"I have a clear vision that is inviting and engaging and starts with meeting people where they are at and valuing each individual’s contributions to our collective goal. "Angela Hughey is the co-founder and president of ONE Community and ONE Community Foundation. Founded in 2008, ONE Community is the coalition of socially responsible businesses and organizations moving … [More]
Chevy Humphrey
"I work for others to make things a little better every day for my community, for the organizations I serve and for the people I come in contact with."Chevy Humphrey is the first Black American to lead a science center in the United States. Since 2005, Humphrey has been president and CEO of Arizona Science Center. While there, Humphrey has created a strong, well-run nonprofit … [More]
Christine Mackay
“I want to encourage others to grow by their reaching further and achieving the exceptional.”“Every day I have the privilege of helping to build our city of the future for businesses and residents,” says Phoenix Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay.Mackay has served the people of Phoenix since August 2014. She is responsible for leading and fostering an … [More]
Jenny Poon
"I am a born and bred Asian-American generating substantial economic impact while positively contributing to the greater society, and I wouldn’t be here without my hard-working parents who were refugee immigrants."Jenny Poon is a serial entrepreneur and founder of CO+HOOTS. Ranked the No. 4 co-working space in the U.S. by Inc.com, CO+HOOTS currently houses more than 280 scaling … [More]
Eileen Rogers
"Creating adventure and community impact, all while leading my business, I’ve blended travel, family, mentorship and feminist advocacy into a life of joy and meaning. "I’ve loved my life and career as an entrepreneur and community leader in Arizona. The original plan in college was to become a more traditional corporate executive working globally in a large organization. Life … [More]
Lisa Urias
"As a fourth generation Arizona Latina, my life’s mission is to bridge the divide between multicultural markets and corporations/governments to build mutual benefit and respect."After more than 15 years in international marketing and communications, Lisa Urias founded her advertising and public relations agency, Urias Communications, in 2006. The agency provides strategic … [More]
Jeri Williams
"As a professional woman in a historically male-dominated field, I believe many look to me as an example of progress they desire for career success."Jeri L. Williams was appointed police chief of the Phoenix Police Department in October 2016. She leads the largest police agency in the State of Arizona, which is responsible for providing law enforcement services to the fifth … [More]
Funding the Effects of the Pandemic to Grow Business
Business is the lifeblood of any economy. Small businesses are said to be the fuel that any strong economy runs on. That thinking has, until earlier this year, been what we have proven — making Greater Phoenix one of the top places to be in business. We are fortunate to have some of the stories of those who have received funding to get them through the toughest of times in … [More]
Injecting Funds to Sustain Our Economy
Many are stepping up, but these funding partners are doing the hard work to provide immediate help through relief grants and other programs. While some of these organizations regularly grant funds, there is no question that the volume — both in number of grants and amount of funds — is a lot to manage and disburse. Overwhelmed staff changed policies, and the urgency of doing it … [More]
Great Impact: Funding Businesses and Nonprofits to Sustain Our Economy
Our community has stepped up to the plate to help businesses of all sizes — it always has. This economic downturn is among the worst we have seen. No one could have anticipated a time in modern America when business would be asked to simply shut down. Prior to the pandemic, our economy was stronger than most other states in the country. From population growth to property … [More]
Returning to Work after Beating COVID-19
Receiving a positive coronavirus diagnosis can be scary. After I was diagnosed, I knew that people’s perceptions would change, because this is such a misunderstood virus. I was confident in my health and the fact that I could take the precautions necessary, but I didn’t immediately think about how the diagnosis would impact me beyond the two weeks of illness. I spent … [More]
Our Journey to Safely Reopening
To keep employees and customers safe amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have had to alter the way they do business. As stay-at-home orders lift from state to state, these companies continue to look for ways to improve safety and sanitation in the workplace. One such company is national ice machine provider Easy Ice. Before allowing its employees to return … [More]
Starting a Business during COVID-19
Encore Creative was my pride and joy. I joined what was then known as Encore Entertainment in 2002. It was already a successful Arizona entertainment event production company, but in 2014 I took the reins and began leading the company. Through the years, we built a great scenic shop to fabricate one-of-a-kind set pieces, a cast of stellar entertainers and artists, and grew from … [More]
COVID-19 Stories: Experiences that Show Our Strength
Can a small-business owner operate her business while fighting the novel coronavirus herself? Is there another avenue to pursue when COVID-19 closes a business’s bread-and-butter revenue stream? Are there new best practices a business can discover — and share with others? Three businesses share their stories of what they learned and how they grew their business during the … [More]
Road to Recovery: A Look Sector by Sector
Businesses’ first reaction to COVID-19-related disruption was to retrench and protect — actions that were, essentially, reactive. While that may have been the wisest move in the short-term, it is no way to sustain a business over the long-term. Even businesses that were proactive in their response must adjust to new realities in the economy and the business community going … [More]
Commercial Real Estate in the Time of COVID-19
Real estate has always been a major part of our economy. And, as a lagging indicator whose thread weaves through businesses of every type, size and sector, it is also the perfect instrument with which to take the pulse of our economic health. Looking at how the pandemic is affecting the market, Jonathan Keyser of Keyser LLC says, “There’s a lot of impact that’s happening,” … [More]
The Rebuilding of Our Economy: Industry Leaders Speak Out on COVID-19
Businesses of every size and in every economic sector have been restructuring their operations, their business model and, in many instances, their products and services. On our website and through our In Business Dailies, we’ve shared the stories of individual companies that have put new focus on helping their community — businesses as well as individuals — better survive the … [More]
