix. That was an epiphany for me. I went back after three months at United Way to the Arizona Republic and said I wanted to move from marketing and sales into community relations. I always volunteered; I always knew there were issues. I just never knew the scope of the issues until I did that.
2. You’ve been on 20 nonprofit boards — what do you look for when you think about joining a board? You have to have a passion for the issue, so the boards where I was most fulfilled and felt I could bring the most to the table were for causes I felt deeply passionate about. I served on boards for the Diabetes Foundation because my daughter is a diabetic, so I think first and foremost you have to have a passion for what the issue is. I feel I have to be able to bring something to the board that they don’t have, whether it’s the ability to fundraise, strategic planning, whatever. I’ve got to bring something to the table and not just put a name on a résumé.
3. How have you seen Phoenix change over the four decades you’ve been in the Valley? If you look back even 22 years ago, we didn’t have the number of private foundations that we have now. Twenty years ago we didn’t have the Piper Trust, didn’t have the Pulliam Trust, didn’t have Helios Foundation, didn’t have BHHS Legacy Foundation. So in the course of X-many years we’ve dramatically increased the pool of funding available.
4. What is something people may not know about the Trust?
I would like the public to know that our whole job is to leverage our resources — both financial resources and our social capital and influence — to make a difference in the areas that we focus on: the environment, animals and, obviously, people and education. It’s OK that people don’t know our name off the top of their head. We’re just stewards of our founder’s money. Mrs. Pulliam was a very progressive woman back in her day — the first woman in Indiana to have a private pilot’s license. She and her husband went to Europe after World War II and wrote about that. She was one of the first women admitted to the Society of Professional Journalists. She was a trailblazer back then, so that affords us the ability to be a little bit more innovative in order to do her justice.
5. What makes the ideal grantee for you? The ideal grantee is someone first and foremost that we have a relationship and a partnership with. It’s far more than giving them the check and having them report back. It’s truly got to be a partnership. The best grantee relationships for us are when we look at each other as equal players. There is such a power imbalance between a grantmaker and the nonprofit, and that’s sad, because they’re the people who know what’s going on. They’re in the trenches. They know better than we do how to make things happen.
6. What’s unique about the giving landscape in Phoenix? In the philanthropic world here we work very closely together. It’s extremely collaborative, always. We meet regularly with each other. We pick up the phone and we talk about, “What did you learn and what about this agency?” or “You know, I can’t fund this aspect, but I can do this. Can you do that part of it?” So, there is a tremendous sense of collaboration among the funders and I think that’s actually somewhat unique to metro Phoenix.
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10 QUESTIONS WITH... CONTINUED
7. What’s new at the Trust right now? We’ve been in kind of an evolution lately, as with any organization. Everyone has a life cycle and we’re a 50-year trust. So after 50 years we go away and all of the money will be distributed. So in the first 15 years you’re kind of just establishing yourself, having the processes in place. Now we’re at a stage where we have two new trustees who are looking at things differently. You know, I’m relatively new as a CEO. So it is definitely a time of change for the Pulliam Trust. Change is always exciting. In four years, we’ll have our 25th anniversary, so we’ll be halfway through our life cycle at that point. In the past couple of years we’ve made a lot more strategic grantmaking decisions.
8. What have been some highlights of 2018 so far? This has been a great year, but they’re all great years. I always tell people, if you’re not happy working at a foundation there’s something wrong with you because you exist to help the community. How cool is that? This has been a really great year for us. In Indianapolis, we gave our largest grant to date, a $3 million grant to endow a scholarship program at one of the universities there. That was a big deal for us. We have an opportunity to do some exciting work around the Verde River that we’ll be announcing pretty soon and conserving some farmland up there to help protect wildlife. So that’s one of our biggest grants in Arizona. However, we have the opportunities we have because some staff is retiring. They’ve been here since the very beginning of the Trust and they’re moving on. It will give us a chance to bring in some new ideas. We can learn from people who have not been at the organization for so long and continue to refine what we’re doing in our general grantmaking.
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9. How does the Trust strategize to invest in ways that will make a long-term effect on the community? There is a need for basic philanthropy. We have nothing against food banks, but they need to have food to feed those people. Now you’re changing that person’s life for the week or two because they have the food box, but you’re not taking them out of poverty or anything. There will always be the element of our grantmaking that is responsive to those kind of things — you need to house people and you need to make sure that they’re safe, but you want to make long-term impact. That’s why for us and other foundations you pick a couple of areas that you think you can own in the respect that you become so familiar with them that you know the players and know what space you can make a difference in. You stick with it for the long haul and you adapt to the changing environment.
10. In addition to your role at the Trust, you’re also a father. Tell us a bit about that in honor of Father’s Day. I have the best family. Three girls and one little grandbaby. Two of them live here and the eldest lives in Denver with her husband. My youngest daughter is a teacher. She’ll be leaving that and going to work at the Science Center doing curriculum for science teachers. Our middle daughter was a social worker. Now, she assesses preschools for First Things First. And our eldest daughter does marketing and communications for the University of Denver. It’s interesting how our paths cross professionally.
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 25
KITCHEN DOORS {where we ate this month}
TACO CHELO Downtown Phoenix Roosevelt Row recently gained a new tenant, Taco Chelo. The adorably decorated Mexican cafe is packed on First Friday, but any night is a great night to enjoy the focused menu of street tacos, a few salads and sides, plus cocktails, wine and beer. The fish taco was my favorite. The lightly battered and fried piece of fish was complemented with cabbage, pickled onion, chile morita crema and pico de gallo. The barbacoa taco came in a close second. The tres leches dessert was also fabulous — it was creamy and cold and topped with orange, almonds, toasted coconut and whipped cream. — Lynette Carrington Photo: Karen Werner
THIRDSPACE Phoenix Your home is your first space, your work is your second space. This arty collective with a patio and full bar is your ThirdSpace, which it’s taken as its name. You’ll find salads, sandwiches and sides, many with a Latin flair. But the best deal in the house is their lunch bowls. Offered Monday through Friday, they’re a steal at $6.99. They’re served over rice, quinoa or greens and come with a drink. I’m a sucker for any kind of pork dish, so I picked the Cuban Pork Bowl, perfectly “mélanged” with pickled cabbage, avocado and orange habanero sauce. The 1940’s cottages surrounding the patio were once the residences of German POW officers. Now, brightly painted, they’re little boutiques, with offerings as cool and funky as the eats next door. — Judy Pearson
Photo: Thirdspace
TANZY RESTAURANT Scottsdale Tanzy Restaurant might be one of the best kept culinary secrets in the Valley. The gorgeous restaurant with soaring ceiling is adjacent to iPic Theaters in the Scottsdale Quarter, and the menu skews to Italian/Mediterranean fusion. We started with a wonderful yellowtail crudo that included radish, tangy grapefruit, micro cilantro, crispy shallots and a passion fruit splash. We chose entrées of cowboy cut bone-in rib eye and bone-in pork chop Milanese. The dessert selection was brought out on a customized dessert cart that was a fun, personalized dining experience and Tanzy’s house-infused liquors were a tasty departure from the expected. — Lynette Carrington Photo: Tanzy Restaurant
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Photo: Morning Squeeze
Morning Squeeze Old Town Scottsdale & Downtown Tempe
One of the Valley’s hippest breakfast spots — Morning Squeeze — just opened up a brand-new location on Mill Avenue. Its bright, fun and retro atmosphere along with its extensive menu make it the perfect spot for a weekend brunch, especially if you’re in the mood for a mimosa flight or a Bloody Mary. There’s a dish for whatever you might
be in the mood for. We recommend the pitaya fruit bowl with shaved coconut and pomegranate seeds if you’re feeling health conscious, the VW Squeeze sandwich with fried egg, avocado, turkey and Havarti on a pretzel bun if you want something savory or the crème brûlée pancakes to satisfy a sweet tooth. — Jamie Killin
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OFFICE DOORS {leadership}
DR. SARIKA DESAI Cardiologist and CEO of Arizona Heart 360 Jamie Killin | Web Editor
For Arizona Heart 360 founder and CEO Dr. Sarika Desai, the practice of medicine is personal — both in her approach and in her professional path. It was her mother’s diagnosis with a serious cardiac condition, and the cardiologist that saved her mother’s life, that served as the initial inspiration for her career. “We almost lost her three times and it was a cardiologist who saved her,” Desai said. “In fact, it was Mother’s Day and he had told his wife that he wanted to check on my mom in the hospital. My mom actually was going south right then and there. He was the inspiration.” Now, she applies that family approach to her own medical practice. “I really wanted to take medicine back to what I felt like I grew up with, which was taking care of families — mothers and daughters and grandmothers. I just didn’t see that happening,” she said. “Unfortunately, in today’s political times there aren’t many of me, and a solo practice is really tough.” Desai decided to start her practice after 28 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
facing physician burnout and realizing that the traditional medical model in Arizona wasn’t aligning with her values. She faced an overwhelming responsibility that didn’t allow her time for herself, as well as challenges that came from an almost entirely male-dominated environment. “At the beginning it seemed good, but after a while I started realizing that, especially females, we put our heads down. We are always resilient and willing to do things, but I really didn’t like the way medicine was being practiced in Arizona,” she said. After taking time off to clear her head,
she began a temporary position where she found she had patients traveling up to two hours just to see her. The phenomenon helped her to realize she had the potential to make a significant difference in the industry — but not everyone agreed. “Everyone was kind of like, ‘You know, she’s not going to survive. She’s going to have to close up the business’ or ‘She’ll never make it.’ Lo and behold, we are making it and we are alive,” she said. “Word of mouth is spreading and people know that we spend time with our patients.” Time with her patients is one of the main things that sets Desai apart — she averages 15 patients a day while many of her colleagues see 50. She also focuses on preventive cardiology — a rarity in Arizona. Her approach includes more time with patients, more in-depth evaluations and fewer unnecessary tests and procedures. “Patients want more. They’re not dumb,” she said. “Look at how many people are going to naturopathic physicians or alternative healers. Patients are tired of routine medication and routine care. They want more. I think we’re at the beginning of a revolution in medicine.” While Desai isn’t sure what the future of her practice might look like, she knows she’ll continue to fight for the well-being of her patients through an emphasis on preventive care and a personalized, well-informed approach. “My goal, my passion, is to keep patients out of the hospital. You have to practice what you preach,” she said. “I know I’m one person but I firmly believe in Gandhi’s words. You have to be the change, and it has to start with you.”
Jamie Killin is a writer, editor and public relations specialist. Her work has been published by Thrillist, Phoenix Magazine, The Arizona Republic, So Scottsdale! and more. She is also the Public Relations and Marketing Manager for Frontdoors Media’s sister company Evans Communications. She is a media enthusiast with experience in all things news, marketing, public relations and social media.
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From the runway to the charity scene, Micheline Etkin's work spans the world.
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GIVING IN STYLE {fashion in the philanthropy lane}
Tyler Butler | Fashion Writer
In addition to her roles as wife, mother and grandmother, Micheline Etkin counts charity work among her top priorities. However, her journey to finding causes she cares about is not typical. In fact, a career that focused on her outer beauty enabled her to showcase her inner beauty. Born in Lebanon and raised in Brazil, Etkin was often told that she should model as a young girl. People would point out her unique features and height and fawn over her biological gifts. But it wasn’t until her late 20s that she ventured into the field. Married at 17, she lived in Paris with her first husband before coming to the United States. She led a full life before taking the plunge into the fashion industry. Etkin fell into modeling by accident. Her sister-in-law photographed her and, from
there, other photographers started reaching out, asking to capture her distinctive look. Starting a modeling career when most women in the field were retiring set Etkin apart from her fellow models. Leveraging her loving heart, Etkin established a virtual family in the industry — some through the advice she provided to the younger, more impressionable models she worked with and some through her interactions as she worked in the industry. During this time, Etkin walked runways for Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, St. John, Badgley Mischka and all of the shows during that time for Escada. As she established herself as a force in fashion, she discovered opportunities to rebrand her modeling focus. From there, Etkin received JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 31
GIVING IN STYLE CONTINUED
many commercial opportunities for print and catalog work. But through all of this, one designer remained: Michael Casey. Etkin was his muse and she traveled extensively with him, working on everything he did. During this time, Casey was the top couture designer at Neiman Marcus, making him a household name. Etkin wore his designs on countless red carpets and even wore a design by him at her second wedding. Modeling brought Etkin more than professional satisfaction. In many instances, it served as the conduit for her to connect with causes that have come to be her life’s purpose. Through a one-off photo session with photographer Ken Ross, she was introduced to his psychiatrist mother, the late Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., known for her pioneering work in hospice care and palliative care for children. Over time, Etkin developed a close friendship with Kübler-Ross, whom she considers to be her mentor. It was through this relationship that Etkin was recently named as an ambassador for the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation, which focuses on the mission of the late humanitarian: to provide hospice care for youth. Etkin has continued to stay involved and will serve a key role in a fundraising event for the cause this October. But there are more stories of how Etkin’s modeling career led to her philanthropic purpose. Take the Phoenix Women’s Board of the Steele Children’s Research Center, affectionately known as PANDA. Etkin was approached 18 years ago by a former model pal who was among those who founded PANDA’s women’s group. The group initially tried to hire Etkin to coach the child models that are the hallmark of the cause’s signature event. Etkin instead volunteered her services and has for the duration of the event, bringing the number of children she’s coached for the cause to around 1,500 over the past 18 years. 32 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
Fantasy Fashion Moments Galia Lahav design house in partnership with Oscar De Las Salas launched their couture evening gown line with the introduction of the Micheline gown. This house is known for creating art through wardrobe and this piece was named after and designed specifically for Micheline Etkin by Christos Sewell and worn by Etkin at the Golden Globes. Right: Micheline Etkin by Christos Sewell and worn by Etkin at the Golden Globes. Photo: Chris Loomis
Etkin had the opportunity to work with fashion icon Oscar de la Renta on a few occasions and recalls them among her favorite fashion moments. Above: Micheline and Oscar de la Renta. Photo: Mom Style Lab
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA  33 
Highlighting Hospice Care Etkin has become a central figure in the battle to elevate hospice care, particularly palliative care. Her leadership in this area will continue to gain momentum through her support of a few key charities. The Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation’s mission is to further the pioneering work of psychiatrist and humanitarian Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., who believed that every patient and family member has the right to compassionate care which includes the right to know his or her prognosis, the right to proper pain management and the right to receive emotional and spiritual care from diagnosis through the dying process, then throughout each person’s unique grief experience. Another aspect of the mission includes a focus on teaching, sharing and furthering work that communicates the importance of unconditional love. Learn more about the cause at ekrfoundation.org/board-of-directors.
The International Children’s Palliative Care Network was created to achieve the best quality of life and care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. It works on behalf of families and caregivers worldwide by raising awareness of children’s palliative care, lobbying for the global development of children’s palliative care services, and sharing expertise, skills and knowledge. Learn more about this cause at icpcn.org.
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GIVING IN STYLE CONTINUED
Then there is the story of National Charity League (NCL), which reached out to Etkin as they brought their first chapter to Arizona. NCL nominated Etkin and her daughter to get involved because of Etkin’s reputation as a model who cares. Through this cause, Etkin has provided her daughter with hands-on volunteer experiences, furthering her legacy of giving. And the story of Etkin’s giving would not be complete without mentioning her involvement with the International Children’s Palliative Care Network. She was nominated as an ambassador for the cause by the president of the Elizabeth KüblerRoss Foundation. Through this role, she has come to support Ryan House, where she has played princess with young patients.
From an unexpected modeling career to the causes she supports, none of Micheline Etkin's passions came about in a conventional way. Micheline Etkin’s life has been a winding path that no one could have been predicted. From an unexpected modeling career to the causes she supports, none of her passions came about in a conventional way. The model’s mission, though, is clear, and she remains dedicated to leveraging her experience and spirit to help those in need.
Tyler Butler is a corporate social responsibility practitioner, columnist, blogger and influencer. Through her endeavors with her firm 11Eleven Consulting and her column and blog, Giving In Style, Tyler is connecting communities, companies and causes to make positive change possible.
CONNECTING WOMEN WHERE THEY WORK, LIVE OR PLAY Join us where you live, work or play to connect with like-minded women to share information, ideas, contacts and opportunities. Learn more at: eastvalleywomen.org | centralphoenixwomen.org | womenofscottsdale.org
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 35
GIVING IN STYLE {by tyler butler}
Shopping with a Conscience Aside from rising temperatures and weekend jaunts to the mountains or beach, summer brings the urge to shop. Perhaps all those weekend trips require a few cute accessories, but refreshing your cool summer looks is one activity you probably won’t mind participating in. But, before you bust out your credit card, consider shopping with a socially responsible retailer that cultivates their products with giving and style in mind. Check out these casually cool finds that could pump up your summer fun!
Meredith Young Jewelry Meredith Young creates conscious jewelry that features rare minerals and unusual colors of diamonds in limited quantities. With a passion for helping children and parents, this organization looks to contribute to the next generation in whatever way it can. Meredith Young Jewelry focuses on a variety of causes and is known for donating their pieces to charity auctions. Charities of choice include UMOM, Masked, Cowboys with Hearts and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County.
Controlled Chaos Collection Prices Vary per product – find details at meredithyoungjewelry.com. Above: Open Circle Ring 18K White Gold Diamonds Right: Climbers 18K White Gold Diamonds
India Hicks India Hicks shares her brand with remarkable women as a foundation for them to become entrepreneurs, in their own time and on their own terms. Through their Get Together Give Together initiative, the company connects people to custom products while empowering them to make a positive difference in society. Collectively, the organization donates between 20 and 35 percent of sale proceeds through their channels of sales associates and corporate leadership
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contributions. As their signature philanthropic endeavor, the organization supports the Cinderella Affair, donating thousands of dresses to girls who may not otherwise be able to go to prom. Above: Insta Pouch, $68 – This item comes in a variety of summery themed photo designs to match your travel destination, including Wild Pineapple, Hammock, Dock and Stormy Palms. Available at indiahicks.com.
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 37
GIVING BACK {charity spotlight}
BLOOM365
Uprooting abuse and helping to build healthy relationships
Jamie Killin | Web Editor
THE STORY Bloom365 founder and executive director Donna Bartos began her advocacy for domestic violence victims when she founded the Purple Ribbon Council to Cut Out Domestic Abuse in 2006. “In 2006, we didn’t have the Ray Rice situation. We didn’t have the #MeToo campaign. No one was talking about this,” she said. “It was still in the shadows. It was still very stigmatized.” The organization partnered with the national organization Cut It Out to educate hair stylists and nail technicians about how to recognize signs of abuse in their clients and how to respond in a positive and impactful way. As Bartos became more involved in domestic violence advocacy, she learned there was a need for preventative education. Unfortunately, a lack of funding prevented many organizations from doing the work, 38 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
especially when there was still a need for shelter services and victim care. She continued to grow the organization and developed the “Are you blooming or wilting?” tool, which helps to educate people on the root causes of abusive and healthy relationships. The organization then began operating as Bloom365 in 2015. The Morrison Institute for Public Policy deemed the Bloom for Healthy Relationships program an evidence-informed and promising practice for the prevention of teen dating abuse — further propelling Bartos to develop the three-step Bloom It Up program, which includes education, advocacy and activism. The program has now reached nearly 15,000 teens and has launched a peer-topeer advocacy training project and group emotional support for teen victims of issues such as dating abuse and domestic violence.
Bloom365 founder and executive director Donna Bartos is working to prevent teen dating abuse before it starts.
THE CAUSE The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one third of teens have experienced some form of dating violence, and that one in six boys and one in four girls is sexually assaulted before the age of 18. The Bloom It Up program helps teens identify unhealthy dating behaviors and their cause — a need for power and control that can manifest in jealousy, threats, violence and sexual assault. “The thousands of teens and youth that we’ve reached over the last six years have shared with us that they see more of this wilting stuff in their world than blooming and that it’s easier to be wilting and mean than it is to be kind and healthy,” said Bartos. “This has become normalized in our world, whether it’s in the media that they’re consuming or in the relationships that they’re seeing or building, or in social media.”
More than 75 percent of teens who have completed Bloom365’s 7-Dose curriculum program have reported that they’re now able to recognize the red flags of an abusive relationship, understand the root cause of teen dating violence, safely end an abusive relationship, have increased their self-esteem and more. Forty percent of participants have even joined the ’BLOOM CREW,’ which is dedicated to uprooting abuse and cultivating kindness. “We really help them understand the dynamics of power and control, that this abuse and violence is not about anger,” Bartos said. “It’s about someone wanting to have power control over someone else and using these abuse tactics of verbal, emotional or physical abuse to do it.”
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 39
GIVING BACK CONTINUED
THE FUTURE Bartos plans to further the organization by hosting events to boost awareness and funding — allowing Bloom365 to reach more teens in the Valley and beyond. “Blooming point takes the idea of the tipping point theory, where when 10 percent of a population starts to adjust or adopt something new, others will take note,” she said. “Our focus is on empowering, motivating and inspiring young people to take what they’ve learned about how to build healthy, respectful relationships.” “When we get to a place where ten percent of the teens across Arizona and across the country are blooming up instead of
40 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
wilting down, we get to a place when we can start changing culture,” Bartos said. As Bloom365 reaches that crucial tipping point of change in the state, it plans to train those across the country to continue the work, creating a national culture change. “We’re now training others to do this in other parts of the country,” Bartos said of the organization’s education, advocacy and activism program. “These three steps are packaged up and we’re training people to do it.” Learn more at bloom365.org.
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 41
BOOKMARKED {what are you reading} Dads Share Their Favorite Reads
DOM FAUSSETTE CEO of ThinkReactLead
IS READING “7 Ways to Be Her Hero: The One Your Wife Has Been Waiting For” BY DOUG FIELDS
H I S TA K E “After reading this book, I truly understood what it meant to be a HERO to my wife. I no longer tried to fix her problems. I learned
how to be a better listener and an overall better man as I addressed her needs, as opposed to my needs disguised as her needs.”
RYAN NAYLOR Founder of LocalWork
IS READING “Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike” BY PHIL KNIGHT
H I S TA K E “Being an entrepreneur has been one of the most emotionally challenging things I’ve gone through in my life. Reading this humble and honest account from the founder of one of the biggest household brands left me feeling completely motivated
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to continue the journey of entrepreneurship. Through his experiences, Phil Knight shares some profound wisdom about perseverance and tenacity. I loved seeing the human side of such a large organization and what it took to get where it is today.”
BOOKMARKED {what are you reading}
BEN DANNER Senior Vice President at Washington Federal
IS READING "What’s Your Number? The Stories Behind the Retired Numbers at Arizona’s High Schools" BY SCOTT HANSON
H I S TA K E “The book is a great collection of stories behind the retired numbers of past Arizona high school athletes. As a former high school and college athlete myself, as well as a current high school football announcer at Pinnacle High School, I love high school sports and all of the kids that
live out their dreams on the field. My wife and I have three boys who were all accomplished athletes. Their high school years were very important to us and the stories remind us of some of those times. I would recommend this book for sports fans of all ages.”
ROBERT S. REDER Managing Partner at Blythe Grace, PLLC
IS READING “The 48 Laws of Power” BY ROBERT GREENE
H I S TA K E “‘The 48 Laws of Power’ is an easily digestible history lesson coupled with practical advice on dealing with people as you work to achieve your goals. Not every law has an immediate practical application, but most of them certainly cause you to think in new ways and
reevaluate negative or unhelpful situations or relationships. You can also put the book down and return to it from time to time and not lose the messages. I have found ‘48 Laws’ profoundly helpful in my personal and professional life.”
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 43
A 2ND ACT {stories of perseverance}
KEEP CALM AND LIVE A 2ND ACT There’s healing in helping. Judy Pearson | Contributing Writer
You’ve no doubt heard the words, “Physician, heal thyself.” I’m applying a slight twist to that this month by saying, “Writer, write about thyself.” When I approached Frontdoors about creating a column spotlighting organizations that had been created out of personal experience, it was because I had done just that. And insomuch as June 3 is the 31st annual National Cancer Survivors Day, it seemed fitting to spotlight my organization, A2ndAct.org. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in April 2011. It was the worst possible time — I was a newlywed and my son was deploying to Afghanistan. But in reality, does cancer ever come at a good time? 44 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
I had thoroughly researched mastectomies and chemotherapy, but it never occurred to me to research survivorship. At the end of it all, I figured the old Judy would just jump out of the chemo cake. I learned quickly that cancer doesn’t end when treatment does. Joint pain, night sweats, brain fog, chronic fatigue and insomnia descended on me like a swarm of locusts. And the guilt. I had survived my cancer while many didn’t; who was I to complain? So many others had far worse collateral damage from their journeys. And the greatest puzzle of all? What purpose did cancer serve in my life? I came across some pre-cancer research I had done about the health benefits
Through cancer, Judy Pearson lost her hair and gained a cause. Here, her husband shaves her head.
of volunteering. Then I started meeting women survivors who, whether they were told they had no evidence of disease or that they had to live with their cancer, were using their gifts of life and experience to give back to the greater good. Bam! A 2nd Act was born with that as its mission. Women heal differently from men, using collaboration, communication and nurturing others in the process. A 2nd Act capitalizes on those in all of our women-centric programs. Phoenix-born, we are the only organization in the country with this mission. For us, survivors’ second acts don’t have to be cancerrelated. Children, animals, the environment — whatever makes the heart sing — even if it’s free-spirited acts of kindness. And in this case, size doesn’t matter. The doing does. Our work includes annual fundraising stage performances, with casts of eight local women sharing their 2nd Act stories woven into an inspiring tapestry of triumph; our book, an ever-growing collection of the stories heard on our stages; micro grants, seed money for local women survivors to launch or grow their second acts; workshops, offered free of charge to women ready to discover or refine their second acts; and our fabulous Girls Night
Out, free, quarterly get-togethers for women survivors to network, laugh and share in a safe environment. They’re not frivolous parties — a lot of healing goes on at those events. We welcome women survivors of any age. Over our two and a half years, our cast members’ ages have ranged from 15 to 77. We also welcome survivors of any cancer. Collectively, our cast members represent 15 different types. Some are two- and three-time survivors, and some will always have cancer. But spend five minutes in a room with them and you’ll be inspired to create a second act, no matter what your life challenge. I’ve heard that last line from audience members. I’ve also heard from cast members that their participation was life-changing. Workshop attendees have told me it gave them new hope, and one said it saved her life. A woman who came to a Girls Night Out said she’d never seen so many laughing survivors in one place. Comments like those warm my heart. They give me the energy and inspiration to do more, and do it better. Because you see, dear reader, THIS is my 2nd Act.
Judy Pearson is a journalist, published author, and the founder of A2ndAct.org. Her organization supports and celebrates women survivors of all cancers as they give back to the greater good in their 2nd Acts. Her passion is finding those who have healed themselves by helping others. JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 45
OPEN DOORS {publisher’s page}
GIVE THANKS AND TAKE A NAP! What a season! And, what a year. Since my first season-recap column for the June issue last year, the Frontdoors team has published 12 issues of Frontdoors Magazine, emailed dozens of issues of The Knock newsletter, attended more than 150 events, aired eight episodes of FrontdoorsTV, published two Arts & Culture Directories as well as the firstever 2017-18 Arizona Tax Credit Directory and toasted to the end the season with our partners at the Society of Chairs Gala. Whew! It’s time to take a break (and start planning for next season at the same time). Many of you ask me, “How do you do it? You are so busy!” and my response is always the same: “We have a great team at Frontdoors Media.” Many of their names are at the front of this publication each month but not all, so I am calling them out here and now. Thank you Karen Werner for your kindness and incredible talent as editor of Frontdoors. Thank you to our ever-patient creative director, Cheyenne Brumlow, for making every issue of the magazine shine. Thank you Jamie Killin for running the show day in, day out, with determination and a smile. Carey Peña, you are the best cheerleader ever — thank you for bringing FrontdoorsTV to life. Tyler Butler, Lynette Carrington and Judy Pearson — your stories are not only from the heart but a joy to share each day. Thank you Jill Rivera for jumping in to help and learn the ropes. To Stuart Thurlkill and Nicole King of Thurlkill Studios, your cover shoots and photos hit the mark every time — you are the best! A special thank you to 46 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018
Whitney Thistle and Catie Richman of Evans Communications for producing a gorgeous Society of Chairs gala with the input and goals of so many. And a big thank you with glitter on top to Leiah, Alex, Gabby and the entire Sparkle Bar crew and to Julia Mendez, the most fab hair stylist a blonde could ever want. Collectively, you all made the 2017-18 season one for the record books, and I am forever blessed to have you on this ride to share the incredible stories that make our community the best place to live, work and play. That leaves one person, the most important person in my world. We met because I was a client. I followed him into the land of “working for yourself,” which turned from an experiment into a permanent deal. We built a business together when the opportunity presented itself. Oh, and after work and on the weekends, he is one heck of a dad to our two beautiful and talkative children (imagine that!). Tom Evans, thank you doesn’t even come close but I will start there for now. Happy Father’s Day…the kids and I promise to let you watch the U.S. Open in peace. Happy summer, everyone!
Andrea Andrea Tyler Evans PUBLISHER
@AndreaTEvans
Phoenix Children’s Museum Celebrates 10 Years!
Brenda & Kurt Warner’s Celebrity Game Night
Museum CEO Kate Wells with event cochairs Rebecca Light and Cathy Brown
Arizona sports celebrities David Johnson, Shane Doan, Archie Bradley and Kurt Warner
Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Photo by Haute Photography
Outtakes from Spring 2018 Events Valley Leadership Man & Woman of the Year Neil Giuliano and Sharon Harper with Valley Leadership president and CEO Dave Brown Photo by Jerry Harper Creative
Barrow Neurological Institute hosts inaugural Genius Bar Event
Playworks Power Breakfast Jerry Colangelo presents the Community Champion Award to Larry Fitzgerald Photo courtesy of Playworks
Children’s Cancer Network Inspirations Fashion Show
Event hosts Alexis and Bonsal Glascock
Executive director Patti Luttrell and her son Jeff Luttrell greet guests for their annual event
Photo courtesy of Barrow Neurological Institute
Photo courtesy of Children’s Cancer Network
Colleen’s Dream Golf Tournament and Evening of Dreams Gala
Florence Crittenton Team Up for Girls Luncheon
Sisters Danielle Kamm, Billie Fratt, Michelle Batschelet and Nicole Cundiff make their big announcement
Meeting Chrissy Metz was a season highlight!
Photo courtesy of Colleen’s Dream Foundation
Photo by Marion Rhoades Photography
JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 47
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
BEHIND THE DOOR {the caniglia group}
FEATURED LISTINGS
Steve Caniglia
Shelley Caniglia
317 E. Pasadena Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012
5351 N. Questa Tierra Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Incredible, extremely rare opportunity in the one and only Windsor Square Historic District! 100% brick construction, Spanish Ranch style beauty with 2 large bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, spacious family room with French doors leading out to backyard, living room in front with gas fireplace and large front window, formal dining room with bay window, wood plantation shutters and barrel red clay-tiled roof. New carpet in living room, dining room, bedrooms and hallway. Saltillo tile flooring in kitchen and family room. Interior freshly painted throughout. Large backyard with saltillo tile patio, mature landscaping and block wall providing privacy. Windsor Square was voted one of the Top 10 Big City Neighborhoods in the entire country by Money Magazine! Located just feet from some of the hottest restaurants, breweries, boutiques, coffee shops and stores in town!
Mission style, Executive patio home in Prestigious Gated Estate Questa Tierra in North Central Phoenix with sparking community pool. Sought after adobe block construction. Remodeled and updated (2006) through-out! Single Level residence offers formal dining room, great room with beamed ceiling, separate family room/sun room, 2 fireplaces, wet bar, granite counters, hardwood floors, stainless appliances, whole home sound system and designer lighting through-out. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths with 2834 sq ft. Library/den could be used as 3rd bedroom. Large master with 2 separate walk-in closets. Master bath with separate shower/jacuzzi tub, gorgeous tumbled stone flooring. Private courtyard entry + 3 more private patios, great for entertaining. 2 car garage. Walk to light rail, fabulous restaurants and everything North Central Phoenix has to offer.
The Caniglia Group
Shelley Caniglia: 602-292-6862 | Steve Caniglia: 602-301-2402 | UrbanConnectionRealty.com
48  FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018 TheCanigliaGroup.com
