When Ken and Elaine Spinato opened their first Scottsdale pizzeria in 1974, sales for the day totaled just 69 cents — one iced tea. Fifty years later, Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen has grown into a Valley institution, serving its signature sweet-sauce Chicago-style pizzas and diverse menu at six locations across Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, Phoenix and Gilbert. … [More]
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Management
Employing data and analysis – and recognizing the role of human judgment
“Some people call this artificial intelligence, but the reality is this technology will enhance us. So instead of artificial intelligence, I think we’ll augment our intelligence.” —Ginni Rometty, former CEO at IBM In our lives, change is around us everywhere but especially in artificial intelligence. AI is rapidly redefining how organizations are led, decisions are made and … [More]
How Edward Jones Is Reshaping Corporate Philanthropy
The financial services firm is a leader in partnering for positive impact
In today’s landscape, where companies are increasingly expected to do more than deliver profit, Edward Jones stands out as a financial services firm committed to doing good while doing well. With a legacy that stretches back to 1922, this Fortune 500 company has evolved far beyond its roots serving rural investors. Now headquartered in St. Louis with more than 17,000 financial … [More]
Sonora Quest: Diagnostic Testing with a Heart
Bold commitment to community health
At the intersection of innovation and compassion, Sonora Quest Laboratories is setting a gold standard for corporate philanthropy in Arizona. As the state’s leading provider of diagnostic testing and information, Sonora Quest processes more than 100 million tests annually — but it’s the company’s profound dedication to community well-being that truly sets it apart. From the … [More]
How to Groom Good Leaders: A Pathway to Effective Leadership
In every organization, community or team, leadership plays a critical role in determining success. Good leaders inspire, guide and elevate those around them, creating environments where people and projects thrive. But leaders are not merely born — they are cultivated. Grooming good leaders is a deliberate and strategic process that involves identifying potential, fostering key … [More]
Boutique Travel Advisors: Pioneering Philanthropy in the Travel Industry
Using travel as a force for positive change
When two professionals with unique skill sets and a shared passion for philanthropy come together, something extraordinary can happen. That’s precisely the story behind Boutique Travel Advisors, founded by Angie Rice, a CPA and business consultant, and Janet Semenova, a nurse practitioner with a background in wellness and healthcare. Combining their expertise in business … [More]
Creating Healthier Spaces in Our Built Environment
Practical steps to remove harmful chemicals and create safer, healthier indoor environments for everyone
In Arizona, where extreme heat keeps us indoors for much of the year and air quality challenges persist, it’s more important than ever to think about the air we breathe inside our homes, schools, offices — and commercial properties. It’s important that building owners, tenants and facilities managers alike understand the quality of our interior environments directly impacts the … [More]
Atlasta Catering’s Recipe for Impact
Atlasta’s commitment to community and sustainability
Atlasta Catering is more than a culinary powerhouse redefining what catering can be; it’s a beacon of sustainability and community engagement. Since its inception, Atlasta has been guided by an ethos that combines innovation, environmental stewardship and commitment to tackling food insecurity. By blending a restaurant-quality dining experience with a zero-landfill philosophy, … [More]
Phoenix Rising FC’s ‘Reading with Rising’ Program
Inspiring young minds through literacy
Phoenix Rising FC is leaving a lasting mark both on and off the field with its signature community program, “Reading with Rising.” This innovative initiative inspires young readers and fosters a love for literacy while deepening the club’s ties to the vibrant Phoenix community. By blending the excitement of professional soccer with the power of storytelling, the program … [More]
Leadership and Emotional Intelligence: Key to Effective Leadership Success
“Leadership is not domination, but the art of persuading people to work toward a common goal.” —Daniel Goleman Emotional intelligence has become an essential component of effective leadership in today’s fast-paced and dynamic work environments. Leaders who possess a high degree of emotional intelligence are better equipped to understand, manage and influence their emotions … [More]
Serving More Than Plates: M Culinary’s Philanthropy in Action
How a culinary giant is nourishing the community and transforming lives
From its humble beginnings as a fine dining establishment, M Culinary has grown into the Southwest’s largest privately held catering and hospitality provider. However, this journey isn’t just about culinary excellence or national recognition; it’s about a deep-seated commitment to community impact. Beyond the mouthwatering menus and iconic events, M Culinary stands as a model … [More]
Resilience – Core of Innovation
Identify and foster fundamental traits of innovation
The purpose of this column is twofold: to expand leaders’ awareness of the exponential impact that individual resilience has on organizational success, and to elevate its consideration as a highly prudent strategy for long-term organizational sustainability in times of tumultuous change. Today’s topic is the impact of individual resilience on innovation. Innovation is … [More]
Windows of Impact: Renewal by Andersen’s Commitment to Community
Through compassion and connection, building a brighter future one family at a time
Renewal by Andersen, the replacement window division of Andersen Corporation, has long been known for its superior craftsmanship and innovation. However, the company’s charitable efforts, powered by its affiliate group Esler Companies, showcase a side of the organization that prioritizes people over profit. Esler Companies’ “With LOVE” philosophy serves as the foundation of a … [More]
Construction Costs in Commercial Real Estate: A 2025 Outlook
Economic, material and labor market dynamics
Although construction costs are estimated to be relatively flat year over year, with a moderate increase of 5–7% projected, there are many variables that can affect this estimate so early in the year. Construction costs in the commercial real estate sector are driven by a combination of economic, material and labor market dynamics. Factors such as natural disasters, a changing … [More]
Arizona Lottery: Empowering Arizona through Philanthropy
Building a better future one ticket at a time
The Arizona Lottery has been a transformative force for good since its establishment in 1981, creating far more than winners with its games of chance. Behind every Scratchers ticket and Powerball play is a mission to fund vital programs and initiatives that shape the lives of Arizonans and the state’s future. Through its philanthropy and community engagement, the Lottery has … [More]
Surviving Organizational Change in a Turbulent World
Turning challenges into opportunities for growth
“Once a year, go someplace you have never been before.” —Dalai Lama If there is one thing that remains constant, it’s change! In today’s volatile global environment, businesses face the pressure to evolve and adapt quickly to survive. Political and economic fluctuations, technological advances, social change and environmental challenges create a turbulent landscape in which … [More]
The Future of Mixed-Use Communities in Phoenix
The 5 T’s are the new 5 C’s
For more than a century, Arizona’s economy has heavily relied on the 5 C’s: copper, climate, citrus, cattle and cotton. Even today, the 5 C’s serve as defining elements of Greater Phoenix’s cultural identity. But Arizona’s capital and its surrounding metropolitan area have experienced remarkable growth in recent years; as a metropolitan area, Phoenix is one of the fastest … [More]
Amazon’s Community Commitment: Bringing Holiday Joy to Phoenix Children’s
Toyland is holiday magic
Amazon’s impact reaches far beyond its massive logistics network, touching the lives of families and communities across the country. In Phoenix, Amazon's partnership with Phoenix Children’s Hospital exemplifies this commitment, bringing much-needed holiday cheer to families facing the challenge of hospital stays during the season. Each December, Phoenix Children’s Hospital … [More]
