As a woman business owner or a top executive making decisions for your company, what would you identify as some of the greatest community organizations or assets that have empowered you or your business? CATHERINE ALONZO Chief Executive Officer Javelina Sector: Branding Any successful business is a true reflection of its community; we are all propped up by our … [More]
Feedback: September 2019
What is the single greatest advantage to being in metro Phoenix, and how are you using it to benefit your business? AMY ARMSTRONG Interim CEO Social Venture Partners Arizona Sector: Philanthropy Phoenix may be the fifth-largest city in the country, but it has a small town feel when it comes to relationships. Most people are connected by what seems like just a few … [More]
Feedback: June 2019
Among the many services you provide your members, what are you doing to inform them about — and help them connect with appropriate expertise to address — changes in laws, regulations and public movements that businesses need to be aware of from a legal standpoint? Angela Garmon President National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix Sector: Economic … [More]
Feedback: May 2019
Phoenix’s economy has fostered and sustained growth in the housing sector (see our cover story on page 24); how has it impacted your company and how have you responded to it? Paul D. Engler Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer Alliance Bank of Arizona Sector: Banking Since the depth of the recession, Phoenix has seen steady recovery. According to John … [More]
Feedback: April 2019
What is the most effective or best-received wellness program you have offered your employees? Scott Elser CEO Digital Current Sector: Marketing and Advertising We use an incentive-based program where employees who opt-in can earn additional PTO for participating in monthly challenges and bonus activities. The monthly challenges are designed to promote wellness with … [More]
Feedback: March 2019
Question: What inspired you to create a nonprofit arm or affiliate of your business, and what was the biggest challenge you overcame? Jeff Kirke Vice President Holmes Murphy Sector: Employee Benefits At Holmes Murphy, we aren’t strangers to charitable giving and strategic philanthropy. Prior to establishing the Holmes Murphy Foundation, we were contributing more than … [More]
Feedback: February 2019
Question: What programs and training does your company offer to move employees into, or advance them in, leadership and management roles? Mike Brown Arizona Regional President Washington Federal Sector: Banking Washington Federal has an internal motto: Love what you do; make a difference. This motto informs our approach to learning and development. We start with a … [More]
Feedback: January 2019
New Year’s Resolutions — What is a business best practice you plan to continue, modify or implement in your business this year? Rowlan Hill Owner Blue Leaf Estate Auctions Sector: Auctions The use of social media and online advertising has proved to be the most effective way of reaching new customers and clients and utilizing this technology can do wonders for a … [More]
Feedback: December 2018
Question: As a small or minority-owned business, what was one of your top challenges over this past year and how did you address it? Clarence McAllister, P.E. Chief Executive Officer Fortis Networks, Inc. Sector: Construction I have lived in Arizona for the last 30 years and established Fortis in 2000. For the last 10 years, we have been a federal government … [More]
Feedback: November 2018
Q. What is a social “good” you align your company with, and how do you support it? Justin Grossman CEO meltmedia Sector: Digital Agency At meltmedia, we believe social good comes in many shapes, and we have built a community that supports not just employees, but their families, friends, clients, colleagues, and community and professional organizations. As such, we host … [More]
Feedback: October 2018
What was your one (or two) most successful wellness programs for your employees, and what changes (if any) do you plan to make for 2019? Alan Althouse CEO and President TruWest Credit Union Sector: Finance This is our second year offering every employee an annual wellness check-up. A medical provider brings a mobile “clinic” to our headquarters location and employees are … [More]
Feedback: Sept. 2018
Question: As the owner of an identified woman-owned, minority-owned business, what does “diversity and inclusion” mean for you and your business? Rebeca Lopez Owner and Co-Founder Milestone Pediatrics and Milestone Innovative Therapy Group Sector: Healthcare As a woman-owned, minority-owned business, Milestone Pediatrics ensures its commitment to diversity, equality and … [More]
Feedback: August 2018
Question: You’ve been recognized as one of BestCompaniesAZ’s “100 Best Arizona Companies,” in part because of your workplace culture. What programs and/or policies does your company promote to achieve that level of satisfaction among your workforce? John Standring Senior Vice President of Global Servicing Operations American Express Sector: Finance At American Express, … [More]
Feedback: July 2018
What have you identified most recently as your greatest risk to the ongoing success of your company, and what did you do to prevent it or overcome it? Allan Allford President and CEO Delta Dental of Arizona Sector: Healthcare Cybersecurity breaches may be the single greatest risk affecting all companies regardless of size or industry. It’s certainly on the short list of … [More]
Feedback: June 2018
How do you stay grounded as a locally owned and operated business while growing it and expanding from your initial location? Tony Chan Founder and Owner Snoh Ice Shavery Sector: Restaurants It is important to stay connected to the Phoenix local community and show support to locals as well. We like to cater to our customers’ demands. But we also feel it’s very important … [More]
Feedback: May 2018
What were some key factors in your decision to own the property for your business and/or in making that happen? Mitzi Castillo Managing Partner Phinance Commercial Capital Sector: Finance Our experience purchasing our commercial real estate building was the best decision my husband (also business partner) and I have made for our business. We had been leasing an … [More]
Feedback: April 2018
Q: What programs or aspects of your healthcare benefits are you finding to be the most important to your employees? Brian Allery VP of Employee Success and Administration WebPT Sector: Healthcare At WebPT, our Employee Success and Culture teams approach each year’s strategic planning with our Live Better team commitment in mind. In 2017, we initiated more than a dozen … [More]
Feedback: March 2018
Question: Social entrepreneurship involves doing business to solve an ill or problem in the community. How does your company demonstrate social entrepreneurship, and what is the change you hope to foster? Bill Backus Principal Backus Agency Sector: Public Relations Einstein said it best, “We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to … [More]
