Ben and Denise, founders of the JEM Foundation, lost their son, Jacob Edward Machovsky (JEM), to suicide and vowed to do whatever they could to ensure that no one else lost a loved one in the same way. Jake’s story is, sadly, not uncommon in Arizona. Prior to his death, he had been hospitalized twice in under two months for suicidal ideation. Both times, Jake was released in … [More]
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones Shows Provides Much-Needed Support during COVID-19
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones, or PAL, started in Phoenix in 2006 as a weekly support group but, due to intense demand, grew quickly and became a nonprofit in 2015, fully supported by volunteers. The first paid staff member was hired in 2018 — CEO/Executive Director Kim Humphrey — and now, just a few years later, PAL has 167 meetings in 41 states. The genesis of the … [More]
Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits Welcomes New Board and Staff Member
Patti Stoner is the vice president of Human Resources for Grand Canyon Education, formerly part of Grand Canyon University. In this role, she oversees the HR function that supports more than 13,000 employees for GCE, subsidiary Orbis Education and partner Grand Canyon University. With more than 25 years of experience, Stoner has served in an HR leadership or consulting role for … [More]
Supporting Undocumented Students through Scholarship
Scholarships A-Z was started more than 10 years ago by undocumented individuals and allies as a way of providing resources and support to students who are undocumented and wanting to pursue higher education. The organization is dedicated to the idea that everyone deserves access to higher education, regardless of immigration status. Approximately 2,000 undocumented youth … [More]
The Show Must Go On
As with many of the stories we’ve heard over the course of 2020 and into 2021, March of 2020 brought the everyday activities of Greasepaint to a halt — the auditions, the rehearsals, the performances. Everything that makes up Greasepaint’s reason for being. In the spirit of the old Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney movies, Greasepaint and its long-time executive director Maureen … [More]
Get ahead of Your Numbers in Order to Thrive in Today’s New Environment!
If you are like most business owners, you are probably feeling like your business just went through 12 months of raging rapids, temporarily capsized, and came out the other end with you wondering where exactly you are. One thing is for sure, we will not be returning to the way things used to be. It is a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) World out there and it will … [More]
ASBA Equipping Small Business Owners with Tools to Thrive
Arizona Toastmasters (District 3) has been around since 1938 and we are very proud to serve our communities across the state. Our new partnership with the Arizona Small Business Association, brings a renewed sense of change where we can combine working with our local business owners to improve their communication and leadership skills along with the advocacy and training from … [More]
Business Travel with Heart
Small businesses are important to our families, friends and communities, and they are important to Southwest Airlines. When you think “small business,” a few things may come to mind: family-owned, a friendly smile and hospitality. While Southwest® is not a small business, we share those key characteristics. We treat our people and customers like family, give out friendly … [More]
What is that Lender Thinking?
Borrowing money can seem complicated, but lending is really a fairly simple business. Lenders are in the risk business so they constantly juggle the desire to invest in businesses’ success and the need to limit risk of loss. Knowing how lenders think will help you navigate the process and be better prepared to apply for a loan. Why Are You Requesting a Loan? This seems … [More]
Exposing the Mental Health Crisis Caused by the Pandemic
More than 40% of Americans report increases in mental distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving employers with their own crisis, resulting in increased absenteeism, negative impacts on productivity and profits, and an increase in healthcare costs. Encouragingly, employers that support mental health see a return of $4 for every dollar invested in mental health … [More]
Ever Wonder if There’s a Better Way to Store Data for Your Business?
When you’re strategizing how your business is going to navigate the next season, data storage probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind; but although we may not often think of it, the role of data storage is indispensable to the overall health of a business. To meet this need, I’ll introduce you to a storage solution you may not have heard of, called “network attached … [More]
“Trust Me”: Something We Can Count On?
The ways in which businesspeople connect with others is being transformed through digital technologies amidst the rigors of COVID and widespread public distrust. How can we establish and grow trust to successfully drive business growth and the world’s digital transformation? How can we shape systems in a fully digitized and integrated economy? These were questions that we … [More]
Expand and Retain Top Talent while Growing Globally
Companies face organizational changes from their global expansion, corporate restructuring and international mergers and acquisitions. One of the key issues that needs to be addressed during the reshuffling is global workforce management. We always want to come out with each new hire as getting an award-winning contributor. When going through acquisition, opening or … [More]
Clubhouse and the Global Tribe Club
Are you on Clubhouse yet? Clubhouse (www.joinclubhouse.com) is a new and engaging way to speak with new connections around the community and world. It can be a wonderful way to find new clients, resources and partners to grow your business. Global Chamber® has been in Clubhouse the past few months, and now our presence is primarily through the “Global Tribe Club,” with rooms … [More]
Foreign Investment in Arizona
In the past couple of months, Global Chamber® has held two significant events in collaboration with regional business and government leaders that spotlighted growth opportunities in Arizona for foreign companies and investors and the international business opportunity overall. The cities of Phoenix, Surprise, Scottsdale and Peoria, especially, are leading the way to support … [More]
Keep Connecting Virtually. It’s OK!
For the past 15 months during the global pandemic, Global Chamber® has held many more events every week all over the world, many more per week, than we had ever before held. Last month, we had six virtual events on one day! All these events have allowed members to jump in from anywhere to connect with the trusted global tribe everywhere — and it’s wonderful to hear all the … [More]
Welcome to WESTMARC
Greater Phoenix West Valley has achieved tremendous growth over the last several decades. An influx of residents and businesses is helping the region shed its image as a bedroom community, now earning its reputation as a great place to live, work and play. Today, more than 1.7 million people call the West Valley home, and its population over the next five years is projected to … [More]
Here We Grow! The West Valley on the Rise
The West Valley has proven to be a beacon of light this past year in what most would agree was a pretty dark and ominous time for economic prosperity across Arizona. West Valley communities saw growth in the past two to three years across just about all industries. From commercial and residential real estate to healthcare and employment to manufacturing and supply-chain … [More]
