Torrie A. Taj, CFRE, chief executive officer of Child Crisis Arizona, was recently named the 2026 Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global — the highest honor this global organization bestows — recognizing effective, creative and inspiring fundraising as well as the practice and promotion of ethical standards and best practices … [More]
Rethinking the Storefront: Beauty and Personal Care Real Estate
Across Arizona's beauty and personal care landscape, entrepreneurs are trading traditional storefronts for more creative operating environments, and, in doing so, they are redefining what it means to build a business around client experience. From boutique skincare operating within a multi-tenant building in Old Town Scottsdale to barbershops finding creative homes alongside … [More]
Why Narrow Talent Pipelines Threaten the Future of the Workforce
The workforce is at a crossroads right now. Employers want to find talent that will set them up for success and be able to perform well amid rapid change, but there are limitations on who they consider to be “qualified.” For instance, nearly three quarters of HR professionals report they cannot find the workers their organizations need to fill critical open roles. In a rapidly … [More]
Entrepreneurs Turn to Premium Pet Care in Greater Phoenix
As Greater Phoenix continues attracting new residents and entrepreneurs, service-based businesses that align with evolving lifestyle patterns are drawing increased attention. One category gaining momentum is premium pet care. K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, a premium dog boarding and daycare brand with established locations in Scottsdale and Chandler, is evaluating additional … [More]
Arizona Association of REALTORS® Donates to Housing Fund
The Arizona Association of REALTORS® has awarded a $29,000 donation to the Arizona Housing Fund, with $14,000 of the donation funded from proceeds of AAR’s Homes for All specialty License Plate. The donation will be used to help fund housing programs to serve the more than 13,000 Arizonans experiencing homelessness. … [More]
Mark-Taylor iNSPIREs Community Impact
Mark-Taylor Residential celebrated its 40th anniversary last year with a record-setting community impact through its iNSPIRE program that included volunteers logging more than 1,000 service hours and raising more than $40,000 to support local communities. … [More]
Magnum Companies Earns Top Honors for Metalwork
Magnum Companies, a Phoenixbased leader in custom metal manufacturing and architectural metalwork, recently earned top honors at the 2026 National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association (NOMMA) Top Job Awards. The company has been crafting iconic metalwork across Arizona and the U.S. since 1979. … [More]
Highest LEED Gold Score: Luke Field Industrial Building
The Core & Shell and Warehouse Distribution Center, at the 2.4-million-square-foot Luke Field logistics campus developed by global, full-service commercial real estate firm Lincoln Property Company and Goldman Sachs in Glendale, Arizona, has been named Arizona’s highest-scoring LEED Gold v4 industrial building by the US Green Building Council. … [More]
Phoenix Plantscape Design Earns International Award
Local horticulturist Holly Tovar of the Ambius Phoenix branch was recognized with a Platinum Award at the 2026 International Plantscape Awards for her plantscape design for the Biltmore BOND, a Phoenix luxury workplace. This recognition highlights the human-centric impact of plantscape design and its unique ability to transform commercial spaces through a multi-sensory lens. … [More]
Local Properties Earn Forbes Travel Guide Stars
Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Star Awards names two Metro Phoenix properties: The Global Ambassador in Phoenix, with a Four-Star rating, and JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, with a “Recommended Hotel” rating. … [More]
Looking Good 2026 – April Standouts
Local Standouts Recognized for Achievements and Philanthropy ACHIEVEMENTS Local Properties Earn Forbes Travel Guide Star Phoenix Plantscape Design Earns International Award Highest LEED Gold Score: Luke Field Industrial Building Magnum Companies Earns Top Honors for Metalwork PHILANTHROPY Mark-Taylor iNSPIREs Community Impact … [More]
The Business Case for Financing to Level the Legal Playing Field
The story is all too familiar. An everyday product or environmental site becomes the subject of a large-scale health or safety lawsuit. While the headlines often focus on the legal battle, they rarely reveal the financial realities behind it. For the individuals affected, the path to accountability often depends not just on the strength of their case but also on their ability … [More]
Partnership to Enhance Campus Hospitality Service
Together, Aramark and the Steve Short Culinary Team are co-creating a holistic hospitality ecosystem designed to support ASU’s academic, athletic and social life. The collaboration extends far beyond dining halls, introducing data-informed enhancements, streamlined concessions, new culinary concepts and guest-centered experiences across stadiums, arenas and event venues. These … [More]
Goodwill Is Expansive Workforce Development
At Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, our vision is ending poverty through the power of work. Through our mission services, we are empowering individuals, strengthening families and building stronger communities via workforce development and career services, as well as no-cost education initiatives, all made possible by generous donations and purchases at Goodwill retail … [More]
AZ Blue Commits to Community
Recently, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona followed its $100,000 commitment to Arizona food banks in response to food insecurity and uncertainty around SNAP benefits with a $75,000 donation to Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona to help up to 50 households move into stable housing and upgrade 14 homes with new HVAC systems so families can stay warm in winter and cool in … [More]
FirstBank Addresses Rising Food Insecurity
FirstBank, one of the nation's largest privately held banks with a focus on "banking for good," recently donated $10,000 to the Valley of the Sun YMCA to combat rising food insecurity among Arizona families. … [More]
Nox Group Supports The Salvation Army
To help ensure more children experience the magic of the holidays, Phoenix-based Nox Group — an industrial construction company specializing in mission-critical infrastructure — expanded its long-standing support of The Salvation Army Christmas Angel program, rallying teams across the Valley to give, volunteer and deliver gifts directly to local families. … [More]
Milestone Anniversary: Halle Burn Center
Valleywise Health recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of its Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center transforming care for burn patients by providing innovative treatments that have become a model for hospitals across the country. It is the first and only facility in Arizona to bring together teams of expert surgeons, nurses and medical professionals from diverse … [More]
