Palmer Nackard President Nackard Pepsi Sector: Beverage Distribution Each year, our employees contribute to more than 450 local philanthropic causes and organizations, and this comes in a variety of forms that include financial gifts, sponsorships, volunteer hours, product donations and more. We gravitate toward programs that allow our employees to get hands-on and have … [More]
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: Why Partnerships are the Heart of Arizona
In the business world, we often talk about the "self-made" success story. We celebrate the entrepreneur who started in a garage and built an empire. But if you look closer at any thriving local business, you will find a web of support behind them. No one succeeds in a vacuum. Partnerships and community are not only helpful; they are the reason local businesses survive during … [More]
The Venmo Donor and Check Writer: Generational Giving
If you walk into a nonprofit office during a fundraising drive, you might see two very different scenes. On one desk, there is a stack of paper envelopes, each containing a carefully written check and a stamped return card. On the other desk, a staff member is watching a digital screen as small notifications pop up every few minutes, five dollars here, twenty dollars there; all … [More]
Trust Me, That’s Why You Chose Us: Trust-Based Philanthropy
If you run a business, you know that success relies on the talent of your team. You hire experts because they have the skills to meet your goals. You provide the tools they need, offer guidance and then let them do what they do best. In the world of philanthropy, our grantmakers and philanthropists are looking for that same level of success. They want to know their gifts are … [More]
Powering the Next Wave of Development in Arizona
Why energy strategy is now a core investment decision
Power demand from semiconductor fabs and data centers in Arizona is growing at a staggering pace. Utility resource plans across the state project roughly two to three times growth in generation capacity over the next decade — a dramatic shift after nearly 25 years of relatively stable peak demand. That level of expansion presents real challenges for developers, utilities and … [More]
MOMentum, Organizational Health, Talent Retention and the Bottom Line
Never once did I believe the glass ceiling applied to me — until I became a mother
As an overachiever, I was consistently rewarded for my hard work and dedication to my 8–5 job. I worked for the ASU Foundation as a fundraiser, and I deeply believed (and still do!) in my work. I was changing lives daily through the power of philanthropy and education. Give me a goal and I’d double it. I worked hard, earned leadership opportunities, and never once felt held … [More]
Top Business Insurance Trends Reshaping Risk Management in 2026
Tension between progress and caution continues to shape insurance conversations
The past few years have conditioned business leaders to stay braced for impact. Pandemic disruption, supply chain breakdowns, inflation shocks and labor volatility forced constant recalibration, while wildfires and storms of all kinds left little time to catch a breath. As 2026 approaches, economic indicators suggest improvement in several areas, yet decision-making still … [More]
Bridging the Talent Shortage – Is Nearshoring an Answer?
As growth becomes harder to predict and technology reshapes how work gets done, U.S. businesses are rethinking how they build and scale teams. Rather than relying on traditional, headcount-heavy hiring models, many organizations are shifting toward productivity-driven growth by redesigning roles, investing in AI and rethinking how work flows across the organization. This shift … [More]
Grants: Creating & Securing Grants in Today’s Climate
And emerging concepts of trust and collaboration
Philanthropy is a broad subject that takes many forms. Our Social Impact feature every month spotlights for-profit businesses (some of whom who are included in this cover story) and the varied forms of philanthropy they practice. This article is focused solely on grants. We reached out to a select sample of both philanthropist-funded foundations and nonprofit arms of … [More]
How Hiring Justice-Impacted Talent Can Unlock Workforce Potential
… and boost company culture and retention
Across sectors, companies are navigating a tight labor market where open roles are growing faster than available candidates. Within this challenge lies a powerful and untapped opportunity: a broad talent pool that is often overlooked — individuals who have been justice-impacted. Fair Chance hiring and creating equitable employment opportunities for talent who have been … [More]
The Power of Fun at Work
Why It’s More Than Just a Good Time
When most people think about work, “fun” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind. Deadlines, meetings and spreadsheets? Sure. But laughter, camaraderie and a little silliness? That often feels like a luxury, not a priority. Here’s the truth: Fun at work isn’t just about blowing off steam or throwing office parties. It’s a powerful tool that drives engagement, … [More]
New Rules for H-1B Visas – Employers Take Note
Complicated new details in process for hiring skilled foreign talent
There are new rules coming for Arizona employers who use the H-1B visa program to hire skilled foreign workers, and they change the odds of who gets hired. Under a new final rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security, effective February 27, the annual H-1B lottery will no longer treat all registrations equally. Instead, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) … [More]
The Shift to Personalized Cancer Care
Precision medicine is no longer a distant ambition — it is rapidly becoming the foundation of modern cancer care. The era of one-size-fits-all protocols is giving way to personalized cancer care based on each patient’s unique biology. Powered by advances in artificial intelligence, large-scale DNA sequencing and integrated data platforms, oncologists can now see tumors with … [More]
It’s 2026. Is Your Website Optimized for SEO/AEO?
As VP of Web Development at Go Fish Digital, I’m often asked whether building a website today looks different from a year ago. The surface-level answer might appear to be no. Most sites follow a familiar journey: discovery, sitemap, design, build, SEO and launch. This lines up with our broader E.C.H.O. model (Explore, Correlate, Harness, Optimize), which centers on connecting … [More]
The Power of Global Partnerships in Shaping the Future of Innovation
… And Arizona’s expanding role in advanced technology
Global partnerships are no longer just a public-sector initiative or a trade mission objective. For corporations in fast-moving, system-level industries, it has become a strategic lever for innovation, supply chain resilience and early visibility into emerging technologies. The most effective models link startups, established industry, universities and government into a … [More]
From Fabs to Classrooms
Arizona’s semiconductor buildout is no longer measured only in factories and cleanrooms. It is being shaped in classrooms, research labs and, increasingly, in cross-border partnerships. The University of Arizona has formalized an agreement with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, an applied research powerhouse deeply embedded in Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. Together, … [More]
The Partnership of Hospitality and Healthcare
While 84% of U.S. consumers say wellness is a “top” or “important” priority, per a recent 2026 poll by McKinsey, commercial real estate is activity responding to this growing need. In hospitality especially, hotels and resorts are focusing on how to expand their amenity packages to create experiences that enhance a traveler’s overall well-being. Leveraging emerging tech, … [More]
