Arizona Ascent

Recognizing the Visionaries Shaping Our Future Arizona is on the rise—and behind every leap forward are the leaders making it happen. ?? The Ascent 20 honors Arizona’s most influential changemakers. Those redefining industries, elevating communities, and driving progress that will shape the state for generations. ?? This isn’t just an award. It’s a legacy. Who Makes the Ascent 20? For our inaugural year, 20 game-changers will be selected across five elite categories: ? Visionary Entrepreneurs – Founders & CEOs driving Arizona’s economic future. ? Champions of Change – Nonprofit leaders & advocates making a measurable impact. ? Real Estate Game Changers – Developers & pioneers reshaping Arizona’s landscape. ? Innovation Architects – Tech disruptors, sustainability leaders, & medical pioneers leading transformation. ? Community Builders – Local leaders strengthening neighborhoods & quality of life. Who Should Be Nominated? ? Visionaries redefining Arizona’s industries or communities ? Leaders driving meaningful change and innovation ? Trailblazers with a lasting impact on Arizona’s future Know someone who embodies leadership, innovation, and impact? Now’s the time to recognize them. Nomination Deadline: May 1, 2025 Honorees Announced: June 2, 2025 This is Arizona’s moment. This is The Ascent 20. ?? Nominate a leader today: https://lnkd.in/dJCA896Y #ArizonaLeaders #Ascent20 #Innovation #Leadership #ArizonaBusiness #RealEstate #Entrepreneurship #CommunityImpact #ArizonaGrowth

Breaking Records at Sloan Park! Earlier this week, the Chicago Cubs vs. Seattle Mariners game at Sloan Park set a new single-game attendance record with 16,161 fans packing the stands! This milestone underscores Sloan Park’s continued success and its impact on the local economy and community. Show your support by voting for Sloan Park as the Best Spring Training Facility—your vote helps highlight the value this venue brings to the region! Cast your vote here: https://lnkd.in/gzVpzT58 #SpringTraining #SloanPark #Cubs #Baseball

Honor Flight Arizona is changing how we honor our veterans with all-expenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service. In this episode, @Karen Keogh-Friddle, a board member with over 10 years of experience, shares the life-changing impact of these trips and the challenges they face, including funding and a waitlist of 1,200 veterans. ?? Why Listen? Stories of courage and healing inspire. Learn how you can make a difference and support our veterans. Tune in now ?? https://lnkd.in/gS7PPv2K #HonorFlightArizona #Veterans #CommunityImpact #Podcast #GiveBack

?? Lars Andersen & Associates, Inc.: Shaping Maricopa County’s Growth Lars Andersen & Associates, Inc., recognized at this year’s Arizona Ascent Small Business Impact Awards, has been a key player in Maricopa County’s growth. The firm’s expansion into the Arizona has helped drive large-scale projects that shape the county’s infrastructure. ?? “Maricopa County presented an incredible opportunity,” says Cassandra Permenter, Project Coordinator. From their Buckeye Commons Development project to a commitment to training future engineers, Lars Andersen remains a leader in innovation and community impact. ?? Read more on how they’re shaping Maricopa County: https://lnkd.in/gudmAuFR #ArizonaAscent #SmallBusinessImpact #MaricopaCounty #EngineeringExcellence #LarsAndersen #Innovation #Infrastructure

Here at Arizona Ascent, we’re excited to shout out the City of Scottsdale for earning Gold Certification from Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities! ?? Scottsdale has really stepped up, meeting tougher standards to show just how committed they are to using data to make smarter decisions, improve services, and strengthen the community. Big congrats to Team Scottsdale for setting such a high standard! ???? #WhatWorksCities #ScottsdaleExcellence #DataDrivenSuccess

Here at Arizona Ascent we’re giving a big shoutout to Todd and Edgar from the City of Mesa! When they saw an elderly couple stranded in the summer heat, they didn’t hesitate. They stopped, offered water, changed the tire, and followed them home safely. When the man tried to pay, they refused. “If it were my parents, I’d want someone to do the same,” Todd said. This is what community is all about. Proud to highlight their kindness!

Arizona Ascent: A Year of Growth & New Opportunities ?? When Jacquelyn Underwood and Jennifer Conrad launched Arizona Ascent in March 2024, they had no idea what it would turn into. They just knew Arizona’s business community needed a fresh, authentic voice—one that told the stories that matter. Now, a year later, we’ve built something truly special. Our latest newsletter is packed with insights on: ?? Why now is the perfect time to partner with us – For the first time ever, we’re opening up sponsorship and advertising opportunities for businesses that want to align with Arizona’s fastest-growing business publication. ?? What’s next for Arizona Ascent – We’re expanding our reach, amplifying local voices, and creating even more high-impact content to support Arizona’s business community. This is just the beginning, and we’re so grateful for everyone who has been part of our journey. If you’re ready to grow with us, now’s the time. ?? Read the full newsletter here ?? #ArizonaAscent #BusinessNews #ArizonaBusiness #SponsorshipOpportunities #Entrepreneurship

?? From Teacher to Business Trailblazer: Meet Janice Bourbon-Russell Have you ever wondered how to turn your passion into a purpose-driven business? Look no further than Janice Russell, founder of Step Up CX. Her story is about following her heart, embracing change, and making a difference—first in classrooms and now in Arizona’s small business community. “I’ve always been a teacher at heart,” Janice says. For 12 years, she taught first through fifth grades, later taking on a district-level role in Chandler. Now, she’s using those same skills to help businesses deliver unforgettable customer experiences. What makes her approach stand out? “My services aren’t cookie-cutter,” she explains. “Every organization is unique and deserves to be treated that way.” Janice’s journey from designing lesson plans to transforming customer service strategies is inspiring. Curious to learn more? Check out her story in the latest issue of Arizona Ascent Magazine. ? Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gGX4gwwd Listen to her podcast episode: https://lnkd.in/gGX4gwwd #SmallBusiness #ArizonaSuccessStories #CustomerExperience #ArizonaAscent

OSO (Operations Specialists for Operators) Consulting—Where Community Meets Commerce What if the key to stronger businesses was stronger communities? That’s the belief that fueled Joshua Martinez, M.S. to launch Oso Consulting in 2020. ?? As a first-generation college graduate, Joshua saw firsthand how small businesses struggled to recruit and retain top talent—a challenge that only grew during the pandemic. But instead of watching businesses struggle, he took action. ? Partnering with the City of Peoria, Arizona, he developed tailored workforce training programs to help business owners build and sustain strong teams. ? With support from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Oso Consulting helped small businesses implement scalable hiring and training solutions that made a real impact. ?? Oso Consulting is proving that when business and community come together, everyone wins. ?? Read the full article to learn how Joshua Martinez and OSO Consulting are making a difference: https://lnkd.in/gXerYq-T ?? What do you think is the biggest challenge for small businesses today? Let’s discuss in the comments! #SmallBusinessSuccess #WorkforceDevelopment #CommunityImpact #OsoConsulting #JoshuaMartinez #Entrepreneurship #ArizonaBusiness #PeoriaAZ

?Arizona Ascent's Next Chapter is Here! What a year it’s been! Arizona Ascent has grown quickly, and we’re just getting started. Thanks to your support, we’ve established ourselves as a trusted source for business, real estate, and community insights in Arizona. As we move forward, we’re excited to continue bringing stories and conversations that matter to business leaders, innovators, and community advocates across Arizona. What’s Ahead for Arizona Ascent: ??Expanding Our Reach: Growing our audience across Arizona’s business, real estate, and community sectors with a focus on quality, targeted content. ??Amplifying Voices That Matter: Featuring more stories from local leaders, innovators, and change-makers who are shaping Arizona's future. ??Increased Engagement: Building deeper connections with our growing audience of decision-makers and industry influencers, with over 43,610 social media impressions already achieved. And here’s where YOU come in. As Arizona Ascent grows, we’re looking for partners who want to be part of this exciting journey. If you’re interested in advertising or sponsoring, this is the perfect time to get involved and showcase your brand to Arizona’s most influential decision-makers. ?Click the link to learn more and discover how you can be part of our journey ?? https://lnkd.in/dYJTYUfK