PEOPLE

FAVORITE LOCAL LIFESTYLE BLOGGER

McKENNA WESLEY

TheBubblyBlonde

McKENNA WESLEY, also known as The Bubbly Blonde, has always had a love for fashion, travel and all things beautiful. She began modeling at 6 weeks old and has since traveled the country as a model, walking the runways for fashion icons such as Valentino and Oscar de la Renta. In 2014 Wesley launched her blog, TheBubblyBlonde, which focuses on fashion, travel and lifestyle. She is also a realtor with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. @thebubblyblonde

t McKENNA WESLEY OF THEBUBBLY BLONDE

FAVORITE VALLEY DAD

DR. TOUFIC KACHAAMY

t DR. TOUFIC KACHAAMY WITH HIS WIFE, HANNAH, AND CHILDREN, LUKA, LEO AND ELIAS

DR. TOUFIC KACHAAMY has two important jobs: that of an expert gastroenterologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, where he conducts advanced endoscopic procedures for adult cancer patients, and being a wonderful father to three beautiful sons: Luka, 10, Leo, 7, and Elias, 5, whom he shares with his wife, Hannah. “I have been fortunate to win many awards in my lifetime; this award is the most meaningful because family is the most important part of my life,” says Dr. Kachaamy on his Best of Our Valley recognition. “Everything I do is to make sure my family is well taken care of and that my kids grow up to be kind, happy, healthy and hardworking citizens.”

AFM: What's the most rewarding part of being a dad? Dr. Kachaamy: My favorite part of fatherhood is watching our children overcome a difficulty and learn a new skill. For example, I have been trying to teach my boys to ski. I’ve been coaching my son, Leo, and actively working on helping him gain confidence. It paid off when we went skiing over winter break. Watching Leo take on the slopes with courage and hearing him motivate himself with positive self-talk was so rewarding that I took a video and kept replaying it over and over. It brought me so much joy and pride.

AFM: Because you are an incredible doctor, your kids must think you're a superhero! What's your favorite part of your job? Dr. Kachaamy: For my boys, I am Dad who carries them when they are tired and makes their favorite homemade stews. They occasionally ask about work and get very excited when they see me on TV. I know they are very proud of me and often tell their friends about me. My favorite part of my job is that I am able to make a positive difference in people’s lives and show them how special they are to me and my team.

AFM: What are you looking forward to next—both personally and professionally? Dr. Kachaamy: Professionally, I am looking at having a greater impact on the community and becoming a bigger part of cancer care in Arizona now that Cancer Treatment Centers of America is part of City of Hope. On a personal level, we are hopeful to travel again and spend quality time together as a family, creating lasting memories and positive experiences for my boys. Now that I have been honored as “Favorite Valley Dad,” my wife is advocating that we take a family trip to Latin America to celebrate!

cancercenter.com

t MEGAN McNAMEE, CO OWNER OF FEEDING LITTLES

FAVORITE VALLEY MOM

MEGAN McNAMEE

“Being a mom is the most incredible—and challenging—thing I’ve ever done,” says McNamee, who is mom to Hannah, 9, and Mia, 6. “I love getting to know my kids at all their different ages and stages. They grow and change so fast, and it has been amazingly cool to witness the evolution of their minds and hearts.” McNamee is also co-owner of Feeding Littles, an online company that helps parents of babies, toddlers and big kids raise intuitive eaters and feed their families with confidence. feedinglittles.com, @feedinglittles

MOST INFLUENTIAL IN VALLEY BUSINESS

t JON BOLES, FOUNDER & CEO OF AVINTIV MEDIA

MOST INFLUENTIAL IN VALLEY FOOD

JON BOLES

Founder & CEO at Avintiv Media

Jon Boles has been a serial entrepreneur for more than 12 years and has successfully scaled 12 of his own companies—including selling one in 2018 and another in 2020—and is currently growing a nationally recognized and award-winning brand.

Named a “Top Entrepreneur & Visionary” by Entrepreneur.com, Jon created his new success, digital marketing agency Avintiv Media, which is also a BOOV winner this year for Best Graphic Design. The company builds and grows some of the most competitive and impactful businesses in the world, including 350 successful brands to date, with a team that puts culture, positive energy and passion above all else. avintivmedia.com, @jonboles, @avintivmedia

Chef WILLIAM TURNER

Scottsdale Private Chef

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Whether it’s celebrities, CEOs, bachelorettes or just a group of friends wanting to celebrate a special occasion, Chef William Turner has made a name for himself as the Valley’s go-to private chef. A South Carolina native, Turner learned his craft in kitchens as an executive chef where he worked for country clubs and lodges from New Orleans to Montana before relocating to Scottsdale. Since starting his business in 2017, Turner has cheffed for thousands of parties here in Arizona, where his clients love his Southern hospitality as much as they love the food he creates. “My private chef experience is about more than great food and outstanding service,” says Turner. “It’s about entertainment, it’s interactive at times and always a lot of fun. And the best part is when the party’s over, we do all the cleanup.” In the four years Turner has been in the Valley, he has won multiple awards and recognitions. He has also expanded his services to accommodate all party needs, as well as put together some unique packages for bachelorette parties. chefwilliamturner.com, @chefwillturner

CHEF WILLIAM TURNER

MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMAN IN THE VALLEY

SUSAN WILDER

MD, CEO of LifeScape Premier, LLC and LifeScape Health Ventures, LLC

t DR. SUSAN WILDER, CEO AND CO FOUNDER OF LIFESCAPE PREMIER DR. SUSAN WILDER is the CEO and co-founder of LifeScape Premier, an awardwinning concierge family medicine practice. Dubbed the “Medical Maverick” for her insightful, forthright views on healthcare and her mission of empowering health transformation, Dr. Wilder is among the nation’s top primary care physicians and a perennial local “Best Of” and “Top Doc” recipient. During her career, including as a decorated Air Force officer, she has trained and mentored hundreds of medical professionals, formulated healthcare policy and prioritized community wellness. She supports a multitude of healthenhancing charities, such as Healthy LifeStars, Arizona Foundation for Women and Mothers Awareness of School-Aged Kids. Throughout the pandemic, Dr. Wilder and her LifeScape team empowered the Valley with balanced, thoughtful information both in the media and through regular live videos. “Our goal was not merely to inform,” says Wilder, “but to respond to concerns in an empathic, nonjudgmental manner. In a time of crisis, we emphasized self-care with reassurance and a bit of humor.” Dr. Wilder’s patients appreciate her authenticity, collaborative approach and tenacious learning. Dr. Wilder notes, “Nothing excites me more than witnessing brilliant health breakthroughs and patients becoming wiser stewards of their own wellness.” lifescapepremier.com

“NOTHING EXCITES ME MORE THAN WITNESSING BRILLIANT HEALTH BREAKTHROUGHS AND PATIENTS BECOMING WISER STEWARDS OF THEIR OWN WELLNESS.” DR. SUSAN WILDER

t JULIE XANDER

MOST FASHIONABLE VALLEY MAN

MOST FASHIONABLE VALLEY WOMAN

JULIE XANDER

Fashion is in Julie Xander’s blood. While the branding specialist and spokeswoman grew up in Arizona, her grandparents ran a successful women’s department store and wholesale dress business in New York. Growing up as a selfproclaimed chubby-girl who loved to dance and baton twirl, Xander quickly realized that fitness and fashion go hand-inhand. “When your body looks great, the clothes also look great!” says Xander, whose mission is to bring awareness to what is new and trendy in the shared worlds of fashion, fitness, wellness and beauty, while highlighting the businesses that serve them. @lifestylejules

t ISAIAH MARTIN

ISAIAH MARTIN

Isaiah Martin has always loved fashion, but it was when he was a marketing student at Arizona State University that his passion for fashion truly ignited. “I would don a suit for my fraternity’s chapter meetings every Sunday and I quickly grew obsessed with the way my clothing made me feel,” says Martin. “It changed the way I walked, talked and carried myself. The confidence boost you get when you have on a good outfit is like self-care.” These days, Martin enjoys mixing and matching different brands, fabrics and colors. His sage fashion advice?: “The goal is to have fun with your looks,” he says. “You have to be your own hype man and not be afraid to push boundaries.” @haiasinitram

“EVERY DAY, I MEET PATIENTS WHO, DESPITE THEIR CANCER BATTLE, FIND A WAY TO PUSH THROUGH LIFE

WITH JOY.” TREVOR BRAND

MOST INFLUENTIAL MAN IN THE VALLEY

TREVOR BRAND

t TREVOR BRAND, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF CANCER TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA, PHOENIX TREVOR BRAND is the Chief Operating Officer for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, overseeing the Phoenix hospital campus and outpatient care centers that specialize in the treatment of adult cancer patients.

As a recipient of the 2020 Modern Healthcare Emerging Leader Award, recognizing the top 25 healthcare leaders under 40 in the U.S., 28-yearold Brand has proven to be a dynamic leader and a rising star to watch within the healthcare industry.

“I am honored to be recognized as ‘Most Influential Man in the Valley,’” he says. “Growing up I learned that there is power in positive influence and perseverance that can help you overcome any stereotype. Now, I work to lead the charge to inspire others and to be a positive influence in those around me. I truly owe this recognition to those I have had the privilege to surround myself with and those who encourage me every day,” he adds, citing his faith, his family, mentors and CTCA patients as having a driving impact in his own life.

“Every day, I meet patients who, despite their cancer battle, find a way to push through life with joy,” says Brand. “I work every day to improve the patient experience so they can focus on what’s most important: them.”

A Tennessee native and recent transplant to the Valley, Brand is constantly inspired by the positive energy that Phoenicians exude.

“Being from the South, you always hear about ‘Southern hospitality,’ but it is no match for what I am calling ‘Western Willingness’ (I want to trademark this),” he says. “People here [in Arizona] are so willing to be a helping hand to others. It has been refreshing being around people who truly want to make an impact.”

In addition to being a husband to Gabrielle, dad to 3-year-old Izzie, Trevor volunteers his time with the Arizona Assistance in Healthcare and Gateway for Cancer Research. cancercenter.com

FAST FAVES

BEST DRAG QUEEN Ava Love St. James

@avalovestjames

BEST ENTREPRENEUR Mackenzie Collier, Mackenzie Collier Interiors

mackenziecollierinteriors.com

t ASHLEY OAKES SCOTT

BEST FEMALE PR Ashley Oakes Scott, AOS Marketing

With over 14 years of profes sional experience, Ashley Oakes Scott has magnified brand awareness and sales for clients by driving thoughtfully curated strategies. Utilizing a mix of public relations, social media, account management, online marketing, website strategy/UX, creative direction, reputation management, event coordi nation, and content marketing, she finds the mix of tactics that work best for each client’s needs and budget. @ashleyoakesscott

BEST MARKETING PROFESSIONAL Ashley Richards, E Squared Marketing

@ashleyrichardsaz

BEST WORSHIP LEADER Cal Jernigan, Central Christian Church

@centralchristianaz

t ROSEANN HIGGINS

BEST MATCHMAKER Roseann Higgins, SPIES (Single Professional Introductions for the Especially

Selective) was founded by Roseann Higgins to serve single professional men and women in Scottsdale and Phoenix. Now one of the oldest matchmaking agencies, SPIES is on the leading edge of the dating service industry for the U.S., using executive recruiting techniques to find near perfect matches for accomplished men and women who seek healthy and exciting relationships. @roseannhiggins

FAVORITE ASU IT GIRL Lexi Petzak

@lexipetzak

FAVORITE COUPLE IN THE VALLEY Lance and Uyen Carlson

@house_of_lu

MOST INFLUENTIAL IN VALLEY EDUCATION Dr. Dennis Tyner, President of Ottawa University-Arizona

@ottawauniversityaz

t HOLLY ROSE

MOST INFLUENTIAL IN VALLEY NONPROFIT Holly Rose, Check for a Lump

Check for a Lump provides free breast health education, mammograms, testing, and direct assistance to breast cancer patients with wigs, support and resources in Arizona. @checkforalumpaz

MOST INFLUENTIAL IN VALLEY POLITICS Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona

@dougducey

MOST INFLUENTIAL IN VALLEY TOURISM Chance Cozby, Executive Director of The Thunderbirds

@wmphoenixopen

MOST INFLUENTIAL VALLEY FITNESS PERSONALITY Tom Hatten, President & CEO Mountainside Fitness Centers

@mountainsidefit

MOST PHILANTHROPIC COUNTRY CLUB COMMUNITY The Mirabel Club

@themirabelclub

* 2021 Winner

Harvest Compassion Center

Who We Are

Since 2011, Harvest Compassion Centers have fed over 150,000 individuals. HCC’s ‘Food Banking Reimagined’ concept ensures that our onestop shopping centers are different from other food and clothing assistance programs. Each location is a fun mini-mart and clothing boutique, with a play corner just for kids. In 2021, our 3 HCC location served over 45,000 individuals experiencing hunger in Phoenix. HCC depends on the local community to host individual food and hygiene drives to keep our shelves well stocked, volunteer their time to assist our clients in the shopping experience and donate gently used clothing, shoes, food and more! Reach out today to see how you can get involved at Harvest Compassion Center!

Get Involved Become A FEED1 Partner

Harvest Compassion Center is entirely donation based. Without you, our efforts will be stalled! Visit our website at www.harvestcompassioncenter.org to sign up today for a monthly donation of $28.00 which will fill one large recyclable grocery bag with food and hygiene items to FEED 1 Family a month! By being a FEED 1 Partner, you are committing to serving and feeding your neighbors!

Our Locations: North Phoenix | P: 602-788-2444 Maryvale | P: 623-247-0039 West Phoenix | P: 602-841-7110 www.harvestcompassioncenter.org