Fitness professional, personal trainer, and gym owner. Former Marine Raider and current HYROX athlete. 44 years old and a Phoenix native. 9-year Marine combat veteran with multiple tours to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. I currently do lots of trail running, pumping up of my muscles, and doing my best to stay in tip top shape for HYROX World Championship glory! ---------- Guiding Growth : Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human jour...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Meg Stevens joined Arizona Athletic Grounds in July 2024, following an eleven-year tenure at Averett University (AU). At AU, she served as Vice President and Director of Athletics and Campus Operations, leading the institution to remarkable athletic and academic achievements. Stevens significantly enhanced the student-athlete experience, spearheaded major capital improvements, and elevated the university's regional and national profiles. During her time at Averett, Stevens introduced the “3-2-1”...
May 05, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Jen Wahl is a reporter, meteorologist, and traffic anchor for 12News. Jen joined 12News in February 2016. Prior to joining Team 12, Jen worked at KSNV, the NBC Las Vegas affiliate as a reporter and meteorologist. Earlier in her career, she worked as reporter and weather anchor at KBOI, the CBS affiliate in Boise, Idaho and morning weather anchor at KRNV, the NBC affiliate in Reno, Nevada. Over the years, Jen has covered everything from immigration and drug smuggling stories at the Arizona-Mexico...
Apr 21, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 18
A CPA and attorney dedicated to protecting taxpayers, a classically trained chef, and a devoted wife, mother of six, and grandmother of three. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, she learned resilience early. At just 15 years old, becoming a mother changed everything—instilling a deep sense of responsibility and purpose. She and her husband, Gerald, are on a mission to see the world with their family while building a legacy together. She is full of wisdom, and her journey has provided her w...
Mar 31, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Daryl Chester (62), Owner Manager of Jester's Billiards (2010) and Rino D's Pizza and wings (2016). He has been in the Food and Beverage business since 1979. He is married to Kenda vonHamm for 19 years. They have raised 5 children and have 2 grandchildren. Daryl Was born in Tacoma Park Maryland in 1962 and Moved with his family to College Station, Texas in 1965. H graduated from A&M Consolidated High School in 1981 and Texas Lutheran College in 1987. His BA degree is in Biology. Daryl Moved ...
Mar 17, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Dr. CJ Wurster is a first-generation college student who earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Master's in Administration/Project Management through Northern Arizona University. His Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice was earned through Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was also captain of the men’s basketball team. He is a graduate of The Chair Academy and the AACC John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute. CJ has been with the Maricopa County Community College Distric...
Mar 03, 2025•44 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Warde Nichols is a successful business entrepreneur who has owned and operated small businesses for over 30 years. He also served four terms in the Arizona House of Representatives. While in the House, he worked with many diverse groups to build consensus and pass legislation. He served as Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and Rules Committee and had bills signed by Governor Janet Napolitano and Governor Jan Brewer. Warde has the proven ability to successfully bring groups together to ...
Feb 17, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Ryan Smith is the Director of Communications and Government Relations for Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. He oversees marketing and community relations and all government relations duties for the airport. Ryan graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Political Science, lives in Mesa with his wife and kids, and is a fifth-generation Arizonan. ---------- Guiding Growth : Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey ...
Jan 27, 2025•42 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Dallas Sloan is the Co-founder of Colair Beauty Lounge & Med Spa, where she has transformed her nearly 15 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry into a thriving business. Beginning her journey as a Cosmetologist, Dallas later pursued Business Management at MacEwan University in Canada, blending her artistic skills with business acumen. Since its founding in 2016, Colair Beauty Lounge & Med Spa has become a standout in the industry, recognized for its dedication to enhanc...
Jan 06, 2025•45 min•Season 4Ep. 12
JW is often referred to as authentic, growth-oriented, and values-based. He is also a business owner, Financial Advisor, Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, and board leader. In these roles JW has had the opportunity to effectively coach clients by helping them discover, acknowledge, and embrace their deepest drivers of success; in other words, their strengths. JW is the founder and president of Rayhons Financial. It has been his life’s work to help others both embrace their current place in time ...
Dec 16, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Professionally, Matt Dallas owns and operates three Stroll neighborhood newsletters in Gilbert. He and his team work with Agritopia, Seville, and Val Vista Lakes to help connect neighbors while introducing top local businesses and giving through partnerships with non-profits. Their mission is to make a positive difference in Gilbert through the work they do serving these communities. He is obsessed with constant improvement in his business, hates email, and loves the challenge of running and gro...
Nov 25, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 10
For over 15 years, Deb has developed the talents and businesses of some of the top credentialed keynote and motivational speakers in the industry. In 2017, Deb created DEBx, a 90-day Speaker Development Experience designed to show emerging speakers how to use their voice as a powerful instrument of change. Through onstage appearances and professional recordings, DEBx has touched tens of thousands… and counting. In 2020, leveraging the tools and learnings from DEBx, Deb founded the award-winning ...
Nov 11, 2024•48 min•Season 4Ep. 9
James DeVary is a dedicated US Army veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). After a successful 17-year career on Wall Street, James transitioned to entrepreneurship, where he now leads Senior Helpers of Gilbert and Chandler, a thriving business with a team of 60-plus employees. James was the 2024 GilbertChamber Emerging Business Leader Of The Year. A devoted husband and father of two, James enjoys taking on endurance challenges and races as a per...
Oct 28, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Jonathan Buford is the CEO and founder of Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company. He grew up in Ohio and moved to Arizona in 2002, when he drove his rusted-out 1988 Chevy Nova out West to explore the vast Arizona landscapes. He launched his first business, a window cleaning company, out of his garage in 2006. In 2010, while backpacking through the Arizona wilderness, Jonathan was inspired to take his interest in craft brewing to the next level to start his own brewpub. He orchestrated a successful K...
Oct 07, 2024•56 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Raised in Gilbert, AZ, Andi Ott has established herself as a dynamic business leader, blending her experience in both the healthcare and restaurant industries. With studies in Nursing at Grand Canyon University, nearly a decade of experience in healthcare, and early career experience managing restaurants, Andi has consistently demonstrated a strategic mindset and strong organizational skills. In 2019, she co-founded a Dog Haus Biergarten franchise with her husband, Damon, and quickly expanded th...
Sep 23, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Dr Melody Medawar Rodarte is a double board-certified internist and obesity medicine specialist in Arizona. She was named one of Phoenix's Top Doctors in Obesity Medicine in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. She obtained her doctorate of osteopathic medicine from Midwestern University in 2002. She is also Certified in hyperbaric medicine, wound care and medical aesthetics, as well as bioidentical hormone replacement. She absolutely loves personalized medicine and equipping her patients wit...
Sep 09, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Fran is the appointed President of For Our Town Gilbert, an organization that brings together the leaders of government, education, faiths, businesses, charities and more to focus on the community social uplifting needs like domestic violence elimination, mental health awareness-improvement, hunger, shelter, and many more. While this organization existed before she was asked to lead, it rarely had an impact on the town. During the first year of service the group grew For Our Town quarterly break...
Aug 26, 2024•48 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Lorraine Bergman is President and CEO of Caliente Construction, an award-winning, woman-owned company, continually recognized for its dedication to safety, exceptional construction services, and building strong relationships with clients. Under her leadership, Caliente has grown into Arizona’s 28th largest commercial building contractor and its 5th largest woman-owned company. AZ Big Media ranked Caliente #1 in the General Contractor category five out of six years between 2017 and 2023. Lorraine...
Aug 05, 2024•59 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Originally hailing from San Diego, Cortnie's career in the hospitality industry began with a remarkable 12-year tenure at Starbucks Coffee Company. It was here that she developed a profound passion for creating an incredible company culture. Leveraging this passion and knowledge, she embarked on a new venture in San Francisco, managing the only Nespresso flagship location on the West Coast. Her journey then led her deeper into the world of hospitality, managing one of San Francisco's most iconic...
Jul 22, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Cynthia Dunham grew up the daughter of a Green Beret, and her upbringing took her from Utah to North Carolina, to Germany, and then to Washington. She returned to Utah as a college dance major, but life and love led her to Arizona, where she transitioned into accounting, eventually founding her own firm. Her journey into public service saw her elected as a council member and then as Mayor of Gilbert, where she championed sustainable neighborhoods and balanced growth. Her tenure saw Gilbert grow ...
Jul 01, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 1
2024 CANDIDATE EDITION Monte Lyons is a USAF veteran and has worked in the aerospace industry for over 40 years. He holds three degrees with a Masters in ADR. His career in aerospace included roles in manufacturing, quality, facilities, tooling, biz ops, flight test, and operations. Monte has been married to his wife of 40 years, they have 7 children, and 7 grandchildren together. They have lived in Gilbert since 2019. ---------- Guiding Growth : Conversations with Community Leaders Join our host...
May 06, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 24
2024 CANDIDATE EDITION Natalie Di Bernardo, a proud Arizona native, epitomizes the spirit of community engagement and entrepreneurial drive. As a devoted mother to teens, she understands the importance of building a thriving environment for future generations. Natalie's journey in entrepreneurship has equipped her with invaluable experience in turning visions into successful actions. Her tenacity and collaborative approach have served as an example of what is required to be a leader within her c...
May 06, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Aaron was born in Southern California and raised in a military family who was transferred around the country. He was primarily raised in Southeast Virginia and ended up attending the College of William and Mary. He graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor's of Business Administration, with an emphasis in accounting. Upon graduation, he worked for Ferguson Enterprises for 17 years as a buyer, branch credit manager, branch operations manager and regional purchasing manager. From there he took a few years...
May 06, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 22
2024 CANDIDATE EDITION With a dynamic career spanning over two decades in the energy, water, and infrastructure sectors, I currently lead as a Senior Engineer within the Electric Vehicle (EV) group at Salt River Project (SRP). At the forefront of SRP's managed charging initiatives, my role is crucial in shaping the future of electric vehicle integration. My work is driven by a passion for innovation and sustainability, evidenced by significant achievements, including being named in the Phoenix B...
May 06, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 25
2024 CANDIDATE EDITION Scott Anderson, a dedicated Gilbert resident of over 30 years. Since settling in 1988 with his wife EJ Anderson and their five children, Scott has been deeply involved in town affairs. As the visionary behind the Gilbert Riparian Preserves, he is steadfast in his commitment to preserving Gilbert's status as a nationally acclaimed community and a top-tier destination in Arizona. With three decades of experience in local governance, Scott brings a wealth of expertise in land...
May 06, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 20
2024 CANDIDATE EDITION Kenny Buckland has spent the last 40 years refining his leadership skills. He began as a teenager managing the family business, progressed to become the second in command of a large police department, became a leader in long-range surveillance technology focusing on protecting our borders, and served as a global crisis manager. Currently, he serves as the senior director of sales in a second chance company, driven by purpose and duty as his North Star. Kenny firmly believes ...
May 06, 2024•43 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Pearlette J. Ramos, Ph.D., J.D. is a lawyer, transformational leader, social justice advocate, and entrepreneur with more than 25 years’ experience in activism, change and strategic management, and DEI consultation. Born in Youngstown, Ohio and raised in the housing projects, Pearlette’s childhood home was poverty- stricken and riddled with substance abuse, domestic abuse and untreated mental illness. Due to the trauma, she fled her parents’ home when she was 15 years old. Within twelve months s...
Apr 29, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Sharon Kotsonas is very active in her town of Gilbert, AZ where she is considered a social entrepreneur and a community leader. In 2019 Sharon launched her nonprofit, Weekly Collective Volunteers Inc., which provides various support services to people facing economic adversity, physical and mental health challenges, or other obstacles. Her initiative aims to make people seen, heard, and supported. Sharon is affectionally referred to as a love evangelist and a servant leader, amongst her faith-ba...
Apr 15, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Damir Ljubovic grew up in Bosnia and Saraeeayvo and moved to America in 1995 as a refugee of the Civil War. Starting over in America, he moved to Arizona in 2002 and, in 2014, chased the American dream by starting his own business alongside his wife while raising three children. 365 Mechanical has been in business for ten years, helping commercial and residential customers with their HVAC needs. Our main mission is to provide customers with facts related to issues they face so that they can make...
Apr 01, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Ellen Marrs, a three-time Boston Marathon finisher and mother of seven, is a seasoned entrepreneur, renowned author, record-breaking fundraiser, and sought-after speaker. Her journey reflects a life dedicated to setting and achieving audacious goals, a commitment exemplified by accomplishments such as running the Boston Marathon thrice, balancing life with a family of nine while traveling the United States full-time, and publishing inspiring works that motivate and compel others to pursue a life...
Mar 11, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 16
