Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Arizona Economy

Ellie Pérez, Arizona Education Association

Ellie Pérez is Political Director with the Arizona Education Association, the largest professional association for public school employees in Arizona. She was four years old when her parents brought her to Arizona from Veracruz, Mexico, although she didn’t learn she was undocumented until the age of 16.

Ellie’s political activism began in 2010 during protests against Arizona SB 1070, the controversial anti-illegal immigration bill. She obtained her DACA permit in 2012 and was the first “dreamer” to be employed by the city of Phoenix. In 2017 she earned a bachelor’s degree in justice studies from ASU’s School of Social Transformation and a minor in political science.

Ellie has worked as a labor organizer for the United Food and Commercial Workers union, as a field director for the Hillary Clinton campaign, and as an aide to then-council member Kate Gallego, now the mayor of Phoenix. Ellie is the first DACA recipient to be elected superdelegate to the Democratic National Committee. She attended the 2019 State of the Union address in Washington, DC, as the guest of Arizona Congressman and former Phoenix mayor Greg Stanton. Ellie has been honored as ASU Justice Studies Alumna of the Year and 40 Hispanic Leaders under 40.

Connect with Ellie Pérez on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Dr. Ann Hart, The Hart of Education

Dr. Ann Hart is a Professional Education Consultant. She was the former Deputy Associate Superintendent for the Arizona Department of Education, appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2004 to oversee school Discipline and Classroom Management. She was very successful in providing professional development to over 3,000 teachers, administrators and support staff in the effective maintenance of healthy and orderly learning environments, which contribute to the academic success of students. Dr. Hart was the first to fill such a position in Arizona. Dr. Hart’s passion ignites her thirst in helping to engage parents’ students and the community, which foster environments of education, learning and training.

Dr. Hart has been involved in the field of Education since she graduated from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Her education has also been enhanced with 13 years of Federal Government experience, where she led Region III in investigations for the Office for Civil Rights, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A visionary and active community leader, inspirational speaker, and writer, Dr. Hart continues to be a woman who inspires through her leadership and leads by the principal of “Having Faith for the Journey.” Her purpose-driven passion for educating the community on various school/community issues has kept her busy in the twenty plus years that she has spent in education sectors; igniting a thirst which continues to embrace her commitment to raising educational and community awareness in the areas of civil rights and racial equality, human relations, diversity, Zero Tolerance, School Discipline, Parent Involvement, Family, Social and Civic issues; and especially the empowerment of women to combat verbal and physical abuse in the workplace. She has been featured in The Arizona Woman Magazine and the AZ Republic for her education, civic and community involvement and contributions.

Dr. Hart has been the recipient of numerous city, and state acknowledgements and awards. As founder of the Phoenix Black Women’s Task Force, she created a platform for Emerging Women. She was the first African American Woman to chair the Phoenix Women’s Commission for the City of Phoenix, which provided dynamic forums for prominent speakers to address audiences of over 1,000 women for International Women’s Day. She has been the recipient of the YWCA Women’s Leadership, East Valley and the Maricopa Branches of the NAACP as a Humanitarian and Outstanding Educator of the Year. Most recently, she was awarded the 2016 Strategic Alliance Legion by the Phoenix Metropolitan Chapter of National Coalition of the 100 Black Women. Additional honors and awards for her outstanding work in education sectors and community involvement have highlighted her unselfish endeavors for the past 30 years.

Dr. Hart holds a doctorate degree from Arizona State University in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies. She is an active member of the Phoenix Metropolitan Graduate Chapter of Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., and the former President of Maricopa County Branch NAACP.

Connect with Dr. Ann Hart on LinkedIn.

Steven Zylstra, Arizona Technology Council

Steven Zylstra is the president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies. Since 2007, he has raised AZTC’s role in public policy and has positioned the organization as one of the state’s leaders in driving a pro-growth, business-focused state and federal technology agenda. He continually informs and educates policymakers on issues that are important to Arizona’s economy and technology community, and testifies before the Legislature on a regular basis.

As a spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona, Steve was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, a “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal, and “Executive of the Year” by the Arizona Society of Association Executives. He is an articulate and passionate spokesperson for the value that technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona, and is a leading advocate for improving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Prior to serving as President of the Arizona Technology Council, Steve served as president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Catalyst Connection, and the Pittsburgh Biomedical Development Corporation, an affiliated organization of the Pittsburgh Technology Council that invested in start-up biomedical and biotechnology companies.

Connect with Steven Zylstra on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and follow the Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Holocaust and Human Dignity

The East Valley Jewish Community Center in Chandler is a community center whose mission is to create social, cultural and educational activities to engage families and individuals. Led by Rabbi Michael Beyo, the EVJCC strengthens the local community by enhancing education, self-identity, personal values, and health and well-being through programs and services that are designed with the intent to uphold and sustain Judaic fundamentals. Since 1972, the EVJCC has served individuals and families inclusive of all race, religions, genders and cultures.

One of the EVJCC’s signature programs is part of the Center for Holocaust Education and Human Dignity. On November 18, they’ll be hosting a lecture on “Elie Wiesel and Primo Levi: The Gray Zone of Holocaust Survival,” by Dr. Nancy Harrowitz of Boston University.

Get tickets for Dr. Harrowitz’s lecture on November 18 in Chandler

Rabbi Michael Beyo, East Valley Jewish Community Center

Rabbi Michael Beyo, CEO of the East Valley Jewish Community Center, is a Jewish Scholar with a successful career providing religious guidance to all branches of the Jewish denominations. He is a passionate teacher with a love of Judaism who welcomes diversity of religious expression. Rabbi Beyo moved to Phoenix from Atlanta where he was the chief development officer for Hillel of Georgia. Before that, he was the university chaplain and campus rabbi at Boston University and the Executive Director for the Hillel House. His past experience also includes teaching, including as a lecturer for The Florence Melton School of Adult Education and a guest lecturer at Boston University, Emory and Georgia Tech. He grew up in Italy, leaving when he was 15 to attend yeshiva in London and then France. He also lived in Israel for several years, where he became ordained as a rabbi.

Connect with Rabbi Beyo on LinkedIn, and follow the East Valley Jewish Community Center on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Dr. Nancy Harrowitz, Boston University

Nancy Harrowitz is a professor of Italian and Jewish studies at Boston University. She has published widely on anti-Semitism and gender in the modern period. Her most recent work includes the book Primo Levi and the Identity of a Survivor. At Boston University, she teaches courses on modern Italian literature, film and literature produced under fascism, and representations of the Holocaust in literature and film. She also directs the school’s new minor in Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Studies and co-chairs the Conversations on Race Initiative.

Connect with Dr. Nancy Harrowitz on LinkedIn.

The Cannabis Industry in Arizona

Christina Morse, RebelHR

Christina Morse is COO of RebelHR, where she brings innovative outsourced HR solutions into cannabis-based businesses. RebelHR was developed in response to an identified need, not only for outsourced HR solutions, but for solutions that are designed and developed specific to the needs of the cannabis industry. RebelHR provides subscription or project-based support in a wide range of areas, from employee benefits or talent management, to policy manuals and employee relations.

Christina graduated Magna Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with a degree in Management and Human Resources. Immediately following, she obtained her PHR certification and began a now 20 year long career in Human Resources. She enjoys thinking and living “outside the box”. After her daughter graduated from college, Christina decided to work remotely while traveling and proceeded to live in 14 countries over 18 months. She is a Phoenix native and this is her home, where she spends time volunteering with pit bull rescues and with the DisruptHR Phoenix chapter.

Connect with Christina Morse on LinkedIn, and follow RebelHR on LinkedIn.

Alex Cushman, ProKure Solutions

Alex Cushman is President of ProKure Solutions. This Phoenix-based company’s patented products and patent-pending protocols allow cultivation professionals to safely and cost-effectively produce any quantity of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) on-site, in both gas and liquid forms. Utilizing products like ProKure V, the ProKure protocol is developing a reputation in the industry as an effective way of disinfecting and deodorizing grow facilities and has become a staple in Integrated Pest Management programs for major cultivators.

Alex leads the company’s operations and executes on a vision of bringing ClO₂ to the cultivation market for a cleaner, safer, and more transparent end-result product. Alex joined ProKure in 2017, having been introduced to ProKure as a consultant to a company invested in the product.

Prior to working with ProKure, Alex launched an energy drink from the ground up, leveraging his entrepreneurial skill and private equity experience to drive results that included distribution deals with Whole Foods, Costco, Wal- Mart, Sprouts, Albertsons and other retailers. Alex began his career in finance, spending seven years in mergers and acquisitions for buy-side private equity. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College, and currently resides in Phoenix with his family.

Connect with Alex Cushman on LinkedIn, and follow ProKure Solutions on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Ed Chaney, Cannafyl CBD

Ed Chaney is CEO of Cannafyl, a Phoenix-based manufacturer of full-spectrum, CBD-infused products. Current products made by Cannafyl include tinctures, topical lotions and salves, cartridges and pet food additives, each of which goes through a rigorous testing process. The company, which began manufacturing in 2017, has a retail location near Tatum and Greenway, open seven days a week.

Ed is a serial entrepreneur, having launched more than a dozen successful startups during his career. He has a passion for leadership and the thick skin needed to weather the growth cycles inherent in business development—qualities he acquired over the past 30 years in business. Ed studied Business at Arizona State University, Executive Leadership at MIT and spent over twenty years as an active member of Arizona’s elite Entrepreneur Organization (EO). Ed hails from Maryland as the son of a farmer, served six years in the U.S. Navy, and currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife, Kim, and their three children.

Connect with Ed Chaney on LinkedIn, and follow Cannafyl on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Veterans and Entrepreneurship

HeroZona National Veteran Summit, Nov 5-7 in Phoenix, AZ

Alan “AP” Powell, The HeroZona Foundation

Alan “AP” Powell is a serial entrepreneur, Gulf War Veteran, philanthropist and a renowned strategic consultant developing relationships for Fortune 500 companies. Powell currently serves as chairman and CEO of AP & Associates, LLC, founded in 2004. He is also the founder of The HeroZona Foundation, a non-profit that serves students and veterans by giving them access to educational opportunities to ensure they get to cross the ‘finish line’. The foundation’s name reflects that messaging to focus on empowering and celebrating America’s veterans. Programs include the Herozona National Veteran Summit — a multi-day networking experience to improve America’s support of veteran companies through workshops, networking, entrepreneurial connections, and seminars — and Play It Forward, Veterans Reach to Teach, Phoenix Tools 4 Schools and the Bridge Forum.

Powell’s upcoming engagement, the HeroZona National Veteran Summit will will return to Phoenix from November 5 – 7, 2019. This multi-day experience for America’s veterans — including Arizona’s 640,000 veterans, 38,000 active duty service members and 1,000 veteran owned companies — is spearheaded by the HeroZona Foundation and its new partner, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes. Other 2019 sponsors include Arizona Public Service (APS), Phoenix Suns, USAA, Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers and the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.

The 2019 theme is advancing economic opportunity for the military community and includes executive roundtables, an awards dinner, employment summit, job fair, Bridge Forum and workshops. HeroZona National Veteran Summit is free and open to active duty service members, National Guard and Army Reserve, veterans, military spouses and caregivers. To learn more about The HeroZona Foundation’s programs and HeroZona National Veteran Summit, visit herozonasummit.com or herozona.org.

Powell was recently recognized with the Arizona Black Chamber of Commerce Corporate Star Award (2016), the MLK Living the Dream Award (2017), Greater Phoenix Urban League’s Whitney M. Young Jr. Award (2017), the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity’s Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award (2017), ABC 15 and Sanderson Ford’s Saluting Arizona’s Veterans Award (2018) and the John S. McCain Inspirational Leadership Award (2018). He also served as the Grand Marshall for the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade in 2017. Powell also won 2019’s ‘Most Influential Man in the Valley’ award by Arizona Foothills Magazine.

Connect with Alan “AP” Powell on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, and follow The HeroZona Foundation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

HeroZona National Veteran Summit, Nov 5-7 in Phoenix, AZ

Heather Dopson

Heather Dopson, formerly of GoDaddy and now independent at heatherdopson.com, is a community builder and an advocate for authenticity. She’s a catalyst for conversations worth having, and an enabler for ideas worth exploring. Heather is fueled by tracking digital trends, innovation in technology, and taco trucks. She has a profound understanding of social networks, consumers and branding; and a pronounced intolerance for BS. As a Community Builder, she leverages her skills as a connector and her drive to help small businesses succeed. Her mission in life is to help people lose their J-O-B and find their J-O-Y. She is an international speaker on the topics of social media, entrepreneurship, community and digital marketing.

Heather is a veteran of the US Air Force where she served as an AMMO troop assigned to the 523rd Combat Munitions Unit, 27th Fighter Wing.

Connect with Heather Dopson on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ben Bronson, Bunker Labs

Ben Bronson is Phoenix City Leader with Bunker Labs, a national network of veteran, reservist, and military spouse entrepreneurs dedicated to helping new veteran community entrepreneurs start their own business. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, Bunker Labs is committed to seeing that every entrepreneur in the veteran community has the network, tools, and resources they need to start and grow their own business.

Ben is an Army veteran and holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Connect with Ben Bronson on LinkedIn, and follow Bunker Labs on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

HeroZona National Veteran Summit, Nov 5-7 in Phoenix, AZ

Cross Cultural Issues in Business

Jennifer Burge, WorldWise Coaching

Jennifer Burge is CEO of WorldWise Coaching, an Arizona based company built on two decades of international business experience. They provide private executive coaching and customized team training in the field of intercultural business communication, global relocation, and multicultural team building. Their field of expertise includes consulting services to assist in conflict resolution across worldviews, international expansions, and cross-border mergers. WorldWise empowers teams to communicate globally with confidence and strengthens cohesiveness across geographically disparate business units. With experience on four continents and over fifty countries, WorldWise Coaching prepares its clients to thrive in international environments across the globe. International business is challenging, but when preparedness meets opportunity–barriers to growth are eliminated.

Jennifer, a dual national of the US and Australia, repatriated to the United States in 2018. Her career in management consulting took her to Germany in 2001, The Netherlands in 2002, Singapore in 2007, and Australia in 2011. After seventeen years abroad, Jennifer returned to Phoenix to found her own consulting company, WorldWise Coaching LLC. Having lived on four continents, successfully executed projects in ten countries, and traveled to more than fifty countries, Jennifer uses her broad business, training, and technology background to assist others to thrive in global business environments.

Her experience includes Fortune 100 companies, such as Honeywell and Fortune Global 500 companies—Accenture Consulting and EDS. She has also worked for smaller firms in The Netherlands and as an independent information technology consultant and trainer in Singapore

In addition to her corporate career, Jennifer is a memoirist and travel writer. She began writing Asian destination pieces for Vietnam’s The Guide magazine in 2009. Her first nonfiction book about her professional life in Europe, The Devil Wears Clogs, was published in 2014. The second, Singapore Salvation, tells her Asian story and was published in 2015. She is currently at work on her Australian chapter.

In 2017, Jennifer lived in Madrid to complete her certification and training in teaching English as a Second Language with a specialization in Business English earned with distinction. Following that, she was a Fellow at the Institute for Intercultural Communication in Portland, Oregon in 2018 and in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2019. In August 2019, Jennifer was appointed to the Pacific Rim Advisory Council for the City of Phoenix by Mayor Kate Gallego.

Connect with Jennifer Burge on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and follow WorldWise Coaching on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Dr. Jeff McGee, Cross-Cultural Dynamics

Dr. Jeff McGee is CEO of Cross-Cultural Dynamics, an Arizona based company comprised of experts in the fields of cultural competency, leadership development and health and wellness. They provide trainings and consultations to all organizational sectors including businesses, nonprofits, education (both K-12 & universities/colleges) community groups and city governments.

Their mission is to provide leaders and organizations with a framework to effectively accomplish their mission and objectives within a cross-cultural world. Cross-Cultural Dynamics customizes all curriculum to meet the specific yet unique needs of every organization. They seek to fully understand the mission, values and goals of each organization and develop structures, along with leadership, that empower everyone to succeed.

Dr. Jeff McGee is a thought leader in using an asset-based approach to understand cross-cultural and leadership competencies. He is passionate about equipping leaders with principles and strategies to lead tomorrow’s organizations. He has studied and witnessed barriers between diverse groups where issues of trust, decision-making and roles are misunderstood. Dr. McGee has successfully led many organizations through trainings/consultations that has positively impacted organizational culture and relationship building efforts. His interactive approach to engagement empowers leaders to think differently and challenge norms. Dr. McGee has many years of experience as an educator and trainer for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, businesses and nonprofit organizations. His continued work and research seek to dismantle cross-cultural and leadership misunderstandings through education, practice, and policy making.

Dr. McGee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Ministry and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College and a Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Connect with Dr. Jeff McGee on LinkedIn and Facebook, and follow Cross-Cultural Dynamics on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.