leadership development Archives - Page 8 of 9

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Jim Mapstead with Accurate Signs and Engraving and Randy Gibb with Grand Canyon University

May 18, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Jim Mapstead with Accurate Signs and Engraving and Randy Gibb with Grand Canyon University

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Jim Mapstead with Accurate Signs and Engraving and Randy Gibb with Grand Canyon University

Accurate Signs & Engraving, Inc. is the nation’s largest supplier of laser engraved tags and decals to solar panel installers, fabricating quality decals and plastic and metal engraved tags for over 25 years.

We pride ourselves on meeting deadlines and delivering unsurpassed customer service.

Jim Mapstead has been a resident of Phoenix on and off since 1963. Shortly after graduating from Maryvale High School, Jim started the Student Suffrage League of Arizona to advocate for getting the voting age lowered to 18. In 1970, Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Once his military service was over, Jim attended the University of Arizona and then in 1976 moved to the Washington D.C. area to work on the National Campaign to Stop the B1 bomber.

After the successful completion of that issue, he started his own business in 1983 creating custom furniture. In 1985 he bought a lumberyard in Prince George’s County, Maryland. In 1987, he bought a hardware store in Alexandria, VA, and in 1988 built a hardware store in Frederick, Maryland. He subsequently lost all of his businesses and had to lay off 47 employees in the recession of the late 80’s. In 1991, Jim and his wife moved back home to Phoenix.

Since returning, Jim purchased and continues to run his own business, Accurate Signs & Engraving. Accurate is one of the nation’s largest provider of laser engraved tags and decals to solar panel installers in North America. He has also been an active member of his community. Jim is a graduate of Valley Leadership Class XXVI, and was awarded the Big Brother of the Year award in 2005. Jim is a past Board Member and Executive Committee member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. In 2011, Jim was a Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award winner for Community Involvement. He is a former President of the Sunnyslope Village Alliance, and former President of the Sunnyslope Kiwanis Club. Additionally, Jim is the former Chair of the Paradise Valley Village Planning Committee, and has run for election to Phoenix City Council. He is the former President of the Executive Association of Greater Phoenix, for five years served as the Board Chair of Local First Arizona, and was an ASU W.P. Carey School of Business Spirt of Enterprise Finalist in 2015. Currently, Jim is the incoming Board Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, and Vice Chair of the Herberger Theater Center.

Jim and his wife of 34 years, Jill, have two daughters, Jesse and Leah. Jim and his wife currently travel extensively in search of great food and wine.

Follow Accurate Signs and Engraving on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Randy Gibb is Dean of the Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University (GCU), Phoenix, AZ. Under his leadership since 2014, the business college has moved forward with the vision of Inspiring Free Markets and Purpose for Prosperity, Business as a Force for Good and Business as Ministry. He serves on the Board of the AZ Chapter Conscious Capitalism and the Governor appointed Arizona Workforce Council. Prior to GCU Randy was at Arizona State University as an Associate Professor and Chair of the Human & Environmental Systems Department.

Before transitioning to Arizona higher educational leadership positions, Randy served 26 years in the United States Air Force. His leadership experiences consisted of commanding two US Air Force flying organizations, leading the US Air Force Academy’s Behavioral Science & Leadership Department, and was a Senior Military Professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton, OH, working human systems integration. Randy has extensive experience in operational leadership, leadership development, organizational change, business development, teaching, and coaching. Randy has published and presented in various aviation/academic journals and conferences on topics of aviation safety and human factors engineering. He completed his Air Force career in 2012 as a full Colonel and Command Pilot.

Originally from Stevens Point, WI, Randy was a Distinguished Graduate from the US Air Force Academy in 1986. Randy was team captain of the 1986 National Collegiate Boxing Association championship team and was an individual national champion at 147 lbs. He earned his PhD and Master of Science in Engineering from Arizona State University in Industrial Engineering – Human Factors. He also has a Master of Arts from the US Naval Command & Staff College in Newport, RI. Randy and his wife, Jill, have been married for 30 years and have four children.

Follow Grand Canyon University on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

The Leadership Lowdown was created to share the REAL story behind valley leaders’ rise to the top, and the truth about what it takes to TRULY succeed in life and business. Hear the raw stories of these leaders’ journeys…the pitfalls, the victories, and all of the heartaches and triumphs in between.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Jodi Low is an accomplished corporate trainer, inspirational speaker, and the Founder and CEO of U & Improved. Jodi has trained thousands of entrepreneurs and executives on how to build a booming business, master a mindset for success, and achieve the lifestyle they desire through heart-fueled leadership.

Among her many accomplishments as a Valley leader, Jodi launched a teen leadership program in 2014 to empower young adults to become more confident, motivated and focused stewards of our future. In 2016, she founded a non-profit arm of the company—the U & Improved Leadership Foundation—that makes the program more accessible to deserving teens.

Jodi has been recognized by industry publications and organizations for her work in leadership development and serves as a source of inspiration within the community. In 2015, she was honored as an “Outstanding Women in Business” by the Phoenix Business Journal and by the Phoenix Suns and National Bank of Arizona with the “Amazing Women” award. She has received both the prestigious “Diversity Leader of the Year” and the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce’s “Sterling Award.” She was also awarded a Silver Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 and was a finalist for the Junior League of Phoenix’s Valley Impact Award. Jodi is a devoted single parent who volunteers her time at her daughters’ school programs and with organizations such as Angel Mamas, where she’s served on the board for three years.

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Frank Neal with La-Z-Boy Arizona and Mike D Hayes with AtWork Group Phoenix

April 30, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Frank Neal with La-Z-Boy Arizona and Mike D Hayes with AtWork Group Phoenix

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Frank Neal with La-Z-Boy Arizona and Mike D Hayes with AtWork Group Phoenix

Frank Neal is President of La-Z-Boy Furniture, Arizona. EBCO Incorporated d.b.a. La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® of Arizona is not just a large, household name – the 10 Arizona stores are an independent, family-owned franchise owned by Ed Breunig III. This offers the best of both worlds – well-known brand name products combined with the friendly environment of a family-owned business. EBCO opened the first La-Z-Boy Store in Arizona and has been operating for 35 years. Out of all La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries North America, EBCO holds the top four positions.

Connect with Frank on LinkedIn, and follow La-Z-Boy on Facebook and Instragram. Interested in working with La-Z-Boy? Check out their job openings here.

Michael D. Hayes is Director of Business Development with AtWork Group Phoenix. He is a native of Arizona, and is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management. Michael’s professional career began with 14 years in the securities business, advising banks, mutual funds and individuals on all types of investments. He purchased Momentum in 2003 when the company’s primary business line was recruiting for logistics companies. Michael has transformed the company into a successful full-service staffing provider. Momentum recently merged with AtWork Staffing Group which has over 51 branches nationwide. Michael is a member of the Executives’ Association of Greater Phoenix (EAGP), 100 Club of Arizona, and Board of Directors for St Joseph the Worker Charity.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn, and follow him on YouTube, and follow AtWork on Twitter and Facebook.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Phoenix Business Journal Ilana Lowery and HMA Public Relations Abbie Fink

April 6, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Phoenix Business Journal Ilana Lowery and HMA Public Relations Abbie Fink

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Phoenix Business Journal Ilana Lowery and HMA Public Relations Abbie Fink

Ilana Lowery has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Phoenix Business Journal since August 2001. Prior to that, the Chicago native served as managing editor. She first joined the publication as a reporter and projects editor in 1995.

As a reporter she has covered banking and finance, travel, aviation, tourism and sports business. Prior to the Business Journal, she was an editor for Independent Newspapers Inc., a community newspaper chain based in Scottsdale.

Before moving to the Valley in 1989, Ilana was a reporter and editor for Pulitzer Newspapers in Chicago. An award-winning journalist, she also worked as a scriptwriter and associate producer for the NBC-TV affiliate in Chicago.

A 1986 graduate of the University of Illinois, Ilana earned BA degrees in Mass Communications and English. Currently, Ilana is an associate professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

In addition to the Hon Kachina Board of Governors, she is on the board of the Arizona Newspaper Association and executive board of Gabriel’s Angels. Ilana also is a member of the prestigious women’s professional associations Charter 100 and Central Phoenix Women.

Ilana served on the advisory board for the Greater Phoenix Jewish News and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Arizona Press Club and the Arizona Newspaper Association, which in 2015 presented her with the Order of the Silver Key, an honor for journalists who have been in the profession for 25 years or more, contributed to the journalism profession both locally and nationally, and have inspired fellow journalists.

Ilana was a 2014 Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Athena Award finalist. In 2005, she was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council and in 2008, she was honored with a Woman of Distinction award by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America – Southwest.

Connect with Ilana on LinkdIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Abbie S. Fink is vice president/general manager of HMA Public Relations and has been with the firm since 1993. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications/social media strategies, special event management, community relations, issues management and marketing promotions.

Fink, an award-winning communications professional, is often called upon to present to a wide variety of business and civic organizations on such topics as media relations, social media and digital communications strategies, issues/crisis communications and special events management, and workplace development and culture.

She is a past president of the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy and a former executive board member. She is the recipient of the Phoenix chapter’s Percy Award and the national Patrick Jackson Award for Distinguished Service to PRSA.

Fink has both a master’s degree in mass communications and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism/public relations from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She is an adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University.

Connect with Abbie on Twitter and follow HMA Public Relations on Facebook.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Tom Hatten of Mountainside Fitness and Russ Yelton of Yelton and Associates

March 10, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Tom Hatten of Mountainside Fitness and Russ Yelton of Yelton and Associates

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Tom Hatten of Mountainside Fitness and Russ Yelton of Yelton and Associates

It all started with an idea. An idea to be the friendliest gym in town. To know their members’ names, not just their numbers. To offer free towel service, even if that meant doing laundry at his apartment until two in the morning. This was the beginning of Mountainside Fitness.

In 1991, founder and CEO, Tom Hatten, began Mountainside Fitness while a junior at Arizona State University. Together with his family and friends, Tom brought his dream to life. From welding gym equipment to painting walls to selling memberships, the early years were true sweat equity in every sense of the word. Mountainside Fitness was founded on community and value, and those continue to be at the company’s core as they grow into 16 locations and over 80,000 members this year.

In November of 2005, Mountainside Fitness Centers was voted 1 of 10 “hottest growing” companies in Arizona by Biz AZ magazine when 5 clubs were added to the chain. Tom has also received various awards and accolades throughout his career, including being voted 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Business Journal/USA Today, being the Cover story of Entrepreneur Magazine July 2004, and being featured in Forbes Magazine, US News and World Report, Club Solutions Magazine, Paradise Valley Magazine, and Club Insider Magazine.

In addition to growing his company, Tom is a motivational speaker to many business organizations, colleges, high schools and churches. His topics range from entrepreneurship, economics, and corporate community involvement. Hatten is also featured in the college textbook titled Entrepreneurship: A Practice Based Approach co-written by authors: Christopher Neck (Management Professor Arizona State University), Heidi Neck (Entrepreneurship Professor Babson College), Emma Murray (Consultant). And he is currently working on another book Dream On: An Entrepreneurs desire to overcome which is due out in Spring 2018.

Hatten at one time co-hosted the mid-day all fitness request hour for local KZZP FM radio. Tom strongly values the community and has dedicated his time and resources, not only to helping people live healthier lifestyles, but also to social responsibility. Some of the highlights of his commitment to the community include:

2016 Honoree – Teen Lifeline Foundation
2016 Honoree – Muscular Dystrophy Association
2016 Chairman of the board – Make-A-Wish Arizona
2017 Honored as one of the Most Admired Leaders by the Phoenix Business Journal
2017 Board member – AZ Special Olympics
2017 Board member – AZ Diamondbacks Foundation

Tom is also a Founding Board member of AZ Bank & Trust, member of the YPO (Young Presidents Organization) Scottsdale, and member of the International CEO’s against cancer. Born in Austin, Minnesota, he has lived in Arizona for all but 6 months of his life. Favorite charitable organizations include: Make-A-Wish Arizona, Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Special Olympics and MDA of AZ.

Tom@MountainsideFitness.com
MountainsideFitness.com
Tom Hatten on Linkedin

Russ Yelton served as Chairman of the AZBio Board of Directors from January 2015 to December 2017. He has been an active board members since being elected in 2009.

He is currently president of Yelton and Associates. The firm provides economic development services as well as early stage business solutions. Yelton and Associates has experience both domestically and internationally and has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs to raise funding and bring their products to a variety of markets. The firm also has a long history of assisting municipalities with the development of co-w0rk, incubators and accelerators as well as loan funds, student focused entrepreneurial programming as well as shared facilities.

As a Board Member at Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, Inc., Yelton provides executive level leadership to a rapidly expanding tissue bank and medical device company. Yelton served as Pinnacle Transplant’s CEO from 2014 to 2017.

Pinnacle Transplant Technologies is a multi-service tissue bank dedicated to ethical participation in the donate life process. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registered and American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) accredited, Pinnacle only works with federally chartered Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) and agencies accredited by AATB to help safeguard our employees, provide superior allografts for transplantation and assure reverence to our donor families.

Prior to joining Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, Yelton was President and CEO of the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology located in Flagstaff. NACET is a business incubation program that assists companies with commercializing their technologies in both domestic and international markets. NACET is supported by the City of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University where it functions as the Technology Transfer Office for NAU. Clients in NACET’s program received individual business consulting, access to mentors, venture and angel capital and domestic and international student research teams.

Prior to coming to Arizona in 2009, Yelton oversaw the creation of a business incubation program in Asheville, North Carolina in an abandoned 141,000 sq feet former BASF manufacturing plant. That program, located at a community college, included a commercial food kitchen, biotechnology space with wet, dry and core laboratories, light manufacturing and executive offices.

Yelton received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Appalachian State University, a Masters of Business Administration from Western Carolina University and Doctoral studies in Educational Leadership also at WCU. In addition, he received a European Union Grant in 2008 to complete Evaluation of Sustainability Training from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.

Russ@YeltonandAssociates.com
PinnacleTransplantTechnologies
Russ Yelton on Linkedin

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Drena Kusari GM with Lyft and Kyle McIntosh President with Mac6

February 26, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Drena Kusari GM with Lyft and Kyle McIntosh President with Mac6

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN Drena Kusari GM with Lyft and Kyle McIntosh President with Mac6

Drena Kusari oversees growth strategy, marketing and operations and under her leadership, Lyft added over $140 million in Phoenix in the last eighteen months. During Drena’s tenure as the Southwest GM, Lyft grew over 6x in rides, drivers and passengers.

Drena is adamant about engaging Lyft in the community. She propels Lyft’s mission by forging partnerships to support community initiatives and fundraise for underserved communities, women, minorities and LGBTQ. She and her team have worked with 60+ nonprofits, organized food drives, and offered financial education and literacy classes. Drena has developed programs to increase the availability and accessibility of rides partnering with Maricopa County, City of Phoenix, State of Arizona and ASU. Moreover, Drena has been the key driver of a series of partnerships with iconic brands in Arizona, such as The Phoenix Suns and Mercury, Barrett-Jackson, Phoenix Rising, etc.

Drena was awarded the Young Professional ATHENA, was recognized as Phoenix’s 40 Under 40 and was one of the 2018 Outstanding Women in Business honorees.

Website: https://www.lyft.com/cities/phoenix-az

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyft/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ridelyftphx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drena-kusari-a40a322/

Instagram: @drenakusari

Kyle McIntosh is the President and Creative Excitant of MAC6, which he co-founded in 2011. MAC6 provides both collaborative work spaces and culture focused leadership programs to businesses looking to break through ceilings, its purpose being to build better communities where people and businesses thrive. Additionally, Kyle sits on the board of Conscious Capitalism Arizona, a local chapter of the global Conscious Capitalism movement, working to bring the articulation of Conscious Capitalism and business as a force for good into education. Kyle and MAC6 are active investors in early stage high growth potential businesses, which are creating commensurate impact in the world.

Websites: http://mac6.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAC6Communities

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MAC6Communities

ABOUT YOUR HOST

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Chris Sharfner and Dean Katris

February 8, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Chris Sharfner and Dean Katris

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LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN WITH CHRIS SHARFNER AND DEAN KATRIS

Chris Sharfner is originally from Chicago. He graduated in the top of his class and passed on a basketball scholarship to Xavier and an academic scholarship to Purdue. Instead, Chris took the opportunity to serve in the United States Air Force as a member of a Special Ops unit.

Chris spent four years in the USAF jumping out of airplanes. After he got out he became a broker for Merrill Lynch. After about a year, he realized that he didn’t want to be stuck in an office all day talking about somebody else’s money.

After Merrill, Chris got into the collection industry and did pretty well for myself. He worked from home for a few hours a day and make fantastic money. Although the industry had a way of making you feel “scummy”, it did have its upside. That is until the day his CEO called him and told him that he made too much money! Chris reminded him that he was in sales so he knew that his boss made 10 times as much as he was making.

“He went on about how he lived in a double wide when he was my age, and at that moment it hit me: ‘one day this guy is not going to want to pay me what I’m worth!’ I decided then that I wanted to work for myself so I opened C and J Professional Cleaning in 2004.”

C and J Professional Cleaning Services provides high quality commercial cleaning and janitorial services in Phoenix and throughout the Valley. When Chris is not working, he enjoys working out, riding my motorcycle and hanging out with my family.

C and J Professional Cleaning Services

Dean Katris owns and operates Power Promotions, LLC, a company that grew from a $300 investment (and no real clear plan to move the T’shirt inventory Dean got talked into), to now serving over 175 casinos and dozens of other companies across several industries – with branch offices in 5 states.

Power Promotions is an innovative promotional products distributor. Promotional products, also known as ad specialties, make up a nearly $17 billion dollar industry and are used by virtually every business in America. Why? Items like mugs, pens and t-shirts are memorable and provide a better cost per impression for advertisers than almost every major marketing effort like TV, magazines and the Internet.

Clearly a born entrepreneur, Dean exemplifies the idea that if you want something enough, and you are willing to give it your all, you can attain it. A Business Economics graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, Throughout his career, Dean has started and successfully operated several businesses in the apparel industry, as a real estate broker, as well as a custom home building corporation.

With his incredible business insight and passion for personal and professional development, Dean also is an expert leadership development trainer for U & Improved, with more than 15 years experience in the professional development industry, Dean has led thousands of individuals to unlock the thriving, successful leader within themselves and their organizations. Dean drives the message of “U the Leader” with heartfelt passion, delivering a life-changing experience to students who are willing to break through their barriers and who want to start living big.

Dean exhibits what he trains in his personal life as well, as a consistent, nurturing father and role model to his four children and family, related and extended. He maintains a balance in his personal and professional life, ensuring his multiple businesses are thriving while being a constant source of love and inspiration to his adoring children.

Power Promotions LLC

ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN SERIES

ABOUT YOUR HOST

U & Improved

Toastmasters Arizona

November 29, 2017 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Toastmasters Arizona

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TOASTMASTERS ARIZONA

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Our
organization has more than 352,000 memberships worldwide and over 4,500 members in Arizona.
Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 16,400 clubs in 141
countries that make up our global network of meeting locations.

The world needs leaders. Leaders head families, coach teams, run businesses and mentor others. These
leaders must not only accomplish, they must communicate. By regularly giving speeches, gaining
feedback, leading teams and guiding others to achieve their goals in a supportive atmosphere, leaders
emerge from the Toastmasters program.

Every Toastmasters journey begins with a single speech. During their journey, they learn to tell their
stories. They listen and answer. They plan and lead. They give feedback—and accept it. Through our
community of learners, they find their path to leadership.

Toastmasters International (World Headquarters)
District 3 Toastmasters (Arizona)
Facebook Page
YouTube Channel
Twitter
Linked In

RESILIENCE RADIO: Ottawa University

November 28, 2017 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

RESILIENCE RADIO: Ottawa University

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RESILIENCE RADIO: OTTAWA UNIVERSITY

Building on its foundation as a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity.

From humble beginnings, Ottawa University (founded in 1865) has grown from a single building into a comprehensive educational institution serving about 5,000 students on eight campuses and online. Today, more than 22,000 OU graduates, including 5,000 in the Pacific Rim, have made and continue to make valuable contributions in their communities, corporations, and churches. Born of a special spirit, which permeates the University and its graduates to this day, Ottawa University is blessed by a rich heritage and an unquenchable commitment to educate increasing numbers of students for lifetimes of faith, service, leadership and significance.

www.ottawa.edu

Dr. Amy Hogan earned a BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Vocal Music and a MLA from Baker University. She earned her PhD with a specialization in Advanced Classroom Instruction from Capella University. Her research focused on the relationship between preservice teachers and mentor teachers. Dr. Hogan served on the KS Regulations Board for teacher education, workgroups for the KEEP and KPTP evaluation tools, KS Teacher of the Year selection committees, task-forces for the Military Childhood Coalition, as a reviewer for NCATE and CAEP, and chaired a committee charged with revising the KS elementary education teacher licensure standards.

Her background includes mission coordination in the Tennessee Cumberland region, classroom teaching in the Shawnee-Mission School District, grant writing, developing small business enterprises, supporting programing for military families and children, and consulting in technology education and teacher assessment. While teaching in Shawnee-Mission, she was awarded twice West Antioch Elementary teacher of the year. Dr. Hogan has presented at numerous regional and national educational conferences, including TECHLearning. She has administered several grants in technology and teacher education preparation. One of these grant projects regarding parent-community-school involvement is featured in the Harvard Family Research archives.

Prior to becoming the inaugural dean for the Surprise, Arizona campus as well as the Dean of Arizona, Dr. Hogan served as Dean for the School of Education.

Dr. Lily Davidov joined Ottawa University Department of Business in 2013 as adjunct faculty and in Summer 2017 merged into the Ottawa Surprise Campus as a Business Faculty and Adawe Mentor. Prior to that, Dr. Davidov was a full time Professor of Accounting at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott Campus.

Dr. Davidov completed her formal studies of the Doctor of Business of Administration and her dissertation was on Entrepreneurial Orientation as a strategic initiative of the firm.

Dr. Davidov comes from a long heritage of international entrepreneurs and is fluent in Russian. While her professional experience includes many years in retail business where she enjoyed running and operating businesses; teaching, mentoring, and coaching is her passion.

Area of research: Entrepreneurial Orientation, inner wisdom, advising and mentoring, and teaching iGENERATION.”

David Barnes is the Executive Director of University Advancement of Ottawa University Arizona, with emphases in external relations, resourcing, new markets, marketing, and spiritual life. David also is Professor of Education. David has more than 32 years of experience in higher education, business, and ministry leadership, including 24 years in not-for-profit organizations. Prior to coming home to Ottawa University, David served as Senior Vice President for Partnership Relations for Johnson-Huffman Fundraising Strategists, President of Grace University, Executive Vice President and Founding Dean of the School of Adult Learning at Arizona Christian University, and Associate Vice President for Adult Programs at Spalding University. Prior roles at Ottawa University included service as Dean of the School of Education, VP of Enrollment Management, VP of Adult & Professional Studies, and Provost.

ABOUT RESILIENCE RADIO

Resilience Radio was born out of Cynthia’s passion for our youth. In reading articles and research papers on what our youth are challenged with today, Cynthia became overwhelmed with frustration that more is not being done to come alongside this community of young people.

The majority of our youth have very little ‘hope’ for their future and lack the ‘resilience’ needed to set and achieve specific goals for their future. With articles like “Teen Suicide Continues to Rise Throughout Arizona” (Today’s News-Herald, January 9, 2017) stating that, “Healthcare officials across the state are trying to figure out what is behind the alarming increase in teen suicide, up 81 percent since 2009”, Cynthia knew that she needed to create a positive media platform to help encourage the next generation of leaders… and the good people who support them.

Resilience Radio features CEO’s and Community Leaders who are having a positive impact on Arizona’s youth and young adults.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

From youth programs to corporate groups, large government agencies to nonprofits, Cynthia Diehl has experience working with organizations and individuals of all shapes and sizes. Her approach gives clients a better understanding of who they are and how they can capitalize on their strengths — instead of focusing on their weaknesses.

Cynthia Diehl is the Founder and CEO of RISE Strengths – a company dedicated to helping their clients identify (and effectively execute) their talents and strengths, facilitating strong personal and professional success. With 14 years as a Marketing Consultant and with her experience as a certified Gallup StrengthsFinder Consultant, Cynthia developed a series of proprietary workshops and training sessions to help bring out the best in people and has been successfully leading, teaching, training, coaching and consulting ever since!

She is a true advocate for her clients, offering support, encouragement, confidence and a sense of direction. Clients and colleagues alike consider her a trusted advisor and mentor.

cynthia-d@risestrengths.com
(602) 777.1556

Jodi Low with U and Improved and Roza Ferdowsmakan with Bites

September 19, 2017 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Jodi Low with U and Improved and Roza Ferdowsmakan with Bites

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We are never surprised and always delighted when community leaders and successful business owners land in our studio for their interview and then leave an hour later having made important new connections with other guests on our show.

Today’s ON AIR conversation with Jodi Low, CEO of UandImproved and Roza Ferdowsmakan, CEO of warehouse apps (and the newly released bites.mobi) is a perfect example of such synergy, passion and collective wisdom.

ROZA FERDOWSMAKAN is a technology & business attorney who works exclusively with technology founders and startups. She doesn’t care for how the legal profession is practiced by and large and has broken the mold with her uniquely collaborative, team-oriented approach to providing legal strategy and advisory services in a midtown Phoenix warehouse called Softwarehouse. Unconventional and creative are Roza’s hallmarks, as she is a published poet, painter, writer, former-journalist and freelance magazine contributor, as well as a foodie. She is also an immigrant and single mom of a 7 year old.

It is Roza’s passion for creativity and the parallels she’s uncovered between the world of technology and art that has led her to become the founder of not only softwarehouse, her workspace where she engages with tech founders on legal and business matters, but also to become the founder of warehouse apps, the company she set up to create apps that impact the people and planet in beneficial ways.

Roza’s first such app is a community-driven marketplace mobile app (called bites) that released on September 18th – the same day as her featured appearance on Phoenix Business Radio! bites is a farm-to-table mobile app for foodies, allowing them to connect with local chefs (homemaker cooks, culinary students, and professional chefs) who support local farms (micro, urban, co-op, backyard gardens, organic, and family-owned small farms).

When a foodie reserves a chef through the app, that chef turns around and sources his ingredients from local farms and then brings those fresh ingredients into the home of the foodie, and creates a complete dining experience from scratch in the foodie’s own kitchen. bites is an app that Roza bootstrapped…as the founder of bites and also it’s sole employee, Roza has a wonderful ASU intern assisting her with social media. bites went from idea and concept to launch in just 8 months.

For more information about bites and to connect with Roza:
www.bites.mobi
FB: @bites.mobi
IG: @bites.mobi
TW: @bites_mobi
Pinterest: bitesmobi
rf@warehouseappsphx.com
480-209-5450

JODI LOW is an accomplished corporate trainer, inspirational speaker, and the Founder and CEO of U & Improved. Jodi has trained thousands of entrepreneurs and executives on how to build a booming business, master a mindset for success, and achieve the lifestyle they desire through heart-fueled leadership.

Through U & Improved—an award-winning personal and professional leadership development company based in Scottsdale—Jodi has redefined traditional leadership training by creating a sustainable and actionable model that is personal, challenging and meaningful to each and every individual who enrolls in any of the two-and-a-half-day experiential training classes. She and her elite training team have advanced the charge in heart-based leadership development and empower U & Improved graduates with knowledge, tools and awareness to immediately be more effective and responsive leaders at work, home and within their communities. Among her many accomplishments as a Valley leader, Jodi launched a teen leadership program in 2014 to empower young adults to become more confident, motivated and focused stewards of our future. In 2016, she created a non-profit arm of the company—the U & Improved Leadership Foundation—that makes the program more accessible to deserving teens.

For more information on U and Improved and to connect with Jodi:
480.305.5665
Website: www.uandimproved.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UandImproved
Twitter: twitter.com/UandImproved
Google+: plus.google.com/+Uandimproved
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/u-&-improved
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/Uandimproved
Instagram: instagram.com/uandimproved