Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL), Arizona’s premier CEO business advocacy organization announced newly elected officers and board members.

Ken Van Winkle, Managing Partner at Lewis Roca, has been elected Chair of Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL) for 2024-2026. Van Winkle joined GPL in 2009 and previously served as pro bono legal counsel, Arts and Culture Task Force Co-chair, Membership Committee Chair and Vice-Chair. He succeeds Pam Kehaly, President & CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, who completed a two-year term as Chair on May 9, 2024 and remains on the board of directors as Immediate Past Chair.

Gonzalo de la Melena, Founder and CEO of Emerging Domestic Market Ventures, continues as Secretary of the board and Simer Mayo, Founder & CEO of Valor Global is newly elected Vice-Chair. Monica Garnes, President of Fry’s Food Stores, has been elected board Treasurer.

“This is a very strong team, and we are grateful for their willingness to serve in significant leadership roles for the organization for 2024-2026” said Neil Giuliano, President and CEO. “With extensive individual and collective community engagement, they will provide thoughtful direction and strategic vision for strengthening the business advocacy voice of GPL and our role in helping guide and strengthen the future of Arizona.”

Mayo has been a member since 2017, joined the board in 2019 and previously served as board Secretary, Treasurer, and on the Membership and Public Policy committees.

Gonzalo de la Melena, previously President & CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, joined GPL in 2019, became a board member in 2021 and serves on Social Impact Standing Committee.

Garnes joined GPL in 2020, was first elected to the board in 2021 and serves on the Social Impact  Standing Committee.

Newly elected members of the board of directors are Noreen Bishop Hill, Managing Director, JPMorgan Private Bank; Derrick Hall, CEO and General Partner, Arizona Diamondbacks; Gary Haydon, Chairman, Haydon Companies; Jack McCain, CEO, Blue Sky Vantage; Anthony Sharett, President, Pathward and Humphrey Shin, Market President, FirstBank.

Greater Phoenix Leadership is an organization of business community CEO’s aligning leadership and resources with education, philanthropy and government sector leaders to improve economic vitality and quality of life. The mission of GPL is to improve the greater Phoenix area and the State of Arizona by bringing together talent, resources, and leadership to create action on priority issues.