Jonathan Cottrell describes himself as a Jesus follower, family man, people lover, serial starter, community builder, tentmaker, Phoenix dweller, film nerd, iced americano addict and cranial nudist. But really, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Ever since the first business he started at age 11, he’s been starting things from scratch and serving the Phoenix community in myriad ways; from being the instigator behind #yesphx and PHX Startup Week, all the way to his current focus as author of “Do Nothing” and CEO of Journeyage. He’s been married to the love of his life, Nicole, since 2005, and together they have three precocious kids, Riley, Tolan and Beckett. www.jonathancottrell.com, @jonathancottrell
What does it mean to be an innovator to you?
“It’s funny that ‘Innovation’ starts with the word ‘in,’ because I think innovation is all about being “out,’” says Cottrell. “Thinking outside the box, standing out, delivering out-of-the-ordinary service. It means challenging the status quo and being willing to dream and ask, ‘What if…?’ And most of all, it means being willing to fail—sometimes over and over again—because it’s about the promise of something better, even if it’s at your own risk.”
Emily Anne Gullickson
A for Arizona
A unique background of executive, advocacy, legal and teaching experience as a Teach For America—Phoenix alumna, Emily Anne Gullickson is the CEO and founder of A for Arizona, which aspires to a system where all Arizona students have access to a high-quality school and classroom proximate to them. She has been recognized by the Arizona Capitol community for her leadership and advocacy skills, including the 2021 Best Activist, 2021 Leader of the Year in Education, 2020 Best Political Rising Star, Inaugural 2019 Women Achievers of Arizona—Nonprofit Leader and 2019 Breakdown Breakout recognizing the sharpest Arizona political minds under 40. She serves on the governing boards of notMYkid, Playworks Arizona, Policy Innovators in Education (PIE) Network and Every Kid Counts Oklahoma. www.aforarizona.org, @GullyoftheSun
Gabe Cooper
Virtuous Software
Gabe Cooper is the founder and CEO of Virtuous, the first responsive fundraising CRM platform designed to help nonprofit teams build better donor relationships and increase impact with confidence. www.virtuous.org, @virtuouscrm
Shane Ettestad
HomeKey
Shane Ettestad was driven to create a world where managing a home and keeping a detailed record of its history is simple, immutable and passes from one home owner to the next. As co-founder and CEO of HomeKey, Ettestad’s primary roles are building and leading the team to execute his big vision for the B2B2C HomeKey product, driving innovation and raising capital. A serial-founder, he experienced the dot.com boom in the ’90s at his first company, Interactive Sites. In 2007, he had a successful exit of his second company, Blue Square Studios, to TravelClick. Ettestad then served as TravelClick’s VP of Digital Marketing Products and VP of Innovation, launching the company’s first mobile app. www.gethomekey.com, @gethomekey
Loren Franklin
Dutch Bros. West Valley
As the CEO for Dutch Bros. West Valley, Loren Franklin has helped the coffee company achieve 30% growth. His journey as a CPA laid the foundation to creating innovative solutions throughout his career. During his time at the waste disposal company Republic Services, Loren was recognized by Waste360’s 40 Under 40 for his work on alternative fuel solutions. When not spending time with his wife and three children, Loren enjoys a round of golf with friends. www.dutchbros.com, @dutchbroswestvalley
Romi Dhillon
Sonoran Founders Fund & Arizona Founders Fund
Romi Dhillon is currently the CEO, co-founder and managing director of the Sonoran Founders Fund. He also serves as founder and managing director of the Arizona Founders Fund, Arizona’s first-ever seed-stage investor dedicated to its startups. His funds currently hold a net-IRR of 39%, making them a top-decile performer nationally. Dhillon brings more than 14 years of investing experience in Seed, Series A and Growth Stage technologies in the Southwest and Mountain West region, along with a deep experience in startups, fundraising, management and board leadership. www.sonoranfund.com, www.azff.co
