Posted: Jan. 8, 2013
Valley leaders have teamed up to become the first members of the recently launched “Suns Charities 88,” a network of business professionals and emerging community leaders devoted to raising much needed funds for Arizona children.
“Suns Charities 88,” named after Phoenix Suns Charities inaugural year 1988, is a partnership with presenting donor Wells Fargo Bank, and will focus on three main principles: professional development, collaborative partnerships and philanthropy. In addition to offering members the opportunity to network and grow as professionals, the group will raise funds for Phoenix Suns Charities, which has granted more than $13 million to Arizona children’s programs since 1988.
“The Phoenix Suns Charities Board recognizes the importance of continuing our philanthropic tradition with a new generation,” said Robin Milne, Executive Director of Phoenix Suns Charities. “Sarah Krahenbuhl, Director of Suns Charities, has done an outstanding job founding the new group of philanthropic professionals. To have attracted so many Valley leaders who are accomplished in their careers and dedicate so much of their time to better the community, is a great honor for Suns Charities.”
The professional development portion tips off with speaking panels led by Suns’ executives, players and members of the coaching staff, discussing the importance of teamwork, dedication and leadership. Members will also attend several behind-the-scenes networking events where they can develop important business contacts and community relationships.
ABOUT PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES:
Founded in 1988, Phoenix Suns Charities is the non-profit organization and philanthropic cornerstone of the Phoenix Suns. It was formed with the mission to enhance the lives of Arizona’s children and their families by actively creating and supporting programs in the areas of education, health, human services, the arts, rehabilitation and sports and recreation. Throughout the past 25 years, more than $13 million has been contributed to more than 200 charitable organizations in Arizona.
SUNS CHARITIES 88 FOUNDING MEMBERS
Irene Agustin, Central Arizona Shelter Services, Director of Fund Development
Julie Bank, Ryan House, Executive Director
Alison Bailin Batz, HMA Public Relations, Senior Account Executive
Brannon Bartley, Citywide Home Loans, Branch Manager
Tara Bateman, Prisma Graphic, Project Coordinator
Lesley Bennett, ON Media Publications, Director of Sales and Marketing
Eve Bilotas, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, Director of Admissions
Aaron Blocher-Rubin, Arizona Autism United, Executive Director
Shannon Blood, BestIT, Director of Marketing
Ken Bonham, Lucid Agency, Vice President/Partner
Lisa Borowsky, Davis Miles McGuire Gardner, PLLC, Partner and Scottsdale City Councilwoman
Cy Brown, Metal Magic, Vice President of Production
Staci Brown, SLB Consulting, Principal
Amy Buchan, Apollo Group, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Geoff Budoff, Phoenix Suns, Sr. Director of Suites and Premium Sales and Service
Marisa Calderón, Republic Media, Digital Media Account Manager
Tom Capaldi, Tri Signal Integration, Inc., Group Vice President - Automation
Laura Capello, Big Brothers Big Sisters, President and CEO
James Christian, Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., Attorney
Kim Cofer, CA Technologies, Account Manager
Dan Costello, Phoenix Suns, Sr. Director of Sales and Marketing Partnerships
Amber Cox, Phoenix Mercury, President & COO
Angela Creedon, Arizona State University, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs
Vallerie Dallago, Grant Thornton LLP, Managing Director
Bryant De Piazza, H/P Technologies, Inc., Sr. Director, Client Services
David Dobrusin, David J. Dobrusin, CPA, PLLC, Owner
Marion Donaldson, Free Arts of Arizona, Development Manager
Melissa Doyle, St. Joseph’s Foundation/Barrow Neurological Foundation, Development Officer
Heather Lovett Dunn, 12 News, Managing Editor
Diane Eichler, David and Sam PR, Agency Director
Blanca Esparza, 3TV | CW6 | azfamily.com, Community Relations Manager
Theresa Esparza, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc., Director of Tax
Andrea Evans, Events by Andrea, Event Consultant
Marcy Fileccia, Pat Tillman Foundation, Deputy Director
John Fisher, Stand for Children, Executive Director
Stefanie Francis, Navigate Research, Co-Founder and Managing Director
David E. Funkhouser III, Quarles & Brady LLP, Partner
Eric Gere, Jennings Strouss, Partner
Lora Golke, Arizona Community Foundation, Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Bryan Gottfredson, Sacks Tierney. P.A., Associate Attorney
Jacki Grainger, Bank of Arizona, VP, Community Relations Manager
Lindsey Greer, Nova Home Loans, Business Development
Dan Gridley, M.D., Maricopa Medical Center Department of Radiology, Chair of Radiology
Iain Hamp, Wells Fargo, Assistant Vice President
Travis Helm, X Watch, CEO
Carlissa Henry, Phoenix Suns, Sr. Director of Sales and Marketing Partnerships
JoAnn Holland, Wells Fargo Foundation, Vice President, Wells Fargo Foundation
David Johnson, ArmedZilla, Founder & CEO
Peter Krahenbuhl, Phoenix Realty Advisor, Commercial Tenant Advisor
Mallory Savan Lebovitz, John C. Lincoln Health Foundation, Manager Development
Jennifer Lindley, Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, Executive Director
Jordan Lopez, Phoenix Suns, Manager of Season Tickets
Alia Maisonet, Wild Horse Pass Development Authority, Marketing Manager
Jim Manley, Manley Films, Owner/Director
Kimberlee Marlow, Grand Canyon University, Marketing Manager, Partnership & Events
Maraka Mason, American Cancer Society, Inc., Distinguished Events Director
Jayson Matthews, United Food Bank, Chief Development Officer
Christy McClendon, Educare Arizona, President
Joyce Harper Medina, Arizona Community Foundation, Education & Scholarships Manager
Michael Medoro, Childhelp, Chief Development Officer
Jon Metzger, UBS Financial Services, Financial Advisor
PJ Mittal, CEO/President, Interbiz Consulting, LLC
Christy Moore, Valley Leadership, Executive Director
Nick Mulholland, Zoom Communications LLC, President and CEO
Lisa Noble, Cramer-Krasselt, Senior Vice President, Director of Public Relations
Desirae Outcalt, The Biltmore Bank of Arizona, Operations Officer
Allison Otu, University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Phoenix, Director, Outreach & Communications
Kristin Paiva, Fennemore Craig, P.C., Associate
Paige Pataky, Kunz Plitt Hyland & Demlong, Associate Attorney
Ben Pijawka, Shamrock Foods, Supply Chain Manager
Monique Porras, JBN & Associates, LLC, Vice President of Business Development
Jo Pullen, Phoenix Business Journal, Events Manager
Michael Pullen, ASML Holding NV, Senior Communications Specialist
Maura Quigley, Roshka, DeWulf & Patten, PLC, Associate
Angie Ramage, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Director, Manager of Strategic Programs and Events
Laura Rolfe, Arthritis Foundation, Development Director
Kayla Rucker, Jamba Juice, Off-Site Sales/Fundraising Manager
Ann Seiden, Southwest Gas, Manager/Corporate Public Affairs
Melissa Shapiro, Fidelity National Title Agency, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Lisa Shevy, Junior Achievement of Arizona, Senior Director, Development & Stewardship
Josh Simon, SimonCRE, President
Ron Sites, Fighter County Partnerships, President and Executive Director
Amanda Smith, Swift Charities, Vice President, Marketing
Eric Stern, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Executive Director
Scott Stolze, CVS Caremark, Sr. Analyst/Project Manager
Jamie Swirtz, CBRE, Tenant Services
Paul Velaski, Arizona Community Foundation, Chief Financial Officer
Todd Vigil, Phoenix Symphony, Director of Marketing
Brian Wilder, Lovitt & Touché Inc., Producer