Local Female Leaders Pay it Forward Through SHE Leads!™

PHOENIX — Arizona Foundation for Women (AFW), a not-for-profit agency that advocates for women’s causes in Arizona, engages local female leaders to mentor fellow emerging leaders through SHE Leads™.

The SHE Leads!™ leadership development program offers a comprehensive curriculum, specifically designed for women looking to advance their careers. This nine-month-long program is for women who desire to move into leadership positions, reach the next level of management or who are new to leadership and are seeking formal training experience.

A unique benefit to the SHE Leads!™ program is pairing each class participant with a mentor to help guide them through the program. Mentors are strategically paired with program participants based on each mentee’s industry, career goals, and potential strength building opportunities.

SHE Leads!™ mentors are women in leadership roles who volunteer to meet monthly with their participant and share their experiences, challenges and successes.

The following women, representing a diverse body of work and community leadership experience, are participating as mentors to the 2023 SHE Leads!™ cohort:

Alison Martin, Sr. Director of Corporate Partnerships at Arizona Coyotes

Amanda Reddie, Founder & CEO at TAKe Brand Consulting

Andrea Smiley, Vice President, Public Relations at University of Phoenix

Brandy Lawson, CEO at FieryFX

Catherine Alonzo, CEO at Javelina

Courtney Boyer, Supply Chain Manager at Duncan Family Farms

Cynthia Leyva, Assistant Program Manager at Dress for Success Phoenix

Debra Larson, Client Partner (Sales) at FranklinCovey

Denise Jauregui, Mental Health Therapist & Founder at Cultivando Wellness

Jacalyn Askin, Principal at Askin Consulting

JakinDee Kosaka, Workforce Development Trainer/ Instructor at Maricopa County Justice

Jenna Biancavilla, Founder/ Owner at Pearl Capital Management

Jennifer Koeller, Program Manager at Fresh Start Women’s Foundation

Jessica Roper, Director, Career Services at University of Phoenix

Julie Swinney, Senior Vice President, Finance and Strategy at Zendesk

Juliet Burgess, Founding Partner at The Burgess Law Group

Kelley Durham, Owner/ Trial Attorney/ Managing Attorney at K. Durham Law PLLC

Kelly Brown, Sr. Manager, Venmo at PayPal

Kendra Ferraiuolo, Co-owner at Modern Auto AZ

Kim Madrigal, Chief Operating Officer at Boys & Girls Club of the Valley

Kimber Leigh, Founder at The Wow Factor

Kristi Estrada, Co-founder/ Executive Clinical Director at Alliance Coaching and Counseling Group

Lashieki Clark, Director, Talent Management at Sonora Quest

Lauren Bostick, Family Law Attorney at Rachel Frazier Johnson Law

Lindsey Thomas, Founder and Co-owner at Thread Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Lisa Henriksen, Director Student Services at University of Phoenix

Malia Sperling, Financial Advisor at Eagle Strategies LLC/ New York Life Insurance

Malorie Davalos, Director of Omnichannel Sales at Dyson

Mandy Holmes, Owner/ Publisher at STROLL Sky Crossing and BeLOCAL

Martha Maurer, News Director at Bonneville Phoenix

MaryAnn Richardson, Senior Vice President – Special Assets Manager at Zions Bancorporation

Miranda Wesloski, Strategic Sourcing Manager at Caretaker, Inc.

Nejra Sumic, National Field Manager at We Are All America

Rebecca Goff, Director, Student Financial Services at University of Phoenix

Rishona Harris, Director, Talent Management & Inclusion at Centuri Group, Inc.

Sarah Gilliland, Owner at Sarah Dawn Consulting

Shawna Reed, Principal Partner at Emfluent

Stella Abril, Project Manager at Cognosante LLC

Stephanie Ellsworth, Financial Advisor at MassMutual Financial Group

Stephanie Spearman, Independent Agent at Damsel in Defense

Tara Hall, Director/ Community Partnership Administrator at City of Mesa Police Department

“Not only do our SHE Leaders gain the knowledge and skills to grow their own careers and impact their organizations, they are also part of a community that works together to provide resources to the underserved women in Arizona,” said Tracy DeSoto, SHE Leads!™ program chair and AFW board member.

To learn more about SHE Leads!™, please visit azfw.org/sheleads. For more information about AFW, visit azfw.org.

###

About Arizona Foundation for Women

Arizona Foundation for Women’s (AFW) mission is to advance the status of Arizona’s women through research, advocacy and philanthropy to ensure their safety, health and economic independence. We believe SHE Counts!®

Arizona Foundation for Women not only conducts research, but also helps women gain control of their health by providing grants to health organizations that serve women and their families. The Foundation also hosts She Talks, a series of free presentations and discussions to increase awareness and educate the community about various important women’s issues.

Visit our website at azfw.org and follow us Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Meghan Adams