In Business Magazine - March 2020

MAR. 2020

Giving Guide: Prepare for Arizona Gives Day on April 7

Great Leaders

Ask ‘How Can I Help?’

New Markets

Tax Credits The

Law on

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MARCH 2020 COVER STORY

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21 Businesses You Must Know

In Business Magazine presents area business superstars in key economic sectors of Greater Phoenix.

FEATURES

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The Proactive Magic of Asking, 'How Can I Help?'

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Spring 2O20 • aztechcouncil.org

Arizona Technology Report

Arizona Technology Council: The Voice of the Technology Industry

President’s Message

IN THIS ISSUE

Deepen Capacity through Great Governance

Create Everyday Courage by ‘Rumbling with Vulnerability’

40

“Tech Advances Shipping Logistics” and “New Grocery Shopping Technology: Good for Employees, Businesses”

Common Delegation Pitfalls

Angela Civitella identifies risks and remedies in that critical leadership skill – delegating.

DEPARTMENTS

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

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45 Arizona Technology Council

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SPECIAL SECTION

Giving Guide Presents

GIVE ON APRIL 7, 2020

53 The Giving Guide

Briefs

“Boutique Concepts Strengthen Fitness Sector,” “Control in Med Payments,” “Online Digital Job Analysis Search Engine,” “WorkForce Software on Oracle Cloud,” “Local Standouts Recognized for Achievements and Philanthropy,” “Keys to Sales Success” and “Storage with Style”

13 Connecting business with our community

Feedback

Ashleigh Bechtel, Jill Hamblen and Liz Scott respond to In Business Magazine’s burning business question of the month.

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ARIZONA

Guest Editor

Matthew Fehling, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving the Pacific Southwest, introduces the “Business Superstars” issue.

Max Walsh, Tucson Cabinet Lead Kaci Fankhauser, STEM Ecosystem & CSO Enrollment Coordinator Enrique Garcia, Signature Event Advisor & STREET Team Coordinator Katy Reno, Advanced Technologies Outreach Coordinator Don Ruedy, Executive Emeritus, Tucson

aztechcouncil.org

By the Numbers

Are companies’ recruitment practices netting them the best candidates?

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Startups

“Canyon Ventures: Innovative Accelerator” and “From Research to Revenue”

MAR 2020

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INBUSINESSPHX.COM

“Adaptive Reuse Breathing New Life into Phoenix,” “DesignBuilt College Prep Campus,” “Union @ Roosevelt Attracts Chicago Investor,” “Real Estate Investment: Self-Storage,” “Historic Luhrs Building to See Upscale Hotel Conversion” and “Hilton Concept Hotels Part of Park Central Revitalization”

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WHO WE ARE

CRE

Eileen Rogers series explores the strength of risk in leaders’ calculations of risk and return in business.

2 Legislature considers bill to fund STEM hub

Arizona’s technology industry is thankful to have a leader like Sen. Kyrsten Sinema working hard in Washington to address some of the 3 Lawmakers weigh extending most pressing issues Arizonans … tax credit programs no, make that all Americans face today. This goes double for her recent 4 New health plan quickly announcement that she and Sen. Roger catches on among members Wicker of Mississippi together will take up the matter of net neutrality to 5 Four executives take their advance a bipartisan, forward-thinking places on Council board Steven G. Zylstra, solution.

President and CEO, Arizona Technology Council The trouble with current legislative efforts to secure net neutrality — namely, the Save the Internet Act passed The Arizona Technology Council is by the House — is they are rooted in the past.

Arizona’s premier trade association for If the term “net neutrality” is new to you, let’s turn to Webster’s for an unbiased science and technology companies. definition: the idea, principle or requirement that internet service providers should or must treat all internet data as the same regardless of its kind, source, or destination. In simplest Phoenix Office terms, that means you and I get an equal shot at googling “net neutrality” and getting 2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1530 Phoenix, AZ 85004 results without your waiting in a longer line because my provider is considered preferred.

Phone: 602-343-8324 • Fax: 602-343-8330 Essentially, this legislation in its current form would try to enforce regulations written info@aztechcouncil.org for the telephone industry in 1934 but apply them to the 21st century internet. That approach is beyond illogical. The measure would make it harder for broadband providers Tucson Office 1215 E. Pennsylvania St. to invest in deploying high-speed internet networks to rural and underserved communities Tucson, AZ 85714 in Arizona.

Phone: 520-388-5760 The Save the Internet Act also would only apply to a small portion of the online tucson@aztechcouncil.org ecosystem, leaving many major internet technology companies from oversight. Any law governing net neutrality must include and be equally enforceable to all parties.

MANAGEMENT AND STAFF This is especially true now that consumers and regulators across the United Steven G. Zylstra President + CEO States are calling into question the impartiality of their online experiences.

Leigh Goldstein COO + Vice President, Programs + Events It’s widely understood today that many companies are using their size and Jill Brownley Director, Marketing + Communication influence to unfairly censor differing opinions and have frequently engaged in Deborah Zack Senior Director, Membership Services Laura DeGeorge Executive Assistant to President + CEO anti-competitive behavior. There is, quite simply, no good reason not to include Jeff Sales Executive Director, Southern Arizona Regional Office them in net neutrality legislation.

Jamie Neilson Director, Operations, Southern Arizona Regional Office That’s why the Arizona Technology Council is excited to see Sinema take Laura Ann Di Meo Accounting Manager Angelica Espinoza Bookkeeper on this issue and work with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass Don Rodriguez Editor truly modern legislation that will secure net neutrality, promote innovation and Ron Schott Executive Emeritus, Phoenix protect all internet users from the broad range of threats they face online.

SCITECH INSTITUTE “As innovation continues to leap forward, the dynamic and creative nature Steven G. Zylstra, President + CEO of the internet should be encouraged, not inhibited, by regulations,” Sinema and Jeremy Babendure, Ph.D., Executive Director Kelly Greene, COO + Director of Student Success Wicker wrote in a USA Today op-ed they co-authored recently. “The internet is Nikki Micale, Arizona CSO Regional Lead one of the greatest forces for entrepreneurship in history. We need to update it Caillou Pena, Government Relations Specialist Dee Quintero, Office Manager with a framework for the future.”

Michele Roy, Grant Writer No politics, no positioning. Their finding neutral territory to accomplish a Brocton Rye, Marketing and Communications Manager shared agenda is a lesson from which members in both chambers can learn.

Michael Tarber, Accounting Manager

From the Top

Suzette Smith built her company to fill an unusual niche in healthful food.

Bruce Weber and Charlie Smith’s series examines developing and sustaining organizational capacity.

PARTNER SECTION

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Doug Conant shares an excerpt from his book The Blueprint: 6 Practical Steps to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights.

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Technology

Books

New releases give fresh insights on business thinking.

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Legal

Local attorney discusses why and how careful compliance with earned paid sick time regulations will avoid hefty penalties.

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Economy

New markets tax credits open doors and facilitate growth for businesses seeking creative financing.

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Nonprofits

With the changing nature of America’s donors, nonprofits have challenges to overcome.

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Assets

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Plus: A few green plants can make the workplace a lot friendlier.

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Power Lunch

PHX Beer Co: Tapping into Greatness Plus: There are some great restaurants that fill the broad barren wasteland of midafternoon lunch options.

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Roundtable

Banking AI will give U.S. businesses visibility and control.

Although Phoenix was at the top of the list of top 20 metros for small business job changes, the market still hit negative numbers for the second month in a row. The Phoenix small business hiring index, 99.84, was the best among the metros, but all 20 markets were showing negative small business job growth. paychex.com/employment-watch/#!/

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Join us at the Positively Powerful Conference

Dr. Joel P. Martin, Triad West

Friday, April 17, 2020 ASU 365 Community Union

MARCH 2020 In Business Magazine is a collaboration of many business organizations and entities throughout the metropolitan Phoenix area and Arizona. Our mission is to inform and energize business in this community by communicating content that will build business and enrich the economic picture for all of us vested in commerce.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS Kristen Merrifield, CEO Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits (602) 279-2966 www.arizonanonprofits.org

bit.ly/PPWAInfo

Education, Motivation & Celebration!

Health and Self-care, Diversity and Inclusion, Sustainability, Ecology, and Entrepreneurs’ Business Growth.

Jess Roman, Interim Chief Executive Officer Arizona Small Business Association Central Office (602) 306-4000 Southern Arizona (520) 327-0222 www.asba.com

Education Summit Speakers' Dynamic Presentations Breakfast 7:30 AM. Program 8 AM -11:30 AM

Steven G. Zylstra, President & CEO Arizona Technology Council One Renaissance Square (602) 343-8324 www.aztechcouncil.org

Felicia Davis, Coach, Branding Strategist and CEO Black Women’s Collective Kimber Lanning, Founder Local First Arizona and Local First Arizona Foundation LaCoya Shelton CEO Revolutionary HR Consulting Deborah Bateman, Coach, Facilitator, Mentor, Advisor, Risk Blossoming

Doug Bruhnke, Founder & President Global Chamber® (480) 595-5000 www.globalchamber.org Angela Garmon, President NAWBO Phoenix Metro Chapter (480) 289-5768 www.nawbophx.org Anne Gill, President & CEO Tempe Chamber of Commerce (480) 967-7891 www.tempechamber.org

12th Annual Positively Powerful Woman Award Recipients' Gala Leadership Connections 11:30 AM. Awards Celebration Luncheon 12 Noon - 2 PM

Our Partner Organizations are vested business organizations focused on building and improving business in the Valley or throughout Arizona. As Partners, each will receive three insert publications each year to showcase all that they are doing for business and businesspeople within our community. We encourage you to join these and other organizations to better your business opportunities.

The members of these and other Associate Partner Organizations receive a subscription to In Business Magazine each month. For more information on becoming an Associate Partner, please contact our publisher at info@inbusinessmag.com.

Nonprofit Leader Claudia Kaercher, Founder and Executive Director of Island Liaison Providing Awareness and Resources to Pacific Islanders Global Corporate Leader Barbara H. Whye, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and VP of Human Resources, Intel Corporation @BarbaraWhye Medical Leader Dr. Angela Allen, Clinic Research Program Director Banner Research Institute and Medical Center, ASU Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation Sustainability Leader Nichol Luoma, Vice President ASU University Business Services, University Sustainability Operations Officer and Chief Procurement Officer Entrepreneur Leader Stephanie Vasquez, Owner of Fair Trade Cafe, Phoenix, AZ. Fair Trade Certified Coffee with a Conscience

Together, we change lives and businesses for the better.

Join us. Become a sponsor, attendee, or supporter, contact Dr. Joel P. Martin, Triad West & Positively Powerful Programs, jpmartin@triadwest.com http://bit.ly/PPWAInfo

ASSOCIATE PARTNERS Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce ahwatukeechamber.com Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry azchamber.com Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce azhcc.com The Black Chamber of Arizona phoenixblackchamber.com Chandler Chamber of Commerce chandlerchamber.com Economic Club of Phoenix econclubphx.org Glendale Chamber of Commerce glendaleazchamber.org Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce phoenixchamber.com Greater Phoenix Economic Council gpec.org Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce gpglcc.org Mesa Chamber of Commerce mesachamber.org North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce northphoenixchamber.com Peoria Chamber of Commerce peoriachamber.com Phoenix Metro Chamber of Commerce phoenixmetrochamber.com Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce scottsdalechamber.com Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce surpriseregionalchamber.com WESTMARC westmarc.org

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MARCH 2020

Hi Phoenix, Let’s spend smarter.

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VOL. 11, NO. 3

Rick McCartney RaeAnne Marsh Treya Jaholkowska Chad Soderholm Benjamin Little Angela Civitella Doug Conant Kinja Dixon David Duan Maciej Duszyński Adam Fields Jeff Friesen Mike Hunter Shawn Ohri Alejandro Pérez Dustin Riley Eileen Rogers Ben Smith Charlie Smith Richard Tollefson Michal Tyra Bruce Weber

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Corporate Office InMedia Company 45 W. Jefferson Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 T: (480) 588-9505 info@inmediacompany.com

www.inmediacompany.com Vol. 11, No. 3 In Business Magazine is published 12 times per year by InMedia Company. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to InMedia Company, 45 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. To ubscribe to In Business Magazine, please send check or money order for one-year subscription of $24.95 to InMedia Company, 45 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 or visit inbusinessphx. com. We appreciate your editorial submissions, news and photos for review by our editorial staff. You July send to editor@inbusinessmag.com or mail to the address above. All letters sent to In Business Magazine will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication, copyright purposes and use in any publication, website or brochure. InMedia accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other artwork. Submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. InMedia Company, LLC reserves the right to refuse certain advertising and is not liable for advertisers’ claims and/or errors. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of InMedia. InMedia Company considers its sources reliable and verifies as much data as possible, although reporting inaccuracies can occur; consequently, readers using this information do so at their own risk. Each business opportunity and/or investment inherently contains certain risks, and it is suggested that the prospective investors consult their attorney and/or financial professional. © 2019 InMedia Company, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine July be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission by any means without written permission by the publisher.

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MATTHEW FEHLING, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SERVING THE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST

Business Superstars

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Matthew Fehling is the president and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving the Pacific Southwest, a community of trustworthy businesses across Greater Arizona and Southern California. He leads the most innovative and expansive BBB in North America with amenities in Greater Phoenix such as the Business & Community Center and ignite sparked by BBB, a co-working and collaboration space. As a respected leader — fluid across state lines — Fehling serves on a number of nonprofit boards and is actively involved in the community.

A business community that is excelling is a business community that is made up of successes throughout. With all that we do to attract business here in the Valley, it stands to reason there would be some businesses, small and large, that are doing so well that sharing their success and their unique proposition would empower us all in business.

Businesses that build a strong foundation internally — will achieve greatness externally.

There are many things a business can do to become better, but what makes a business truly great is a question worth asking. Is it growth? Is it culture? Can a business be great without strong financial performance? To me, a great business starts with a team that is brought in, authentically, to the company’s purpose. In addition, a great business is constantly looking to improve and enhance all offerings to all stakeholders. Sounds gelatinous? It may, but it’s a powerful truth. Fortunately, we will receive concrete insight into what makes a business great, in this issue.

The cover story this month spotlights 21 great businesses in our local community. Their successes and example cause a ripple effect — in their own economic sector and ones that theirs touches — that promotes and strengthens business overall. Read the article to learn why In Business Magazine believes they are “21 Top Businesses You Must Know.”

Great businesses need great employees in order to maintain their success. But, although this is a reality that most businesses recognize and credit, their actual recruitment practices may be ineffective or, worse, undermine their objectives. This month’s By the Numbers feature pulls the curtain back on what is really going in recruiting talent today.

The sectors of technology and healthcare increasingly overlap. This month’s Technology page presents information about an app developed by a local entrepreneur that helps individuals make healthier decisions in their grocery shopping and, ultimately, save their employers in healthcare costs.

The image of leadership is often the “fearless leader” leading his or her troops into action.

This month’s feature article turns that around 180 degrees as Doug Conant explains why and how leaders get great results by asking their employees, “How can I help?”

Speaking of helping, this month’s special feature is the annual Giving Guide. Working with the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, In Business Magazine supports Arizona Gives Day, which is coming up April 7.

Adaptive reuse, artificial intelligence in banking, trends in fitness concepts — these are a few of the other topics that make this March edition a worthwhile read cover to cover. I’m pleased to help present it to you.

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Matthew Fehling President and CEO Better Business Bureau serving the Pacific Southwest

CONNECT WITH US: Story Ideas/PR: editor@ inbusinessphx.com

Greatness Going into business to build something great or take a position to do great things is a common thought among many.

However, actually demonstrating greatness by more than simply a bottom line takes skill. We learn from those who have done this, so we put this issue together to show off 21 top companies (including three great nonprofits) to learn by example. Companies of all types and of all stages of business are profiled and asked some straightforward questions. The answers are sure to help us learn. Knowing them and their stories is certain to help us be better ourselves.

The perfect example is this month’s Guest Editor, Matthew Fehling, who leads the Better Business Bureau serving the Pacific Southwest. As president and CEO of what was, formerly, an Arizona region, his success prompted a merger with San Diego and Orange County to create a larger region where he and his vision are helping many businesses be great.

Thank you, Matt, for being a great leader and for leading this —Rick McCartney, Publisher (dare I say it?) great issue.

Let us know what you think of this issue of In Business Magazine. Email our publisher at feedback@inbusinessmag.com.

Business Events/ Connections: businessevents@ inbusinessphx.com Marketing/Exposure: advertise@ inbusinessphx.com Visit us online at www.inbusinessphx.com

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SPEAKING OUT Addressing the topic Eileen Rogers examines in her series on Risk (page 38), Feedback this month welcomes input from three businesses with which Rogers has consulted.

FEEDBACK QUESTION: Let us know what you want to know from the Valley’s top business leaders. editor@inbusinessphx.com

WHAT EFFECT HAS A CHANGED APPROACH TO RISK HAD ON YOUR COMPANY?

ASHLEIGH BECHTEL

JILL HAMBLEN

LIZ SCOTT

President FireFly-HR Sector: Human Resources

Co-Owner and President triARC architecture & design Sector: Architecture

Co-Founder and CEO Catalyst Media Design Sector: Media Services

There is a high level of risk involved with being an entrepreneur, which can be exhilarating for some yet petrifying for others. Over the past 18 months, we have changed the way we look at risk within FireFly-HR. We dedicated time to defining our true company values and now align decision-making and action to what is truly important to us. We have also changed the way we communicate by increasing our focus on courage and transparency.

Our first step with a new business opportunity involving a high level of risk is to ask how the opportunity supports our values. Our second step is to have candid and open conversations to identify where we will excel and also might struggle.

This approach has allowed us to take on opportunities we may have otherwise been nervous about and turn down opportunities we may not be the best solution for. The courage it takes to have the conversations on the front end has created an approach to risk that is allowing us to flourish and feel confident.

Often, risk is seen as a negative; the fear of the unknown and the possibility of failure can be daunting. On the other hand, risk can create the zest in life and lead to incredible results greater than ever imagined.

I started my career in the “gut it out” era of business. If you wanted to succeed, your business came first — long hours and a tough façade was conventional wisdom. In 2006, newly married with a one-year-old at home, my priorities shifted. Fueled by a naïve optimism, I took a risk and co-founded an architecture firm.

As the firm took shape and the great recession loomed, we learned the value of being authentic and being vulnerable. We locked arms with amazing advisors and recognized the power of being curious and continually learning.

This curiosity led us to developing an unparalleled culture and delivery system.

We celebrate our values of deep caring and respect, and have created a unique, family environment. Our risk was worth it; we are living the life we imagined.

Compatibility. It’s something I still see too many leaders placing too little value on when it comes to their clients. Yet, what ingredient could be more important toward ensuring success?

A few years back, we started to think differently about this; we forced ourselves to be brutally honest about the widespread risk we were engaging in by taking on clients that just weren’t a great fit. We examined the reasons why we took on those clients in the first place. Sometimes it was for financial reasons. Other times, we thought we could adjust our approach to suit their culture and way of operating. In each case, we acknowledged that the result ranged anywhere from loss of employee, revenue and time to even damage to our culture because of unreasonable client behavior.

We concluded it simply isn’t worth the risk to engage in client relationships that we know are not compatible in the long term.

“Fit” is now firmly at the top of the list when we explore any new potential client engagements.

FireFly-HR firefly-hr.com

For all past Feedbacks go online to inbusinessphx.com and see what Valley executives think on various business topics.

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Ashleigh Bechtel is the president of FireFlyHR, an HR consulting firm specializing in helping small to midsize companies create and implement people strategies to support their corporate strategies. Bechtel combines her experience in the operations and HR functions to design and support company cultures and build teams who create a foundation for longterm success.

triARC architecture & design triarcdesign.com Jill Hamblen, AIA, is co-owner and president of triARC architecture & design, leading the firm’s risk management, business development and human resources efforts. Hamblen discovered her love of business and her passion of contributing to her clients’ success early in her career. This focus remains an important part of triARC’s values — supporting clients through listening and creating space to allow them to operate successfully.

Sign up for the monthly In Business Magazine eNewsletter at www.inbusinessphx.com.

Look for survey questions and other research on our business community.

Catalyst Media Design catalystmediadesign.com Liz Scott is co-founder and CEO of Catalyst Media Design, a paid media services firm based in Scottsdale, where she brings more than 20 years of experience in media planning, buying, client management and business development to her role. She is also actively involved in her community, serving multiple organizations that include Valley Leadership, The Junior League of Phoenix and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

QUICK AND TO THE POINT

BYTES

by Mike Hunter

Control in Med Payments RexPay was founded in 2016 with a mission to rescue patients and providers from medical billing mayhem by helping patients understand, manage and pay their medical bills – which includes alerting to dupes. Last November’s launch of the RexPay app was followed in December with the app’s win in the Fall 2019 round of the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Arizona Innovation Challenge. rexpay.com

Online Digital Job Analysis Search Engine

Photos courtesy of CycleBar and Row House

Boutique Concepts Strengthen Fitness Sector “Boutique studio fitness is a growing segment of the fitness market,” say Julian and Karen Loveday, owners of the new CycleBar studio in Gilbert and licenses to build two more in the Gilbert and Tempe territory.

Six CycleBar studios operate in Greater Phoenix, among the 230 franchises nationwide.

Another national concept has now opened its first location in Arizona, with franchisee Kim Gavin bringing Row House to Scottsdale’s Hilton Village Shopping Center. Originally created in NYC, the high-energy and low impact fitness concept modeled after the team sport is quickly sweeping the nation as it reaches cult status.

Row House is Arizona's first gym dedicated entirely to indoor rowing and the first of three locations planned for the Valley. Says Gavin, “Being born and mostly raised in the Valley of Sun, I am intimately familiar with its healthand-wellness mindfulness. Given the exposure of rowing not only on Tempe Town Lake but the bursts in a variety of gyms and studios in their routines, it was the perfect time to bring this concept to town.”

Indoor cycling is one line of fitness that has been around and been a successful business proposition for decades. The Lovedays describe

CycleBar as taking it to a new level with state-of-the art studios, bikes and audiovisual equipment. “The idea has been built upon the old ‘spin’ methodology with rhythm, musicality and, most of all, fun becoming the key ingredients for people getting fit.” Noting there is also an element of safety, with cycling being low impact and indoor cycling being safe from the standpoint of traffic, accidents, flat tires and the elements of nature, the Lovedays point out a particularly positive potential plus for the business here in that “Southern Arizona is somewhat unique with the summer climate limiting the hours that one can participate in cardio-based activities outside.”

CycleBar and Row House are part of the group of fitness concepts under the California-based Xponential Fitness umbrella that includes Club Pilates, StretchBar and Yoga Six, which recently announced its first Valley location in Scottsdale.

—RaeAnne Marsh CycleBar cyclebar.com/location/gilbert Row House therowhouse.com/location/hilton-village

MyAbilities Technologies, a global innovator in smart health technology and workplace safety, has released the world’s first online Digital Job Analysis database, JobXweb.com. New in January, the free database provides users access to more than 50,000 job titles, each with unique industry Digital Job Profiles including comprehensive analysis of the psychosocial, cognitive and physical demands in addition to a comprehensive job description.

JobXweb.com was developed by MyAbilities, a company committed to preventing and resolving workplace injuries that was founded by Reed Hanoun, an accomplished entrepreneur who has developed and created innovative technologies primarily in the healthcare industry. jobxweb.com

WorkForce Software on Oracle Cloud

WorkForce Software®, a leading global provider of cloud-based workforce management solutions, recently migrated its WorkForce Suite platform to the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. As a member of Oracle PartnerNetwork, WorkForce Software has been named an Oracle Human Capital Management Cloud preferred workforce management partner for customers with advanced labor scheduling needs in complex industries like manufacturing, public sector and retail. Available on the Oracle Cloud Marketplace, WorkForce Software’s future-ready time and labor offerings can easily be integrated with Oracle HCM Cloud via modern APIs, further extending the value to Oracle Cloud customers. workforcesoftware.com oracle.com/partnernetwork

Arizona recently opened new trade and investment offices in Tel Aviv, Israel, as well as Guanajuato and Chihuahua in Mexico.

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QUICK AND TO THE POINT

LOOKING GOOD Local Standouts Recognized for Achievements and Philanthropy

ACHIEVEMENTS

Ballard Spahr Perfect in Corporate Equality Ballard Spahr was one of 680 companies nationwide to receive a 100 percent rating in the 2020 edition of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. Ballard Spahr's commitment to diversity is reflected in its employment policies, community involvement, and recruiting initiatives. ballardspahr.com

Robson Communities: Best 55+ Builder of the Year Robson Communities was named the National Association of Home Builders Best 55+ Builder of the Year during the 2020 NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, Nev. The annual awards program, which honors excellence in the mature housing market, also recognized Robson with more than a dozen gold and silver awards for individual models and marketing campaigns. Robson Resort Communities have been redefining luxury 55+ living master-planned resortstyle developments in Arizona and Texas for five decades. robson.com

PHILANTHROPY

Sentry Insurance Invests in Community Sentry Insurance recently presented a $200,000 check to the Arizona Leadership Foundation at the “Beat the Pro” exhibition with PGA Tour Player Joel Dahmen.

Arizona Leadership Foundation is a local organization that provides scholarship assistance to private schools and disabled and displaced schools throughout Arizona.

“Sentry is committed to making a difference and investing in the communities we call home,” says Drew Winegar, associate director of claims for Sentry. arizonaleader.org sentry.com

Barro’s Pizza Supports Tuition Giveaway Early this year, Barro’s Pizza, a local, family-owned pizzeria, awarded $10,000 to a local Mesa student, the winner of the 2019 Arizona Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway.

The $10,000 prize money was available to one local resident to help pay college tuition or any related educational expenses. With 44 restaurants throughout Arizona and 40 years in business, the Barro family prides itself on finding ways to support and improve the communities they serve. barrospizza.com drpeppertuition.com

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Keys to Sales Success The secret is listening. People tend to think that, as one of the most successful salespeople in the world, I must be a great talker and can influence people to do things they wouldn’t normally do. Nothing could be more incorrect.

The real secret to sales and most anything else is listening to the customers. Too many people talk. More success will come from being a better listener. What does the customer really need?

Service is the priority. No matter what the industry, in sales or anything else, it’s always about providing service. A person can be the most experienced industry expert in something, but without good service nobody is going to want to do business with that person.

Become invaluable to the employer or industry. It’s crucial to never stop creating ways to become more efficient, less distracted and more knowledgeable. This is the real key to moving up in any industry and becoming irreplaceable.

Be nice. It sounds simple enough, but so many people forget about basic manners in business.

People would rather buy from someone who is nice, polite and treats them with respect than someone who doesn’t. So many times, people told me that I wasn’t the best-priced or offered the most options, but I was the nicest and that made a huge impact on their decision to buy from me.

Money follows a love of something. These days, too many people are chasing the “almighty dollar.” Those who do something just for the sake of money sacrifice inner joy and will eventually become complacent or experience burnout. Those who chase whatever it is they really love will become so good at it that the money will follow suit.

It’s about problem solving and value.

Customers have a problem and they need help. The more problems a salesperson solves for them, the more valuable that salesperson becomes. Those who learn to do it in better and faster than anyone else will have customers for life.

Treat them as customers for life. I would see it all the time in sales. An associate would make a sale and that was the last interaction they ever had with the customer. Those who keep the relationship going can have a customer for life: Follow up; check in periodically to see how things are going, if they are satisfied, if they need any help with anything or have any questions. When they are ready to buy again they are going to think of the salesperson who took that time for them.

—Kinja Dixon (www.kinjadixon.com), whose success allowed him to retire at just 34 years old, earned the Golden Stevie Award for Top Sales Executive in the world and shares his insights in Re-Creationism: The Art of Shaping Reality (re-creationism.com)

Storage with Style It’s a toy box on a grand scale, a facility designed to not just store such oversized “toys” as boats, RVs and vintage roadsters but enhance enjoyment of them and even show them off.

The first Toy Barn opened 10 years ago to meet demand from downsizing homeowners and people who just wanted more space for their “toys.” Toy Barn has three locations in Scottsdale and Phoenix, and a new one in Chandler broke ground in December that will offer 66 units ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 square feet over three buildings, with a similar project planned in north Phoenix.

“We are excited to be able to offer these two areas unique options for storage,” says Jason Phillips co-owner and founder of The Toy Barn.

“We know partnering with Brycon is going to help produce top-quality construction and keep us on track for opening next fall.”

Each Toy Barn has a beautifully designed clubhouse with lounge seating, kitchen space

and communal gathering areas for socializing or private events helping to promote bonding the community. Standard features of each unit include minimum 18-foot ceilings and heavyduty garage doors, with opportunities for personalization such as added lofted space and —Mike Hunter built-in kitchens.

The Toy Barn toybarnstorage.com

Arizona ranked sixth in the nation for exports percent increase from 2018 to 2019, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, growing to $24.7 billion, a record high for Arizona. Arizona exports increased 9.7 percent and ranked in the top 20 for exports by dollar value. Arizona’s exports to Mexico — the state’s number one international trade partner — grew by 7 percent. census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/state/index.html

METRICS & MEASUREMENTS

Recruitment Practices Fall Short

Companies lose as many as 89 percent of potential candidates due to prolonged screening process

Importance of:

by Maciej Duszyński

With unemployment rates hitting all-time lows, the tables have turned on employers. It’s a job seeker’s market and they get to choose. One bad experience, and it’s the hiring company who’ll get the “thank you, next” treatment.

So, what do the candidates expect of the potential employer? Zety asked 1,010 Americans about their experiences and expectations for the recruitment process.

The results clearly show that the largest numbers of candidates visit company websites both when looking for job offers and when researching their prospective employers. The question is, where do the best candidates come from? Do they come in hordes via company websites and job boards?

Even though Jobvite’s Recruiting Funnel Benchmark Report reveals that 90 percent of applicants do come from job boards and career sites, another study from Jobvite shows that they’re the worst and least effective sources of quality candidates.

Recruiters admit that the best source for top talent comes from referrals, custom campaigns and internal hires.

Why are so many direct applications of such low quality?

Just like our own study, the 2018 Talent Board North American Candidate Experience Benchmark Research Report revealed that the vast majority of candidates (70%) independently research prospective employers, and the company’s website seems like a pretty obvious destination to get more info on the employer. Plus, the same report further indicated that the number one information the candidates want to learn is the company values.

Since so few quality candidates come from direct applications, we’d venture to say the websites, in general, do a rather poor job communicating company values to the outside world. This is definitely some food for thought before revamping a company website, especially if it's supposed to attract top talent.

What American Consumers Buy Most Using a Voice Assistant

Factors Affecting Job Choice Salary

Recruitment Processes and Incentives Job seekers’ impressions of the recruitment process can influence the way a given employer is perceived — especially since studies reveal that up to 60 percent of job seekers consider their job-seeking experience poor, and 72 percent will complain about it to others.

The findings from our study reveal that company websites matter most; candidates are willing to spend about two hours preparing their recruitment documents, which includes about 15 minutes that they’re ready to spend submitting their application online; the largest number of candidates are ready to spend one to three months looking for a job, yet, in reality, the average time of unemployment in the U.S. is about fiveand-a-half months; and candidates would like to get a job offer in a week or two after the first interview, yet, in reality, it takes five-and-a-half weeks.

For the vast majority of job seekers, salary is the most important factor affecting their job choice, followed by duties and the location. The top three employee benefits include paid holidays, medical insurance and retirement plans.

Our study also found that, before making the final decision to accept or reject a job offer, candidates consider what the application and recruitment process looked like and what impressions they got of the recruiter(s) they met during their interviews.

Where the Majority of Respondents Do Background Research on Their Prospective Employer

Effectiveness (according to the 2017 Jobvite report; the higher the factor the more effective the source)

Company websites

24.82%

Company websites

31%

Internal hires

Job boards

24.54%

Review sites

28%

Custom campaign

8.32

Referrals

23.43%

Referrals

23%

Referral

4.52

Career site

0.84

Job boards

0.39

Social media

12.7%

16.03

92.38%

Job responsibilities 24.54% & duties Location

87.03%

Career growth opportunities …

Size of company

72.48% 25.54%

Best Employee Benefits & Perks Vacation/paid time off

85.05%

Medical insurance 84.95% 401k or retirement plan

78.71%

…

Free food & drinks 26.04%

Maciej Duszyński is credentialed as a certified professional résumé writer and is a career expert with Zety.

Zety, a career toolbox fueled by some of the best career experts — featured in Business Insider, The Guardian and Forbes — and a community of 40 million readers a year, publishes high-quality guides and articles for job seekers. zety.com

Visit zety.com/blog/candidate-experience for more detailed information, including differences related to gender, generation and education level.

Source: zety.com/blog/candidate-experience

The largest numbers of candidates visit company websites both when looking for job offers and when researching their prospective employers.

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ENTREPRENEURS & INNOVATORS

Canyon Ventures: Innovative Accelerator

GCU’s focus on benefitting its students and its community is evident in its recently launched business accelerator, Canyon Ventures. Member businesses must hire GCU students, a valuable pool of talent for the businesses that also benefits the students by giving them marketable experience as a foot in the door for future employment. Not only is space rent-free, but Canyon Ventures is one of few incubator spaces connected directly with an angel investment organization (Canyon Angels).

Xcellerate, a Phoenixbased consulting firm committed to helping startup companies turn research into revenue, has taken a new role as managing partner of BrandLab Studios.

Formerly known as 3125 Studios, BrandLab Studios is a newly rebranded 34,000-squarefoot creative space in Tempe.

Filled with classrooms, breakout and conference rooms for business events, recording and podcast studios, and other creative spaces, the venue has the capacity to host events with guests ranging from 10 to 400. brandlabstudios.com xcelleratebio.com

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early-stage startups, particularly within the large Latino community in Phoenix, that are still developing business plans.

The NBDC programs serve as a prerequisite for the Phoenix entrepreneurship ecosystem of incubators and accelerators.

“Our goal is to provide entrepreneurs a collaborative coworking space where they have access to industry leaders, networking and opportunities to obtain investor funding through pitch events,” says Randy Gibb, Ph.D., dean of the Colangelo College of Business at GCU. This encourages these future successful businesses to plant their headquarters in the West Valley, furthering GCU’s efforts to revitalize the —RaeAnne Marsh community in which it resides.

From Research to Revenue

No research goes to market without time and money spent.

Great ideas often die in a lab or workshop because the person behind them does not have the knowledge on how to bring the idea to market. While one may have the talent and skills to develop an idea, it’s crucial to have someone on the team who understands marketing, accounting, fundraising, et cetera, to bring the idea to real-world production and turn it into a thriving business. According to the National Association of Small Business’s Economic Report, it’s estimated that the startup failure rate at four years is about 44 percent. This is where a company like Xcellerate comes in — to provide the skills founders need to successfully launch their business.

This involves taking research or ideas from the lab and developing transitional strategies and roadmaps to create marketable products and services to generate revenue. The first step is to start by validating that the market exists and has a want for the product or service. According to the abovementioned report, 42 percent of the businesses that fail do so because there was no market for their product or service.

Once a need is confirmed, the next step is developing a solid go-to-market strategy for building teams, building sales and generating demand. It may sound simple, but many founders ignore this critical step. Having a collective of skills and knowing who to hire to bring one’s idea to life is often the best determinant of companies’ future success.

—Ben Smith, CEO of Xcellerate Biomedical Technologies (www.xcelleratebio.com) and a seasoned entrepreneur, executive and marketer with nearly three decades of experience serving across a variety of sectors.

Canyon Ventures is connected to GCU’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence as well as cyber experts from Cerberus Sentinel Corporation, a cybersecurity firm in Canyon Ventures that protects businesses and governments against continuing and emerging cybersecurity threats.

Photos courtesy of Grand Canyon University (top), Xcellerate Biomedical Technologies (bottom)

XCELLERATE NOW MANAGING PARTNER OF BRANDLAB STUDIOS

Commitment to hiring GCU students, both initially and continuing as the venture grows, is one of the criteria needed to be accepted for a spot in Canyon Ventures. Canyon Ventures looks for businesses that have a clearly defined growth and/or exit plan, and there is an application process all ventures must go through that includes a complete business plan with financials as well as background checks for employees. Another key criterion for ventures, they must share, embrace and promote Christian values — a requirement in keeping with GCU’s charter as a Christian institution — along with a culture of servant leadership and the ideals of Conscious Capitalism.

Incorporated into Canyon Ventures is the New Business Development Center, which GCU opened in 2016 but which differs from the accelerator in that it is geared more for

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MINDING THEIR BUSINESS

Suzette Smith: The Future Is Fermented Garden Goddess Ferments is Phoenix’s only fermented foods company

by Holly Bentley

Pick Up the Beet • Garden Goddess Ferments, founded

by Suzette Smith, is Phoenix’s only fermented foods company.

• Fermentation is the breakdown of substances by the action of yeast or bacteria.

• Sixteen ounces of sauerkraut is equal to eight bottles of probiotics.

• Beet Kvass is a sugarfree, fermented beet tonic that oxygenates the blood, kills fungus and curbs sugar cravings.

• Eating fermented foods daily is a matter of life and health.

• Garden Goddess products are sold on Amazon.com and in local AJ’s Fine Foods and Whole Foods locations.

Growing up on a farm in rural Georgia, Suzette Smith learned the great art of garden-to-table cooking at an early age.

Her parents were modern-day pioneers who left the city and moved the family to the country. Smith harvested the garden, which was the foundation for her passion of whole food nutrition. From soil to seed, she has stuck to the basics when it comes to food and believes in natural healing. Now an entrepreneur and a passionate advocate for nutrient-dense foods, this small-town girl’s fermented foods recipes have landed her in some big-name stores across the Valley.

Smith’s obsession with gut health has been strong for more than a decade. Through years of training to sell supplements, she learned the gut is “grand central station” for the foundation of one’s health. Vitamins weren’t enough. “You can’t supplement your way out of a bad diet,” Smith says. She needed something she could sink her teeth into, literally.

More than five years ago, Smith found a website about fermented foods and sauerkraut. Intrigued, she shredded her first head of cabbage, jarred it with some brine and placed it in the closet. After stinking up the entire neighborhood, the delicious pickled cabbage she created became her go-to sauerkraut recipe and she was on a mission to create guthealthy food that would make a difference in the lives of her closest compadres. “It was a difference they could feel and taste,” Smith says. “When friends kept asking for more, I decided to make a move. I had hit a brick wall with supplement sales, and fermented foods ignited a passion inside of me.”

With a solid kraut recipe, Smith turned to a friend who had a little money in her pocket. Together, they founded Garden Goddess, Phoenix’s only fermented food company. “However, my friend quickly realized shredding 80 pounds of cabbage by hand and standing at a farmers market on Saturday was not her cup of tea,” Smith relates. “So, I paid off my part of the accrued debt and kept hustling.”

Not paying herself was one of several obstacles Smith had to overcome. She found producing her product in shared kitchens was a challenge because it was expensive, and heat posed a problem to her products. Her ferments prefer a solid 68 degrees. So, Smith decided to build her own fermentation kitchen with no heat and a cool temperature. “As you can

imagine, my space is absolutely delightful in during the summer,” Smith jokes.

With her entrepreneurial spirit and love to share, Smith decided to open her space to small food companies at less than market rents, because she was there once, and rents can kill the bottom line.

Smith was able to start paying herself two years ago, thanks to a loyal tribe of customers from the farmers markets who experienced great results from just one tablespoon a day of her kraut. During this time, she’s also grown the most as an entrepreneur. “I’ve learned to hire quality labor and not try and save every soul that walked through the door,” Smith says.

And she’s dealt with the pains of perfecting shipping glass jars and mastered the art of P & L statements as her numbers got larger.

The year 2020 has already proven to be the best year yet after Smith landed a deal with AJ’s Fine Foods and Whole Foods locations in the Valley. She still sets up her stand and offers samples of her products, each with their own personality, one cup at a time. Kowboy Kraut has a Southwestern flair, Power Kraut has a kick of ginger, Apple Kraut is chock full of horseradish without the burn, and Beet Kvass is Phoenix’s only sugar-free, fermented beet tonic that oxygenates the blood, kills fungus and curbs sugar cravings. “In five years, Beet Kvass will be a household name,” Smith predicts.

Smith is sure there will be more times when she wants to throw in the cabbage, but she will continue to expand her palate thanks to passion and perseverance. Next on her long, organic grocery list? Teaching kids the importance of gut health and how to ferment their own foods at home, in her children’s book titled Sasha and Sheila - B, C & Dill.

“I’ll always be dedicated to the daily grind of building my brand by picking up the beet and keeping the kraut moving,” Smith says.

Garden Goddess Ferments gardengoddessferments.com

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Fermented foods contain microorganisms like bacteria and yeast that are crucial in maintaining proper gut health.

PROPERTY, GROWTH AND LOCATION

Adaptive Reuse: New Life for Phoenix

Photos courtesy of Riley | Smith Development & Construction (top) and Stevens-Leinweber Construction and Colliers International in Arizona (bottom, l to r)

Transforming Obsolete Office Buildings into Modern Rental Communities We first saw the possibilities that adaptive reuse in 2016 when we were developing a new condominium project in Phoenix. Every day, we drove past a vacant office building on 7th Street and Thomas, but the addition of a for-sale sign caught our attention. With a scarcity of land available in the area for new construction and a growing demand for unique rental communities, we began to research the property and learned that its zoning allowed for residential use. That was the beginning of our first adaptive reuse project, The Noble, 15 one-bedroom, loft-style apartments that were built by revitalizing and transforming the 1972 office building into an apartment community. That transformation included preserving and updating unique aspects of the property while at the same time building the apartments to the elevated standards that today’s renters expect. For The Noble, that preservation included keeping

»

It’s been said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

The views of a vacant, neglected office building may not conjure up beautiful thoughts, but a close look may show this rundown building to be the perfect place to live. That vision is what allows us to breathe new life into an aging office building through adaptive reuse development, transforming it into a unique apartment community.

the podium-style construction, using it to create a secured entrance and covered parking area. The new aspects of the construction included removing the roof to add a secondstory to the loft apartments and a community roof-top deck. It also meant designing the units to compliment the building’s original concrete structure.

Keeping Up the Search The Noble showed us both the importance and the challenges of adaptive reuse development. Anyone who starts with an existing building will definitely run into more surprises that would not come up with new construction.

But from preservation to sustainability, adaptive reuse development is important. At Riley | Smith Development & Construction, we believe there are opportunities for us to give new life to office buildings and fill the gap for muchdesired small and mid-size apartment communities. For us, that next opportunity is 500 E. Thomas, an Alfred Beadledesigned office building that will be redeveloped into —Dustin Riley, 26 midcentury-modern apartments. principal of Riley | Smith Development & Construction (www.rsdaz.com)

by Mike Hunter

GET REAL

Design-Built College Prep Campus Stevens-Leinweber Construction, one of the Valley’s most active tenant improvement, new construction and designbuild contractors, has broken ground on a brand new, built-to-suit Vista College Preparatory campus. VCP-Sueño Park, a public charter school for grades six through eight, is located on a 3-acre site at the crossroads of 45th Avenue and McDowell in Phoenix, “Vista is a smart, growing organization with a great sense of community,” said SLC Director of New Construction Erik Powell. “We’ve worked closely with VCP’s leadership to incorporate that spirit into all of their campuses with bright, vibrant colors, lots of quality spaces where children can learn and play, and a design that adds to the value of their neighborhoods.” stevensleinweber.com

Wrought iron was part of original office building, refurbished and installed as a monument on the building

Union @ Roosevelt Attracts Chicago Investor Union @ Roosevelt, a recently developed mixed-use project within the popular Roosevelt Row district of Downtown, has been sold to a Chicago-based investor for $27 million. Located at 888 N. 1st Ave., it features 80 luxury, mid-rise apartments with 9,100 square feet of ground-floor retail space and 28,000 square feet of land.

“We were very excited to work on such an intricate deal that will continue to shape the culture of downtown Phoenix,” says Brad Cooke, Senior VP of Colliers International in Arizona. “The sellers were very intent on selecting the right buyer that saw the correct vision for Phase II, which will be approximately 120 units, bringing the total unit count to 200 units.” www2.colliers.com/en/United-States/Cities/Phoenix

Constructed in 2017, Union @ Roosevelt is situated in a highly desirable location at Roosevelt Street and 1st Avenue.

The walkable Roosevelt Row Arts District has been nationally recognized for its arts and cultural events. Union @ Roosevelt sits within a top employment area consisting of 120,000 jobs.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT: SELF-STORAGE

In its 2020 self-storage investment forecast for Phoenix, Marcus & Millichap reported that vacancy declined in 2019 amid an 84 percent year-over-year increase in annual completions, as robust job and population growth helped drive up self-storage rental demand. Rents likewise remained unscathed by the robust construction activity in 2019.

Moving into 2020, Marcus & Millichap forecasts: • Approximately 1.8 million square feet will be delivered in 2020, after a cyclehigh 2.5 million square feet was deposited last year. An average of 1.8 million has opened per year since 2017.

• Metro vacancy will fall to 6.7 percent in 2020, down 160 basis points from the end of 2017.

• The metro’s average asking rent will rise to $1.04 per square foot following no change last year.

Marcus & Millichap bit.ly/2020MMselfstorage

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PROPERTY, GROWTH AND LOCATION

BY MIKE HUNTER

Historic Luhrs Building to See Upscale Hotel Conversion With a vision of realizing a truly unique mixed-use property for downtown Phoenix, leading owner, developer and property manager Lincoln Property Company has sold the historic Luhrs Building to Provo-based PEG Companies and Dallas-based A.G. Hill Partners for $14 million. An industry expert with an extensive track record in hotel development, PEG plans to renovate 92,000 square feet of the 108,000-square-foot Luhrs Building into a stylish upscale hotel. In this project, PEG Companies Development Manager Trevor Ellis says, “Our goal is to preserve the historical integrity of the Luhrs Building as much as possible.”

Located at the east end of Luhrs City Center at 11 W. Jefferson St., the Luhrs Building was delivered in 1924 as Phoenix’s first 10-story high-rise. The 14-story Luhrs Tower was delivered five years later, in 1929. The buildings now sit within a Qualified Opportunity Zone, making the Luhrs Building conversion one of the first QOZ projects in the Phoenix area to start construction.

“This project is a prime example of everything a Qualified Opportunity Zone project should be,” says PEG Companies CEO Cameron Gunter. “George Luhrs had unparalleled vision when he constructed the building nearly 100 years ago. Now, PEG is excited to restore the vibrancy of this iconic piece of Phoenix’s history.”

LPC will maintain ownership of the balance of Luhrs City Center, which includes the 14-story Luhrs Tower office Prepare

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Luhrs City Center luhrscitycenter.com

Lincoln Property Company PEG Companies pegcompanies.com lpcphx.com

Hilton Concept Hotels Part of Park Central Revitalization When complete, the large-scale Park Central revitalization effort will transform a once-defunct shopping area into the city’s premier destination to work and play. Now, the addition of a new, state-of-the-art hotel will help ensure that it’s also a top place to stay for city travelers.

The brand-new, dual-branded Home2 Suites/Tru by Hilton hotel from Dallas, Texas-based Fayth Hospitality Group will add 207 total guest rooms to the Park Central property, spanning five stories and covering a total of 105,000 square feet of space. Construction is set to begin in late 2020, and, once complete, it will add numerous features — including a new rooftop pool, mini-marketplace and other amenities — to the local landscape.

“This is a natural next step for the Park Central property, and we’re eager to add a new option for travelers who come to the area for work or leisure,” says Sharon Harper, chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies, the company spearheading the Park Central revitalization effort alongside Holualoa Companies.

The new, dual-branded hotel will combine features and perks from both brands. Home2 Suites, a pet-friendly, extended-

stay hotel, offers free breakfast, in-suite kitchens and other extended-stay perks. Tru by Hilton, meanwhile, offers interactive, semi-private workspaces, game rooms, multimedia areas and a 24/7 market where guests can grab snacks, coffee and other beverages and light bites.

The new Park Central includes 450,000 square feet of Class A creative office and retail space available for lease with the ability to accommodate tenants ranging from 3,500 square feet to more than 100,000 square feet in size. It features exclusive tenant patios, on-site restaurants and amenities, a stunning mid-century modern design, 15- to 25-foot ceilings, convenient bike path and light rail access and ample parking.

Park Central parkcentralphoenix.com

Plaza Companies theplazaco.com

The PEG redevelopment of the Luhrs Building will convert floors one through nine into hotel rooms. The top floor will remain occupied by Hagens Berman Law Firm. The nationally renowned Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour, located on the ground floor, will also remain open during construction and a part of the building’s tenant mix.

Photos courtesy of Lincoln Property Company (top) and Plaza Companies (bottom)

Guide:

Giving

building at 45 W. Jefferson St., an adjacent six-story, Class A parking garage and 15,995 square feet of fully renovated ground-floor retail space called the Arcade — home to La Madeline, Serafina Coffee Bar and Monroe’s Chicken.

Since purchasing Luhrs City Center in late 2015, LPC and partner Invesco have completed a multi-million-dollar renovation that improved lobbies, common areas, streetscapes and the Luhrs garage while protecting and improving historic brick interiors, exposed beams and ornamentation. The work earned the company a “2017 Redevelopment Project of the Year” award from NAIOP Arizona.

INNOVATIONS FOR BUSINESS

New Grocery Shopping Technology: Good for Employees, Businesseshemselves?

TECH NOTES

Tech Advances Shipping Logistics While we will continue to see growth in parcel package deliveries in 2020, we will see an even bigger spike in online sales of items requiring white-glove logistics and services. Due to this new trend in ecommerce, consumers — who have been conditioned to expect their online purchases will be delivered quickly and efficiently — will start to demand the oversized, fragile or high-value items they buy from online sellers be delivered in a similar fashion.

It is widely believed that logistics automation via parcel shippers was the catalyst for the initial wave of ecommerce. However, parcel shippers were only able to automate fulfillment for items that were small, non-fragile and low value.

ARTA saw the need for a similarly automated fulfillment solution for items that can’t ship via general freight networks.

ARTA automates white-glove logistics through a proprietary API and platform. First, we developed a predictive pricing model based on hundreds of thousands of data points that provides instant shipping and service costs based simply on the item dimensions and collection and delivery addresses. This allows customers to get instant shipping and service costs on our platform; or, by integrating our API, sellers can show shipping costs on their site at the time of purchase and allow the buyer to check out in a single transaction, creating a frictionless experience for transactions that were often happening offline. In addition, these goods more often than not require multiple service providers to get an item from point A to point B. ARTA built a network of more than 500 providers across more than 60 countries, which allows us to provide fulfillment solutions — including custom packing, installation, imports and exports — for any item, from furniture to jewelry to fine art, anywhere in the world.

Most importantly, while ARTA’s technology can automate whatever our customers would like, there is always a human available to provide custom solutions for complex requests.

— Adam Fields, founder and CEO of ARTA (shiparta.com), provider of innovative technology and fulfillment solutions for global white-glove logistics.

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New technology from an Arizona company is reinventing the way businesses keep healthcare costs down, while making it easier for consumers to find healthy options at the grocery store.

ScriptSave WellRx, based out of Tucson, unveiled new mobile technology that makes personalized grocery recommendations based on a person's health, allergies or diet. It’s the first free mobile app that makes nutritional recommendations at the grocery store based on an individual’s health needs.

Reducing healthcare-related expenses, or even keeping them relatively flat, takes some maneuvering for most businesses. But WellRx found that by simply educating employees on the benefits of a healthy diet — via easy-to-use technology — businesses could cut their medical costs without compromising the health of their employees.

Here’s how WellRx’s new grocery shopping technology is helping small and large businesses keep their healthcare costs down, while keeping employees happy and healthy: WellRx’s technology helps employees make smarter and healthier food choices at the grocery store. This decreases their potential for severe health issues, as a poor diet can lead to — or worsen — obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues and other health problems.

A healthier lifestyle leads to less unexpected time off. This can save businesses thousands of dollars yearly. According to Circadian (www.circadian.com/blog/item/43-shift-workabsenteeism-the-bottom-line-killer.html), unscheduled days off costs a business roughly $3,600 per year for each hourly worker; for salaried employees, roughly $2,650 each year.

WellRx’s technology alerts employees on potentially life-threatening food allergies.

This not only decreases emergency-room visits that cost businesses thousands of dollars but also alerts users if they’ve selected a food that may negatively impact their health, or worsen their health condition.

Everyone saves money. The grocery shopping tool decreases healthcare-related expenses for both the business and employee without compromising anyone’s health.

WellRx’s technology doesn’t discriminate.

Insured and non-insured employees, both, can use WellRx’s free grocery shopping tool. This gives non-insured employees an option outside of health insurance to educate themselves on

how to make healthier food choices that are more compatible with their health conditions or lifestyle.

A Closer Look at WellRx’s Free Grocery Shopping Technology The average grocery store has roughly 50,000 items, making it difficult to know which products are healthy and which are just "marketed" as healthy. It can be overwhelming to find legitimately healthy items, especially when marketers purposely mislead consumers in packaging that is designed to sound healthy.

WellRx’s grocery shopping technology brings together nutritional data science with AI-powered personalization to help consumers know which food products at the grocery store are compatible with their health.

WellRx’s technology allows consumers to scan the bar-code of nearly any food at the grocery store on their smartphone and instantly discover a Food Index Rating based on calories, ingredients and other nutrition facts.

The Food Index Rating also shows consumers whether a food is compatible with their allergies or diet, or if it could potentially harm them in any way.

For consumers with certain health conditions — like diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease — the free technology filters out bad foods, replacing them with items that are better for their health. There is even a category to help pregnant women, vegetarians and vegans find healthy food options for their more specialized diet.

WellRx’s free technology is accessible to business owners as well as general consumers, improving the health and personal medical costs for everyone involved — both employers —Shawn Ohri, VP of and employees.

Product and Technology at ScriptSave WellRx (www.wellrxcom), which has helped consumers save $10 billion in prescription medications

WellRx found that by simply educating employees on the benefits of a healthy diet — via easy-to-use technology — businesses could cut their medical costs without compromising the health of their employees.

Showcasing examples of success

by RaeAnne Marsh

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Greater Phoenix has no shortage

of great, successful companies.

It also remains a hot spot for entrepreneurs, and many of their startups scale up to become more of our great, successful companies.

In Business Magazine has chosen to showcase 21 businesses in our community, in different sectors and at different stages of growth.

They offer candid answers to two questions that give insight into why, as Matthew Fehling, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving the Pacific Southwest, says in his Guest Editor letter for this issue, “sharing their success and their unique proposition would empower us all in business.”

The questions we posed were “What is the most notable thing you or your company is doing that is making yours a company to know?” and “How is that one thing a benefit to the business community at large or to serving them as customers?”

Alliance Bank has its finger on the pulse of business in Arizona. With its sharp focus on customer relationships, attracting and retaining top banking talent and unique approach that combines a national presence through Western Alliance Bank with a regional focus, it has cemented itself as the bank of choice for many businesses in Arizona. Alliance Bank’s relationship-centric approach gives clients access to a powerful array of specialized financial services, strong expertise and tailored solutions for a wide variety of industries and sectors.

Doing business with a bank that is guided by a client-first philosophy and an entrepreneurial approach and is part of one of the country’s topperforming banking companies gives Alliance Bank’s customers the confidence and peace of mind that their organization takes time to understand their business while working together to build greater success both today and well into the future.

Founded in 2002, BestCompaniesAZ pioneered the intersection of recruiting, human resources, marketing and public relations — today known as Employer Branding or “PR for HR.” BestCompaniesAZ has evolved into an exclusive, niche PR, marketing and employer branding firm that specializes in building and promoting strong employer brands. BestCompaniesAZ is best known for establishing large-scale workplace awards programs and events, including the Best Places to Work in the Valley, Arizona’s Most Admired Companies, Top Companies to Work for in Arizona and several large-scale events designed to support Arizona veterans and spouses and diversity and inclusion.

BestCompaniesAZ specializes in helping corporate clients and community partners develop, strengthen and market their unique employer brands on a regional and national level.

With decades of combined leadership experience in organizational culture development, strategic human resources management, employer branding, public relations and talent marketing, BestCompaniesAZ has developed a reputation as the expert for gaining increased exposure in our state.

The leadership of CCBG Architects committed to move our studio into downtown Phoenix 27 years ago, knowing that the core of our city was going to reinvent itself by repurposing neglected buildings and adding small infill projects. It was many years of banging the drum and leading by example advocating why Phoenix Metro needs strong, dense, sustainable, transit-oriented and vibrant urban cores in order to grow, and offering an alternative lifestyle to suburbia. We have been fortunate to have been able to work with committed clients that share the same goals, and have contributed to downtown’s resurgence.

Our advocacy efforts in Downtown have inspired other businesses to move into the same areas and renovate older unused buildings, and turn them into unique, dynamic places in which to run their businesses, land new clients and recruit top talent.

Proving these efforts are financially viable was one of our hardest tasks. We have now invested in several buildings, and get great satisfaction watching the city reinvent itself and have a vibrant street life.

Don Garner Chief Executive Officer Founded in 2003, Alliance Bank of Arizona, a division of Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, offers a range of loan, deposit and treasury management capabilities, plus superior service.

How long with company: 17 years.

Sector(s) serving locally: a wide range of business sectors, including Real Estate, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Transportation, Professional, Municipal and Nonprofit Communities westernalliancebancorporation.com

Brian Cassidy, AIA President Denise Gredler Founder & CEO BestCompaniesAZ is a regional employer branding

CCBG Architects designs high-density mixed-use projects and adaptive reuse projects in our resurging urban cores in metro Phoenix and San Diego.

How long with company: 38 years

and marketing firm that specializes in identifying,

Sector(s) serving locally: Architecture, Urban

developing and promoting Arizona’s best companies

Design & Interiors

for the benefit of the local economy and workforce.

ccbgarchitects.com

How long with company: 17 years Sector(s) serving locally: all sectors, with a special focus on Arizona’s growing industries (Finance, Insurance, Technology, Professional Services and Contact Centers) bestcompaniesaz.com

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Coplex has helped launch more than 300 startups, including the successful industry disruption via PlutoTV, Qwick and Insurmi. Viacom recently acquired free streaming TV service PlutoTV for $340 million. Qwick was able to go from concept to revenue in 90 days, to a successful $1.3-million seed round in less than 12 months. Coplex also supported Insurmi in getting from an insurance chatbot concept to a successful $1-million seed round in 12 months.

In addition to launching more than 60 startups every year, Coplex is also expanding its focus to help corporate innovators unlock disruptive digital business models from the traditional organization.

Our mission at Coplex is to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems that spark economies, create jobs and change lives. We’re partnering with corporate innovators to rethink and futureproof their industries by transforming from within.

Additionally, several Coplex ventures are currently hiring, including Qwick, ICT Tracker and Insurmi. .

The Department is a mid-rise building in downtown Phoenix that provides cutting-edge space for co-working, retail, office and events. Launched in 2015, The Department was the first co-working space in the core of downtown Phoenix and doubled the size of its co-working offering in 2019.

It was launched as an initiative of Marketplace One, an impact-investment firm based in Phoenix, with a desire to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Phoenix’s urban core. With 28,000 square feet of workspace, The Department Coworking is home to hundreds of entrepreneurs, including startups, social enterprises, designers, developers, remote workers, consultants and small-business owners.

The Department Coworking serves as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and small business in the heart of Phoenix. Not only does it offer the “coolest office space in Phoenix,” there is also a thriving community of entrepreneurs who call this building home. With flexible spaces and friendly lease terms, The Department provides great options for teams to start, grow and scale their businesses. People come to The Department because of the cool space, but they stay because of the community.

Zach Ferres Chief Executive Officer Coplex is a venture builder that partners with industry experts and corporate innovators to launch the next wave of high-growth tech companies in their space.

Kyle Frazey Managing Director

How long with company: since 2012

The Department Coworking, a Place for Modern Business. In the heart of Phoenix.

Sector(s) serving locally: Technology, Venture

How long with company: since inception; he

Capital coplex.com

launched the business in 2015

Sector(s) serving locally: Commercial Real Estate departmentphx.com

By providing a robust suite of financial products, top-tier client service and expertise in many specialty banking areas, Enterprise has grown substantially in the Phoenix area. We differentiate ourselves locally by bringing a truly consultative approach to our clients. We provide thought leadership through our "Think Tank" series, which tackles issues important to small and midsize businesses, create and sponsor professional development and networking events in the region, as well as provide training — at no cost — through our acclaimed Enterprise University business training courses.

The benefits of being high-touch, truly getting to know our clients, and providing thought leadership and educational opportunities are many. Businesses get "more than banking"; they get true partnership. No-cost training courses such as Enterprise University are the perfect example of investing not only in our clients' growth, but investing in the Phoenix community as a whole. Becoming an integral part of the business community is what has helped us continue to grow.

Jeff Friesen President, Arizona Region For more than 30 years, Enterprise Bank & Trust has focused on guiding people to a lifetime of financial success.

How long with company: 9 years Sector(s) serving locally: Manufacturing, Aerospace, Healthcare, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Contracting, Technology, Agriculture, Aircraft Finance, Tax Credit Financing: Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), New Market Tax Credits (NMTC), Opportunity Zones, Historical Tax Credits (HTC) enterprisebank.com

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Equality Health is a revolutionary, integrated, valuebased care delivery system that aims to improve access to quality care for populations that have long struggled with navigating the traditional one-sizefits-all U.S. healthcare model. Working closely with community stakeholders, Equality Health pioneered a sustainable, technology-enabled whole-person delivery model that breaks down cultural, social and technological obstacles; addresses barriers to obtaining quality care; and establishes trust among health plans, healthcare providers and members alike.

Through an integrated, multi-payer platform, CareEmpower®, a culturally competent provider network, ongoing training and incentives, and population-specific programs, Equality Health helps managed care plans and provider practices transition to risk-based accountability and improve outcomes for diverse populations in Arizona and nationwide.

Our mission is to ensure a world where everyone has equal access to quality care and resources to achieve optimal health. Delivering tech-enabled personalized care to individuals across the community helps build healthier workforces and reduces overall healthcare-related costs.

FSW Funding, a woman-owned company, has worked with many Arizona-based businesses over the last 19 years and provided lines of credit when banks were unable to do so. Basically, banks underwrite the historical performance of a company via the positive cash flow a company generates. FSW Funding underwrites the future of a company by evaluating the accounts receivable.

Thus, FSW Funding is a niche lender that bridges the working capital gap between equity and traditional bank financing.

Since FSW Funding is underwriting the future of a company, we are a perfect fit for startups, fastgrowing companies or companies with negative equity. FSW Funding works closely with each client to tailor a working capital line of credit that fits the client’s needs. Without a lender such as FSW, many of these companies would have to give up hard-earned equity or resort to high-interest, cash-advance loans.

Robyn Barrett Managing Member FSW Funding is a privately-owned and -operated, asset-based lending company specializing in the

Hugh Lytle Founder, Chairman & CEO Equality Health, LLC is a Phoenix-based, wholeperson, healthcare delivery system focused on improving access, quality and member outcomes while reducing costs through an integrated technology and community resources platform, culturally competent provider network and unique population-specific care model.

financing needs of today’s small and medium-sized

For more than a decade, Fulton Homes has been a great community steward in building some of the healthiest homes that are environmentally friendly — before it became popular. Providing homes that are thoughtfully designed throughout, Fulton Homes became the only homebuilder in the nation to receive both the Indoor airPlus Leader® and ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year five years in a row, including 2019. Now, all new homes built in Fulton's new communities will also have the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense® label, meaning that all new homes will be constructed to meet EPA's specification for water-efficiency.

Building homes to Indoor airPlus standards, with 5.3 percent of Arizona’s population with COPD and 13.5 percent of adults and 10.9 percent of children with asthma, it just makes sense for us to build all our homes to a healthier standard than your average code-built house. Offering this new WaterSense label benefits new-home buyers in helping to lower monthly utility costs as well as minimizing each buyer’s carbon footprint and energy usage.

Doug Fulton Chief Executive Officer

How long with company: 19 years

Tempe-based Fulton Homes is the largest privatelyowned and family-operated builder in Arizona, having built more than 30,000 homes over the past 40 years.

Sector(s) serving locally: Commercial Lines of

How long with company: 45 years; since 1975

businesses.

Credit fswfunding.com

Sector(s) serving locally: Residential Real Estate fultonhomes.com

How long with company: since founding the company in 2015

Sector: Healthcare equalityhealth.com e

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As a Benefit Corporation (B Corp), our charter mandates us to consider all our stakeholders and not just the shareholders. We have declared our non-ownership stakeholders to be the community, the environment and our people. Every decision we make is in consideration of the balance between those four stakeholders. While we can’t always create a win-win-win-win, we are always mindful to balance the needs of each.

There are dozens of examples of how this perspective benefits the community at large, our customers, the planet and our people. Most prominently, our AIM to Make a Difference program repurposes our customers’ surplus furniture to local nonprofits, for free. Each year we repurpose millions of dollars of furniture to hundreds of nonprofits.

If Kiterocket is one thing, it is engaged. Our team is known for their passion, their expertise and their ability to drive measurable and memorable results.

Our team is professionally and emotionally vested in our clients’ missions and known to be wellconnected within the industries they serve and the communities in which they live. We take the time to probe and understand a problem in order to truly provide sound counsel to the companies we work with.

Here in Phoenix, team members serve on committees (Phoenix Community Alliance’s Social & Housing Advancement Committee) and councils (Phoenix Warehouse District Council) that bring our communication expertise to the table on local initiatives.

Our focus on developing expertise in the technology, renewable energy, food and beverage, and travel/hospitality sectors means our team is well-versed and well-connected. We know a lot of people in a lot of key positions across a lot of companies. We have long-held relationships with industry media outlets, editors and reporters. Our relationships and deep expertise provide a true value for companies seeking an engaged and knowledgeable communications partner.

One thing we are excited about is our film company, Matter Films, and what we are doing in the content creation space. Our clients and brands are finding more ways to get meaningful content out to their brand fans. Whether that’s through social media channels or streaming services, our film company and social media team are looking at innovative ways to craft culturally relevant content in a new digital ecosystem.

By having access to national marketing and production talent, Arizona businesses are able to create and distribute quality branded content that resonates with their audiences in real-time.

This allows Arizona businesses to engage with their brand fans in a timely and authentic way.

Our clients, including Gila River Hotels & Casinos, Fiesta Bowl, SRP and AZ Coyotes, use OH Partners and Matter Films to ensure their brand messages reach their current and potential brand fans.

Adam Goodman President Scott Harkey Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Goodmans Interior Structures is a distributor of office furniture and prefabricated interior construction products from Herman Miller, DIRTT and 300 other manufacturers.

How long with company: 27 years (not including summer breaks as a kid)

Sector(s) serving locally: Commercial, P-20 Education, Healthcare, Government goodmans.com

Martijn Pierik Founding Partner & CEO Kiterocket is global public relations and marketing agency focused on all facets of communication, from strategy and thought leadership to media and influencer relations to digital campaigns.

OH Partners is an independent, full-service advertising agency that takes a strategic approach to build brands people love.

How long with company: 11 years Sector(s) serving locally: Gaming, Travel/ Tourism, Health & Human Services ohpartners.com

How long with company: 15 years Sector(s) serving locally: Public Relations, Marketing, Semiconductor, Technology, Renewable Energy, Solar, Consumer, Food & Beverage, Hospitality kiterocket.com

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We provide suicide prevention, workforce, housing, self-esteem and community services to LGBTQ youth ages 11 through 24. This community is at a higher rate for suicide, self-harm, unemployment and homelessness. Together, we are creating a safe space where they can learn from each other and become resilient and successful adults.

Currently, we are relaunching our efforts around homelessness, bringing together subject matter experts and community leaders to create a better solution and housing more LGBTQ youth, who make up nearly 40 percent of the homeless youth population.

Through helping our youth to become strong, resilient community members, we are making Arizona’s business community that much stronger, inclusive and healthy. Together, we can make Arizona not only the best place for business, but for everyone.

The Phoenix Film Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. We’re bringing fantastic new films to the Phoenix community. And we do it all in one handy location. Other festivals our size will host screenings and parties throughout their cities, but not us. We offer our audiences the opportunity to see film after film without having to leave the Scottsdale 101. All parties are onsite as well, which means you walk right out of the theatre and into one of our parties. Over the course of 11 days, a special community develops made up of film lovers and filmmakers.

Not only is the festival giving Phoenix access to these great films, but we bring in filmmakers from all over the world to see what Phoenix has to offer.

These filmmakers are experiencing restaurants, bars and other exciting things in Phoenix that, we hope, will make them want to return to not only visit but make their next film here. Additionally, we provide great exposure to our festival partners and restaurants via the 28,000 attendees at the festival.

The go-to media partner for some of the most innovative companies in the world, Pro One is dedicated to partnering in our client’s success.

We help companies achieve their training, communications, promotional and, moreover, financial goals. As a partner, we dig deep to listen and understand objectives, budgets and the target audience. We had a recent client realize multimilliondollar sales from one product demo. This is possible because our leadership team is comprised of former top-tier marketing executives — not agency executives. There’s a difference. We know what our clients face every day because we’ve been there.

At Pro One, we are big thinkers and religious about execution and driving hard-core, bottom-line results for each client. As a result, we are trusted. Trusted to fly in, film a public company CEO announcement, edit on site, translate, subtitle and prepare for worldwide distribution, and fly out. Yet, our biggest impact on the community is how we translate our passion to support the nonprofit community — from Veteran’s Heritage Project, Partner’s in Action, Boys and Girls Club, and Women United. We strive to amplify their message, extend their reach, raise more money and help more people.

Nate Rhoton Executive Director One-n-ten is a nonprofit serving LGBTQ youth and young adults in Arizona, ages 11–24, through a Phoenix Youth Center and nine statewide satellite locations.

How long with company: 4 years Sector(s) serving locally: Nonprofit sector, serving LGBTQ youth onenten.org

Jason Carney Executive Director The Phoenix Film Foundation is the nonprofit that produces the Phoenix Film Festival, year-round film events and an amazing variety of student film programs.

How long with company: 20 years Sector(s) serving locally: Nonprofit phoenixfilmfestival.com/foundation

Ruzica Markovic President & CEO Script to screen since 1985, Pro One Media Productions is a full-service production company, focused on delivering cost-effective solutions for corporate, commercial and film projects of any size.

How long with company: 2 years Sector(s) serving locally: Advertising, Marketing, Technology, Legal, Life Sciences, Banking, Consumer Goods, Nonprofits proonemedia.com

NONPROFIT Recognition

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RBBB is the only nonprofit in Arizona that pairs middle school mentors (Leaders) with thirdgraders (Readers) in a highly structured reading comprehension program to help solve Arizona’s literacy crisis. In this way, RBBB serves not just one but two students at the same time, helping struggling third-graders increase comprehension skills while developing leadership skills in at-risk middle schoolers. RBBB provides Arizona’s next generation with experience, skills and selfconfidence to be successful both academically and in an increasingly globalized world.

Reading is critical for an educated workforce. But more than half of Arizona’s third-graders don’t read at grade level; for disadvantaged students, the rate is higher. However, with proper reading intervention, there is an 89-percent chance that students who can read at grade level by the end of third grade will graduate from high school, irrespective of socio-economic status. Additionally, research shows that our Leaders’ service-learning can positively affect long-term student academic engagement, achievement and future success.

Spectrum Medical is dedicated to helping all patients receive the highest-quality patientcentered care in an environment where they can feel valued and respected. There are distinct benefits to receiving HIV treatment and care from an HIV specialist. Spectrum Medical’s mission is to end HIV, providing services to prevent HIV using PrEP and to care for those who are living with HIV to be undetectable and untransmittable. We work with the community to make sure there is a place for those who have been exposed to HIV get the care within 72 hours of exposure.

Our impact is in providing medical care for LGBTQ, straight and non-binary patients throughout the Phoenix region; offering comprehensive, state-of-the-art preventive care and medical treatments in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere designed to build trust.

Spectrum Medical has been instrumental in the work and mission of the Fast-Track Cities Initiative. Appointed by the Mayor of Phoenix to serve on the City of Phoenix’s ad-hoc committee for the initiative, Dr. Thanes Vanig has shared that knowledge and expertise with other cities that want the success Phoenix has shown over the past three years.

Calvin Goetz Founder

Sophie Etchart Founder & CEO Read Better Be Better is a reading comprehension program that partners third-graders with middle school mentors to improve literacy skills and become better learners.

How long with company: since inception (5 years)

Sector(s) serving locally: Education readbetterbebetter.org

For more than 10 years, we have helped thousands of individuals create a financial plan to achieve their unique retirement goals. Our experience affords us the knowledge required to understand the obstacles facing retirees and offer solutions to overcome those obstacles. We actively teach thousands of future and current retirees about the retirement income and tax crisis that is coming ahead. We are helping them build stable retirement income plans to reduce their risk of running out of money while minimizing their exposure to higher tax rates in the future.

With an estimated 10,000 baby boomers retiring each day, retirees make up a significant customer segment that many businesses rely upon. When we help our clients solve for future income needs, we help ensure they will be able to thrive in retirement and have the disposable income to continue to be customers for a variety of businesses. Creating a larger ongoing customer base makes local communities and our overall economy stronger.

Thanes Vanig, M.D. Founder, President, CEO & Chief Medical Officer Spectrum Medical is committed to providing a broad array of care options, including primary care, transgender care, HIV care, PrEP for HIV prevention, and STD testing/treatment.

We help our clients with saving, investing and retirement income so they can enjoy the retirement they've always dreamed about.

How long with company: 10 years Sector(s) serving locally: Financial Services strategyfinancialgroup.com

How long with company: founded company in 1998

Sector(s) serving locally: Medical Care spectrummedgroup.com

NONPROFITS Recognition

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What makes True North Studio notable is also what makes us different. We’re not the kind of company that simply builds the easiest possible project.

Instead, we examine each project intentionally, as an opportunity to complement and contribute to the fabric of the community.

From high-density infill to historic preservation, we approach real estate development as an art, and believe in the power of art in development. Our goal is to do more than build buildings — it’s to bring every building to life as places where people can be their true selves and find their True North.

True North Studio’s notable approach to development creates broad benefits to the business community, as is evident in the Roosevelt Row Arts District of Downtown Phoenix. Not only because we’re filling in vacant lots, adaptively reusing buildings with good bones and preserving beautiful historic bungalows. Our strong business partnerships and collaborations with pioneering innovators are creating the most dynamic concepts that maintain and create jobs, while also attracting local and international tourism.

Recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing companies for the fourth year in a row, and the Nation’s Restaurant News “Power 50” list in 2019, Upward Projects proudly features 15 markedly unique restaurants over five brands in three states. Five additional locations are currently in development. Led by Postino, an Arizona-born restaurant concept with 10 locations across Arizona, Colorado and Texas, Upward Projects has built a cult-like following with gorgeous midcentury adaptive reuse design, trend-setting real estate selection, and decked-out menus of craveworthy sharables that'll instigate last-bite fights.

Upward Projects creates inspired restaurants that are connected to the communities they serve, built on a foundation of historically relevant buildings integral to the neighborhoods that surround them. Hallmarks include pairing delicious food with local ingredients, bespoke beverage programs and a warm, friendly culture that brings everyone together. Upward Projects also promotes in-fill development by focusing on adaptive reuse projects and creating modern "third places" that enhance the neighborhood culture they inhabit.

Weisinger Residential Group provides our clients with high-level and easily accessible educational value when it comes to buying and selling real estate.

It’s no mystery that social media is king and our clients are utilizing IG, IG Stories, FB and YouTube to find answers to their questions; we’re just delivering the message in a fun and relatable way that resonates with our audience. Real Estate is a great way to invest in your future; why not educate others and have fun while delivering your message? After all, you’re only making the single, largest purchase of your life.

When was the last time you actually watched a real estate video all the way through? Probably never … but why? Because most are boring! The more authentic and entertaining you make your videos, the higher the likelihood you have of creating a positive impact on the community you serve.

Dan Weisinger, Realtor® Owner Creating First-Class Real Estate Journeys

Jonathon Vento Founder & Principal Developer True North Studio is a community, economic and commercial real estate development company focused on the arts, retail, dining, hotels, office, residential and public spaces.

How long with company: since founding in 2016 Sector(s) serving locally: Commercial Real Estate Development truenorthstudio.com

How long with company: 1 year

Lauren Bailey Co-Founder & CEO

Sector(s) serving locally: Real Estate weisingerresidential.com

Upward Projects is a restaurant group that thrives on creating authentic and inspiring experiences for the communities we serve. Through the contributions of countless incredible people, past and present, we’re headed to the moon with a simple mission — to make people feel good.

How long with company: since 2009 Sector(s) serving locally: Hospitality upwardprojects.com

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Giving Arizona’s manufacturers skills beyond their size.

The Arizona Commerce Authority is helping our state’s manufacturers grow and prosper through meaningful programs like the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Arizona MEP). Using a proven approach that combines decades of leadership, manufacturing, operational and business expertise, Arizona MEP offers custom, hands-on solutions to help clients achieve their goals. Whether you’re looking for minor improvements or a major transformation, we provide the right knowledge, skill set and flexibility to support your team. Join the more than 200 manufacturers in Arizona who have chosen Arizona MEP to help enhance their business.

Learn more at azcommerce.com

Leadership

A PATH TO FOLLOW

The Proactive Magic of Asking, 'How Can I Help?'

An excerpt from The Blueprint: 6 Practical Steps to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights

by Doug Conant

Douglas Conant is the CEO and founder of ConantLeadership, a mission-driven community of leaders and learners who are championing leadership that works.

He is the former CEO of Campbell Soup and former president of Nabisco, as well as author of the new book The Blueprint: 6 Practical Steps to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights. conantleadership.com

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On the Friday afternoon of 4th of July weekend, 2009, I was on the New Jersey Turnpike returning home from another bustling day of activities as CEO of Campbell Soup Company.

My wife was away in Washington, D.C., helping our daughter move into her new apartment. In the backseat of the car, I was dozing off with my seatbelt on, at the end of a busy week. We were going fast, between 70 and 80 miles per hour, when my driver rammed into the back of a large truck that was stopped near an exit. Fortunately, the driver’s air bag deployed and he was unharmed. I was not so lucky; I narrowly escaped with my life.

When I awoke in the ICU many hours later, confused, groggy, and with pain throughout my chest and abdomen, the first thing I saw come into focus was the comforting sight of my wife, Leigh, by my side. She had rushed to the trauma center from D.C. in a panic at the thought of me waking up alone.

Squeezing my hand, she said three words that I will never forget: “I’m right here.”

The nurses later told me that Leigh had refused to leave my side the entire time I was unconscious — not even to get a glass of water or use the restroom. She was afraid that if she left for even a second, that would be the moment I awoke. To this day, I’m grateful; when I woozily opened my eyes in that fluorescently lit hospital room, not sure where I was, I was so comforted by the familiar sight of her face. It grounded me.

Seeing Leigh in that moment gave me the strength to cope with what had happened. All she did was show up. But the simple act of being present when I needed her most helped me immeasurably, and steeled me for the long road to recovery that lay ahead.

Leigh’s support for me that day reinforced a powerful observation I have had about leadership throughout my career.

I didn’t have to tell her what I needed. She proacted to my need for her help, for her presence; it gave me strength and determination to stay the course. Similarly, in leadership, I have found that no matter how complicated the issue, or dire the

situation, sometimes people simply need that same proactivity and support; they need to hear from their leaders, unsolicited, “I’m right here,” “I’m with you,” “We’re in this together.” Being present and available to others can energize them, renew their resolve, and give them the necessary encouragement to see things through. It’s a way of helping.

The Best Leaders Are the Most Helpful As I was recovering from my accident in the hospital, there was an army of nurses, doctors, and support staff caring for me. Attentively, they would check up on me, asking about my pain, listening to my responses, tinkering and coursecorrecting my treatment along the way. But they weren’t all equally skilled; as in any organization, some professionals were more experienced than others.

I quickly learned that I could tell the most adept personnel apart by one important differentiator. Every time the most engaged caretakers would visit my room, they would approach me with a sleeves-rolled-up spirit of, “How can I help?” The best helpers were fully present in their interactions with me — not nervous, hesitant, or withholding. They were self-assured, compassionate, and generous with their time, attention, and knowledge. They weren’t only kind; they were confident.

I came to understand that the best professionals were the kindest professionals, the ones who knew how to put their knowledge to work in the nimblest way. Many people think that leadership presence is earned by being imposing or austere, or by seeming busy, unavailable, or unapproachable.

Aspiring leaders often worry that the vulnerability that accompanies kindness, or offers of help, will make them seem “weak.” But I have observed the exact opposite. What I saw during my recovery was that I could easily gauge the expertise level of the staff by how confidently and generously they offered their help. That was a powerful lesson.

I found that whenever I was tended to by an “expert-level” helper, not only did I feel assured that I was in good hands and

Aspiring leaders often worry that the vulnerability that accompanies kindness, or offers of help, will make them seem “weak.”

that everything was going to be okay, but I also felt motivated to keep going, to continue fighting. In a situation where despair and hopelessness could easily have set in, their eagerness to be helpful gave me faith in the process and inspired me to match their spirit of contribution by giving my recovery the maximum effort possible.

As I observed this in the hospital and reflected back on my leadership journey, a core tenet of my leadership philosophy was strengthened time and again: The more we approach our work from a place of “How can I help?” the more effective we become. Just as the best nurses were the best helpers, so too are the best leaders.

To achieve optimal leadership outcomes, people must see how devoted we are to their success, that we have their backs, that we are willing and able to pitch in to reach shared goals. More often than not, people are steeped in the same complex web of challenges that we are as leaders.

They get just as many emails, texts, and phone calls. They have just as many kids, cousins, parents, spouses, religious groups, book clubs, to-do lists, vendors, colleagues, babysitters, and bank statements vying for their attention and depending on them not to drop the ball. Sometimes, all people need is for their leaders to simply show up at their side when the chips are down – letting them know that you are right there with them, and that you are willing to help them do whatever it takes to get the job done.

When we offer to help, we let people know that they’re in good hands, and we invigorate the overall effort by inspiring others to mirror our commitment with their own work and devotion. This approach may seem obvious but, again and again, it is the obvious stuff that gets overlooked, and that’s a shame because it is where the most powerful truths about leadership can often be found.

Start Small To better anchor your leadership in a helping spirit, it is transformative to practice starting some of your interactions with the four little words, “how can I help?” — not just bringing the “feeling” of being a helper to your approach in a broad way — but literally saying those exact words.

You’ll be surprised how it sets the tone for your conversations and helps you shape more productive relationships.

What I’m suggesting amounts to the least we can do; and yet, many people don’t even expect this bare minimum level of support. That’s why you may be shocked at how disarming it is to simply ask the next associate you speak to, “How can I help?” instead of the other pleasantries or openers you would normally use. Usually, employees are bracing to report what they’ve been doing to help you as the leader, not the other way around.

Just as Leigh proacted to my needs in the hospital, these four words proact to the needs of your associates, rather than passively waiting to react. The phrase immediately values people by offering them a chance to feel heard and respected; it’s also a concise way of showing that you are right there with them, that you’re in this together. Finally, it sends the message that this is an organization that cares about people, from top to bottom.

It's amazing how something as small as four little words — “how can I help?” — can change the entire energy of your workplace. The more you do it, the more other people will do it. Slowly but surely, you’ll have created an army of helpers all uniting to collaborate and produce extraordinary results, taking your enterprise from a “me” culture to a “we” culture. Start to fold in the practice. Begin in your very next encounter, if possible. It will change you.

BETTERING YOUR BUSINESS

From Hire to Inspire

North Americans work 90,000 hours in their lifetime.

Wouldn’t they enjoy working in a job they love, with a boss who energizes them? With advice for all types of companies, From Hire to Inspire is a road map to becoming a better boss - maybe even the best boss - and to helping one’s employees achieve their potential. Using a new set of behavioral science analytics, Lahey shows how to determine what types of work different people will find fulfilling. When leaders use these principles to put the right people in the right positions at the right time, employees spend less energy adapting, their engagement levels improve and they are less absent at work, which results in an increase in productivity and lower accident levels.

From Hire to Inspire: How to Become the Best Boss David Lahey

180 pages

ECW Press

Available 3/10/2020

$39

Mastering the Hire

Mis-hires siphon energy and erode team culture. Replacing them is stressful and can cost more than $40,000 per re-hire. With the right tools, all of that can be avoided, and a company can consistently make great hires. After years of scientific research and first-hand interview experience with thousands of candidates, Chaka Booker has created a system that helps employers consistently make great hires.

Mastering the Hire provides 12 proven strategies that have been used to accurately identify the right talent 90 percent of the time. The interview is the cornerstone of the hiring process, yet science has shown the odds aren’t in the interviewer’s favor. Mastering the Hire provides strategies that will dramatically improve the one decision that determines everything one can accomplish—whom one hires.

Mastering the Hire: 12 Strategies to Improve Your Odds of Finding the Best Hire Chaka Booker

224 pages

HarperCollins Leadership

Available 3/24/2020

$19.99

Diversity in the Workplace

Containing 25 real-life interviews, including stories of trailblazers fighting inequality, this book shares a slice of life readers may not have been privy to. Whether the reader is a member of a marginalized community or a manager looking to equalize an unbalance, this book explores realworld issues in a modern-day work dynamic. Diversity in the Workplace includes exploring intersectionality - about each of the five major diversity identities shaping disparity at work: Race, Gender, LGBTQ+, Age & Ability, and Religion & Culture; key takeaways - with each section followed by summaries that encourage reflection and action; and deep dive - tips on how to have progressive conversations with colleagues and build awareness with key terms such as . “unconscious bias.”

Diversity in the Workplace: Eye-Opening Interviews to Jumpstart Conversations about Identity, Privilege, and Bias Bärí A. Williams Rockridge Press

128 pages Available 3/31/2020

$16.99

Excerpted with permission of the publisher, Wiley, from The Blueprint by Douglas R. Conant. Copyright (c) 2020

by Douglas R. Conant. All rights reserved. This book is available wherever books and ebooks are sold.

The more we approach our work from a place of “How can I help?” the more effective we become.

MAR 33 2020 INBUSINESSPHX.COM

LAW MATTERS TO BUSINESS

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Alejandro Pérez is a labor and employment partner a Jaburg Wilk.

Fully bilingual, Pérez represents employers in employment matters.

Pérez also provides advice and counsel on employment decisions; drafts and reviews policies and manuals; conducts sensitive workplace investigations; and conducts training on various employment law topics, as well as leadership and diversity and inclusion. jaburgwilk.com

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by Alejandro Pérez

COM

DON’T MISS OUT!

MAR 2020

Don’t Get Ill Over Earned Paid Sick Time Earned Paid Sick Time is a surprisingly complex law that requires exacting compliance. Failure to adhere to its requirements can expose a business to serious liability. But, it’s nothing to get sick over. Careful planning and thoughtful policies will help avoid potential litigation.

I review employee handbooks on a routine basis. One thing I find most employers get wrong is their Earned Paid Sick Time policy. Passed in 2017, Earned Paid Sick Time (EPST) contains some intricacies that can prove quite costly for employers who fail to adhere to its requirements. This article provides a basic overview of EPST and some best practices.

The Basics Under EPST, employees accrue one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. The number of hours an employee accrues depends on the employer’s size. For employers with fewer than 14 employees, accrual caps at 24 hours per year. For employers with 15 or more employees, the cap is set at 40 hours per year.

The statute exempts certain employers from compliance: small employers who are not engaged in interstate commerce and whose gross annual revenues is less than $500,000; federal government employees; and State of Arizona employees.

Employers must allow employees to carry over unused sick time to the next calendar year. Usage, however, is capped at 40 and 24 hours annually, based on the employer’s size.

Alternatively, employers may choose to pay out any unused sick time at year’s end and avoid carrying over hours. Employers choosing this option must frontload the full amount of annual leave required at the beginning of the next year.

Employers must also maintain accurate records of leave for a period of four years and make the records available upon reasonable request. Failure to do so creates a rebuttable presumption the employer has violated the law.

When Can an Employee Use EPST? One of the most misunderstood components of the statute are the liberal uses available for EPST. These include diagnosis, care or treatment of mental or physical illness, injury or health condition, or preventive medical care of an employee or family member; specified purposes related to the employee's or employee's family member’s domestic or sexual violence, abuse or stalking; and certain legal reasons.

Under EPST, employees must make a good faith effort to provide advance notice prior to taking leave and provide the expected duration of the leave, if possible. For unforeseeable leave, employers may require notice if contained in a written policy disseminated to employees. Requests may be made orally, in writing, electronically or by other means acceptable to the employer. Leave can also be utilized in smaller hourly increments or for the smallest amount the employer’s payroll system uses to account for use of time.

No Retaliation Retaliation is strictly prohibited. Any adverse action taken within 90 days of an employee’s protected activity raises a presumption of retaliation, which may be rebutted by evidence of permissible reasons for the action. Employers are also forbidden from imposing any policy that results in discipline for use of EPST. The penalties and remedies available under the law are hefty. As such, employers should ensure their policies and practices in relation to EPST comply with the law. Penalties for recordkeeping, notice and policy violations include $250 for the first violation and at least $1,000 for each subsequent violation. Additionally, the employer may be subjected to special monitoring and inspection.

For retaliation, employers are liable for at least $150 for each day the violation continued or until a final judgment is rendered.

Best Practices Given the significant penalties for making an error in relation to sick time, employers should immediately: • Review their policies to ensure compliance.

• Review current FMLA/ADA policies to ensure they are consistent with the law.

• Train managers on EPST, as well as on FMLA and ADA requirements.

• Implement consistent documentation and recordkeeping processes.

Given the law’s complexities, employers who pool all time off may want to separate paid time off into separate earned paid sick time and vacation buckets. Doing so avoids confusion and potential claims.

Now is a perfect time for employers to review their handbooks and policies — specifically, their EPST policies.

Given the complexities of Earned Paid Sick Time law, employers who pool all time off may want to separate paid time off into separate earned paid sick time and vacation buckets. Doing so will likely assist avoiding confusion and claims.

DEVELOPING & GROWING BUSINESS DYNAMICS

Economy

New Markets Tax Credits

These open doors and facilitate growth for businesses seeking creative financing

by Jeff Friesen

Whether it’s time to expand to a new market, expand operations or open a new location, most businesses need a loan at some point. Traditional loans work well for many financing needs. But there are other creative financing options — sometimes with more favorable terms — that a businessperson should consider for his or her next project.

There are many ways to finance growth beyond the traditional loan. One of these options that many businesses may not have heard of is New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC).

The NMTC program was enacted by Congress in 2000 and allows corporate taxpayers to receive a credit against their federal income taxes for making investments in low-income communities. NMTC financing are loans that provide flexible financing to qualified business and real estate projects.

The intent of this legislation is to encourage investments that stimulate jobs and other benefits to the people living in the low-income communities that are served. The program incentivizes private investment through a federal tax credit.

This creates the perfect public-private partnership to fill financing gaps traditional lenders aren’t able to provide because of regulatory guidelines.

According to the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition (nmtccoalition.org), $720.9 million in NMTC allocation leveraged a total of $1.4 billion in Arizona project investments between 2003 and 2018. A total of 84 businesses and economic revitalization projects in Arizona received NMTC financing, resulting in the creation of 18,000 jobs.

How Do I Know If an NMTC Is Right for My Business?

It is always wise to look at funding options outside of traditional financing. NMTC is a great example of “patient capital,” meaning the loan can be repaid more slowly than a traditional loan. It is a debt solution with flexible features that may include a below-market interest rate, subordinated debt, lower origination fees, longer period of interest only payments, higher loan to value or a longer payback period.

How Do I Qualify?

To qualify for an NMTC, your project or business must be located in what is called a qualified census tract. Here is one easy-to-use map (http://bit.ly/3cdcyhP) showing those tracts in the U.S., developed by online data and mapping application PolicyMap. Arizona is one of the states with the highest percentage of qualified census tracts. In fact, 44 percent of the census tracts in Arizona qualify for NMTC, and 41 percent of the census tracts in Pinal and Maricopa counties in the Phoenix area qualify for NMTC. Yet, the majority of companies we work with in the Phoenix area are not aware of this program.

Beyond the physical location, there are other factors that play into the evaluation of NMTC eligibility. The community

impact of a project will also be evaluated. One aspect considered is the ability to create jobs that pay a living wage and offer benefits such as health, dental and vision benefits, retirement plans, vacation, and holiday and sick pay. Another aspect is jobs with training opportunities for advancement or jobs that are accessible to people without a college degree or formal training. And a third has to do with goods and services to the people living in the community — food, health services, education, job training, childcare or lodging.

NMTC can help fill gaps in a business’s financing structure on a smaller side as well. For example, if a business has a $1 million financing need and a traditional loan will only cover $700,000, a NMTC loan can help bridge the gap without the business owner having to do things like selling equity in the company. These loans can give a businessperson a competitive advantage by enabling expansion of the business in ways that may not have been possible with traditional financing alone.

While there are many benefits to NMTC, there are things to be aware of in considering this option. Some business types are not eligible, including casinos, liquor stores, golf courses and country clubs.

Companies with substantial cash on hand may not qualify.

In addition, NMTC is somewhat complicated during the closing process and it’s wised to be armed with partners, like a banking partner, accountant and attorney, who have done this before.

The more complex the deal, the higher the costs, and the easiest way to manage expenses is to have experienced parties involved.

The New Markets Tax Credit program was enacted by Congress in 2000 and allows corporate taxpayers to receive a credit against their federal income taxes for making investments in low-income communities.

Jeff Friesen is the president of Enterprise Bank & Trust’s Arizona Region. Friesen is responsible for overseeing the fulfillment of current clients’ business and personal banking needs.

He leads the Commercial & Industrial and Commercial Real Estate lending groups, as well as all Tax Credit Finance, including New Market Tax Credit and Historical Tax Credits. enterprisebank.com

MAR 35 2020 INBUSINESSPHX.COM

Capacity This is the fourth of a six-part series on developing and sustaining organizational capacity.

FOR-PROFIT & NONPROFIT GROWTH

Deepen Capacity through Great Governance Successful organizations embrace a holistic view

by Bruce Weber and Charlie Smith

Bruce Weber is founder and president/CEO at Weber Group. Weber brings more than 20 years of experience to the for-profit and nonprofit community, working with startup, growth and mature organizations. His focus is in strengthening organizations through strategic planning, organizational development, leadership and board development. He is a BoardSource Certified Governance trainer and a founding partner of the Nonprofit Lifecycles Institute.

Charlie Smith is managing partner at the Weber Group.

Smith brings decades of experience in the financial services industry, including an extensive background working within organizations to develop high-performance teams. His focus is working with nonprofit CEOs, executive directors and board chairs to build smarter high-performance organizations focused on strategy and execution. He is a BoardSource Certified Consultant, a certified 6 Sigma Black Belt and a Master Black Belt in planning. webergroupaz.com

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Great governance doesn’t just happen; it is created intentionally!

BoardSource, a recognized leader in board governance, defines solid governance: “Successful organizations have engaged boards with members who are passionate about the organization’s mission, who ask challenging questions and make informed decisions, who collaborate with each other, and who promote the organization and its work to their contacts.”

I often encounter organizations that want to engage their boards in meaningful ways like this but struggle to understand how. They often view their board as an adversary versus an ally, and as a liability versus an asset. So how does one turn this mentality around?

First and foremost, let’s be clear on what is “good” governance versus what is “great” governance. Good governance is achieved with boards that show up, make the traditional agenda motions and approvals, vote and listen to the committee reports. They focus on historical perspectives, where the organization has been, and often step into micromanaging the organization versus looking ahead strategically forcing the board into a never-ending spiral of mediocrity.

Great governance involves a board that puts the organization’s needs first, keeping the mission in the forefront and examining ways to increase mission impact. Great boards think holistically about the organization’s future and applying “out of the box” visioning to deepen mission impact. In examining ways of building such a body of “good governors,” it is necessary to begin with some clear fundamentals.

First, everyone must have unanimous alignment with the mission and an understanding of the organization’s needs to drive impact. For example, at a board meeting of an organization that serves disadvantaged children, a board member proposes a new program to drive impact in serving children. He suggests opening a new daycare center for preschoolers since the community need is so great, but the mission and vision of the organization clearly state that the population it serves is K thru 12. This board member is adamant about offering this service! He becomes combative with anyone who objects to his viewpoint and causes undue stress in the boardroom. While his intentions may be good, they fail to align with the mission and would cause an unnecessary drain on resources. Mission alignment is critical!

Second, everyone understands what their role is and personal contribution. Board members who fail to engage in meaningful work will look for other, less productive, ways to contribute. Aligning a board member’s skill with the organization’s needs is important in moving the needle in board engagement. The organization must have a clear set of

goals and outline of the resources needed to accomplish them.

Next, it must map those needs to the potential resources the board can bring. This can be a great conversation to begin with the CEO/governance committee and, using the board skills matrix, identify suitable board member matches based on skill and personal interest.

Third is to build in accountability metrics for the board that are succinct and achievable, where simpler is better. The board works in partnership with the staff toward common goals that advance the mission. The scorecard outlines specific ownership, deliverables and timeframes from the board and the staff liaison. The board should be viewed as an asset that can bring value to the efforts the staff already has underway without creating additional work.

Fourth, the board needs to build a strong partnership with its only employee, the CEO. The board chair should work to cultivate that relationship built on honesty, respect and a shared vision. The chair, along with the CEO, works to articulate clearly the governance role of the board and the management role of the chief executive.

Finally, the work of the board should be enriching and enjoyable. With the plethora of activities that are available for one to spend one’s free time, volunteer board members should enjoy what they do! Boards provide the opportunity to make an impact while building community connections among likeminded individuals.

Katherine Cecala, CEO and president of Junior Achievement of Arizona, who has served on more than 40 boards, sums it up: “To build a great board there has to be passion for the mission, a clear understanding of board roles, board accountability and, most importantly, have fun!” Let’s begin deepening capacity through great governance!

“Leadership really comes down to two fundamental things and if you get them right, then you’re 80 percent of the way there. The first one is establishing the vision for a team; the second one is establishing a culture for your organization that helps contribute to mission success.”

—Jake Wood, Co-Founder and CEO at Team Rubicon

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NEXT MONTH

What gets in the way of courageous leadership?

How shame shows up at our work.

After 40 years as president of her print and marketing company, Eileen Rogers' encore career is now as a leadership coach and business advisor through her company One Creative View. She is a seasoned and accomplished entrepreneur and recognized community leader who is fiercely passionate about supporting and growing more vulnerable and courageous leaders.

She is a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator, Integrative Enneagram practitioner and executive coach. onecreativeview.com

Create Everyday Courage by ‘Rumbling with Vulnerability' Face up to direct, honest and productive feedback

by Eileen Rogers

We are in desperate need of braver and more daring leaders — those who have the courage to remove barriers and clear a path to good work, engaged teams and healthy workplaces. To do it well requires vulnerability, a word that makes people cringe. And with good reason: According to the dictionary, to be vulnerable means to open oneself to criticism or attack.

Most of us work in cultures defined by scarcity, fear and uncertainty. Why would we be vulnerable? The risk feels way too high. It’s right there in our language: I’m going to get my courage up tomorrow, and then do it.

When I find the courage to have the conversation, I’ll do it, but for now... [add excuse here].

Only heroes are courageous. No need for me to be the hero this time.

Yes, it happened to me, too. In the course of running my business, I was sometimes guilty of avoiding tough conversations, especially those that meant giving direct, honest and productive feedback. In the moment, it felt safer to avoid or ignore it and push it off into the future. Yet, when we “wait and see” if a problem will resolve itself, we are making a much more dangerous decision. The problem gets bigger, hairier and sprouts new and more serious consequences. We make it worse.

The antidote is something I call “everyday courage.” It requires serious doses of discomfort and, yes, vulnerability.

Dr. Brené Brown, author of Dare to Lead, interviewed more than 150 global C-level leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit and family-owned-business leaders and found that courage is a skill, and it can be taught!

The first of the courage-building skill sets that emerged from the data is called “Rumbling with Vulnerability.” Vulnerability is defined simply as risk, uncertainty and emotional exposure.

Nothing squishy about it.

The Six Myths of Vulnerability To be and build more courageous leaders (those who are comfortable with risk, uncertainty and emotional exposure), we must talk about the myths that persist in our workplaces. I recognized all of them when I first read them.

Myth #1: Vulnerability is weakness. Is it hard and awkward? Yes. Is it weakness? No! It is a paradox, though.

Vulnerability looks like courage in you, but it feels like weakness in me. Vulnerability is the first thing I look for when I meet

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someone, but the last thing I want to show that person.

Myth #2: I don’t do vulnerability. We all do vulnerability.

But it’s important to make sure we don’t confuse systemic vulnerability with relational vulnerability. We don’t want vulnerable systems, but the people running them must be vulnerable. When they’re not, we start covering things up, not owning things — and mistakes happen.

Myth #3: I can go it alone. We are neurobiologically wired for connection, and the heart of connection is vulnerability. If a person is not vulnerable, that person cannot be seen.

Myth #4: We can engineer the uncertainty and discomfort out of vulnerability. Once we try to strip uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure from the experience, we then, by definition, bankrupt courage.

Myth #5: Trust comes before vulnerability. Trust and vulnerability are slow, building and stacking processes. Trust needs vulnerability and vulnerability needs trust. Both are built at the same time, over time.

Myth #6: Vulnerability is disclosure. Vulnerability isn’t disclosure, it isn’t over-sharing and it certainly isn’t inappropriate sharing.

My career “vulnerability training” was strictly on-the-job. I stumbled and tripped over the tough conversations required to grow, lead and build my company. It was risky at many levels for me; I didn’t want to risk doing it wrong, being wrong, saying the wrong thing, feeling uncomfortable, hurting someone’s feelings.

I mostly just wanted to be liked as a person and leader.

Fortunately, I did get better and learned to implement “everyday courage.” I learned that the cost of keeping an underperforming team member isn’t just about their wages.

It’s also about the respect lost from team members, who are always watching how their leader will handle it. It’s demotivating for them when someone who isn’t or can’t pull their weight is allowed to remain. What message did I send to top performers when I didn’t risk having important direct conversations? How many people did I lose who might have been able to turn their performance around if they’d been given clear and helpful feedback?

We push past our internal struggles and lead through discomfort. Vulnerability is not disclosure, over-sharing or inappropriate sharing. It’s staying open and curious, instead of defensive. It is hard. It does take practice.

Dr. Brené Brown, author of Dare to Lead, interviewed more than 150 global C-level leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit and family-owned-business leaders and found that courage is a skill, and it can be taught!

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Common Delegation Pitfalls And how to avoid them

by Angela Civitella

Delegating is the key to a successful business and what sets bosses apart from true leaders. The hardest part? Knowing when to let go. Some leaders find themselves delegating tasks, then nervously hover over their team making sure they do it right. Well, if the team doesn’t do it right, it might be as much their leader’s fault as it is theirs.

Here are some of the top delegation mistakes leaders make and how to avoid them: Failure to Understand What to Delegate to Whom One of the top delegation mistakes is not knowing what to delegate. Do not delegate tasks that are not in tune with what a team is capable of, or, better yet, find out first what the team is capable of and then delegate. Don’t set people up for failure.

Part of a leader’s job is knowing the strengths of each team member and assigning tasks at which they will excel.

Micromanaging Leaders who train their people well won’t need to micromanage. And if employees are micromanaged, they will never learn. Give enough space for people to make some decisions and grow; be supportive to ensure the work is done effectively. But first it is important to properly identify who has what responsibility, so everyone can focus on their task at hand.

Angela Civitella is a certified business management coach and founder of Intinde. She has a proven ability as a negotiator, strategist and problem-solver, and her role as an executive has allowed her to witness and evaluate countless interactions with a myriad of business leaders and entrepreneurs. From these experiences was born a desire to help others seeking to grow to their peak potential. intinde.com

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Delegating Too Much at a Time Do not wait till the last minute to delegate. If leaders procrastinate, their teams will feel it and so will they. Leaders should also not delegate just because they are feeling overwhelmed, as that often leads to making the wrong decision about who should be doing what. Be sensible about the choices, and be fair about how much time to allot someone to execute a task. Remember, it’s not just about the leader; it’s about his or her team, first. Leaders who are not sure about whom to delegate to should invest more time in their team to better understand who the right person is.

Not Allowing for Mistakes and Failure Mistakes are going to happen no matter how hard we try to avoid them. Very few mistakes are fatal and/or irreversible.

Mistakes most often can be turned into opportunities and teachable moments. An environment that fosters people making mistakes and allowing for growth and change is the best of environments in which to grow. Pressure and stress, in the right measure, usually bring out the best in people.

So, leaders need to know how to push and pull and, more importantly, create an environment where people can come to them without hesitation if something goes wrong.

File Specifications Release Date: 4-10-18 Revision Date: 4-4-18 Revision Phase: 8AS McGuffin Job #: BHB4815E Publication: Greater Phoenix in Business IO#: 6977339 Insertion Date: 5-1-18 Material Due Date: 4-10-18 Size: Trim: 8.375" x 10.875" Live: 7.875" x 10.375" Bleed: 8.625" x 11.125" Inks: 4CP be clear and as concise as possible.

Share specific and wellCreative Director: TPK defined expectations. What are the project goals? What is Creative Lead(s): SC a realistic completion date? How will success be measured?

Account Exec(s): NOabout taking Request the team’s buy-in. If they seem hesitant on the task or project, perhaps reconsider or have a longer talk Production: SM with them about why they are not sure they can do it before Notes: Editorial: Real Estate; delegating.

Commercial Property & Development

Not Taking Time to Review the Work Trusting one’s employee is important, but that does not mean there’s no need to review their work and provide approval. Without this important check-point, a team has no way of knowing if they are on track. Leaders should always check everything that comes back to them. Don’t accept partially finished work; don’t redo anyone’s work. Provide the proper feedback so they can complete the task on their own and learn. If leaders monitor the task correctly (#2 above), this should rarely, if ever, be a problem.

The Takeaway Delegation is not about dumping tasks on others. It is a fine art, and, if done properly, it will enable one’s team and business to flourish. It starts at the top, with leaders first recognizing they have too much to do and their time is maybe better spent on more top-level tasks. Then it takes careful planning and training for a successful hand-off. Avoiding these delegation mistakes takes some work and time, but the payoffs are exponential for everyone.

(A longer version of this article, available on www. inbusinessphx.com, includes additional important tips.)

Not Being Clear about the Goal, Vision and Timeline Teams are not going to suddenly develop psychic abilities or guess their leader’s every expectation. Leaders need to

One of the top delegation mistakes is not knowing what to delegate. Also part of a leader’s job is knowing the strengths of each team member and assigning tasks at which they will excel.

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INVESTING IN COMMUNITY

While the advice and counsel in this month’s article is meant to provide practical steps that organizations can take to thrive despite current challenges, The Phoenix Philanthropy Group believes the time has come for larger discussion of the state of philanthropy in the United States.

The nonprofit, for-profit and government sectors must collaborate on both deliberate policy and practice improvements to ensure the continued democratization of giving.

Richard Tollefson is founder and president, and Michal Tyra is director of client and community engagement at The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, an Arizona-based international consulting firm serving nonprofit organizations as well as institutional and individual philanthropists. phoenixphilanthropy.com

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The Changing Nature of America’s Donors And challenges to overcome

by Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra

At first glance, the state of philanthropy in the United States appears strong. The second decade of the century has seemingly proved beyond doubt the resilience and adaptability of the American philanthropic model — one which the rest of the world continues to emulate. While the global financial crisis of 2008/2009 roiled the philanthropic community and severely dented overall giving, the lessons learned from the crisis has made nonprofits leaner, more responsive to giving trends, and more deliberate in their development practices, resulting in an unprecedented level of growth in giving in the years since. In 2018, when adjusted for inflation, charitable giving in the United States reached its second-highest level, surpassed only by the previous year. This success, however, is masking a dangerous new trend — a sharp decline in the number of new donors and the average percentage of giving

by American households.

A 2018 piece by Nicole Wallace in the Chronical of Philanthropy noted that since the year 2000, there has been a 10-percent decline in the percentage of American households making gifts on an annual basis; that amounts to nearly 20 million people who have stopped giving, with youth, education and healthcare groups being the hardest hit. Even more disturbing, Wallace also noted that giving amongst those aged 51–60, traditionally the most active givers, saw the most precipitous decline.

How is it possible that giving continues to increase despite the decline in givers? Because, while fewer people are giving, those who do are giving more on average. Over the last 20 years, average annual household contributions rose from $2,584 to $2,763. Furthermore, an increase in the frequency of so-called megagifts (contributions so large that they impact giving statistics by a percentage point or more) has also been able to sustain overall giving levels. This narrowing of the giving pyramid points to a potential demographic shift in philanthropy from an egalitarian enterprise to a privilege of the elite. While the exact reason for this decline is heavily debated (from uncertainty over new tax laws to the supposed apathy of the young), the message is clear: To maintain or grow their fundraising efforts, nonprofits must compete over an ever-shrinking pot of donors.

The message here is not meant to be one of doom and gloom, but a recognition that change requires, as Jim Collins famously noted, a willingness to “confront the most brutal

facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” Just as was the case in 2008, the organizations that survive will be the ones that are quick to heed the winds of change and react accordingly.

Develop Flexibility and Adaptability While the notion of “competition” is generally perceived as antithetical to the philanthropic mission of the nonprofit sector, organizations must become comfortable with the reality that fewer donors means organizations need to prioritize flexibility and adaptability to set themselves apart.

They must be willing to experiment with new programs, strategies for community outreach and marketing; and giving channels; and then ensure that well-developed evaluation processes are in place to retain what works and ditch what doesn’t.

Demonstrate Impact Research has shown that donors are no longer tied by geography or institutional loyalty. They will give to the innovative and successful organizations, no matter where they are. Standing out in this crowded field, however, requires a new way of measuring and communicating impact. One way to do this is for organizations to look at their Social Return on Investment — a modified version of traditional ROI measurement which goes beyond outputs to outcomes.

Develop a Culture of Philanthropy Repeat after me: “Everyone is a fundraiser.” Regardless of job title, organizations that land major gift donors (and retain those donors) are those where every staff member and every volunteer helps to support and advance the fundraising effort.

Infusing this culture is not a quick or easy process and often requires a complete culture shift. The results, however, are well worth the effort.

Prioritize Collaborative Leadership Making the extensive changes recommended above requires engaged, collaborative and transparent leadership.

Chief executives must be willing to work closely with their department directors to ensure that everyone is bought into the strategic direction and working in unison to achieve organizational priorities.

Collaborative leadership, cultures of philanthropy, and impact are among many topics discussed in detail in other articles Phoenix Philanthropy has developed for In Business Magazine — and are available in the Nonprofits section of the website at inbusinessphx.com

BY MIKE HUNTER

WE VALUE WHAT WE OWN

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S The Taycan is ready for the future as the first fully electric vehicle by Porsche.

It is characterized by the features that have always been decisive for any Porsche: pure emotion and maximum driving pleasure.

The Taycan carries a legacy that is reflected by performance — after all, it’s a Porsche. The latest drive technology ensures that its performance can be repeatedly reproduced: two permanentmagnet synchronous motors (PSMs) catapult the Taycan Turbo S with up to 560kW (750 HP). Overboost Power with Launch Control propels the Taycan from 0–60 mph in 2.6 seconds. With a standing start of 1.2g, it accelerates faster than the force of gravity for the first few yards — making it faster than a skydiver in free fall.

The Porsche soul stands for performance. In every respect. As

demonstrated by the Taycan, even when charging: Its 800-volt architecture accepts charge power of up to 270kW. The Porsche Advanced Cockpit in the Taycan is characterized by pioneering technologies and offers up to four displays. The fully digital curved display is the driver’s main focus. But what really distinguishes the Taycan is the feeling behind the wheel: the driver experiences the familiarity of a Porsche coupled with the irresistible beating of her heart. The four-point LED headlights make this beast recognizable and fiercely present day or night.

The sleek design includes the side air intakes (air curtains) meant to enhance performance as it slices through the atmosphere.

In terms of charging time and range, the Taycan also demonstrates what makes a genuine Porsche. Because

Porsche believes that a sports car should always be ready to set off, the company does its utmost to facilitate simple charging that is integrated into everyday life. The estimated EPA range for the Taycan Turbo S is 192 miles.

Acoustically, too, the Taycan provides an entirely new experience: It makes virtually no noise — all one can hear is the exterior sound that meets the legal requirements. For a unique acoustic accompaniment to dynamic driving, there is also the standard on Turbo S, Porsche Electric Sport Sound — a system whose innovative character makes the vehicle’s own drive sound appear even more emotional, both outside and inside. The ideal feedback for the driver’s right foot.

—Mike Hunter Porsche

w

MSRP: $185,000 Range: up to 192 miles 0-60 mph: 2.6 sec.

Top speed: 155 mph

porsche.com/usa

Photos courtesy of Porsche (top), Berridge Nurseries (bottom)

Plants at Work

air, too, so it’s a good idea to avoid pots without drainage holes.

Plants need jobs, too! A few plants can make the workplace Put a saucer under each pot to catch stray drips, and empty it a lot friendlier, both easing the eyes and helping people shortly after watering; bulb basters are life savers with large to breathe easier. When planning for an office plant, it’s plants. Alternatively, with small plants, take them out of the important to take a couple factors into account, such as light saucer or cache pot, water them at the nearest and watering. sink, and put them back after they are done Plants are happiest where they can get light, dripping. With most plants, let the top one-half such as in front of — not to one side of — a to two inches of soil dry out between soakings. window, under a skylight or under a dedicated Too frequent watering can result in fungus in artificial light. The middle of the office, or the soil, followed by fungus gnats, which are a against the wall away from the windows, is blamed nuisance wherever they go! rarely bright enough to keep plants healthy, With the right plants, it is easy to keep the even though it looks bright to our eyes. Plants —Kevin work area happy and healthy! that are adapted to low light levels, such as Erdmann, certified nursery professional and Sanseveria or Chinese Evergreen, are useful in master gardener with Berridge Nurseries such areas. (www.berridgenursery.com) Plant roots need water, but they also need Chinese Evergreen

Get Charged: With the Mobile Charger, which connects to a home’s 240V NEMA 14-15 outlet or optional intelligent Mobile Charger Connect with touchscreen or the charging dock, Porsche has owners set up to stay fully charged. Porsche Turbo charging stations are growing throughout America at restaurants, hotels and shopping malls.

sanseverias Family-owned and operated to serve Phoenix since 1938, Berridge Nurseries presents its 22nd Art in the Garden on April 18, an annual event that includes food trucks, artists and farmers market.

MAR 43 2020 INBUSINESSPHX.COM

MEALS THAT MATTER

Eight-ounce Rocky Mountain bison, Morenci Copper Ale BBQ sauce, arugula, whipped goat cheese, and chipotle and Arizona Gold-braised mushrooms $16

Fun-Ghi Fretzy Pizza Secret cheese blend, herbed mushrooms, fresh jalapeños and house sauce 10-inch: $14; 14-inch: $19

Ale House Steak Salad Grilled prime flat-iron steak, romaine, arugula, agave onions, grape tomatoes, radishes, bleu cheese crumbles, grilled focaccia, fresh horseradish and French onion vinaigrette $17

MAR 2020

44

PHX Beer Co: Tapping into Greatness When PHX Beer Co’s owners set out to augment their excellent brewery and taproom, they put the same care into developing a unique restaurant experience, which starts at the front door crafted for PHX Beer Co incorporating kegs and styled steel hardware.

An idyllic location on the lake in the back of the Mercado del Lago shopping center provides an enjoyable setting, whether patrons choose the sunny patio (with tables suitably umbrellashaded or heat-lamp-warmed) or the cozier 3,400 square feet of inside dining that also makes the most of the view through large arched windows or garage-style roll-up door. In fact, hospitality operations director Rich Stark says the lakeside setting is one of two focal points for the restaurant.

The other focal point? PHX Beer Co’s craft beer, of course.

The menu suggests beer pairings for many of the selections.

And, says Stark, “Sometimes, we’ll make a beer to go with a menu item” — as one of a few seasonally changing brews.

They also use their beers in about one-third of the recipes, from Morenci Copper Ale Wings to Iron Horse Porter Brownie.

Some beers are standards, available year-round. One of the most popular is White Chocolate Ale, deceptively light in color for such a full-bodied flavor — and it lives up to its name even in aroma. For the traditionalist, there’s also a varied assortment of IPAs and lagers.

The menu developed for the restaurant includes an assortment of salads and pizzas along with unique comfortfood entrees such as Cast Iron Macaroni & Cheese, made with a blend of smoked mozzarella and cheddar cheeses and topped with a pretzel bite mustard crust, and Southern Fried Chicken Strips, dunkable into the Morenci Copper Ale barbecue sauce.

Blackened Salmon BLT is one of the creative sandwiches.

Freshness comes through with every bite of the seasoned salmon, bacon, lettuce, avocado and vine-ripened tomato sandwiched between slices of Old Bay remoulade-slathered grilled sourdough. And there’s the BBQ Bison Burger, hearty eight ounces of Rocky Mountain bison served with the tangy Morenci Copper Ale barbecue sauce, whipped goat cheese, chipotle and Arizona Gold-braised mushrooms, and arugula overflowing from its very fresh, soft roll. Sides deserve equal billing with their attendant main course. These include cowboy caviar, a lightly dressed, sweet-tangy salad of black beans, bell pepper, whole corn kernels, red onion and tomato; and seasoned waffle fries that are what regular French fries dream of aspiring to.

PHX Beer Co 8300 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale (480) 571-8645 phxbeerco.com

Running Late Some of our favorite lunch stops are open only to 2 or 2:30.

And then there’s that long pause until fine dining opens at 5.

How about some great midafternoon lunching?

Taco Guild

Unique historic setting with many of the former church’s beautiful architectural elements.

Mon. – Thurs.: 11a – 11p; Fri.: 11a – midnight; Sat.: 10a – midnight; Sun.: 10a – 10p 546 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix (602) 264-4143 tacoguild.com

Interior of Flower Child, Scottsdale location

Ghost Ranch

Spirited Southwest fare.

Mon. – Sat.: 11a – 10p; Sun.: 11a – 9p 1006 E. Warner Rd., Tempe (480) 474-4328 ghostranchaz.com

Flower Child

Healthy eating in a back-to-the-farm setting.

Three Phoenix locations, open 11a – 9p One Scottsdale location, open 10:30a – 9p iamaflowerchild.com

PHX Beer Co’s Scottsdale restaurant features such unique architectural elements as repurposed kegs incorporated into large chandeliers and an illuminated wall incorporating upcycled beer bottles.

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

Craft Meatballs

Photos courtesy of PHX Beer Co (top and far left) and Flower Child (bottom)

BBQ Bison Burger

BY RAEANNE MARSH

Spring 2O20 • aztechcouncil.org

IN THIS ISSUE

Arizona Technology Report

Arizona Technology Council: The Voice of the Technology Industry

President’s Message

2 Legislature considers bill to fund STEM hub

Arizona’s technology industry is thankful to have a leader like Sen. Kyrsten Sinema working hard in Washington to address some of the 3 Lawmakers weigh extending most pressing issues Arizonans … tax credit programs no, make that all Americans face today. This goes double for her recent 4 New health plan quickly announcement that she and Sen. Roger catches on among members Wicker of Mississippi together will take up the matter of net neutrality to 5 Four executives take their advance a bipartisan, forward-thinking places on Council board Steven G. Zylstra, solution.

President and CEO, Arizona Technology Council The trouble with current legislative efforts to secure net neutrality — namely, the Save the Internet Act passed The Arizona Technology Council is by the House — is they are rooted in the past.

Arizona’s premier trade association for If the term “net neutrality” is new to you, let’s turn to Webster’s for an unbiased science and technology companies. definition: the idea, principle or requirement that internet service providers should or must treat all internet data as the same regardless of its kind, source, or destination. In simplest Phoenix Office terms, that means you and I get an equal shot at googling “net neutrality” and getting 2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1530 Phoenix, AZ 85004 results without your waiting in a longer line because my provider is considered preferred.

Phone: 602-343-8324 • Fax: 602-343-8330 Essentially, this legislation in its current form would try to enforce regulations written info@aztechcouncil.org for the telephone industry in 1934 but apply them to the 21st century internet. That approach is beyond illogical. The measure would make it harder for broadband providers Tucson Office 1215 E. Pennsylvania St. to invest in deploying high-speed internet networks to rural and underserved communities Tucson, AZ 85714 in Arizona.

Phone: 520-388-5760 The Save the Internet Act also would only apply to a small portion of the online tucson@aztechcouncil.org ecosystem, leaving many major internet technology companies from oversight. Any law governing net neutrality must include and be equally enforceable to all parties.

MANAGEMENT AND STAFF This is especially true now that consumers and regulators across the United Steven G. Zylstra President + CEO States are calling into question the impartiality of their online experiences.

Leigh Goldstein COO + Vice President, Programs + Events It’s widely understood today that many companies are using their size and Jill Brownley Director, Marketing + Communication influence to unfairly censor differing opinions and have frequently engaged in Deborah Zack Senior Director, Membership Services Laura DeGeorge Executive Assistant to President + CEO anti-competitive behavior. There is, quite simply, no good reason not to include Jeff Sales Executive Director, Southern Arizona Regional Office them in net neutrality legislation.

Jamie Neilson Director, Operations, Southern Arizona Regional Office That’s why the Arizona Technology Council is excited to see Sinema take Laura Ann Di Meo Accounting Manager Angelica Espinoza Bookkeeper on this issue and work with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass Don Rodriguez Editor truly modern legislation that will secure net neutrality, promote innovation and Ron Schott Executive Emeritus, Phoenix protect all internet users from the broad range of threats they face online.

SCITECH INSTITUTE “As innovation continues to leap forward, the dynamic and creative nature Steven G. Zylstra, President + CEO of the internet should be encouraged, not inhibited, by regulations,” Sinema and Jeremy Babendure, Ph.D., Executive Director Kelly Greene, COO + Director of Student Success Wicker wrote in a USA Today op-ed they co-authored recently. “The internet is Nikki Micale, Arizona CSO Regional Lead one of the greatest forces for entrepreneurship in history. We need to update it Caillou Pena, Government Relations Specialist Dee Quintero, Office Manager with a framework for the future.”

Michele Roy, Grant Writer No politics, no positioning. Their finding neutral territory to accomplish a Brocton Rye, Marketing and Communications Manager shared agenda is a lesson from which members in both chambers can learn.

Michael Tarber, Accounting Manager

WHO WE ARE

Max Walsh, Tucson Cabinet Lead Kaci Fankhauser, STEM Ecosystem & CSO Enrollment Coordinator Enrique Garcia, Signature Event Advisor & STREET Team Coordinator Katy Reno, Advanced Technologies Outreach Coordinator Don Ruedy, Executive Emeritus, Tucson

aztechcouncil.org

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

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System Support

Legislature considers measure to fund STEM hubs statewide An idea that’s good for Safford might be good for Globe. And it might even be perfect for Chinle. But without the right network to share that idea, it might just stay in Safford — or miss the opportunity to get even better with feedback from others.

This is an example of a scenario that the Arizona Technology Council and others supporting a STEM ecosystem are trying to prevent. For help, they have turned to the Legislature for assistance in cultivating learning and workforce development opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through networks and hubs that leverage their assets, especially in rural and semirural areas.

Rep. Michelle Udall and House Majority Whip Becky A. Nutt are co-sponsoring HB2152 that would appropriate $3 million from the state general fund in fiscal 2021 to the Arizona Commerce Authority to administer a grant program charged with helping develop the hubs throughout the state. Supporters ideally would like to see annual funding for at least five years.

The measure already has started making its way through the state House of Representatives. At press time, it already was scheduled to be heard by the House Commerce Committee, and was assigned to the Appropriation and Rules committees.

Features of the bill include supporting: • Entities within a county that have an established network of cross-institutional partners from business, education, community and government; • Schools and school districts for the purpose of teacher training in STEM literacy; • Out-of-school programs charged with the cultivation of a community STEM network; • Higher education institutions that offer workforce development in STEM fields; and • Other entities that recognize the need for STEM competencies as recognized by the Authority.

The idea actually was developed as an offshoot of the recommendations developed in the 2018 White House State-Federal STEM Education Summit. Arizona was represented by Steven G. Zylstra, the Council’s president and CEO, and Sandra Watson, the Authority’s

president and CEO. Both were appointed to speak for the state by Gov. Doug Ducey.

The summit’s resulting five-year plan included goals and pathways.

The proposed Arizona bill supports a pathway designed to develop and enrich strategic partnerships. The focus of the pathway is to strengthen existing relationships and develop new connections between institutions, employers and their communities.

Some groups in Arizona already have been working on developing cross-institutional STEM collaborations that ultimately help improve the educational experience of students and family. But due to the separation of communities, one organization unknowingly may be working on the same objective as a group in another part of the state.

Each may be tackling the same task — and challenges — but struggling to find success. By aligning knowledge and resources through shared hubs, they improve their chances for positive outcomes by connecting the dots together.

Support for shared ecosystems also can increase opportunities that can arise when applying for competitive grants at the national level.

Federal sources, for example, are more likely to contribute funding to places with thriving STEM ecosystems.

Other states already have moved to support development of networks and hubs through funding approved by legislative action.

Neighboring Utah, a state with a smaller population than Arizona, already has approved funding at levels higher than what has been proposed here.

Rivalries on Hold

Universities unite to support common cause Who would have guessed that science could trump sports rivalries when it came to Arizona universities actually getting along in the same space?

Instead of heated competition, the annual Connect2STEM event at The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix was the scene where representatives from Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University joined their host in the celebration of science, technology, engineering and math.

The occasion in late January marked the kick-off of the statewide 2020 Arizona SciTech Festival. Jeremy Babendure, executive director of the SciTech Institute, remembers when Connect2STEM first launched with a few thousand attendees. “Now they’re getting upwards of 10,000 people,” he says. “These are the kinds of event that have been here

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ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

with us every single year and, in addition to the newer events that have popped up, they’re really starting to come into their own.”

Now in its ninth year, the festival has grown into the country’s third-largest science festival. More than 800 organizations are working together this year to present more than 2,300 events through April 30.

“Diverse partnerships are key to building a vibrant STEM ecosystem, which is exactly what the festival has done over the past decade,” Babendure says.

The festival is spearheaded by the Arizona Commerce Authority, in collaboration with partners that include SciTech Institute, Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Science Center, Arizona State University, The University of Arizona and Arizona Board of Regents. A full list of events can be found at scitechinstitute.org/events.

Incentives for Innovation

Lawmakers weigh extending successful tax credit programs Keeping the lights on today and even tomorrow. For a small business, achieving such a simple goal signals to the owner that there is a chance of making it past the early stage in the life cycle.

But financial results of participants in Arizona’s Small Business Capital Investment Incentive Program offer the hope for small business owners to do more than just make it. Companies such as WebPT, CampusLogic and Keap (formerly known as Infusionsoft) have had the chance to become wildly successful members of the state’s technology community.

Even better, Arizonans beyond those working for the businesses certified to participate in the program can share the good news. In the past five years, the combined economic impact of the program has been an estimated $900 million for the state’s economy.

But there is the possibility that the clock is about to run out for entrepreneurs with great ideas to pursue but are lacking enough money to make payroll — and keep the lights on.

The program also known as the Angel Investment Tax Credit program is set to expire June 30, 2021. That’s why the Arizona House of Representatives is considering HB 2409 in the current legislative session. The measure to continue the tax credits is sponsored by Rep. Regina Cobb.

This isn’t the first time the Legislature has been asked to help keep the program alive. Lawmakers established the Small Business Capital Investment Incentive Program in 2005 and authorized the issuance of up to $20 million in tax credits with the objective of expanding early-stage investments in small businesses in Arizona.

The Arizona Commerce Authority was made responsible for overall management of the program, including qualifying small businesses wishing to participate. If a qualified business is located in rural Arizona or a bioscience company, the investor may receive a maximum tax credit of 35% spread over three years. For other types of businesses, the maximum tax credit is 30% over three years.

As a sign of the program’s effectiveness, the entire $20 million in authorized tax credits was allocated by July 2015, leaving no funds in the program. What followed was a significant drop in the number of investors and amount of investments.

In 2017, the Arizona Technology Council was able to help convince lawmakers to recapitalize the program. That move allowed the ACA to certify an additional $2.5 million worth of tax credits per year. If the cap was not met in a given year, the amount was allowed to carry over into the next year to be utilized.

But once the program sunsets, that’s it. No additional credits will be issued.

Such an event could spell the end for some types of support that can ensure tech companies have a chance to grow in Arizona.

aztechcouncil.org

Not surprisingly, the program has been cited by participating small businesses as being one of the key reasons they have been able to secure private funding sources.

A report recently released by ACA offers financial details that indicate why the program has not been a drain on the taxpayer but, instead, has delivered a number of returns on the investment.

To start with, a total of 184 small businesses have received approximately $83 million in certified investments. This means those companies had a chance to grow and succeed in Arizona.

In the past five years, the certified businesses employed nearly 1,000 workers combined at the time of certification and had an estimated payroll of $65 million. These positions were considered quality jobs, with each job creating a ripple effect of 1.05 additional jobs in Arizona.

To date, $27 million in tax credits has been approved.

In addition to the certified investments the small businesses have experienced, the benefits include: • More than $840 million in seed capital, venture capital and other financing raised by the certified businesses since their founding from local and out-ofstate investors, on the IPO market and from other sources; • State and local tax revenues alone generated by these small businesses that is estimated to be $25 million in just the past five years, with the annual state and local revenue generated from 2019 going forward expected to be $7.9 million a year; and • In the past five years, tax revenues generated representing a 3.1 to 1 return on investment.

This program has more than paid back the state in its investment through tax credits by generating more revenue than credits approved.

A separate measure also focuses on maintaining another set of tax credits beyond a 2021 sunset date, only this time with the purpose of encouraging companies to invest additional research and development funding in Arizona. HB 2771 sponsored by Rep. Ben Toma would keep the current levels of the Research & Development Tax Credit program in place through the end of 2028.

In 2008, the Legislature approved increasing the R&D tax credit value from 20% to 24% for the first $2.5 million in qualifying expenses and increasing the rate for qualifying expenses in excess of $2.5 million from 11% to 15%. In 2017, the enhancements were reauthorized through 2021. This all has helped Arizona become a leader in encouraging research and development.

In its 2020 Public Policy Guide, the Council recommended an analysis be conducted to determine ways that companies can utilize some of their unused R&D tax credits and that these levels should be extended permanently. To download a copy of the guide, go to https://www.aztechcouncil.org/public-policy/

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

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Strong Start

Council’s new health plan quickly catches on among members Think of the one thing that an organization ideally wants more than anything to complete its biggest project. Most would say “plenty of time” is that precious must-have.

So, when a team charged with launching the Arizona Technology Council’s new association health plan (AHP) — the first health program specifically designed for small technology employers in the state — received the Council’s board of directors’ green light to proceed last August, the real work began. That included surveying the market, evaluating product partners, building an entire product suite, and meeting with the Arizona broker community to train and educate them on features and advantages of the new offering.

All of this in about two months to be ready to quote employer groups for a Jan. 1 effective date. In this case, they had just enough time.

To help get the job done, Steven G. Zylstra, the Council’s president and CEO, turned to Mike Monroe, the executive leader of one of the most successful technology AHP in the country that serves technology employers domiciled in Washington.

Although he had the track record of success by guiding creation of the nation’s first AHP, Monroe could hear the clock ticking as the Arizona version was built. He uses an analogy to describe the situation. “We decided that we were going to fly a plane,” Monroe says. “We went to the hangar, got in the cockpit, got off the ground and we looked at each other and said, “Do we have pilots and a crew onboard?’”

This breakneck chain of events followed the approval of House Bill 1085 by the Arizona Legislature after bipartisan support and endorsement by groups such as the Council along with employer groups and insurance carriers. The 2019 action made Arizona the

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ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

second state after Washington to recognize and legislate AHPs. Zylstra and Monroe recognized a technology-focused AHP here could address a real underserved opportunity in the market due to the inability to purchase a comprehensive health bundle through one source and reduce administrative duties. “The small technology business owner cares about convenience because they are focused on growing their business and launching new products,” Monroe says. “Quite honestly, the administration is really the key in these programs.”

For Arizona, the “sweet spot” for the AHP is the employer with two to 50 employees. The AHP also is a viable solution for groups with more than 50 employees because it provides employers relief from painful administrative responsibilities.

Despite the tight turnaround for the launch, Monroe says there are some major wins to report. While the total number of participating members — “lives” as he puts it — needs to exceed 50 within a year of launch to satisfy Arizona’s regulatory requirements, there are 150 lives in the Council’s plan after just its first month.

Another positive sign experienced by Monroe and others involved in promoting the AHP was receiving 120 quotes from employer groups for the 2020 effective date. “I think that speaks to the support of the broker community and belief they have in the Council, and the commitment the Council has to serving the technology ecosystem in Arizona,” he says.

“The key message here is that the broker community is critical to our success and they will be more supportive as they understand and experience the value proposition of this new program.”

Monroe adds, “If you were to examine any other launch of an association health plan — which there are not many but certainly in our state of Washington and the few other states where AHP’s have existed in some form — there has been no such performance right out of the gate.”

Although Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, the AHP’s medical and dental carrier, is relatively new to AHPs, it has brought its great brand and reputation to the table to help the plan take off, Monroe says. “We are building a very deep relationship with that organization and their leadership,” he says.

“They understand how important the tech sector is to a thriving Arizona economy, and their commitment to the Council’s success goes all the way to the top.”

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is just a part of the Council’s AHP. Other features are life and disability products from MetLife, vision plans from VSP, and the Wellspring Employee Assistance Program, as well COBRA administration and health saving and flexible spending accounts from Navia.

Monroe compares the early successes in Arizona as an indicator of the potential for what has been realized with his AHP in Washington.

“We never planned to serve technology employers outside of Washington,” he says.

“After performing a two-month exhaustive exercise where we met with over 40 leaders of Councils throughout the U.S., it was clear to us that Arizona had all of the necessary elements in place to support a thriving AHP.” To learn more about the Arizona Technology Council’s Association Health Plan, go to https://www.aztechcouncil.org/ahp/.

Top Talent On Board

Four executives take their places among Council directors Two CEOs of their organizations and two vice presidents for their companies are the newest members of the Arizona Technology Council board of directors after being elected unanimously to serve three-year terms at the quarterly board meeting in January.

“This group of dynamic leaders has worked in Arizona’s technology community for many years and knows what it takes to advance our position as a premier technology hub,” says Steven G. Zylstra, the Council’s president and CEO. “The expertise, hard work and energy that each of these individuals brings to the table will have an immediate positive impact on our board and our members.”

The four newly elected members are: Sandra Watson, president and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority Watson and her teams have successfully attracted to Arizona more than 750 companies that have committed to invest nearly $10 billion in capital and create more than 125,000 jobs.

During her tenure with the Sandra Watson Authority and predecessor Arizona Department of Commerce, she served in multiple positions with increasing responsibilities and results. Watson has led the business attraction, business development, innovation and technology, workforce, and marketing divisions. She

also has served as executive director of the Governor’s Council of Innovation & Technology to help advance the state’s innovation roadmap.

Sheila Kloefkorn, CEO, KEO Marketing Inc. Kloefkorn founded the business-tobusiness marketing agency that specializes in marketing strategy, messaging, digital Sheila Kloefkorn infrastructure, execution and analytics. Her company helps grow Fortune 1000 companies, as well as mediumsized businesses. She has been named one of the Top 10 Business Leaders of the Year and Top 25 Dynamic Women in Business by the Phoenix Business Journal and one of 15 Arizonans to Watch by The Arizona Republic.

Kloefkorn has also been involved with the Council as a facilitator of roundtables, committee chairperson and chair of the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation.

Aaron Zeper, vice president, Customer Demand, MDSL Zeper oversees marketing, business development, and alliances and partnerships. He is responsible for the client experience, which includes aligning offerings and Aaron Zepper

marketing efforts, as well as ensuring sales methodology integrates with MDSL’s delivery team. Zeper was most recently at CloudCover, where he served as executive vice president of sales and marketing. He also has been a member of a number of organizations, including Microsoft Infrastructure Partner Advisory Council.

Austin Harris, vice president, Commercial Banking, Alliance Bank of Arizona Harris began working for Alliance Bank of Arizona as a senior underwriter. He facilitated the underwriting and due diligence of new credit commitments for one of the most productive regions in the bank’s footprint. Within 18 months of placement in the position, Harris achieved a promotion from Austin Harris assistant vice president to vice president. He began his professional career with Zions Bank National Real Estate Group as a credit analyst.

Harris facilitated the financial due diligence for commercial real estate projects across the county as a secondary market lender.

The Council’s board of directors serves an advisory and fiduciary role by representing the interests of the state’s technology industries in the group’s strategic planning and ongoing operations. The board currently includes 33 members representing a diverse set of organizations.

Mini-themes Are Part of Magazine’s Move to Blog Bio. Fintech. Energy. Smart Cities.

Those are just a few of the themes that have been covered recently in TechConnect, the magazine launched by the Arizona Technology Council nearly 15 years ago to cover the state’s science and technology industry.

But it’s time to hit the reset button.

The Council and its publishing partner, the Arizona Commerce Authority, are transitioning the publication to a blog format. That means the issue in the works —No. 60 — will publish in the magazine format that readers have come to know, as well as a blog that today’s readers have come to expect.

After that, TechConnect’s content will be available only as a blog. That means new stories will be posted throughout the month instead of a span of several months between issues.

As for the themes that made up the majority of the content, they still will be included but only as two to three stories that debut over the course of a few months. For example, the latest “mini-theme” features venture capital.

Users will notice a new, clean look. An added feature is that visitors to the site will have the ability to print and share individual pages.

The look of TechConnect is intended to blend with the design of the

aztechcouncil.org

Council’s refreshed website. The results can be found at https://www.aztechcouncil.org/techconnect/.

“TechConnect has moved through digital phases in an effort to continue to provide readers a unique experience,” says Jill Brownley, the Council’s director of marketing and communications. “Its progress continues with a dedicated page on our website featuring technology trends in a convenient and consumable way that’s now easy to read, as well as easy to share via social media.”

The update was triggered when the Council was approached by the leaders of Coplex, a startup accelerator in Phoenix that had taken on the publishing duties of the digital publication TechAZ. While they recognized what the Council and the Authority had accomplished with TechConnect over the years, the Council was intrigued by the look and following of TechAZ. That led to an agreement for the technology community to continue being served with the newer platform.

The “TechConnect” blog will continue under the guidance of Editor Don Rodriguez, who began his duties with the Council and TechConnect in 2006. Rodriguez is a veteran editor who has worked for other magazines and daily newspapers in several states.

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

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Giving Guide ARIZONA

Presents

Connecting business with our community

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

GIVE ON APRIL 7, 2020

MARCH 2020

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Giving Guide ARIZONA

To Strengthen and Sustain

Arizona Gives Day, presented by FirstBank, strengthens and sustains Arizona’s nonprofit community.

This powerful 24 hours of giving raises awareness, connects the public with local businesses and increases financial support for important — and often critical — organizations. Because nearly three-quarters of Arizona’s nonprofit revenue is generated by earned revenue, fees for services and government contracts — not from philanthropic contributions – your involvement is so important!

At the same time, from an impact perspective, Arizona’s nonprofits are a powerful, economic engine employing more than 150,000 workers, and generating more than $28 billion in annual revenue and more than 8 percent of Arizona’s Gross State Product.

Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits CEO Kristen Merrifield has served in leadership positions with the Arizona Small Business Association, the ASU Foundation and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and on the boards of the Arizona Society of Association Executives Board, the American Society of Association Executives and the National Council of Nonprofits.

ARIZONA GIVES DAY Since 2013, Arizona Gives Day has steadily increased the donations to local nonprofits.

2013: raised $1.110 million 2014: raised $1.393 million 2015: raised $2.055 million 2016: raised $2.84 million 2017: raised $2.74 million 2018: raised $3.2 Million 2019: raised $3.6 million Total: $17 million

Giving Guide

Bryce Lloyd is president of FirstBank Phoenix Market.

His community involvement includes serving on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale, and chairing the LISC Phoenix Local Advisory Committee as chair of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce.

Since the inaugural Arizona Gives Day in 2013, the statewide day of giving has raised $17 million for nonprofits statewide and given away $1.23 million of cash prizes to participating organizations. Last year, Arizona Gives Day raised a record $3.6 million and engaged more than 700 nonprofit organizations in the effort.

The mission of the Alliance is to unite, strengthen and advance Arizona’s nonprofit sector. Arizona Gives Day provides us with a unique opportunity to put our mission into action in a way that propels our Arizona nonprofit community and cultivates a powerful and engaging spirit of philanthropy statewide.

Our partnership with FirstBank is motivated by its corporate commitment to philanthropy.

FirstBank is driven by the hope that Arizona Gives Day inspires individuals to give back to causes in their communities, reminding people that giving even a small amount can help an organization go the distance.

For FirstBank, Arizona Gives Day provided the unique opportunity to not only donate our time and resources to a worthy cause but rally an entire state around the organizations that tirelessly strive to strengthen this community. It allows us to make a difference, while empowering others to do the same.

As a community bank, it gives us great pleasure to be able to participate and support Arizona’s nonprofit community.

FirstBank’s commitment through Arizona Gives Day is to local communities and nonprofits that need our support. Arizona Gives Day is a chance for us to help improve these communities and give back to those organizations which have done so much. We are delighted that this sponsorship has continued to do just that, and are encouraged in the giving movement’s growth.

We’re proud and honored to support this special day for Arizona philanthropy. Whichever philanthropy sector you are passionate about, there is a nonprofit out there seeking your support.

Arizona Gives is focused on helping participating nonprofits raise funds that are critical to supporting their work. By donating, you simultaneously invest in the future of Arizona and help nonprofits make an impact in your community.

On behalf of nonprofit organizations of every size in every community doing incredible work, thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Kristen Merrifield

Bryce Lloyd

Chief Executive Officer

Phoenix Market President

Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits

FirstBank

Presents

ARIZONA

About the 2020 Giving Guide We are pleased to offer the list of Alliance of Arizona

connect or even reconnect with a nonprofit to support its cause

coming up on April 7, 2020. In Business Magazine is proud to

and become a true supporter of all that is important in our

create this Giving Guide to provide business owners and the

community.

more than 36,000 subscribers of the magazine information nity

ss with our commu

Connecting busine

GIVE ON APRIL

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7, 2020

MARCH 2020

to give on Arizona Gives Day. By participating on this day, you

Nonprofits members who are participating in Arizona Gives Day

Go Beyond Gives Day: We ask that you connect with your

on local nonprofits that they may work with to better our

nonprofit, and we challenge you to choose one or more

community. Our goal is to give these groups exposure for a

organizations to work with in this coming year. By volunteering

full month prior to Arizona Gives Day so that they may realize

time, talent and treasure, your organization is likely to gain in

additional benefit among the business community.

more ways that you might expect.

How to Give: We urge you, as a company or as an individual,

Thank you for giving back to our community!

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

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n

s

Giving Guide ARIZONA

Arizona Taxpayers Can Deduct Charitable Donations When the federal tax laws changed — doubling the standard deductions — many individual taxpayers decided not to itemize their returns. The impact, unfortunately, was a significant drop in donations to nonprofits because there was no longer a financial incentive. Thanks to the advocacy of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and support from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Legislature, Arizona taxpayers can still claim a deduction for donations to nonprofits even without itemizing. A new law passed in 2019 lets taxpayers who take the standard deduction also take a charitable deduction of 25 percent of the total donation. “We have taken important steps to support and protect Arizona’s nonprofit community in a collaborative effort with members of the legislature and the governor’s office, and we plan to continue that effort going forward,” says Alliance CEO Kristen Merrifield.

Top 5 Ways Your Business Can Participate in AZ Gives Day When a business supports a charitable cause, there is a wonderful synergy: Both organizations enjoy a lasting benefit while the community gets a boost. Just ask Shaun Breese, co-founder of Urban Cookies, which will once again participate in Arizona Gives Day on April 7. “The event is a great way for us to be actively involved in the local community,” Breese says. “It allows us the ability to give exposure to the charities that we are passionate about.” At the same time, she says, the business realizes a higher profile in the community it serves. “We were able to reach out to new customers who may not have heard of us, due to the promotion that comes along with Arizona Gives Day.” 1. Encourage Giving on Your Business’ Social Media Platforms. Recognizing AZ Gives Day and spreading the word on your platforms helps raise awareness. Look for posts from the AZ Gives Day pages and Alliance for Arizona Nonprofits pages that you can share.

2. Adopt a participating nonprofit for your organization to give to. Create a group Fundraising Page for a specific organization on AZGives.org.

3. Provide a matching gift. Provide a “matching” campaign gift of your chosen amount to a participating nonprofit two to four weeks prior to the start of Arizona Gives Day. It’s a great way to get a “shout out” from the nonprofit to its social media followers and donors while making a significant impact for an organization. Or, provide a donation to increase the nonprofit incentive prize pool.

4. Offer a discount on your products or services to customers who show a receipt confirming they gave to AZGives.org.

5. Encourage your employees and customers to participate through your e-newsletter, website, social media and email marketing between March 17 and April 7.

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

FirstBank Give It Forward Campaign FirstBank believes it is only as strong as its community.

As a result, it is a passionate supporter of the state’s nonprofit fabric and a longtime corporate partner of Arizona Gives Day, a 24-hour online giving movement that supports more than 650 charities.

But philanthropy to FirstBank means more than just writing checks. The bank “walks the walk” when it comes to encouraging donations. This led to Give It Forward, a surprise and delight campaign aimed at inspiring kindness and encouraging lucky recipients to give back to causes they care about.

It all started in 2017, when FirstBank Arizona market presidents Joel Johnson and Bryce Lloyd went undercover as Fry’s Food Stores employees to surprise unsuspecting customers by paying for their groceries. In return, all they asked was to consider “giving it forward” to their favorite nonprofit on Arizona Gives Day — even if it was just $10.

FirstBank chose Fry’s Food Stores for the inaugural Give It Forward surprise for a few reasons. Fundraising is the number one issue facing Arizona nonprofits and, by helping folks with something they need, such as groceries, they could enable them to donate to a nonprofit or cause they’re passionate about.

Additionally, FirstBank wanted to inspire more people to give back by demonstrating the power of generosity and showing how even a small gesture can positively impact someone’s life.

Due to the success of the first Give It Forward event, FirstBank has continued this campaign by pumping free fuel at a gas station in Chandler (2018) and paying for restaurant tabs in Scottsdale and Gilbert (2019).

In total, this campaign has contributed more than $15,000 to unsuspecting Arizonans. As for 2020, the much-anticipated campaign will be returning in hopes of reaching new donors for Arizona Gives Day on Tuesday, April 7.

About Arizona Gives Day Arizona Gives Day is a statewide 24-hour online fundraising event for Arizona’s nonprofit community. Started in 2013 to connect causes and supporters to enrich and empower Arizona and begin building a spirit of philanthropy among citizens, Arizona Gives Day helps raise awareness about Arizona nonprofits and the critical role they play in our communities and state.

The program is run by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers Forum.

Since its inception, Arizona Gives Day has raised more than $17 million for nonprofits statewide.

Join in creating a successful Arizona Gives Day 2020 and strengthening Arizona’s nonprofit community. azgives.org azgives.org/businesses

MARCH 2020

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Giving Guide ARIZONA

* indicates the organization is a member of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits.

* Arizona Housing Coalition

2nd Chance Dog Rescue

American Liver Foundation

Arizona Beagle Rescue

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/2ndchancerescuegroups

azgives.org/americanliverfoundation

azgives.org/azbeaglerescue

* 3 Wings of Life

* American Red Cross

* Arizona Broadway Theatre

County: Pinal

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/3wingsoflife

azgives.org/redcross-az

azgives.org/azbroadway

3000 Club, The County: Maricopa azgives.org/the3000club

Amistad y Salud

* Arizona Cattle Dog Rescue

County: Pima

County: Coconi

azgives.org/clinicaamistad

azgives.org/arizonacattledogrescue

County: Maricopa

A Mighty Change of Heart

Amphi Foundation

* Arizona Center for Afterschool

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

Excellence

azgives.org/arizonalionsvisionandhearingfoundation

azgives.org/amchaz

azgives.org/amphifoundation

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azcase

* A Stepping Stone Foundation

Andre House of Arizona

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

Arizona Center for Disability Law

azgives.org/asteppingstone

azgives.org/andrehouse

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azdisabilitylaw Abbie School

Andy Hull’s Sunshine Foundation

County: Pima

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/abbieschool

azgives.org/andysunshine

Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo County: Maricopa

Ability360

Animal Defense League of Arizona

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ability360

azgives.org/adlaz

* Arizona Center for the Blind and

* About Care

Animal League of Green Valley, The

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

azgives.org/acbvi

azgives.org/aboutcare

azgives.org/talgv

Accept The Challenge

Annie’s Rescue Ride

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/arizonaelksociety

azgives.org/kwyournutrients

azgives.org/annniesrescueride

azgives.org/phoenixzoo Visually Impaired

* Arizona Elk Society

Arizona Enneagram Association

* ACLU Foundation of Arizona

Anthem Pets Animal Rescue

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/acluaz

azgives.org/anthempets

azgives.org/ arizonaenneagramassociation

* After The Homestretch-Arizona

Anti Animal Cruelty Campaign Inc

Arizona Faith Network

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/afterthehomestretchaz

azgives.org/ AntiAnimalCrueltyCampaign

azgives.org/arizonafaithnetwork

Arc of Mohave County, The County: Mohave azgives.org/Mohaveco_arc

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

* Arcosanti | Cosanti Foundation

* Arizona Foundation for Women

azgives.org/agapeaz

County:Yavapai

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/arcosanti

azgives.org/afw

* Against Abuse, Inc. County: Pinal

azgives.org/againstabuseInc

* Agape Adoption Agency of Arizona

Agape House of Prescott County:County:Yavapai azgives.org/agapehouseprescott

* Arizona Family Health Partnership azgives.org/ arizonafamilyhealthpartnership

* Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network

Arizona Golden Rescue

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/aatn

azgives.org/arizonagoldenrescue

County: Maricopa

Arizona Apparel Foundation

* Arizona Hands & Voices

azgives.org/ aguafriafoodandclothingbank

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/arizonaapparelfoundation

azgives.org/arizonahandsandvoices

Aid to Adoption of Special Kids

Arizona Health Care Foundation

County: Maricopa

Arizona Association of Conservation Districts

azgives.org/aidtoadoptiofspecialkids

County: Pima

azgives.org/azhca

Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank

azgives.org/aacd AJs Best Friends

County: Maricopa

* Arizona Heart Foundation

County: Maricopa

Arizona Baptist Children’s Services

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ajsbestfriends

County: Pima

azgives.org/arizonaHeartfoundation

* Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels

azgives.org/abcs Arizona Helping Hands

County: Maricopa

Arizona Basset Hound Rescue

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ amandahoperainbowangels

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azhelpinghands

azgives.org/azbassetrescue

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azhc

* Arizona Humane Society County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azhumane

* Arizona Lions Vision and Hearing Foundation of Multiple District 21

Arizona Maine Coon Cat Rescue County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azmccr

* Arizona Musicfest County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azmusicfest Arizona Oncology Foundation County: Pima

azgives.org/ arizonaoncologyfoundation Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azoic Arizona Pet Project, The County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azpetproject Arizona Pug Adoption & Rescue Network County: Maricopa

azgives.org/aparn

* Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped (ARCH) County: Maricopa

azgives.org/archaz Arizona Region of USA Volleyball County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azregionvolleyball

* Arizona Safe Baby Haven Foundation County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azsafebabyhaven

* Arizona Small Dog Rescue County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azsmalldog

* Arizona Street Railway Museum County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ptm

* Arizona Sunshine Angels County: Maricopa

azgives.org/sunshineangels Arizona Transportation Education Foundation, The National (US)

azgives.org/ aztransportationeducation

»

These listings are up to date as of February 18, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.; registration continues to be open after press time of this March issue of In Business Magazine. Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of press; however, we apologize if any Alliance members were missed in putting this list together.

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* Arizona Wildlife Federation

Beacon Group

Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona

Center for Biological Diversity

County: Pima

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

azgives.org/arizonawildlifefederation

azgives.org/beacongroup

azgives.org/biaaz

azgives.org/biologicaldiversity

* Arizona Youth Partnership (AZYP)

Beauty From Ashes Ranch

Brambley Hedge Rabbit Rescue

* Center for the Future of Arizona

County: Pima

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azyp

azgives.org/beautyfromashes

azgives.org/bhrr

azgives.org/arizonafuture

* Arizona’s Children Association

Beavan Charities Inc.

* Bridging AZ Furniture Bank

Central Arizona Shelter Services Inc.

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/arizonaschildren

azgives.org/beavancharities

azgives.org/bridgingaz

azgives.org/cassaz

Arizona-Sora Desert Museum

* Benevilla

* Camp Wildcat

County: Maricopa

National (US)

Cervical Cancer Prevention and Assistance

azgives.org/desertmuseum

azgives.org/benevilla

azgives.org/campwildcat

County: Maricopa

* Arouet Foundation

* Ben’s Bells Project

Cancer Prevention Research Fund

azgives.org/cervicalcancerpreventionassistance

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

County: Pima

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/arouet

azgives.org/bensbells

azgives.org/ cnacerpreventionresearchfund

* ARTabilityAZ

Bethany’s Gait Ranch

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

County:Yavapai

azgives.org/artabilityaz

azgives.org/bethanysgait

* Audrey’s Angels

BICAS

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

CHEEERS County: Maricopa

azgives.org/cheeers Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona

Cherished Tails Senior Sanctuary

County: Pima

County: Pinal

azgives.org/ candlelighterschildhoodcancer

azgives.org/cherishedtails County: Pima

* Child & Family Resources

azgives.org/audreysangels

azgives.org/bicas

Aunt Ritas Foundation

* Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central

Canine Companions for Independence

Arizona

National (US)

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/bbbsaz

azgives.org/ caninecompanionsforindependence

Black Women’s Task Force

Canyonlands Healthcare

azgives.org/avivatucson

County: Pima

County: Coconi

Children’s Emergency Medical Fund

azgives.org/blackwomenstaskforce

azgives.org/canyonlandshealthcare

County: Maricopa

Avondale-Goodyear Education Foundation

Boost A Foster Family

Career Connectors Network

azgives.org/ childrensemerencymedicalfund

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/auntritas

* Aviva Children’s Service County: Pima

azgives.org/childfamilyresources

* Child Crisis Arizona County: Maricopa

azgives.org/childcrisisarizona

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/avondalegoodyeareducationfoundation

azgives.org/boostafosterfamily

azgives.org/careerconnectors

Borderlands Produce Rescue

CareGiver Training Institute

* AZ Coalition to End Sexual and

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

azgives.org/ borderlandsproducerescue

azgives.org/cgti

* Boxer Luv Rescue

County: Mohave azgives.org/caringheartswow

* Chrysalis Shelter for Victims of

* Casa Grande Roller Derby

County: Maricopa

Boys & Girls Club of Sierra Vista County: Cochise azgives.org/bgcsv

County: Pinal

azgives.org/abuse

Boys & Girls Club of the Gila Valley County: Graham azgives.org/bgcgilavalley

Pima County

County: Maricopa

Domestic Violence County: Maricopa

azgives.org/acesdv AZK9 Rescue County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azk9rescue Ballet Arizona County: Maricopa

azgives.org/balletaz Balsz Community Education Foundation County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/boxerluv

azgives.org/balszfoundation

* Boys & Girls Clubs of East Valley-

BASIS Charter Schools County: Maricopa

azgives.org/basisschools

* Be A Leader Foundation County: Maricopa

azgives.org/bealeader Be Kind People Project, The County: Maricopa

azgives.org/bkpp

Choices Pregnancy Centers

* Caring Hearts Food Ministry

azgives.org/choices Christian Family Care County: Maricopa

azgives.org/cfcare Domestic Violence

azgives.org/CasaGrandeRollerDerby

* CASA Support Council for County: County: Pima

azgives.org/pimacountycasa

Cienega Watershed Partnership County: Pima

azgives.org/cienega

* Circle the City County: Maricopa

azgives.org/circlethecity

Metro Phoenix

Catholic Charities Community Services

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

Citizens for rth Phoenix Strays

azgives.org/bgcmp

azgives.org/catholiccharitiesaz

County: Maricopa

* Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado

* Catholic Community Services of

River County: Mohave azgives.org/clubriver

Southern Arizona

* Civitan Foundation

County: Pima

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ccs-soaz

azgives.org/civitanfoundation

azgives.org/cnpsmakingadifference

Boys to Men Mentoring Network

CeCes Hope Center

Coalition for Soran Desert Protection

County:Yavapai

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

azgives.org/boystomennca

azgives.org/CeCesHopeCenter

azgives.org/sorandesert

»

These listings are up to date as of February 18, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.; registration continues to be open after press time of this March issue of In Business Magazine. Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of press; however, we apologize if any Alliance members were missed in putting this list together.

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

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Giving Guide ARIZONA

* Canine Rescue County: Cochise azgives.org/caninerescue

* Colorado Plateau Foundation County: Coconi

* indicates the organization is a member of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits.

Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts

* Duet: Partners In Health & Aging

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/duetaz

azgives.org/for

Eagle Pathway

* Family Promise - Greater Phoenix

azgives.org/dewpac

* Desert Botanical Garden

azgives.org/ coloradoplateaufoundation

County: Maricopa

* Colten Cowell Foundation

Desert Caballeros Western Museum

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/dbg County: Maricopa

azgives.org/coltencowellfoundation

azgives.org/dcwm

* Common Sense

Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/commonsense Community Cats County:Yavapai

azgives.org/cattyshackrescue

* Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona County: Pima

azgives.org/communityfoodbank

* Community Food Connections County: Maricopa

azgives.org/dtphxfarmersmarket Community Gardens of Tucson County: Pima

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ Desertlabradorretrieverrescue

* Desert Senita Community Health Center County: Pima

azgives.org/dschc

* Desert Stages Theatre County: Maricopa

azgives.org/desertstages Desert Star Community School Inc County:Yavapai

azgives.org/desertstarschool

* Detour Company Theatre

azgives.org/ communitygardensoftucson

County: Maricopa

* Community Legal Services

* Developmental Enrichment Centers

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/detourcompanytheatre County: Maricopa

azgives.org/clsaz

azgives.org/decaz

Conservation Legacy

Diabetes Aid Prevention Fund

National (US)

azgives.org/conservationlegacy Corbin’s Legacy County: Maricopa

azgives.org/corbinslegacy

* Cortney’s Place County: Maricopa

azgives.org/cortneysplace Coyote TaskForce County: Pima

azgives.org/coyotetaskforce

* Crossroads Mission County: Yuma

azgives.org/crossroadsmission

* Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ diabetesaidpreventionfund

* Diana Gregory Outreach Services County: Maricopa

azgives.org/dianagregory

* Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona County: Pima

azgives.org/diaperbank Diving Devil Dogs of Arizona County: Maricopa

azgives.org/divingdevildogs

* Down Syndrome Network County: Maricopa

azgives.org/dsnetworkaz DreamSpring County: Maricopa

azgives.org/cummingsinstitute

azgives.org/dreamspringus

Dancesequences Inc.

* Dress for Success Phoenix

County: Pima

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/dancesequences

azgives.org/dressforsuccessphoenix

* Daring Adventures

* Drowning Prevention Coalition of

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/daring-adventures

Arizona County: Maricopa

azgives.org/preventdrownings

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

F.O.R. County: Pinal

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/eaglepathway

azgives.org/familypromiseaz

* Eagles Wings of Grace, Int’l.

* Fans Across America Charitable

County: Pima

azgives.org/eagleswingsofgrace

* Early Childhood Scholarship Fund

Foundation County: Maricopa

azgives.org/fansacrossamerica

County: Maricopa

* Fearless Kitty Rescue

azgives.org/earlychildhoodscholarshipfund

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/fearlesskittyrescue

East Side Elves

Feed My Children’s Fund

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/eastsideelves

azgives.org/feedmychildrensfund

* Eastside Neighbors Volunteer

Feed My Hungry Children

Program County: Pima

azgives.org/envptucson

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/feedmyhungrychildren Feed My Starving Children

Echoing Hope Ranch County: Cochise azgives.org/echoinghoperanch

County: Maricopa

Educational Enrichment Foundation

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

azgives.org/eeftucson

* Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse County: Pima

azgives.org/emergecenter

* Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary County: Pima

azgives.org/equinevoices

* Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc

azgives.org/fmsc Feeding America’s Children azgives.org/feedingamericaschidren Feeding America’s Hungry Children County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ feedingamericashungrychildren Feeding God’s Children County: Maricopa

azgives.org/feedinggodschildren Feeding Hungry Children County: Maricopa

County: Navajo azgives.org/equinewellbeingrescue

azgives.org/feedinghungrychildren

Eric Marsh Foundation for Wildland Firefighters

County: Maricopa

County:Yavapai

Feeding Matters azgives.org/feedingmatters

azgives.org/ericmarshfoundation

Fetch Foundation, The

Esperança

azgives.org/thefetchfoundation

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/esperanca

Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy

* Esperanza En Escalante

County: Coconi

County: Pima

azgives.org/eeeveterans Everybody Matters County: Maricopa

azgives.org/everybodymatters

* Eve’s Place Inc County: Maricopa

azgives.org/evesplace

* Expect More Arizona County: Maricopa

azgives.org/expectmorearizona

azgives.org/flagarts Flagstaff Biking Organization County: Coconi

azgives.org/flagstaffbiking Flagstaff EcoRanch County: Coconi

azgives.org/flagstaffecoranch

* Flagstaff Family Food Center: Food Bank and Kitchen County: Coconi

azgives.org/hotfood

»

These listings are up to date as of February 18, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.; registration continues to be open after press time of this March issue of In Business Magazine. Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of press; however, we apologize if any Alliance members were missed in putting this list together.

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Giving Guide ARIZONA

* Flagstaff Master Chorale, Inc County: Coconi

Foundation for Blind Children County: Maricopa

azgives.org/masterchorale

azgives.org/seeitourway * Foundation for Exceptional Kids

* Flagstaff Symphony Association

County: Maricopa

County: Coconi

azgives.org/flagstaffsymphony Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona County: Maricopa

azgives.org/florencecrittenton

* Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project County: Pinal

azgives.org/forexceptionalkids

Friends of the Pima County Public Library

National (US)

County: Pima

azgives.org/giftofadoption

azgives.org/friendsofthepimacountypubliclibrary

* Friends of the Verde River

Gift of Adoption Fund

Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Foundation Inc County: Maricopa

Foundation for Homeless Cats, The

County:Yavapai

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/verderiver-az

azgives.org/ gilbertchamberfoundation

azgives.org/ thefoundationforhomelesscats

Funhouse Movement Theater

* Gilbert Historical Society/HD

* Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation

County: Pima

SOUTH

azgives.org/funhouse

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/hdsouth

County: Pima

azgives.org/foxtucson

Furniture Bank County: Maricopa

Girard Training Stables

azgives.org/furniturebank

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/firrp

* Free Arts for Abused Children of

* Foothills Animal Rescue

County: Maricopa

* Gabriel’s Angels

azgives.org/freeartsaz

County: Maricopa

* Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona

azgives.org/gabrielsangels-az

County: Pima

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/foothillsanimalrescue

* Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary County: Maricopa

azgives.org/foreverlovedpetsanctuary Foster Arizona County: Maricopa

azgives.org/fosterarizona

Arizona

Freedom Academy

azgives.org/girardtrainingstables

azgives.org/girlscoutssoaz

County: Maricopa

* GAP Ministries

azgives.org/freedomacademy

County: Pima

Glen Canyon Conservancy

azgives.org/gapmin

County: Coconi

* Friends of Pima Animal Care Center

azgives.org/glencanyon

County: Pima

* GEM Environmental

azgives.org/friendsofpacc Friends of Public Radio Arizona SPOT127

County:Yavapai

Gospel Rescue Mission

azgives.org/gemenvironmental

County: Pima

»

azgives.org/grmtucson

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/kjzzspot127

Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound is a nonprofit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, that creates pathways out of poverty for homeless families ready to make a change.

We help homeless families by providing them with housing and a program of services that help them get back on their own two feet.

Homeward Bound families are provided with affordable housing that is safe and well-maintained. Each family is assigned a case manager, who helps them focus on budgeting, repairing their credit and getting the resources they need to achieve their goals. Our program also helps families develop basic life skills, including GED tutoring, self-esteem, home maintenance, parenting and time management.

We help 130 homeless families in our community every year, and more than 75 percent of them move on to permanent housing. That’s because by the time they leave our program they’ve received housing, job training, life skills and learned how to budget and save money.

You can donate to help our families, volunteer to help provide needed services or simply learn more by visiting our website at www.HomewardBoundAZ.org and liking us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HomewardBoundAZ. Help us break the cycle of poverty today!

Who we are

Local Top Executive: Becky Jackson.

Name: Homeward Bound

of Years with Firm: 4

Local Office: 2302 W. Colter St.,

Type of Services: Housing Support

Phoenix, AZ 85015

Services, Social Services, Child Care

Phone: (602) 263-7654

Specialties: Transitional Housing, Case

Website: HomewardBoundAZ.org

Management, Child Care, Employment

Locations in Metro Phoenix: 1

Services, Program Services

Headquartered: Phoenix

Total Public Support

Year Established Locally: 1990

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

(Income) in 2018: Over $4.5 Mil

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Giving Guide ARIZONA

* indicates the organization is a member of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits.

* Grand Canyon Institute

* Helping Hands for Single Moms

* Hopi Foundation, The

* Integrated Community Solutions to

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/grandcanyoninstitute

azgives.org/helpinghandsforsinglemoms

County: Navajo azgives.org/hopifoundation

County: Pima

Grand Canyon Performing Arts County: Maricopa

Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary

azgives.org/pmmc

County:Yavapai

* Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery

Active Violence Events (ICSAVE) azgives.org/icsave

Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture Institute County: Navajo azgives.org/hopitutskwapermaculture

azgives.org/hpzs

* Interfaith Community Services County: Pima

azgives.org/icstucson

Project

* Hermitage -Kill Cat Shelter, The

County: Coconi

County: Pima

azgives.org/ grandcanyonwolfrecoveryproject

azgives.org/hermitagecatshelter

Horse’n Around Rescue Ranch and Foundation County: Cochise azgives.org/horsenaroundrescue

High Country Humane

* Hospice of the Valley - Phoenix, AZ

* Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona

County: Coconi

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/highcountyhumane

azgives.org/hov

azgives.org/isbaz

* High Fives Charity

House of Broadcasting

ITheatre Collaborative

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/highfivescharityinc

azgives.org/houseofbroadcasting

azgives.org/itheatreaz

* Home for New Beginnings Inc

House of Refuge Inc.

County:Yavapai

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/home4newbeginnings

azgives.org/houseofrefuge

Home Fur Good Animal Rescue and Placement

* Human Services Campus

Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council of Mohave County County: Mohave azgives.org/ jerryambroseveteranscouncil

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/humanservicescampus

Greasepaint YouTheatre & Scottsdale Community Players County: Maricopa

azgives.org/greasepainttheatre Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ phoenixchamberfoundation Greater Phoenix Urban League County: Maricopa

azgives.org/gphxul Habitat for Humanity Tucson County: Pima

azgives.org/habitattucson

* Handi-Dogs

azgives.org/homefurgood

* Homeless Youth Connection County: Maricopa

azgives.org/hycaz

County: Pima

azgives.org/handi-dogs

* HandsOn Greater Phoenix

Hoofbeats with Heart County: Pinal

* Harvest Compassion Center County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ harvestcompassioncenter

* Humane Association County: Coconi

azgives.org/humane

* Humane Society of Central Arizona Gila azgives.org/humanesocietycentralaz

azgives.org/hoofbeatswithheart HOPE

County:Yavapai

County: Pima

azgives.org/humanesocietyofsedona

azgives.org/hopearizona

* Hope & A Future

County: Pinal

azgives.org/ipain

* Jewish Family & Children’s Service County: Maricopa

azgives.org/jfcsaz

* Jewish Free Loan County: Maricopa

azgives.org/jewishfreeloan Jins Bottle Babies County: Maricopa

Humane Society of Sedona

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/handsonphoenix

County: Maricopa

* International Pain Foundation

* Humane Society of Southern

azgives.org/jinsbottlebabies Johnjay and Rich #LoveUp Foundation County: Maricopa

azgives.org/loveupfoundatiorg

Arizona

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

Joni and Friends

azgives.org/azhope

azgives.org/hssaz

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

* Hope 4 Kids International

* Humane Society of the White

azgives.org/healthylifestars

County: Maricopa

Mountains County: Navajo azgives.org/hswm

* Junior Achievement of Arizona

* Healthy LifeStars

azgives.org/h4ki Heart Disease Prevention Institute

azgives.org/JoniandFriendsArizona County: Maricopa

azgives.org/jaaz

County: Maricopa

Hope of Glory Ministries

azgives.org/ heartdiseasepreventioninstitute

County: Pima

Humane Society of Wickenburg

* Keep Phoenix Beautiful

azgives.org/hopeofgloryministries

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

* Heart of Tucson Happy Equine Acres

azgives.org/keepphxbeautiful

Hope Pregnancy Resource Center

azgives.org/humanesocietyofwickenburg

Rescue and Therapy

County: Coconi

County: Pima

azgives.org/hopeprc

azgives.org/heartoftuscon

* Hearth Foundation, The County: Pima

azgives.org/thehearthfoundation

* Hope Women’s Center Inc County: Maricopa

azgives.org/hopewomenscenter

* HopeKids Arizona

Heirloom Farmers Markets

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

azgives.org/hopekids

azgives.org/heirloomfm Helmet Peak Volunteer Fire Department County: Pima

azgives.org/helmetpeakvolfire

* Hopi Education Endowment Fund County: Navajo azgives.org/ hopieducationendowmentfund

Keep Sedona Beautiful Hunkapi Programs

County: Coconi

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/KeepSedonaBeautiful

azgives.org/hunkapiprograms

* ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth County: Maricopa

* Keepers of the Wild County: Mohave azgives.org/keepersofthewild

azgives.org/ican Ki Border Initiative

* ICM Food & Clothing Bank

County: Santa Cruz

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/kiborderinitiative

azgives.org/icmaz

* Kids in Focus

IMPACT for Enterprising Women

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/kidsinfocus

azgives.org/ impactforenterprisingwomen

»

These listings are up to date as of February 18, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.; registration continues to be open after press time of this March issue of In Business Magazine. Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of press; however, we apologize if any Alliance members were missed in putting this list together.

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INBUSINESSPHX.COM

Giving Guide ARIZONA

Support My Club It is the mission of Support My Club to support students on their path to graduation by engaging communities to fulfill the needs of school clubs and teams. We believe that all students have the opportunity to pursue their hopes, dreams and aspirations through participation in extracurricular activities, and Support My Club does just that.

Support My Club achieves this and provides a convenient, specific and efficient way for individuals to support out-of-classroom education to allow students to be properly equipped to pursue their interests; to reduce club sponsor and coach out-of-pocket costs; and to reduce club time spent on fundraising, allowing focus to remain on the original activity.

Research says that structured after-school activities work. They work to engage students, keep them in school, and keep them from participating in risky behaviors. Clubs and sports activities need help to provide the inspired minds and innovative ideas of students with the tools to succeed in their missions.

That’s where we come in.

We support clubs in all focus areas and encourage all students to get involved with extra-curricular activity to become further engaged and hone skills. Students

learn to collaborate, manage and balance their time, become more financial literate, and gain valuable leadership experience.

We are an e-commerce solution where donors can support the needs of high school clubs and sports.

Clubs post their specific needs, and donors “shop” for items that speak to them. Items are added to the online cart, donors make a 100-percent-tax deductible purchase, and Support My Club delivers the item directly to the club!

For every $100 of value received, the club completes one hour of community service, allowing the receiver to become the giver and the cycle of philanthropy to continue.

There is something for everyone. Products range from $2 to thousands of dollars, and items represented from the four A’s: Academics, Athletics, Arts and Activities. We believe that anyone can be a philanthropist, and SMC provides a way for citizens to engage in specific and meaningful philanthropy at a giving level comfortable to them. Now, communities near and far have a way to support the education of extra-curricular activities, where excited and imaginative teens work to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

Who we are Name: Support My Club Local Office: 5070 N. 40th St. Suite 110, Phoenix, AZ 85018 Phone: (602) 339-8421 Website: supportmyclub.org Locations in Metro Phoenix: 85 high schools served Headquartered: Phoenix Local Top Executive: Amy Armstrong, Board Chair Years with Firm: 8 Year Established Locally: 2012 Type of Services: Youth Services Specialties: Clubs and Teams Total Public Support (Income) in 2015: $401,000

An online registry for equipping High School clubs on their path to graduation FULFILL A STUDENT NEED AT

SUPPORTMYCLUB.ORG STRONGER

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

students • STRONGER schools • STRONGER community

MARCH 2020

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Giving Guide ARIZONA

* indicates the organization is a member of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits.

County: Maricopa

MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids)

* National Towing Foundation

* One Step Beyond

azgives.org/kidsplayingforkids

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/1

azgives.org/osbi

* Native American Advancement

Onward Hope

Foundation

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

azgives.org/onwardhope

azgives.org/ nativeamericanadvancement

Open Doors Community School

Kids Playing For Kids

azgives.org/maskmatters Kids Unlimited County: Pima

* McDowell Soran Conservancy

azgives.org/kidsunlimited

County: Maricopa

Kill Pima County

azgives.org/ mcdowellsoranconservancy

County: Pima

azgives.org/killpimacounty

* Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley

Lenn Equine Therapy

County:Yavapai

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/mhcvv

azgives.org/lennequinetherapy Mentoring Tucson’s Kids Inc. Leukemia Foundation for Arizona’s Children

County: Pima

azgives.org/mentoringtucsonskids

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/azlfac

* LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund County: Pima

azgives.org/alliancefund

Mesa Historical Museum County: Maricopa

azgives.org/mesahistoricalmuseum

* Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Inc County: Maricopa

Life Athletix, Inc./Tucson Turf Elite Football County: Pima

azgives.org/LifeAthletixTucsonTurfEliteFootball

azgives.org/ metropolitanyouthsymphony

* MIKID - Mentally Ill Kids In Distress County: Maricopa

azgives.org/mikid Lifeline Oro Valley Animal Rescue County: Pima

Miracle Center

azgives.org/lovar

County: Pima

* Literacy Connects

azgives.org/miraclecenter

County: Pima

* Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona

azgives.org/literacyconnects

County: Pima

* Living Streets Alliance

azgives.org/mobilemealssoaz

County: Pima

* Moonshot at NACET

azgives.org/livingstreetsalliance

County: Coconi

azgives.org/moonshotatnacet Local First Arizona County: Maricopa

More Deaths / Más Muertes

azgives.org/localfirstaz

County: Pima

* Lost Dogs Arizona

azgives.org/moredeaths

County: Maricopa

* More Than A Bed

azgives.org/lostdogsarizona

County: Pima

* Lost Our Home Pet Rescue County: Maricopa

azgives.org/lostourhome Lowell Observatory County: Coconi

azgives.org/lowell

azgives.org/morethanabed

* Musical Instrument Museum

National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ncaied

County: Pima

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/makeawishaz

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ncadd

azgives.org/odcs

* Opportunity Tree, The County: Maricopa

azgives.org/theopportunitytree

County: Pima

azgives.org/nativeseeds

Oracle Public Library County: Pinal

Neighborhood Ministries County: Maricopa

azgives.org/oraclepubliclibrary * Other Side Ministries

azgives.org/nmaz

County: Maricopa

* New Life Center

azgives.org/othersideministries

County: Maricopa

* Our Family Services

azgives.org/newlifectr

County: Pima

* New Pathways for Youth

azgives.org/ourfamilyservices

County: Maricopa

* Our Neighbors Farm and Pantry

azgives.org/npfy

County: Graham azgives.org/ourneighborsfarm

* Newborn Kitten Rescue County: Maricopa

azgives.org/newbornkittenrescue

* PACC911 (Phoenix Animal Care Coalition) County: Maricopa

North County HealthCare County: Coconi

azgives.org/pacc911

azgives.org/rthCountyhealthcare

* Parent Aid Child Abuse Prevention

Northern Arizona Pioneers’ Historical Society

County: Pima

Center azgives.org/parentaid

County: Coconi

azgives.org/nazpioneers

Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance

Northern Jaguar Project

County: Pima

County: Pima

azgives.org/pmdalliance

azgives.org/rthernjaguarproject Parkinson’s Foundation Northland Pioneer College Friends and Family Inc County: Navajo azgives.org/npcfriendsfamily

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/parkinsonsfoundation Paws Patrol Inc County: Pima

azgives.org/wilaymedowntosleep

azgives.org/msefphx

County: Pima

* Make-A-Wish Arizona

* Native Seeds/S.E.A.R.C.H.

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/mim

azgives.org/makewayforbooks

azgives.org/nativeconnections

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

County: Maricopa

* Make Way for Books

County: Maricopa

Multiple Sclerosis Education Foundation Inc.

Lupus Foundation of Southern Arizona Inc. azgives.org/lupusfoundationsoaz

County: Pima

Native American Connections

National (US)

azgives.org/greenvalleypawspatrol

* Pawsitive Friendships County: Maricopa

Oak Creek Watershed Council County:Yavapai

azgives.org/oakcreekwatershed

* Oakwood Creative Care County: Maricopa

azgives.org/oakwoodcreativecare

azgives.org/pawsitivefriendships

* Pawsitively Cats County: Pima

azgives.org/pawsitivelycats

* Paz de Cristo County: Maricopa

One Love Pit Bull Foundation

azgives.org/pazdecristo

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/oneloveaz

Pearce Family Foundation County: Maricopa

One Small Step/Clothes Cabin

azgives.org/pearcefamilyfoundation

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/clothescabin

»

These listings are up to date as of February 18, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.; registration continues to be open after press time of this March issue of In Business Magazine. Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of press; however, we apologize if any Alliance members were missed in putting this list together.

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Giving Guide ARIZONA

* Peoria Diamond Club

* Phoenix Herpetological Society

* Planned Parenthood Arizona Inc.

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/pdc

azgives.org/phoenixherp

azgives.org/plannedparenthoodarizona

azgives.org/primavera

Pet Allies County: Navajo azgives.org/petallies

Phoenix Public Library Foundation County: Maricopa

Playworks Arizona

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/phoenixlibraryfoundation

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/playworks

* Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale

* Phoenix Rescue Mission

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

Poore Medical Clinic

azgives.org/petsonwheelsscottsdale

azgives.org/phoenixrescuemission

County: Coconi

azgives.org/pooremedicalclinic

Phoenix Ballet

* Phoenix Revitalization Corporation

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

* Positive Paths

azgives.org/phoenixballet

azgives.org/phoenixrevitalizationcorporation

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

Phoenix Women’s Chorus

Prescott Area Tennis Association

azgives.org/pcchorus

County: Maricopa

County:Yavapai

Phoenix Chorale

azgives.org/phoenixwomenschorus Pima Council on Aging

azgives.org/ prescottareatennisassocation

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

azgives.org/phoenixchorale

azgives.org/pcoa

* Phoenix Children’s Chorus

Phoenix Fire Foundation

* Pima County Tucson Women’s

County: Maricopa

Commission

azgives.org/phoenixfirefoundation

County: Pima

azgives.org/pimatucsonwomen

azgives.org/positivepathsaz

* Prescott Valley Performing Arts

Primavera Foundation, The County: Pima

* PROJECT C.U.R.E. azgives.org/projectcure Project CENTRL County: Maricopa

azgives.org/centrl Project Encore AZ County: Cochise azgives.org/projectencoreaz Puppies And Kittens Rescue Fund County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ puppieskittensrescuefund Pure Body Health County: Maricopa

County:Yavapai

azgives.org/purecareaz

azgives.org/ prescottvalleyperformingarts

* RAD (Rehabbing and Advocating for

Prescott YMCA of Yavapai County

County: Pima

Phoenix Guitar Society

County:Yavapai

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/prescottymca

Dogs) Rescue azgives.org/radrescueinc

azgives.org/phoenixguitarsociety

»

Read Better Be Better

DID YOU KNOW? A child’s reading ability by the end of third grade is a key predictor of their future academic success. In fact, research shows that a child’s third grade reading level is directly correlated with how well that student performs in ninth grade, the likelihood they will graduate high school, and whether they will go on to attend college.

Read Better Be Better (RBBB) is an after-school program that helps children improve their reading skills in order to become better learners. We are the only nonprofit organization that inspires and equips Arizona youth to help us solve this literacy crisis.

HOW DOES IT WORK? The program pairs trained 6-8th grade students with struggling 3rd grade reader. Together, they work through our proven curriculum, followed by fun group activities; all of which are proven to develop literacy skills as a foundation for broader academic success.

WHAT DO THE KIDS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT RBBB? “The program changed me by understanding what I read. I read more at home.” (Ashley, 3rd grade) “I feel like I could help these little kids learn and make some new buddies. I also want to help out and do something worthy of my time instead of sitting home bored all day.” (Sara, 8th grade)

Who we are

Local Top Executive: Sophie Etchart.

Name: Read Better Be Better

of Years with Firm: 6

Local Office: 715 E. Montecito Ave.,

Year Established Locally: 2014

Phoenix, AZ 85014

Type of Services: Youth Education

Phone: (602) 374-8695

Specialties: Literacy, Education,

Website: readbetterbebetter.org

Service-Learning, Mentoring

Locations in Metro Phoenix: 48

Total Public Support

Headquartered: Phoenix

(Income) in 2019: $543,812

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

MARCH 2020

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Giving Guide ARIZONA

Rainbow Acres County:Yavapai

azgives.org/rainbowacres

* Raising Warriors Inc. County: Maricopa

azgives.org/raising-warriors Reachout Women’s Center County: Pima

azgives.org/reachoutwomenscenter

* Read Better Be Better County: Maricopa

azgives.org/readbetterbebetter

* Rebuild Superior County: Pinal

azgives.org/rebuildsuperior

* Recovery Empowerment Network County: Maricopa

azgives.org/renaz Reid Park Zoological Society County: Pima

azgives.org/reidparkzoo Rialto Theatre Foundation County: Pima

azgives.org/rialtotheatre Ridgeline Academy County: Maricopa

azgives.org/ridgelineacademy

* RightCare Foundation County: Maricopa

azgives.org/rightcare Rincon/University Marching Band Association (RUMBA) County: Pima

azgives.org/rangerband

* Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona County: Maricopa

azgives.org/rmhccnaz

* Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona County: Pima

azgives.org/rmhctucson

* Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children County: Maricopa

azgives.org/rosieshouse Rotten Rottie Rescue,Inc County: Maricopa

azgives.org/rottenrottie Runnin’ W Wildlife Center INC. County:Yavapai

azgives.org/runninw

* Rusty’s Angels Sanctuary County: Maricopa

azgives.org/rustysangelssanctuary

* indicates the organization is a member of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits.

* Salvation Army, The

* Soldier’s Best Friend

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/salvationarmyphoenix

azgives.org/soldiersbestfriend

St. Vincent de Paul County: Maricopa azgives.org/stvincentdepaul

* SARSEF

* Sol Dog Lodge and Training Center

* St. Joseph the Worker

County: Pima

County: Pima

azgives.org/sarsef

azgives.org/soldoglodge

County: Maricopa azgives.org/stjosephtheworker

Satori

* Soran Glass School

* St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance

County: Pima

County: Pima

azgives.org/satorischool

azgives.org/soranglass

County: Maricopa azgives.org/stmarysfoodbank

Save The Animals

Soran Institute

* Stardust Building Supplies

County: Maricopa

County: Pima

azgives.org/savetheanimals

azgives.org/soraninstitute

Save the Cats Arizona

Soran Prevention Works

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/savethecatsaz

azgives.org/soranpreventionworks

* Save the Family Foundation of

Sounds of the Southwest Singers

Arizona

County: Maricopa

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/savethefamily1

azgives.org/ soundsofthesouthwestsingers

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas

* Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation

County: Pima

County: Pima

azgives.org/scenicsantaritas

azgives.org/saaf

SCNM Sage Foundation

* Southern Arizona Association for

County: Maricopa

the Education of Young Children (SAZAEYC)

azgives.org/scnmsagefoundation

* Sedona Arts Center Inc County:Yavapai

azgives.org/sedonaartscenter

County: Pima

azgives.org/sazaeyc

* Southern Arizona Dream Center County: Pima

Sedona Community Food Bank

azgives.org/sazdreamcenter

County:Yavapai

County: Maricopa azgives.org/stardustbuildingsupplies STARS County: Maricopa azgives.org/starsaz Startup Tucson Country: Pima azgives.org/startuptucson Stealing Hearts Rescue County: Maricopa azgives.org/stealingheartsrescue

* Stepping Stones of Hope County: Maricopa azgives.org/steppingstonesofhope

* Stepping Up For Seniors County: Maricopa azgives.org/steppingupforseniors

* Steps of Love County: Maricopa azgives.org/stepsoflove

azgives.org/sedonafoodbank

Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption

Sedona International Film Festival

County: Pima

County:Yavapai

azgives.org/sagreyhoundadoption

Steps to Recovery Homes Country:Yavapai azgives.org/stepstorecoveryhomes

* Southern Arizona Symphony

* Stuck Community Acupuncture

azgives.org/sedonafilmfestival

* Seeds of Hope

Orchestra

County: Pinal

County: Pima

azgives.org/seedsofhopeaz

azgives.org/sasomusic

Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona County: Maricopa

Southern Arizona Veterinary Equine Rescue

azgives.org/sharingds

County: Pima

* Silver Lining Riding Program County: Maricopa

azgives.org/silverliningriding1

* Sky Island Alliance

azgives.org/saver

* Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center County: Maricopa

azgives.org/SARRC

County: Pima

azgives.org/skyislandalliance

* Smiles and Beyond

Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation County: Maricopa

azgives.org/swkcf

County: Maricopa

azgives.org/smilesandbeyond

* Sojourner Center

Southwest Oasis Labrador Rescue Country: Pima

County: Maricopa

* Southwest Wildlife Conservation

azgives.org/sojournercenter

Center County: Maricopa azgives.org/southwestwildlife

* Sold More County: Pima

azgives.org/soldmore

Country: Coconi azgives.org/stuckflagstaff

* Sunshine Rescue Mission Country: Coconi azgives.org/srm

* Support My Club County: Maricopa azgives.org/supportmyclub Surrendered Souls Rescue County: Maricopa azgives.org/surrenderedsoulsrescue

* Teen Challenge of Arizona Country: Pima azgives.org/tcaz Tempe Chamber of Commerce Foundation County: Maricopa azgives.org/tempeleadership

* Terra BIRDS Country: Coconi azgives.org/terrabirds

These listings are up to date as of February 18, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.; registration continues to be open after press time of this March issue of In Business Magazine. Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of press; however, we apologize if any Alliance members were missed in putting this list together.

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»

Giving Guide ARIZONA

Theatrikos Theatre Company Country: Coconi azgives.org/theatrikos

* Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids (TRAK) Country: Pima azgives.org/traktucson

* Therapeutic Riding of Tucson (TROT) Country: Pima azgives.org/trotarizona Three Precious Miracles (TAPAZ) Country: Pinal azgives.org/threepreciousmiracles TigerMountain Foundation (TAPAZ) County: Maricopa azgives.org/tigermountainfoundation Time Out County: Gila

* Tucson Jazz Music Foundation Country: Pima azgives.org/ tucsonjazzmusicfoundation Tucson Metropolitan Community Chorus (Desert Voices) Country: Pima azgives.org/desertvoices Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block Country: Pima azgives.org/tucsonmuseumofart

* Tucson Wildlife Center Country: Pima azgives.org/tucsonwildlife

* Twisted Tails; Animal Rescue & Sanctuary County: Maricopa azgives.org/twistedtails

azgives.org/timeoutinc

* UMOM New Day Centers

Tombstone Small Animal Shelter

County: Maricopa azgives.org/umom

County: Cochise

azgives.org/ tombstonesmallanimalshelter

* Trees Matter County: Maricopa azgives.org/treesmatteraz

* Tu Nidito Children and Family

Veteran Tickets Foundation County: Maricopa azgives.org/VetTix Vision with Wings Community Center County: Maricopa azgives.org/visionwithwings

Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters Country:Yavapai azgives.org/yavapaiibigbrothers Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation Country:Yavapai azgives.org/yavapaiicasaforkids

* Unscrewed Theater

Country:Yavapai azgives.org/yavapai/humane

Country: Pima azgives.org/unscrewedtheater

* Watershed Management Group

Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation Country:Yavapai azgives.org/yrmc

* Valleywise Health Foundation

* Tucson Audubon Society

Verde River Institute Country:Yavapai azgives.org/verderiverinstitute

Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network, Inc (TIHAN)

County: Maricopa azgives.org/xicoinc

Country:Yavapai azgives.org/verdevalleysanctuary

* Xico

* Yavapai Humane Society

Tucson Atheist Community Outreach Team Country: Pima azgives.org/tacoTeam

Tucson Girls Chorus Association Inc Country: Pima azgives.org/tucsongirlschorus

* Verde Valley Sanctuary

County: Maricopa azgives.org/will2walk * Women’s Health Invations of Arizona County: Maricopa azgives.org/whiarizona

County: Maricopa azgives.org/wastetaz

azgives.org/unitedfundofglobemiami

* Valley of the Sun United Way

Tucson Cold Wet ses Fosters Country: Pima azgives.org/tucsoncoldwetses

* Will2Walk Foundation

* Waste Not

United Fund of Globe-Miami County: Gila

Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Country: Pima azgives.org/boyschorus

Tucson Cancer Conquerors Country: Pima azgives.org/youcanconquer

Warehouse Arts Management Organization (WAMO) Country: Pima azgives.org/wamo * Verde Valley Humane Society Inc Country:Yavapai azgives.org/ verdevalleyhumanesociety

Yavapai College Foundation Country:Yavapai azgives.org/ yavapaiicollegefoundation

Valley Dogs / Vets & Their Pets County: Maricopa azgives.org/valleydogs

Tucson Botanical Gardens Country: Pima azgives.org/tucsonbotanical

Wildhorse Ranch Rescue County: Maricopa azgives.org/wildhorse

Voices for CASA Children County: Maricopa azgives.org/voicesforcasachildren

Services Country: Pima azgives.org/tunidito

Country: Pima azgives.org/tucsonaudubon

Voices for CASA Children County: Maricopa azgives.org/voicesforcasachildren

County: Maricopa azgives.org/vsuw County: Maricopa azgives.org/ valleywisehealthfoundation

* Verde Valley Humane Society Inc

Country: Pima azgives.org/watershedmg Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West County: Maricopa azgives.org/ scottsdalemuseumofthewestInc White Mountain Wildlife and Nature Center County: Navajo azgives.org/wmnature Wild Animal Preservation Fund County: Maricopa azgives.org/ wildanimalpreservationfund

Country:Yavapai azgives.org/ verdevalleyhumanesociety

Wild At Heart County: Maricopa azgives.org/wildatheart

* Verde Valley Sanctuary

Wild Life Sanctuary Fund County: Maricopa azgives.org/wildlifesanctuaryfund

Country:Yavapai azgives.org/verdevalleysanctuary

WildEarth Guardians

Veteran Tickets Foundation County: Maricopa azgives.org/vettix

National (US)

Vision with Wings Community Center County: Maricopa azgives.org/visionwithwings

Wildfire AZ County: Maricopa azgives.org/wildfireazorg AAZN member

* Young Arts Arizona Ltd. County: Maricopa azgives.org/youngartsaz Young Life Capernaum County: Maricopa azgives.org/ylazcapernaum

* Youth On Their Own Country: Pima azgives.org/yoto YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix County: Maricopa azgives.org/ywcaaz AAZN member Zeriah Foundation County: Maricopa azgives.org/zeriahfoundation Zuri’s Circle County: Maricopa azgives.org/zuriscircle

azgives.org/wildearthguardians

Country: Pima

azgives.org/tihan These listings are up to date as of February 18, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.; registration continues to be open after press time of this March issue of In Business Magazine. Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of press; however, we apologize if any Alliance members were missed in putting this list together.

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

MARCH 2020

63

TOGETHER WE’VE HELPED ...

kittens & kiddos, veterans & veterinarians, ranches & rescues, corgis & cactuses, single parents & seniors, the homeless & the hungry, future farmers & first responders, students & stargazers ...

WHICH CAUSE WILL YOU SUPPORT ON APRIL 7?

Arizona Gives Day is an annual day of online giving that’s raised $17.1 million for Arizona nonprofits since 2013.

Find your cause today.

AZGIVES.ORG B R OMARCH UGHT TO YOU BY ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA NONPROFITS & ARIZONA GRANTMAKERS FORUM 64 2020

INBUSINESSPHX.COM

Bailey, Lauren, 30

Ellis, Trevor, 18

Goodman, Adam, 27

Merrifield, Kristen, 52

Tollefson, Richard, 42

Barrett, Robyn, 26

Erdmann, Kevin, 43

Gredler, Denise, 24

Ohri, Shawn, 20

Tyra, Michal, 42

Bechtel, Ashleigh, 10

Etchart, Sophie, 29

Gunter, Cameron, 18

Pérez, Alejandro, 34

Vanig, Dr. Thanes, 29

Booker, Chaka, 31

Fehling, Matthew, 9

Hamblen, Jill, 10

Phillips, Jason, 12

Vento, Jonathon, 30

Bryce, Lloyd, 52

Ferres, Zach, 25

Harkey, Scott, 27

Pierik, Martijn, 27

Watson, Sandra, 49

Carney, Jason, 28

Fields, Adam, 20

Harper, Sharon, 18

Powell, Erik, 17

Weber, Bruce, 36

Cassidy, Brian, 24

Frazey, Kyle, 25

Harris, Austin, 49

Rhoton, Nate, 28

Weisinger, Dan, 30

Civitella, Angela, 40

Friesen, Jeff, 25, 35

Kloefkorn, Sheila, 49

Riley, Dustin, 17

Williams, Bärí A., 31

Conant, Douglas, 32

Fulton, Doug, 26

Lahey, David, 31

Scott, Liz, 10

Zepper, Aaron, 49

Cooke, Brad, 17

Garner, Don, 24

Loveday, Julian, 11

Smith, Ben, 14

Zylstra, Steven G., 45

Dixon, Kinja, 12

Gavin, Kim, 11

Loveday, Karen, 11

Smith, Charlie, 36

Duan, David, 66

Gibb, Dr. Randy, 14

Lytle, Hugh, 26

Smith, Suzette, 16

Duszyński, Maciej, 13

Goetz, Calvin, 29

Markovic, Ruzica , 28

Stark, Rich, 44

Alerus, 68

Coplex, 25

MyAbilities Technologies, 11

Taco Guild, 44

Alliance Bank of Arizona, 24, 49

CycleBar, 11

OH Partners, 27

Toy Barn, The, 12

Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, 51

Department, The, 25, 39

one-n-ten, 28

triARC Architecture & Design, 10

Arizona Commerce Authority, 31

Divvy, 8

PEG Companies, 18

True North Studios, 19, 30

Arizona Diamondbacks, 19

Enterprise Bank & Trust, 25, 32

Phoenix Film Foundation, 28

UnitedHealthcare, 2

Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 7

Equality Health, 5, 26

Phoenix Philanthropy Group, The, 42

Upward Projects, 30

FireFly-HR, 10

PHX Beer Co, 44

Weber Group, 36

Flower Child, 44

Plaza Companies, 18

Weisinger Group, 30

Fraedom, 66

Porsche, 43

WorkForce Software, 11

FSW Funding, 5, 26

Positively Powerful Conference, 6

Xcellerate Biomedical Technologies, 14

Fulton Homes, 26

Pro One Media Productions, 15, 28

Zety, 13

Garden Goddess Ferments, 16

Read Better Be Better, 29

Ghost Ranch, 44

RexPay, 11

Goodmans Interior Structures, 27

Riley Smith Development & Construction, 17

Arizona Technology Council, 45 ARTA, 20 AZ Gives Day, 64 Ballard Spahr, 12 Barro’s Pizza, 12 Berridge Nurseries, 43 Best Companies AZ, 24 Better Business Bureau serving the Pacific Southwest, 9 BMO Harris, 41 BOK Financial, 37 Cake Creative, 21 Canyon Ventures, 14 Catalyst Media Design, 10 CCBG Architects, 24 Colliers International in Arizona, 17 ConantLeadership, 32

Grand Canyon University, 14 Intinde, 40

Row House, 11

Jaburg Wilk, 34

ScriptSave WellRx, 20

JLL, 7

Sentry Insurance, 12

KEO Marketing, Inc., 49

Lincoln Property Company, 18

MedTech 2020, 50

In each issue of In Business Magazine, we list both companies and indivuduals for quick reference. See the stories for links to more.

CHECK US OUT

Snell & Wilmer, 3

KiteRocket, 27, 67

MDSL, 49

Robson Communities, 12

Spectrum Medical, 29 Stevens-Leinsweber Construction, 17 Strategy Financial Group, 29

/InBusinessPHX @InBusinessPHX www.inbusinessphx.com

Bold listings are advertisers supporting this issue of In Business Magazine.

MAR 65 2020 INBUSINESSPHX.COM

A CANDID FORUM

BY

Banking AI Advantages Business This tech innovation will give U.S. businesses visibility and control

by David Duan

For businesses, gaining visibility and control of spending is vital to maintaining adequate cash flow. However, currently, this is something many U.S. businesses, SMEs in particular, struggle with, as shown by the fact 82 percent of business failures are due to poor cash management. As banks begin to address this problem, we are seeing the adoption of more technologies that make use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with research from Fraedom finding that 40 percent of U.S. banks planned to invest in these technologies in last year. Consequently, U.S. businesses could soon benefit from a wider range of capabilities and tools that give them greater visibility of and control over their accounts in the following ways:

David Duan is Data science stream lead and principal data scientist at Fraedom.

Over the past 20 years, Fraedom has managed more than 1.5 billion transactions through its web-based platform.

Supporting more than 100 commercial issuing banks, more than 600,000 organizations benefit from Fraedom's technology, managing transactions for more than 7 million employees worldwide. The company has offices in the UK, U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Fraedom is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visa. fraedom.com

MAR 2020

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INBUSINESSPHX.COM

Safeguarding Accounts Businesses will benefit from greater account protections thanks to the use of AI for fraud detection. AI will help businesses keep their accounts safe by detecting any anomalies in their accounts and fraudulent activities much more quickly than previously possible. The beauty of using AI and machine learning in this way lies in their ability to understand what is “normal” for each account or card by recognising patterns based on past transactions and behaviors.

With AI capable of detecting any deviations from the normal patterns faster than currently possible, banks will be able to inform businesses if their accounts appear to have had unusual activity. Certainly, anomalous transactions aren’t always fraud; it may just mean that they’re out of the ordinary and need some more investigation, and flagging them to the business will allow for this. Being able to identify anomalies faster could be significant for U.S. businesses as it will allow them to pick up on any misuse of their accounts and deal with it immediately. In cases where fraud has occurred, businesses will be able to get to the root of the problem quickly, rather than finding out months down the line when the employee the transaction relates to may have moved on.

In the future, we may get to a point where fraud detection can be done in real-time in order to stop fraudulent transactions happening altogether. In these cases, we could see the account being frozen or the card being blocked in order to prevent the transaction from being completed. However, this is still some ways off from becoming a reality.

82%

Control of Spend As banks come to grips with continuous machine learning, they will be able to accurately forecast how much credit businesses require and limits on spending will be set automatically. This will provide businesses with a better understanding of their spending and help to prevent them overspending. It will also allow for credit limit redistribution based on historic spending patterns. For example, if an employee within an organization is consistently spending a certain amount, the bank will know that’s how much credit should be allocated to them. This gives banks a mathematical way of understanding the optimal way to provide credit.

This means that credit will be allocated in an optimal way, ensuring the amount of credit employees are given reflects their spend history. This guarantees that those employees who often make large transactions are given the credit to do so, while those who use their company accounts for lower-cost transactions don’t receive as much, to ensure credit is being used to the greatest effect.

Personalized Services Banks can also use AI to create more personalized customer experiences and to ensure they offer their customers the products and services most likely to be of interest to or benefit them. In this respect, AI would recognize patterns in spending and use this to determine which loans or credit cards would be best for different business customers. AI will also be able to flag how the individual tends to interact with the banks; for example, whether they prefer to use online or telephone banking. This will then enable banks to use this information to personalize the way they communicate with customers, choosing the method that the individual is known to prefer and helping to streamline communications for businesses.

The use of AI and ML in banking will ultimately provide organizations with a greater level of control over their accounts, more streamlined processes and a better understanding of their finances. It will also offer improved visibility, helping to prevent instances of fraud and allow businesses to deal with suspected cases of fraud faster to come to a swifter resolution. As this is realized, employees will gradually spend less time manually interrogating accounts and instead be able to focus on more value-adding tasks.

Eighty-two percent of business failures are due to poor cash management. entrepreneur.com/article/187366

MAR 67 2020 INBUSINESSPHX.COM

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