2012
SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
2012
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here are literally hundreds of companies in the Valley, many are award-winning and deserving of recognition. In fact, in selecting the Top 25 Workplaces for Women, the judging committee considered more than 70 applications.
The task of downsizing the list to 25 was challenging. The selection criteria included factors such as, exceptional opportunities for women, family-friendly work environment, the percentage of women in leadership positions, and programs and practices that demonstrate a commitment to hiring and retaining women. Three companies were spotlighted for exemplary hiring of women in management in the following categories: Under 250 employees; 251 to 1,000 employees; and 1,001 and above. Also, four companies were elevated to “Hall of Fame” status for continuing excellence in the workplace. Learn from and enjoy their stories; let them inspire you and help you find the workplace that’s best for you. —Jim Williams, project editor
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AZ | MARCH 2012
Percentage of managers who are women COMPANY % Arizona Charter Academy 32 Clincal Research Avantage, Inc. 80 FedEx Tech Connect 74 Health Services Advisory Group, Inc. 74 Heinfield, Meech & Co. P.C. 61 Homewatch Caregivers 85 KPMG LLP 53 The Lavidge Company 60 Valassis Communications 47 Allstate Insurance Company 42 Dell 38 International Cruise & Excursions 43 SCF Arizona 45 The Progressive Group 50 Village Health Clubs & Spas 52 Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arizona 76 Goodwill of Central Arizona 56 John C. Lincoln Health Network 74 JPMorgan Chase & Co. 58 National Bank of Arizona 25 Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and Sports & Entertainment Services 56 Sonora Quest Laboratories 71 US Airways 40 Vanguard 48 Verizon Wireless 27
(From le ) Lesli Pintor, (top) Deborah Bateman, Lhamo Bess, Jessica Frank, (top) Dianne James and Stephanie Poure.
National Bank of Arizona
2012
Committed to advancing opportunities for women By Debra Gelbart t National Bank of Arizona, 75 percent of the 1,000 employees are women. And of those women, another 75 percent are in managerial positions. Those numbers are by design, said Executive Vice President and Director of Human Resources Dianne James. “We have a very forward-thinking president and CEO in tune with making sure we are giving everyone who works at this organization equal opportunity,” she said of Keith Maio. “When a position becomes available that traditionally has been filled by a man, organizationally we make it a point to ask ourselves, “What women do we have to fill this role?’” That thinking, she explained, is part of the bank’s succession planning process, where employees are identified through a structured talent review and assessment to prepare them to move ahead to the next level when an opportunity becomes available. The Women’s Leadership Forum is also part of this commitment to supporting women and encouraging and embracing diversity throughout the organization. Periodically, women employees are selected to participate in this forum in Salt Lake City, home of the headquarters of the bank’s parent company, Zions Bancorporation. Locally, women typically are half of a group of 12 high-potential employees selected every year to participate in a leadership development
A
program. The program gives the participants exposure to the bank’s executive management team. Halfway through the program the 12 are divided into teams and paired with an executive sponsor. The teams then each come up with a project based on an organizational strategic objective. The program concludes with the teams presenting their recommendations to the entire senior management team. An executive is identified who works with the team members through the implementation phase. In addition to an active mentorship program, women staff members can grow in their profession through the Women’s Financial Group, established four years ago by Executive Vice President and Director of Wealth Strategies Deborah Bateman. “The purpose is to encourage connections, collaboration and a sense of community,” Bateman explained, “not exclusively for our employees, but potentially for any professional woman who wants to enlarge her network of contacts and reach out to help members of the community.” Bateman has educated members of the group on how they can increase their value to their respective organizations and at the same time enhance their own sense of self-worth. “We tell women they are much more than an employee. They have the power to bring value to everything they do.”
Benefits for Women • Women’s Financial Group provides an opportunity to learn from and connect with other women • Structured leadership development opportunities • An organizational commitment to internal promotion • Formalized succession planning process that provides women with multiple opportunities for career advancement • Flexible scheduling
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
2012
COMPANIES under 250 employees
children are dropped at school or the ability to work at home when they are sick. CRA also offers paid time off to attend school functions or to tend to other family needs. FEDEX TECH CONNECT Transportation www.phxrc.web.fedex.com
ARIZONA CHARTER ACADEMY Education www.azcharteracademy.com
Year established in AZ: 2001 Headquarters: Surprise CEO or top executive in AZ: Melissa Holdaway Total employees in AZ: 70 Total female employees: 52 Percent of female employees in AZ: 75 percent Percent of females in management: 80 percent Factoid: The Arizona Charter Academy is the only school in Arizona to receive the Mature Worker Friendly Certification.
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CLINICAL RESEARCH ADVANTAGE, INC. Healthcare www.crastudies.com
Year established in AZ: 1992 Headquarters: Tempe CEO or top executive in AZ: Mark S. Hanley Total employees in AZ: 53 Total female employees: 42 Percent of female employees in AZ: 81 percent Percent of females in management: 80 percent Factoid: CRA offers flexible schedules for working moms — this schedule recognizes and allows for the opportunity to start the day after
Year established in AZ: 1984 Headquarters: Memphis CEO or top executive in AZ: Jack Carroll Total employees in AZ: 153 Total female employees: 104 Percent of female employees in AZ: 68 percent Percent of females in management: 74 percent Factoid: The Women’s Network Steering Committee was formed to ensure opportunities are offered to all FedEx women. They coordinate events such as the yearly FedEx Women’s Forum and participation in the Dress for Success program to support professional development for women in our workplace.
HALL OF HALL OF FAME “ FAME COMPANIES
Congratulations
TOP WORKPLACES FOR WOMEN
to the winners of the Top 25 Workplaces for Women. BestCompaniesAZ is proud to partner with az magazine and to recognize these great companies.
2012
”
DENISE GREDLER, HALL OF FAME CRITERIA: Must have achieved Top 25 Workplaces for Women two out of the three years (including the past year – 2010/11). Must have recently achieved a national award that includes feedback from employees and validates best workplace for women initiatives such as awards from Working Mother, Modern Healthcare, Fortune Magazine, etc.
AMERICAN EXPRESS Financial Services
GRANT THORNTON
Year established in AZ: 1961 Headquarters: New York CEO or top executive in AZ: Tammy Weinbaum Total employees in AZ: 7,603 Total female employees: 4,419 Percent of female employees in AZ: 58 percent Percent of females in management: 32 percent Factoid: American Express hosts the Women’s Interest Network (WIN), an employee network that seeks to build a community that supports women in the workplace through idea sharing and networking.
Year established in AZ: 2004 Headquarters: Chicago CEO or top executive in AZ: Ralph Nefdt Total employees in AZ: 61 Total female employees: 32 Percent of female employees in AZ: 53 percent Percent of females in management: 42 percent Factoid: The Phoenix office exceeds Grant Thornton’s national figures of 47 percent female and 5 percent male employees. With 42 percent of our female employees in management positions, Grant Thornton’s Phoenix location also exceed the company’s national rate of 41 percent.
www.americanexpress.com
DIGNITY HEALTH (FORMERLY CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE WEST) Healthcare www.chwarizona.com
Year established in AZ: 1895 Headquarters: San Francisco CEO or top executive in AZ: Linda Hunt Total employees in AZ: 8,339 Total female employees: 6,354 Percent of female employees in AZ: 76 percent Percent of females in management: 70.8 percent Factoid: 74 percent of promotions in 2011 were female and 71 percent of our hires in 2011 were female.
Accounting www.grantthornton.com
QUARLES & BRADY LLP Law www.quarles.com
Year established in AZ: 1970 Headquarters: Milwaukee CEO or top executive in AZ: Jon Pettibone Total employees in AZ: 234 Total female employees: 149 Percent of female employees in AZ: 64 percent Percent of females in management: 81 percent Factoid: In four of seven offices the managing partners are women. Additionally, women hold 40 percent of all leadership roles and three women serve on the 12 person Executive Committee.
Founder & President, BestCompaniesAZ
A special thanks to this year’s judging committee: KRISTEN WILSON Arizona Small Business Association JODY RYAN Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce KARA WELLER University of Arizona MARCIA RHODES WorldatWork
At BestCompaniesAZ we identify, develop and promote the best companies in Arizona. We have helped clients win numerous awards and establish themselves as leaders in their industries and employers of choice. Find out more about how to align yourself with the best at
BestCompaniesAZ.com.
Align Yourself With the Best FIND OUT MORE AT
BestCompaniesAZ.com AZ | MARCH 2012
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
COMPANIES 250 and less employees THE LAVIDGE COMPANY www.lavidge.com
Year established: 1982 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO/or top executive: Bill Lavidge, CEO and founder Total employees in Arizona: 74 Total female employees: 42 Percentage of female employees: 57 percent Percentage of female employees in management: 60 percent What the public would be surprised to know about the company: Lavidge is comprised of three separate companies (advertising, interactive and public relations) that operate as one under the same roof. EMILY PIRAINO
2012
CREATIVITY, HARD WORK PART OF THE FUN AT LAVIDGE People are the company’s greatest asset By Michael Ferraresi
ABOVE: (Seated, from left) Gina Kilker, Bill Lavidge; (standing, from left) Betsey Griffin, Debi Mees, Anne Robertson, Kathy Knudson, Alicia Wadas, and Sandra Torre.
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ransparency and unity are key factors in The Lavidge Company’s success. So is laughter.
The agency plans traditional advertising campaigns, organizes public relations, and develops interactive media. But Lavidge is known for its openness with employees and its reliance on a “Fun Committee” to keep things loose around its Phoenix office. Company executives share monthly financial reports with staff to ensure accomplishments and failures are noted or improved upon. The work is typically balanced with regular companywide get-togethers and spontaneous office games like holiday marshmallow eating contests, keeping things as loose as possible at the office. Lavidge’s executive staff is primarily comprised of women, which chief operating officer Alicia Wadas attributed to “an attitude that we’re going to hire the best, brightest, and smartest people available” rather than trying to meet a corporate quota. Wadas, a 30-year public relations and advertising veteran, is among the Lavidge executives who maintained the warmth of the agency’s family-like culture
through the steady growth of the past several years. “We’re recognized that people are our strengths and our greatest assets,” Wadas said. “We’re a service company and the people, in effect, are our product.” With its three core service areas, Lavidge believes it has a competitive edge on other Valley agencies. Last year, the company continued to expand its interactive offerings -- adding an interactive campaign director to help the company achieve its digital goals for 2012. Lavidge expects to use more technology like interactive video walls, augmented reality and mobile applications for its clients. An app developed for Massage Envy enables users to pinpoint the spot of their body that’s sore and automatically discover the best treatments or packages to ease their pain. Those cutting-edge developments are part of the daily grind at Lavidge, where the company’s work reflects its mantra: “Be creative, work hard, have fun.”
Amazing Woman: Be Your Best Self Thursday, April 5th | US Airways Center Cost: $15 Featuring Keynote Speaker: Abby Rike contestant on Season 8 of the NBC hit reality series “The Biggest Loser” and author of “Working It Out, A Journey of Love, Loss, and Hope.” For more information please contact the ResourceLink at 1-877-602-4111. Sponsored by:
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
2012
HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY GROUP, INC. Healthcare/Hospital/Prof Serv www.hsag.com
Year established in AZ: 1979 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO or top executive in AZ: Mary Ellen Dalton Total employees in AZ: 196 Total female employees: 139 Percent of female employees in AZ: 72 percent Percent of females in management: 74 percent Factoid: Most executive positions are held by women, including the HSAG chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, three vice presidents, and 10 executive directors. HEINFIELD, MEECH & CO., P.C. Accounting www.heinfeldmeech.com
Year established in AZ: 1986 Headquarters: Tucson CEO or top executive in AZ: Gary Heinfeld & Nancy Meech Total employees in AZ: 77
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Total female employees: 51 Percent of female employees in AZ: 67 percent Percent of females in management: 61 percent Factoid: H&M awards employees with a $5,000 bonus upon obtaining a CPA license. HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS
Healthcare/Hospital www.homewatchcaregivers.com/ phoenix
Year established in AZ: 2004 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO or top executive in AZ: Daniel Fern Total employees in AZ: 140 Total female employees: 119 Percent of female employees in AZ: 85 percent Percent of females in management: 80 percent Factoid: Eighty percent of the Homewatch CareGivers office staff and 85 percent of the overall workforce is female.
KPMG LLP
Accounting www.kpmg.com
Year established in AZ: 1957 Headquarters: New York CEO or top executive in AZ: Lisa Daniels Total employees in AZ: 170 Total female employees: 90 Percent of female employees in AZ: 53 percent Percent of females in management: 45 percent Factoid: KPMG’s Women’s Advisory Board (WAB) was established in 2003 to create a more compelling work environment and enhance career opportunities for women by driving national and local initiatives that support, advance, retain, and reward them. THE LAVIDGE COMPANY Marketing/Advertising/PR www.lavidge.com
Year established in AZ: 1982 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO or top executive in AZ: Bill Lavidge Total employees in AZ: 81
Meet the team! (From le ) Delores Brown, Betty Coss, Jack Carroll, Lois Benson, Sherry Anderson, Laura Foote, Linda Bertuglia and Jodi Anderson.
FedEx TechConnect
2012
Great people delivering the ‘Purple Promise!’
E
mployees at FedEx TechConnect truly deliver the ‘Purple Promise,’ which is the company’s way of saying superior customer service is the top priority. Serving customers from around the globe, the team at FedEx TechConnect set the bar higher than most. Why? Because everyone has one common goal: To be the best at what they do. But let them share why they love working here: Lois Benson, Mgr. Customer Service/Support: “I began my career with FedEx in 1986. Over the years I have been a delivery courier, a customer service representative, a Customer Advocate Representative and my current position: Customer Support Manager. FedEx has supported me while I earned my degree and when I relocated across the country. I plan to enjoy many more years with this great company.”
Betty Coss, Sr. Mgr. Admin Asst: “I’ve spent 28 years with FedEx. I started in San Francisco and transferred to Dallas, and finally to Phoenix. I have lifetime friends from 1984. The travel benefits to see my family and friends throughout the years has been very important and special to me.”
Jodi Anderson, Mgr. Customer Service/Support: “I’ve been with FedEx for 8 years. I was promoted to Manager in October 2011. I love assisting my employees. The FedEx tuition reimbursement program has allowed me to continue my education.”
Jack Carroll, Sr. Mgr.: “I joined FedEx in 1989 when FedEx acquired The Flying Tiger Airlines. I enjoy the diversity of our company and the many opportunities FedEx offers our employees.”
Sherry Anderson, Mgr. Customer Service/Support: “I’ve spent 21 years with FedEx. I started as a Customer Service Representative, and promoted to Manager at the Kansas City Call Center, transferred to Phoenix, back to Kansas City and then back to Phoenix. What a Company! A lot of the things I am exposed to at FedEx are actually great tools I can take home and apply in my personal life.”
Delores Brown, Mgr. Customer Service/Support: “I am a single mom and Customer Service Manager. FedEx TechConnect allows me a flexible schedule so I don’t miss my childrens’ school events. I have been with FedEx for 17 years.”
Linda Bertuglia, Research Assistant: “I started at FedEx in September 2001 after retiring from Intel. I worked as a full-time Domestic Representative until April 2004 when I was promoted to International Customer Service Representative. I worked in this position part time until April 2006. In May 2006, I transferred into the Research Assistant position part time. In October 2011, I went full time. What I really like about FedEx is the people I work with, and the benefits.”
Laura Foote, Research Assistant: “I started in 1988 as a Customer Service Representative. I was promoted to Senior Customer Service Representative in 1989. I left in 1995 to raise my family, and 7 years later, in 2002, I returned to FedEx at the Phoenix Ramp. I transferred to the Phoenix Call Center in 2006 as a Research Assistant. I love the “People, Service, Profit” philosophy and the flexible work schedules.”
Employee Benefits • Medical/dental/vision/ legal • Tuition reimbursement • Skill Port training classes • Promotion from within • Work-at-home opportunities • 401k Retirement Plan • Flexible work schedules • Manager and peer coaching
What they do
FedEx TechConnect is a customer service center based in Phoenix handling calls from anywhere in the United States and more than 220 countries worldwide. We support FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Office and FedEx Home Delivery.
SM
TechConnect AZ | MARCH 2012
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
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Total female employees: 46 Percent of female employees in AZ: 57 percent Percent of females in management: 60 percent Factoid: Lavidge is comprised of three separate companies (advertising, interactive and public relations) that operate as one under the same roof. ď ŽVALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS Marketing/Advertising/PR www.valassis.com
Year established in AZ: 1983 Headquarters: Livonia, Michigan CEO or top executive in AZ: Alan F. Schultz Total employees in AZ: 122 Total female employees: 80 Percent of female employees in AZ: 66 percent Percent of females in management: 47 percent Factoid: Valassis was awarded the Working Mother Best Companies for Hourly Workers in 2011.
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COMPANIES 251-1,000 employees ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY Insurance www.allstate.com
Year established in AZ: 1985 Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinios CEO or top executive in AZ: Denis Bailey Total employees in AZ: 366 Total female employees: 219 Percent of female employees in AZ: 60 percent Percent of females in management: 42 percent Factoid: Among Allstate’s national employees, nearly 60 percent are women and more than 30 percent are minorities. More than 40 percent of officers and managers
are women and 27 percent come from one of five minority groups. DELL
Technology www.dell.com/us
Year established in AZ: 2001 Headquarters: Round Rock, Texas CEO or top executive in AZ: Doug Philbin Total employees in AZ: 662 Total female employees: 251 Percent of female employees in AZ: 38 percent Percent of females in management: 25 percent Factoid: Dell earned the No. 1 spot on Newsweek’s Greenest Companies in America list for 2010.
Future Ready
Celebrating the women of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
12-0139
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is proud to be named one of the Top 25 Best Workplaces for Women. We are honored to have a tremendous team to meet the changing healthcare coverage needs of Arizona. Thank you for all you do.
AZ | MARCH 2012
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
COMPANIES 251-1,000 Employees DELL www.dell.com Year established: 1984 Headquarters: Round Rock, Texas Top executive: Michael Dell (founder and CEO) Total employees in Arizona: 662 Total female employees (in Arizona): 251 Percentage of female employees (in Arizona): 38 percent Percentage of female employees in management (in Arizona): 25 percent What the public would be surprised to know about the company: Dell earned the No. 1 spot on Newsweek’s Greenest Companies in America list for 2010. EMILY PIRAINO
2012
DELL MAKES OTHER COMPANIES SUCCESSFUL Businesses benefit from 24/7 global support, latest technology By Michael Ferraresi
ABOVE: Laura Young
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N
o office? No need, really.
Laura Young works at Catholic Healthcare West in Phoenix. But on most days, she is master of her mobile office — shifting between video linkups or conference calls with colleagues everywhere from Atlanta to Germany. Young serves as chief operating officer for Catholic Healthcare West’s information technology, which is managed by Dell. The global computer giant oversees computer hardware, data hubs, and networks integral to daily business at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and other Arizona healthcare facilities. Dell’s 662 Arizona employees are so connected to partners like Catholic Healthcare, they’re either stationed at the client’s headquarters or free to roam as needed. Sales reps are able to hunt down leads. IT experts are able to pop over to an individual office to assist with a faulty computer. Young, 39, who came to Dell in 2009 from Perot Systems after Dell purchased her former employer for more than $3 billion. She said the lack of an Arizona corporate headquarters gives her the flexibility to
manage her work with Catholic Healthcare while still feeling linked into Dell’s global technology resources. “I feel I’m a part of something much bigger,” Young said. “I know I’ve got an army of people who support us across the globe.” Texas-based Dell has cultivated more healthcare contracts in recent years. In April, founder Michael Dell announced a focus on “digitizing patient information” for client healthcare companies and creating “secure and convenient” technology to deliver patient data. Dell’s Arizona employees are also assigned to Boeing and AT&T, in addition to government offices and schools. Young said since joining Dell two years ago, she’s been pleased with the company’s focus on promoting from within. Dell stresses leadership courses, some which Young taught, emphasizing mentorship and placing women in senior roles.
ď ŽINTERNATIONAL CRUISE & EXCURSIONS Travel www.iceenterprise.com
Year established in AZ: 1997 Headquarters: Scottsdale CEO or top executive in AZ: John Rowley Total employees in AZ: 869 Total female employees: 451 Percent of female employees in AZ: 53 percent Percent of females in management: 43 percent Factoid: ICE has been awarded the No. 1 Woman Owned Business by Phoenix Business Journal for the past four years. ď ŽSCF ARIZONA Insurance www.scfaz.com
Year established in AZ: 1925 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO or top executive in AZ: Don Smith Total employees in AZ: 380 Total female employees: 258 Percent of female employees in AZ: 68 percent
Percent of females in management: 45 percent Factoid: As a company SCF believes in its women employees and never holds them back when they are the ones who have earned recognition or promotion. In 2011, six people were promoted at SCF whom were all female. ď ŽTHE PROGRESSIVE GROUP Insurance www.progressive.com
Year established in AZ: 1996 Headquarters: Mayfield Village, Ohio CEO or top executive in AZ: Marilyn Kempf Total employees in AZ: 628 Total female employees: 314 Percent of female employees in AZ: 50 percent Percent of females in management: 40 percent Factoid: Progressive’s Network of Empowered Women specifically provides networking and learning events to better develop leadership skills and potential, supports recruiters and hiring managers to help eliminate gender biases, and rais-
es company awareness of the significant issues and potential barriers facing women during their careers in order to overcome them. ď ŽVILLAGE HEALTH CLUBS & SPAS/ DMB HEALTH CLUBS Healthclubs and Spas www.villageclubs.com
Year established in AZ: 1979 Headquarters: Scottsdale CEO or top executive in AZ: Carol Nalevanko Total employees in AZ: 650 Total female employees: 435 Percent of female employees in AZ: 67 percent Percent of females in management: 52 percent Factoid: Village Health Clubs & Spas offer services and classes that are specifically designed for females such as Self Defense classes, Maternity Massage, a Bone Building Class to combat bone loss, and exercises focused specifically for women who have recently gone through breast cancer surgery and need rehab.
WE BELIEVE TOP TALENT DESERVES TOTAL REWARDS. At Verizon, we understand that our team members drive our mission: to provide customers with the best technology and service. For your hard work and commitment, we offer a competitive salary and rewards package to help you achieve your aspirations. We call it Total Rewards, and it includes: q .FEJDBM EFOUBM BOE WJTJPO GSPN EBZ POF q "XBSE XJOOJOH USBJOJOH q (FOFSPVT UVJUJPO BTTJTUBODF QSPHSBN q L XJUI DPNQBOZ NBUDIJOH q &NQMPZFF EJTDPVOUT PO QMBOT BOE EFWJDFT q )FBMUI BOE XFMMOFTT QSPHSBNT q #BDL VQ DBSF To learn more, visit verizon.com/jobs.
Careers For Everything You Are Verizon Wireless is an equal opportunity employer m/f/d/v.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
COMPANIES 2012
1,001 employees and above BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA Insurance www.azblue.com
Year established in AZ: 1939 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO or top executive in AZ: Richard Boals Total employees in AZ: 1,392 Total female employees: 1,085 Percent of female employees in AZ: 78 percent Percent of females in management: 76 percent Factoid: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona was named the Valley’s No. 2 ranked Healthiest Employer by the Phoenix Business Journal.
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GOODWILL OF CENTRAL ARIZONA Nonprofit www.goodwillaz.org
Year established in AZ: 1947 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO or top executive in AZ: Jim Teter Total employees in AZ: 1,842 Total female employees: 1,049 Percent of female employees in AZ: 57 percent Percent of females in management: 56 percent Factoid: The Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tanya Perry was a finalist for the 2011 Arizona CFO of the Year Award, which was judged by the FEI Arizona Chapter.
JOHN C. LINCOLN HEALTH NETWORK Healthcare www.jcl.com
Year established in AZ: 1927 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO or top executive in AZ: Rhonda Forsyth Total employees in AZ: 3,700 Total female employees: 2,849 Percent of female employees in AZ: 77 percent Percent of females in management: 74 percent Factoid: John C. Lincoln has received dozens of outside awards over the years, recognizing both the individual work of women and the Network, reflecting their collaborative work. These awards are not possible without a supportive work environment for women to be at their very best so they can achieve business and clinical expertise. JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. Banking www.jpmorganchase.com
Year established in AZ: 1899 Headquarters: New York City
Valid only for games Thurs. – Sat. with minimum purchase of 4 tickets. Additional tickets purchased receive $5 in Gorilla Bucks. Gorilla Bucks good for food and beverage at Levy concession stands in US Airways Center only. Package price varies depending on game and date selected and does not include fees.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
COMPANIES 1,001 employees and above VERIZON WIRELESS www.verizonwireless.com
EMILY PIRAINO
2012
DETAILS MATTER AT VERIZON WIRELESS Employees find satisfaction in happy customers By Michael Ferraresi
H
eidi Fernandez takes a personal approach as manager of Verizon’s store at Tempe Marketplace. She encourages her employees to focus on the details. The 30-year-old mom — who began her career nine years ago as a sales rep in Las Vegas — said Verizon focuses more on the quality of a customer’s experience than simply selling phones, smart pads and other technology. One of Fernandez’s 23 employees recently helped a traveler from California find a replacement for the back of his phone and suggested a car charger and other items to help him on long car trips. She said those everyday snapshots of thrilled customers are documented in a personnel file so the bosses can see an employee’s strengths when it comes time to promote. “To be a successful manager, you have to have a successful team,” Fernandez said. “It’s important for me to have different things in place to make sure my employees are progressing.”
ABOVE: Heidi Fernandez
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AZ | MARCH 2012
Year established: 1984 Headquarters: Basking Ridge, NJ (corporate); Chandler (Southwest Region) Top executives: Dan Mead, CEO; Brian Danfield, president, Southwest Region Total employees in Arizona: More than 2,500 Total female employees (in Arizona): 1,125 Percentage of female employees (in Arizona): 45 percent Percentage of female employees in management (in Arizona): 27 percent What the public would be surprised to know about the company: Verizon is committed to helping break the cycle of domestic violence through work in the community and also through internal training and support for employees.
Verizon is one of Arizona’s largest employers, ranking in 2011 in The Arizona Republic’s Top 50. Since 2000, the company invested more than $1 billion in Arizona alone to enhance network capabilities. The company’s Chandler facility, it’s southwest regional hub, boasts a health and wellness center that offers personal training programs for employees who contribute $15 a month. But exercise is merely a small part of how Verizon cares for its employees. Women have access to a future moms program which helps them through an entire pregnancy, from the initial steps to securing child care when mom returns to work. Fernandez said the program guided her when she had her first child, a boy, two years ago. “It really helped me through my personal life, giving me that work-life balance to help me be successful in my career, and as a mother,” she said
CEO or top executive in AZ: Joe Stewart Total employees in AZ: 11,200 Total female employees: 6,832 Percent of female employees in AZ: 61 percent Percent of females in management: 58 percent Factoid: In 1902, a few years after starting JPMorgan Chase in Arizona, the first branch office opened with a woman branch manager. ď ŽNATIONAL BANK OF AMERICA Banking www.nbarizona.com
Year established in AZ: 1984 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO or top executive in AZ: Keith Maio Total employees in AZ: 1,025 Total female employees: 758 Percent of female employees in AZ: 74 percent Percent of females in management: 25 percent Factoid: The National Bank of Arizona promotes healthy lifestyle activities
and rewards employees who participate. Employees who participate can earn up to $100, which is deposited into their health savings account. ď ŽPHOENIX SUNS, PHOENIX MERCURY AND SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES Sports Entertainment www.suns.com
Year established in AZ: 1968 Headquarters: Phoenix CEO or top executive in AZ: Brad Casper Total employees in AZ: 1,185 Total female employees: 474 Percent of female employees in AZ: 40 percent Percent of females in management: 56 percent Factoid: Every summer the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and Sports and Entertainment Services close the offices at noon on Fridays, allowing employees more family time when kids are out of school to jump start the weekend.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
SONORA QUEST LABORATORIES
Healthcare www.sonoraquest.com
2012
Year established in AZ: 1996 Headquarters: Tempe CEO or top executive in AZ: David Dexter Total employees in AZ: 2,616 Total female employees: 1,964 Percent of female employees in AZ: 75 percent Percent of females in management: 71 percent Factoid: Seventy-seven percent of the directors at Sonora Quest Laboratories are women. US AIRWAYS
Aviation www.usairways.com
Year established in AZ: 1983 Headquarters: Tempe CEO or top executive in AZ: Doug Parker Total employees in AZ: 9,180 Total female employees: 4,131
Percent of female employees in AZ: 45 percent Percent of females in management: 40 percent Factoid: US Airways was named as one of the 50 best U.S. companies for Hispanic women to work for by LATINA Style magazine two years running. The magazine reviewed more than 800 corporations and US Airways was the only airline among its top 50 companies. VANGUARD
Finance www.vanguard.com
Year established in AZ: 1994 Headquarters: Valley Forge, Pennsylvania CEO or top executive in AZ: Bill McNabb Total employees in AZ: 2068 Total female employees: 827 Percent of female employees in AZ: 40.47 percent Percent of females in management: 48.4 percent Factoid: Vanguard won the Computerworld Best Places to Work in 2011.
VERIZON WIRELESS
Communication www.verizonwireless.com
Year established in AZ: 1984 Headquarters: Basking Ridge, New Jersey CEO or top executive in AZ: Brian Danfield Total employees in AZ: 2,500+ Total female employees: 1,125+ Percent of female employees in AZ: 45 percent Percent of females in management: 27 percent Factoid: Verizon is committed to helping break the cycle of domestic violence through work in the community and also through internal training and support for employees.
Homewatch CareGivers®
Home Care business treats every employee, client as family 2012
By Alison Stanton ince the day this familyoperated business opened, the staff at Homewatch CareGivers has kept one key goal in mind: to treat each client and employee with the same respect and dignity as they would want their own family members to be treated. The company, which serves elderly and disabled clients throughout Maricopa County, was originally started by Dan Fern, Dan’s brother Ralph, and his wife Karen. Karen brought her clinical background and experience in nursing to the business, Dan said, while he and his brother handled the business end of things. “Family is very much a part
are in the service industry and we truly understand that our employees, most of whom are women, are our assets and help bring value to our business,” he said. “Also, it’s the nature of the business that more often than not women are making decisions about care for their parents or grandparents, so we are happy to help support them in this role.”
S
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(Standing, from le ) Joyce Bird, Heather Murphy, Cindy Carruolo, Kelly Shackleford, Gloria Garcia, and Brooke Schaper. (Sitting, from le ) Val Litchy, Ralph Fern, Dan Fern, and Jeanne Cannon.
of the culture of our business,” Dan said. “We really focus on offering quality care and outstanding customer service.” Dan said he and his coworkers were honored
to be chosen as one of BestCompaniesAZ’s Top 25 Workplaces for Women. He recognizes that the vast majority of family caregivers as well as his employees are female. “We
HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS Phoenix 602-953-2872 Scottsdale 480-663-7700 Sun City 623-214-5000
TOP WORKPLACES FOR WOMEN
HALL OF
FAME 2012
Nelda Tripp-Johnson checks out the healthy food choices in American Express’ on-site Healthy Living Café.
American Express
Employees able to find balance between work and home life
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he American Express brand is synonymous Watchers. All of the benefits and programs help with superior service, and for more than 7,500 employees relieve constraints on a busy lifestyle and employees across the Valley who represent allow them to take care of themselves and spend more that brand, American Express is superior from both time with family. a customer and an employee perspective. Nelda Tripp-Johnson, a 27-year employee, has While employees are reaped many of the benefits focused on delivering topthat American Express has to I find that I take better care of notch service for customers, offer. “I find that I take better the workplace itself enables care of myself now that I know myself now that I know my them to be passionate about my numbers after attending numbers after attending our what they do while taking care our on-site health screenings,” of themselves. says Tripp-Johnson. “I’ve on-site health screenings. also participated in our Walk The company provides -Nelda Tripp-Johnson, this Way program and have a number of forums and American Express employee maintained a healthy weight opportunities for employees after attending Weight to get involved in networking, Watchers meetings at work career development, and receiving free health coaching. My three kids improving job skills and having fun together. The are very proud of me, and I’m thrilled about what Women’s Interest Network (WIN) supports the company’s more than half female workforce in Arizona I’ve accomplished!” through a variety of formal and informal opportunities Tripp-Johnson and her peers also take their like mentoring, development, sponsorship for job Healthy Living activities into the community through opportunities and seminars. volunteerism. Many of their community activities, like walks, are geared toward exercise to get employees While development and mentoring are key, work-life balance is another company focus. American moving and involve families. “It’s great that many of our volunteer events are on the weekends and Express takes pride in its Healthy Living program, are family-oriented so that I can include my kids,” which includes a number of on-site benefits such she says. “It makes it really easy to stay fit while giving as well woman screenings, mammograms, dental, back to the community.” chair massage, free health coaching and free Weight
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Onsite Healthy Living Benefits • • • •
Dental services Well-woman screenings Free Weight Watchers Free health coaching
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American Express 20022 N. 31st Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85027 623-492-7474 americanexpress.com
AZ | MARCH 2012
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Linda Markham has been a successful agent with Allstate nearly eight years operating her own business.
Allstate Insurance Corporation ®
2012
Agents supported, given freedom and flexibility By Andrea Markowitz lthough the slogan, “You’re in good hands with Allstate®” was created for the insurance giant’s millions of clients, the saying applies just as well to the company’s exclusive agents, whose individual businesses are also in good hands, from the personal support every agent receives to the company’s national advertising campaigns and universal name recognition. “You’re not alone when you open your agency,” said Tracy Rodriguez, a human resources regional business partner who supports the Phoenix region. “Allstate provides a group of process specialists and sales leaders who work with you to make sure you’re successful.” New agents attend an eight-week course at a regional office and corporate headquarters in Chicago to learn about the products and how to own and operate a successful business. “We teach them how to start and run the business, hire people, sell the products, and take care of the Allstate customer,” said Rodriguez. After agents open their doors, Allstate teams them up with a group of sales leaders who coach them for 24 months. Allstate pays an education bonus after new agents complete the eight-week course, and a development bonus to agents who start their agencies from scratch or who purchase
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an Allstate business from an agent who managed fewer than 750 policies. Being an exclusive agent for Allstate is perfect for entrepreneurial women because it gives them the opportunity to own and operate a business that offers the freedom and flexibility to decide where they want to work and how they want to work. “They can take time off to be with their family and create a schedule around their children’s daycare, for example, while an agency employee continues to cover the office during business hours,” said Rodriguez. After hours, Allstate provides support via a call center that responds to an agent’s clients’ queries. “The ability to help people through this job appeals to women, too,” said Rodriguez. “Our agents are here to protect their clients from the unexpected, and to help them through the process when they need to file a claim.” Phoenix-based Linda Markham became an exclusive Allstate agent in 2005. “It’s a great company,” said Markham. “And I like the fact that because I run my own business, I get to create my own benefits plan.” “Most of our agents come from different backgrounds, including teachers, real estate agents, mortgage brokers and engineers,” said Rodriguez. “You don’t need insurance experience. Motivation is the key.”
Allstate Exclusive Agent Benefits • Economic interest in the book of business your agency writes. • Strong brand recognition. • Unlimited money-making potential. • Comprehensive training • Support of an engaged sales leadership team. • A network of technology and tools to help you market and operate your business.
Allstate Regional Office SWrecruiter@allstate.com 1-877-711-1006 allstateagent.com
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Where attitude matters By Patricia Boardman ttitudes come from the top,” says Joe Stewart, chairman of JPMorgan Chase in Arizona, “and Jamie Dimon, (JPMorgan Chase chairman and CEO) makes work/life balance and mutual respect a particular point.” “Banking has a reputation as having a hierarchical management style,” Stewart said, “but ‘behind the walls’ it can be quite different.” JPMorgan Chase has a corporate mandate that recruiting and interviewing for all positions must include a diverse roster of candidates to assure that, in fact,“the best candidate” gets the position. Often the best candidates come from within an organization, and JPMorgan Chase is no exception. Mary Martuscelli is President of JPMorgan Chase in Arizona, but she didn’t start at the top. She joined the bank out of college and rose through the ranks to share leadership duties with Stewart today. Martuscelli acts as a mentor to women at the bank and in the community, where she actively serves on several community boards. Chase can point to a long record of promoting women in the workplace in Arizona. In 1902, Mary Woodman Smith was the first woman in the state to become a bank branch manager, hiding cash in her petticoats to make the 40-mile trek to the mining town of Clifton. She was among the first to become a manager, but far from the last. According to Stewart, around 60 percent of the bank’s 11,600
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Arizona employees are women. “I think one reason is that we offer real flexibility in both work schedules and career paths,” Stewart said. Sam Simonetti began her career with Chase as a part-time teller while still in high school. Today, she’s a senior vice president and a key member of Stewart and Martuscelli’s management team. Flexibility, she agreed, is a major plus for women at Chase, but there’s also a strong emphasis on professional mentoring. “Our senior women’s leadership is focused on developing career growth and mentoring employees throughout our organization. “We have great mentors here; I know, I’ve benefitted from several through my career,” she said. “Chase also rewards top performers well, and we have great training and development assistance available.” Simonetti said, too, that Chase’s multiple formal and informal employee networks present opportunities for women within the company. This helps women take charge of their own career trajectory and identify other options across the company, not just within a single division. “We recruit from within and work actively to identify talented people,” she said. “This is a strong point with our integrated management team. We’re really focused on fostering support in fair and consistent ways, and in giving people opportunities based on skills and performance.”
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Benefits for women • Back-up child care center available to Phoenix region employees • Nearly endless possibilities for advancement • National and global career growth potential • Mentoring and coaching • Life/work balance • A history of strong women leaders
“Mary Woodman Smith, Arizona’s first branch manager, 1902.”
JPMorgan Chase www.chase.com
AZ | MARCH 2012
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(From le ) Ange-Lisa Ashbeck, Michele Aguirre and Amanda Drake have advanced their careers at CRA.
Clinical Research Advantage, Inc.
2012
CRA fosters women’s professional growth and success By Andrea Markowitz linical Research Advantage, Inc. (CRA), a company that provides research services to pharmaceutical and contract research organizations, knows how to provide a supportive work environment for female employees as well. CRA won a 2011 Top 25 Workplaces for Women award in part because it fosters female employees’ professional growth while accommodating their needs to care for their families. As testimony to CRA’s fostering of female success, Kim Kundert, RN, BSN, CCRC, vice president of clinical operations, was named a Best Executive finalist in the service businesses category in the 2011 Stevie Awards for Women in Business. “CRA is very proud to be recognized as a women-focused business,” said Mark Hanley, chief executive officer. “We offer financial support for a range of educational opportunities, including continuing education units and research certification, and we sponsor educational seminars, management and leadership courses.” The company also offers flexible schedules for working moms. “This way, moms can start their work day after they drop off their kids at school. We also give them paid time off to attend school functions or to tend to other family needs,” Hanley added. CRA, whose clients include prestigious organizations such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and Merck, recruits patients with a particular disease to
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volunteer for studies that help determine the safety and effectiveness of either new drugs, or existing drugs whose effectiveness is being evaluated as a possible treatment for other types of conditions. CRA also monitors the volunteers’ health for the duration of the study. There are many opportunities for women to grow in the growing company, which is 86 percent female. “CRA believes in promoting from within,” said Hanley. “Seven of the eight regional managers and 15 of the 16 site managers are women who started in entry-level positions and worked their way up, through dedication, commitment and perseverance.” CRA also demonstrates how much the company values, appreciates and recognizes the contributions of female employees by recruiting female college graduates for positions such as research assistants, and then training them to become clinical research coordinators. These women are encouraged to become certified, and CRA pays for the related financial costs. “CRA is the place to work for women looking to expand their professional career and to join an extended-family culture that is conducive to work-family balance,” said Debbie Blakeslee, RN, CCRC, who has been with Clinical Research Advantage for nearly 12 years. CRA is currently hiring entry-level clinical research coordinators and region managers.
CRA Benfits • Complete and full benefit program including health, dental, vision and life • 401K savings and profitsharing plan in addition to short and long term disability offered, including maternity leave • Additional management level training for qualified employees • Competitive salaries • Flexible scheduling based on employee and company needs
Clinical Research Advantage, Inc. 2141 E. Broadway Road, Ste. 110 Tempe, AZ 85282 480-820-5656 crastudies.com
SCF Arizona
Providing opportunities for women to reach their fullest potential By Debra Gelbart CF Arizona, the oldest and largest workers’ compensation provider in the state, has long been a champion for providing opportunities to women employees for advancement and flexible work schedules, and for offering workplace wellness programs. Of the organization’s 370 employees, women fill two-thirds of managerial positions. With its culture of “family first,” SCF has set aside a room just for breastfeeding mothers and allows scheduling accommodations and telecommuting. SCF opened for business in 1926 as a quasi-state agency. In 2010, the legislature passed a bill directing SCF to become
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SCF Arizona
SCF Arizona claims adjuster Monica McCray receives a well earned pat on the back from company Vice President Claims Services Ginny Caro.
a private, mutual insurance company by Jan. 1, 2013. The company maintains an extensive wellness program that includes on-site Weight Watchers classes, yoga, Pilates, cardio fitness, Zumba and nutrition classes, an at-work gym, and a mobile mammogram unit that comes to SCF’s location
twice each year. If an employee prefers to work out at his or her own gym or at home, a wellness reimbursement can be arranged. For all this — in addition to being a Top 25 workplace for women — SCF Arizona has been named one of the healthiest workplaces in the Valley for the second year in a row.
• Offers flexible schedules • Provides twice-per-year free mammogram visits • Onsite fitness/nutrition classes • Committed to recruiting female executives/managers • Expansive companywide recognition programs • Embraces a culture that empowers women to make a difference
SCF Arizona 3030 N. 3rd St. Phoenix, AZ 85012 602-631-2600 www.scfaz.com
PCA SKIN®
PCA provides employees with a nurturing, family-friendly workplace By Andrea Markowitz amed one of Arizona Woman’s Top 25 Best Workplaces for Women in 2009, Arizona’s Most Admired Companies by Arizona Business Magazine and BestCompaniesAZ in 2010 and 2011; and Best Places to Work by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2010, PCA SKIN® continues to promote the core values, ethics and benefits that make its workplace so rewarding. Founded by a woman, the skin care company originally employed primarily women, and today, approximately 85% of its Arizona workforce is female. “We take pride in attracting people who are eager to explore their intellectual curiosity and help others, and
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PCA SKIN Benefits
Employees treat customers with care and professionalism.
we offer a workplace that is respectful and stimulating,” said Jennifer Linder, M.D., PCA SKIN’s Chief Scientific Officer, who guides the company’s product development and clinical trials. Dr. Linder is also a board-certified dermatologist, fellowship-trained skin cancer surgeon and formally trained
biomedical engineer and chemist. PCA SKIN’s skin care products are designed to help aestheticians and physicians treat their clients’ skin gently and effectively. “Our employees love having a positive impact on how people look and feel,” said Dr. Linder.
• Comprehensive health and welfare benefits plan • Complimentary skin analysis, skin care products and treatments • Paid time off for volunteering, vacation and advanced education in aesthetics • 401k savings plan with company match • Flexible work schedules/ telecommuting
PCA SKIN 6710 East Camelback Road Suite 220 & 230 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-946-7221 pcaskin.com
AZ | MARCH 2012
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Quarles & Brady LLP
TOP WORKPLACES FOR WOMEN
HALL OF
FAME
Encourages employees to keep a work-life balance By Debra Gelbart t Quarles & Brady, a focus on work-life balance helps take the edge off the high-intensity, fast-paced legal profession. Lawyers should be able to balance professional commitments with devotion to family and community. Both partners and associates are eligible for flexible work schedules. There are specific prerequisites, but the program allows attorneys to work a reduced schedule that meets their needs as well as those of the firm and the firm’s clients. Rather than focusing strictly on the billable hour, the program emphasizes performance and encourages participation in business development, leadership opportunities
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Benefits Include
Dawn Valdivia, partner, loves being able to devote time to family.
and professional development. Quarles’ “Ease Back In” program helps new mothers adjust to raising children and working, while keeping them on a partner track. After maternity leave, lawyers can progressively increase their working hours to part-time or full-time, with onsite emergency daycare as a
backup option. “Coming back to work is challenging but this program made it smoother,” said Dawn Valdivia, an attorney who became a partner between her first and second children. “It reduces your stress when you can be home for dinner or take the kids to preschool or a doctor’s appointment.”
• Flexible work schedules • Reduced hours schedule availability • Backup daycare and mom’s room (for nursing mothers) • Women’s Forum Network (provides programming on professional and career development topics) • Comprehensive mentoring program for first two years with the firm • Opportunities for women at the executive level
Quarles & Brady 2 North Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-229-5200 www.quarles.com
Vanguard®
Management initiatives help female employees to move up By Andrea Markowitz nvesting is what Vanguard is all about, whether it’s for this financial services company’s clients, or in its “crew members,” (employees). This client-owned company, and winner of the 2011 BestCompaniesAZ and AZ Magazine’s Top 25 Workplaces for Women award, and the 2011 BestCompaniesAZ and Arizona Business Magazine’s Arizona’s Most Admired Companies award, is especially proud of its initiatives that help its female employees succeed. “In 2009, the company started the Women’s Initiative for Leadership Success, or WILS, which focuses on their leadership development through networking, mentorship, building skills and increasing business acumen,” said Phyllis
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Benefits
In Arizona, 41 percent of Vanguard’s workforce is female.
Bruner, Principal, Human Resources. “Because Vanguard values learning, we also provide a wealth of opportunities to grow and develop, which means women can have multiple careers without having to leave the company,” added Bruner. To support family and personal needs, Vanguard
created a flexibility guide to help leaders understand best practices for promoting a flexible work environment. “And management is encouraging additional types of flexibility, for instance, e-meetings, and giving employees access to mobile devices,” Bruner said.
• Competitive compensation and benefits packages • Volunteer time off program offers one paid day a year that employees dedicate to community service • Business-appropriate dress code • Onsite fitness center coming in 2013 • Adoption and academic assistance programs • State-of-the-art Career Café resource
Vanguard 14321 N. Northsight Blvd. Scottsdale 85260 480-713-8169 vanguard.com