


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • 8 AM TO 2 PM






FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • 8 AM TO 2 PM
WHEREAS, Positively Powerful Education Summit and Woman Awards Conference has a rich history of recognizing trailblazing and visionary Women leaders throughout the valley, including many Scottsdale residents and business owners; and
WHEREAS, 2024 marks the 15 th Annual Positively Powerful Education Summit and Woman Awards Conference, an award-winning business conference honoring Women and Girls showcasing inclusivity, diversity and the positive effects both have on people's lives and businesses; and
WHEREAS, acknowledging that the accomplishments of women in ways that empower all people to live their dreams, change lives, and impact commerce for the better is the mission of the conference and the event sponsor Triad West, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, the City of Scottsdale celebrates the accomplishments and impact the 2024 honorees have made on their cities, the Valley and the State of Arizona.
THEREFORE, I, David D. Ortega, the Twelfth Mayor of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, do hereby proclaim September 20th , 2024, as
in Scottsdale and I encourage everyone to recognize the power of positivity and the difference it brings to communities and businesses.
In Witness Whereof, I have here unto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Ben Lane, City Clerk
Welcome to the 15th Annual
Positively Powerful Education Summit & Woman Awards Conference!
We are honored to have you join us for this extraordinary milestone event. Thank you for sharing in our mission to “Acknowledge the accomplishments of women in ways that empower all people to live their dreams and will change lives and businesses for the better.”
In an upbeat and unique style of inspiration, access, engagement, and information, the Education Summit and the 2024 Woman Awards Celebratory Programs are environments where dreams can become realities. Bring your outrageous courage to the gathering, meet friends you haven’t seen in a while, and become new friends with those you will meet. Let’s stay connected and embrace this inclusive award-winning opportunity to collaborate. Together, we have the potential to spark change that resonates far beyond these walls as we exemplify the conference theme: ELEVATING EXCELLENCE, WE RISE!
I am profoundly grateful for the 15 years that I have worked with Sponsorship Trailblazers, Honorees, Team Members, and Leaders who saw my vision for the future. Your many significant contributions to the Positively Powerful Programs are a testament to your dedication and hard work, and serve as powerful inspiration for generations to come. Thank you for being a part of Triad West’s transformative events. Please let me know if I can be of service to you and your organization.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joel P. Martin
President, Triad West, Inc.
Founder, Positively Powerful Education Summits and Woman Awards Conferences
+1 (480) 221 - 5686
jpmartin@triadwest.com
Enjoy the music of the world’s premier performer of the Native American flute - R. Carlos Nakai, of Navajo-Ute heritage
Opening Remarks
Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, CEO of The Phoenix Indian Center, 2024 Positively Powerful Woman Community Leadership Honoree
Dr. Joel P. Martin, Founder, Triad West, Inc. President and Positively Powerful Founder
Welcome – Summit Emcee
Kim Covington, 2023 Philanthropic Woman Award Honoree, Partner in the Covington Companies, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at the Arizona Community Foundation.
Friendship, Mentoring and Creating The Dr. Maya Angelou Brand
Marquetta Glass, Owner of MGS Innovations Group, and a Cultural Equity, Executive Coach, and Speaker from Kansas City, MO. Previously she was the brand director of Hallmark Cards and she is the reason for some its best-selling brands.
Zero Barriers To Business/ Access To Capital
Rasheena Hawkins, Vice President Regional Manager of BMO Bank North America.
Perspective
Anna Maria AlvarezMaldonado, Knowledge Expert on Strategic Partnerships, Sales, Marketing, and PR. She is an Outreach Specialist, and Community Advocate.
Monique Lisa Johnson, Award-winning Master Brand Story Coach, and Founder of “Chat Author G.P.T.” Writer, director and Executive Producer of Award winning stage plays with over 30 years in the theater and film industry.
The Power Of Empathy
Crystal Blackwell, Owner of Crystal Clear Results LLC., the producer of the Crystal Clear Moments podcast.
Joy Johnson, Event Director, A Joyous Event Planning & Management, LLC How To Step Into Your Greatness!
Jackie Wszalek, Small Business Advocate, Community Activist, and Creative Outreach Specialist.
Welcome To The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life!
Rev. Sheriolyn Curry Hodge, Presiding Elder of the AME Church, and managing director and owner of several Comfort Keepers franchises.
The Positively Powerful Women’s Way: Smashing Stereotypes, Having A Vision, Soaring To Success!
Dr. Joel P. Martin
Q & A with Dr. Joel Martin and the Summit Speakers.
Mastering Your Brand Signature Story
Star Spangled Banner
TAYAH AUSTIN
Welcome
JOY JOHNSON, A Joyous Event Planning & Management, LLC
DR. JOEL P. MARTIN, Founder, Triad West, Inc. President and Positively Powerful Founder
Awards Emcee
SUSAN CASPER has nearly 30 years of experience as an award-winning anchor, reporter, and host. She joined Arizona’s Family in January 2024 in her new role as Community Relations Manager, Community Anchor and the host and producer “In the Community with Susan Casper.”
Sponsor’s Message
KAYLA VALENCIA , Corporate Responsibility, Regional Manager of Southwest Airlines.
Keynote Presentation
JENNIFER W. SANCHEZ
Leads neighbor relations for Intel Arizona as the global company invests $30 billion in two new factories to make microchips for the world. She also manages the AZ schoolto-STEAM workforce pipeline strategy, including the Equity in STEAM Initiative.
2024 Honorees
Community Leadership
JOLYANA BEGAY-KROUPA
CEO of the Phoenix Indian Center
Presented By Tonya Hamilton, CEO and Tribal Liaison of the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith, and Family
Nonprofit Leadership
LAURA BULLUCK
Founder and CEO of Hope’s Crossing
Presented by Erika O. Castro, SRP Supplier Diversity and Supplier Management Manager
JANUARY CONTRERAS
President and CEO of the Children’s Action Alliance
Presented by Rev. Sheriolyn Curry Hodge, AME Presiding Elder and Comfort Keepers Owner
Corporate Leadership
CONNIE ROBINSON
CEO of The Gideon Group and Leader of the HR Services team.
Presented by Kayla Valencia, Corporate Responsibility Regional Manager of Southwest Airlines
SUSAN CASPER has nearly 30 years of experience as an awardwinning anchor, reporter, and host. She joined Arizona’s Family in January 2024 in her new role as Community Relations Manager, Community Anchor and the host and producer “In the Community with Susan Casper.”
Susan has a passion for helping others and when she’s not on television, you will find her helping out in the community as a motivational speaker, volunteer, and advocate for women and girls.
Among her many honors, Susan is an executive board of Dress for Success Phoenix, a founding member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (Phoenix Metropolitan Chapter) and member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Susan and her husband, Sidney, are the proud parents of twin girls.
JENNIFER W. SANCHEZ loves life. She is a problem solver, strategic disrupter, storyteller, connector and guru in corporate social responsibility, policy and communications. Jennifer leads neighbor relations in Arizona as Intel invests $30 billion in building two new factories to make microchips for the world. She also manages the company’s school-to-STEAM workforce pipeline strategy in Arizona, and developed the Equity in STEAM Initiative, in partnership with YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, to address the Grand-Canyon-size of women and people of color in STEAM.
Prior to joining Intel, Jennifer Sanchez led a fearless, multi-industry career, starting as an award-winning journalist for newspapers nationwide. Reporting led her into public policy, nonprofits and national politics. Her experiences include serving as a state lobbyist for marginalized communities; director of a workforce program for at-hope students; communications director for the Utah Senate Democrats; surrogate operations director at the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C.; and deputy operations director for Hillary for America in Iowa.
Jennifer received a Bachelor of Journalism and Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Utah. She also received a Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Leadership from Georgetown University.
She is a fifth-generation Chicana from El Paso, Texas. Arizona is the ninth U.S. state she calls home. She loves living outside of her comfort zones, traveling, the outdoors, coaching, dancing and the theater.
JOLYANA BEGAY-KROUPA is the Chief Executive Officer of the Phoenix Indian Center, specializing in language and culture revitalization. The Phoenix Indian Center is a central and vital urban hub for the Native American community.
Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, a woman of remarkable resilience and determination, hails from Ts’iłdiilyesiitah (Rabbitbrush) near Fort Defiance, AZ. Her journey to becoming the 50th Miss Navajo Nation (2001-2002) was a testament to her character.
Today, she resides in the Phoenix-Metro area and continues to inspire, teach, and lead. In addition to her work at Phoenix Indian Center, she teaches Navajo language classes at Arizona State University and Stanford University and has also taught at Harvard University and Yale University. Language is her passion, and she advocates for the importance of language revitalization.
She is a motivating force to many as she leads the Phoenix Indian Center and works to provide cultural and educational services to the Native American community. Native Americans living in an urban setting can lose access to their culture and ceremony. Still, because of the Phoenix Indian Center, many participate in the programs and maintain the connection they were missing out on before.
LAURA BULLUCK is the Founder and CEO of Hope’s Crossing, a non-profit organization in Phoenix, AZ, that helps at-risk women become whole and healthy. She has 14 years of leadership in life-changing nonprofit work and is the CEO behind her recently launched Bulluck C Enterprises LLC consulting firm.
Her leadership journey began in 2005 with her Ladies in Power community project. Today, she is one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s “Most Admired Leaders of 2022” for her commitment to her community. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego appointed her to serve on The City of Phoenix Human Services Commission,
As a dedicated mentor and leadership coach, Laura Bulluck invests her time and energy in guiding others. She hosts the Position Yourself For Purpose leadership conference and the CEO Power Talk global podcast, available to 80,000+ listeners.
She is a Board member of Service Place and the author of several books, her latest being “All Grown Up: The Road Less Traveled.” Previously a Senior IT Manager in the healthcare industry, she holds a Business Management degree and a Master’s degree iNonprofit Management and Leadership and is a Board-Certified Christian Mental Health Coach. She relishes the time she can spend with her grandchildren.
JANUARY CONTRERAS is an attorney and non-profit executive. Her commitment to championing women and children for over twenty-five years is evident in her role as the President and CEO of the Children’s Action Alliance where she spearheads advocacy that impacts the well-being of children and families in Arizona.
She is the founder of Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS), a legal aid center that represents people often left behind in the justice system. It provides life-changing and life-saving legal services to children and young adults facing homelessness, abuse, human trafficking, and the foster care system.
January Contreras previously served at the national level as the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a position for which she received bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate. At ACF, she managed a $62 billion budget and talented staff of 1,800 public servants in the delivery of federal programs ranging from child care to Head Start to child welfare. Under her leadership, ACF produced nationwide advancements, including more support for grandparents and kinship caregivers of children, funding for families to prevent entrance into the foster care system, new resources to support homeless youth, and new grants and government-to-government partnerships to preserve Indigenous languages and empower tribal decision making over Head Start eligibility. She also created a new Office of Family Violence Prevention. She has also served as a cabinet member and advisor to Gov. Janet Napolitano, overseeing AZDHS as the Interim Director.
In 2020, she was honored as the State Bar of Arizona’s Legal Aid Attorney of the Year and by the YWCA with the Leadership Tribute Award. She received the Judge Learned Hand Public Service Award in 2017, the highest honor the American Jewish Committee bestows on members of the legal profession. She has been honored by Phoenix Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business Top Forty Under 40 and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40.
CONNIE ROBINSON is the Chief Operating Officer of The Gideon Group and leads the HR Services team, which focuses on executive and organizational development, talent acquisition, recruitment, succession planning, HR audits, DEI, compliance, employee relations, training and development, and workplace safety.
She is a proud resident of Phoenix and has a profound and abiding love for her home state of Arizona. Her deeprooted connection to the community is a testament to her commitment and dedication. Her expertise extends to a wide range of employment-related legal issues, including ADA, FMLA, ACA, Employment Law, HR processes and systems, HR Audits, and AAP/EEO. Her collaboration with the courts led to the creation and implementation of the Arizona judicial sexual harassment policy, a significant milestone in the field. She also contributed to the statewide training for the Arizona Supreme Court, further solidifying her reputation as a leader in the HR industry. She has over 30 years of HR experience at Dial Pinnacle West, Capital Corporation, The Arizona Supreme Court, and Motorola.
Among her many honors, she received the President’s Award for consistently exceeding hiring goals, a company first for non-technical staff, recognition for her award-winning recruitment model for talent acquisition and sourcing, the 2022 Golden Standard Award from the Phoenix Suns, and as Chair of the “48 Women, Arizona’s Most Intriguing Women” her program was Awarded an official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project. She is the author of the book 48 Women, Arizona’s Most Intriguing Women.
Connie Robinson is a W. K. Kellogg Leadership & Philanthropic Program graduate. She serves on the board of Valley Leadership Alumni, FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Associations, Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy, and the Arizona State University Center for the Study on Race & Democracy.
KAYLA VALENCIA
Corporate Responsibility, Regional Manager of Southwest Airlines
TONYA HAMILTON
CEO and Tribal Liaison of the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith, and Family
ERIKA O. CASTRO
SRP Supplier Diversity and Supplier Management Manager
REV. SHERIOLYN
CURRY HODGE
AME Presiding Elder and Comfort Keepers Owner
501c3 Community Partners
To our amazing Sponsors, Knowledge Experts, Event Producer, Team, and Guests. Thank you! You make this event possible!
Our mission is to make the connections that empower communities to thrive. Through our meaningful relationships, we proudly support your efforts in the many communities we call home. Whether in the air or the ground, we believe community is more than a place – it’s at the Heart of what brings us together.
Southwest Airlines® is a proud sponsor of the 2024 Positively Powerful Conference.
Together, we can strengthen the health and safety of Arizona's communities through collaboration and capacity building across the state
1 5 t h A n n u a l P o s i t i v e l y P o w e r f u l
E d u c a t i o n S u m m i t a n d W o m a n A w a r d s
C o n f e r e n c e !
2024 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Community Leader – Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, CEO of The Phoenix Indian Center
Nonprofit Leader – Laura Bulluck, Founder and CEO of Hope’s Crossing
Visionary Leader – January Contreras, President and CEO of The Children’s Action Alliance
Corporate Leader – Connie Robinson, CEO of The Gideon Group and Leader of the HR Services team
2023 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Organization Leader – Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Co-CEOs Mary Mitchell & Christina Spicer
Enterpreneur Leader – Patricia Tellez Olds – President and CEO of the Kuniklo Corporation and Board of Directors
Chairperson for AMCA - Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona
Philanthropic Leader – Kim Covington – Vice President, Community Initiatives, Arizona Community Foundation (ACF)
2022 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Entrepreneur Leader – Patricia Crenshaw, President & CEO, Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council, Arizona & Metro San Diego
Education Leader – Dr. Kathryn Nakagawa, ASU, Professor, Asian Pacific American Studies. Owner, Baseline Flowers
Corporate Leader – Becky Jackson, President & CEO, Becky Jackson, LLC.
S.T.E.A.M. Leader – Capt. Nancy Martin Belitz, Southwest Airlines. Standards Check Airman. Lead, SWA Adopt-A-Pilot School Outreach Program
Community Service Leader –Dr. Lois Brown, Executive Director, ASU Center for the Study of Race and Democracy. Implementing ASU 25-Step Racial Justice Plan
Nonprofit Leader – Diana Gregory, President and Founder, Gregory’s Fresh Market (GFM), A Division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services
Transformation Leader – Joy Johnson, Event Director, A Joyous Event Planning & Management, LLC
2020
Sustainability Leadership – Nichol Luoma, Vice President of University Business Services, Arizona State University
Entrepreneur Leadership – Stephanie Vasquez, Owner of Fair Trade Cafe
Non-profit Leadership – Claudia Kaercher, Founder and Executive Director of Island Liaison, Inc.
Medical Leadership – Dr. Angela Allen, Clinic Research Program, Director of Banner Research Institute & Medical Center & ASU Edson College of Nursing & Health Innovation
Global Corporate Leadership – Barbara H. Whye, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Corporate Vice President, Social Impact and Human Resources
2018 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Corporate Leadership – Debbie Castaldo, Vice President of Corporate and Community Impact for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Executive Director of the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation
Visionary Leadership – Dr. Pamela Williamson, President and CEO of WBEC-West
Equality Leadership – Angela Hughey, Co-Founder and President of ONE Community
Educational Leadership – Hong Yee Mei, Country Manager and Co-founder of Milestone Trainings in Malaysia
2017 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Global Leader - Nona M. Lee, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Arizona Diamondbacks.
Social Justice Leader – Lisa Loo, VP of Legal Affairs and Deputy General Counsel, Arizona State University. President, State Bar of Arizona.
Entrepreneurial Leader – Jackie Wszalek, Owner, Splash Printing and Marketing. Founder, WOWOB.
STEAM Leader – Rhonda Peters James, Senior Program Manager, Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategy External Partnerships Group, Intel Corporation.
2016 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Global Leader – Carrie S. Young, Senior Director, Corporate Operations Services SRP
Media Leader – Susan Casper, ABC-15 Host, Sonoran Living Live
Health Advocacy Leader – Anna Maria Maldonado, Director of Sales & Marketing, Care1st Health Plan AZ
Human Rights Leader – Charlene Tarver, Esq., CEO, The Tarver Law Group, PLLC
Technology Leader – Tyler Butler, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, GoDaddy
2015 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Giving & Global Education Leader – Dr. Akua Duku Anokye, ASU Associate Director, School of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies
Entrepreneurial Leader – Bonnie Lucas, President/CEO, Law Enforcement Specialties
Spiritual Leader – Rev. Delphine Rodriguez, Pastor and Principal San Carlos Unified School
Visionary Leader – MaryLynn Mack, Director of Operations, Desert Botanical Garden
Arts & Culture Leader – Dr. Isola Jones, International Mezzo-Soprano Opera Singer, Professor South Mountain Community College
Philanthropic Leader – Nicole Stanton, Managing Partner and Associate General Counsel, Quarles & Brady
Global Leader – Sandra Yancey, Founder and CEO, eWomenNetwork, Inc.
Philanthropic Leader – Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Executive Director of Arizona State University Gammage and Assistant Vice President for Cultural Affairs
Arts and Culture Leader – Linda Herold, President, Herold Enterprises
NonProfit Leader – Ethel Luzario, CEO and President of The 3000 Club
Spiritual Leader – Rev. Ozetta Kirby, Pastor, Holy Trinity Community AME Church
Educational Leader – Trish McCarty, Corporate Board Chair/ President, StarShine Academy
Global Leader – Jackie Thompson, Community Affairs & Grassroots, Southwest Airlines
Educational Leader – Dean Shirley Mays, Attorney and Dean, Arizona Summit Law School
Nonprofit Leader – Patricia K. Hibbeler, CEO, Phoenix Indian Center
Corporate Leader – Marian M. Yim, Attorney at Law, Yim Law Office, PLLC
Entrepreneurial Leader – Kimber Lanning, Founder, Local First Arizona
STEM Leader – Dr. RaShonda Flint, Assistant Dean of the College of Sciences and Technology, University of HoustonDowntown
Philanthropic Leader – Debbie Gaby, President, Debbie Gaby Charities
2012 AWARD
Global Leader – Dr. Michele Halyard, Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Co-Founder, CBBC
Philanthropic Leader – Sharon Lechter, Pay Your Family First & Presidential Advisor
Corporate Leader – Pamela Lam, Vice President of R&D for Home and Laundry Care in North America
Spiritual Leader – Reverend Sheriolyn Curry Lasley, Pastor, Greater Bethel AME Church
Educational Leader – Bettie Spruill, CMEC, International Coach & Consultant
Entrepreneurial Leader – Jane Spicer, President, Daphne’s Headcovers
2011 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Global Leader – Kay Kallander, Vice President, American Baptist Homes of the West (ABHOW)
Philanthropic Leader – Deborah Bateman, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, National Bank of Arizona
Nonprofit Leader – Kristi Lee, Co-Founder Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders
Entrepreneurial Leader – Colleen J. Payne-Nabors, President & CEO, MCI Diagnostic Center
Spiritual Leader – Reverend Dr. Cathy C. Patterson, Pastor, Fountain of Life Church
Corporate Leader – Vivian Frazier, Human Resources, Regional Central, Southwest Gas Corporation
2010 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Corporate Leader – Angela Curley, Head of Corporate Diversity & Inclusion and Social Progress, Henkel Corporation
Nonprofit Leader – Debbie Paine, Director of Development, Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Entrepreneurial Leader – Lorena Valencia, CEO & Founder, Reliance Wire & Cable
2009 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Entrepreneurial Leader – Maria Benson, Residential Faculty, Business & Information Technology at Maricopa Community Colleges
Nonprofit Leader – Pam Gaber, CEO & Founder, Gabriel’s Angels
Nonprofit Leader – Fatimah Halim, CEO & Founder, Blueprint For Womanhood
Entrepreneurial Leader – Choo Tay, President, Media88
2008 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Entrepreneurial Leader – Joanna DeShay, CEO, Black Russian Label
Nonprofit Leader – Ruth Covey, Arizona Magic of Music & Dance
Entrepreneurial Leader – Susan Ratliff, The Exhibit Expert
D r . J o e l P . M a r t i n , T r i a d W e s t , I n c . , a n d P o s i t i v e l y P o w e r f u l
F o u n d e r d e d i c a t e d t o c r e a t i n g u n i t y a n d c h a n g i n g l i v e s a n d
b u s i n e s s e s f o r t h e b e t t e r . 3 0 + y e a r s o f t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l
l e a d e r s h i p d e v e l o p m e n t , d i v e r s i t y , e q u i t y , a n d i n c l u s i o n c u l t u r e
c h a n g i n g c o n s u l t i n g , t r a i n i n g , a n d c o a c h i n g . E l e v e n c o u n t r i e s .
P r e v i o u s a d a g e n c y o w n e r . A u t h o r . L o v e s p e o p l e .
j p m a r t i n @ t r i a d w e s t , c o m . 4 8 0 - 2 2 1 - 5 6 8 6 .
h t t p s : / / w w w . l in k e d i n . c o m / i n / d r j p m a r t i n /
Congratulations to Dr. Martin and the 2024 Honorees. Enjoy the Positively Powerful Conference.
Please plan on joining us for the 16th Annual Positively Powerful Education Summit and Woman Awards Conference, in September 2025,
@pospowjp #iampospow #pospos2024 Triad West, Inc. / Positively Powerful ©