< Previous78 AZFOOTHILLS.COM THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 How did you get your start in the law field? I studied International Peace Studies at Notre Dame, believing that ‘if you want peace, work for justice.’ This belief led me to law school at Villanova, where I volunteered in a legal clinic helping refugees. In 2007, I traveled to Syria and Jordan to assist identifying and aiding refugees. While doing this and earning my law degree, I also studied toward my MBA. Both in hand, I was ready to start a family, so I began working at a law firm in Philadelphia. In 2015, I moved to Phoenix and joined Quarles & Brady. Kevin J. Walsh Where does your passion of advocating for refugees stem from? From a very young age, I was just really fixated on social justice. It directed much of what I studied and my eventual work with refugees. You are one of the state’s top pro bono attorneys. What inspired you to give back to this extent? During the day, I deal with a lot of sophisticated business transactions. Many of which, I am proud to say, are helping to propel this community and those beyond it forward in a big way. But, I don’t always get to see the tangible results of our work directly. When volunteering in a pro bono capacity, you see the human impact of your work and feel the burden of what’s at stake. As a father of two, what is the most important value you hope to instill in your children? I come from a family of education advocates, including my mother (who I lost in recent years to cancer), who served as president of the Medical University of Ohio’s board. As a result, I believe that supporting strong public education is the linchpin to solve a myriad of world issues and work to instill this in my kids each day. I want them to value the importance of education; understand how lucky they are to have such easy access to exceptional public schools; work toward their own education; help defend others’ right to education; and never stop learning. What is the most rewarding part of your career? What about the biggest challenge? Helping people come up with creative solutions to what are often complicated problems that keep them up at night is very rewarding. The challenge is that sometimes coming up with those solutions keeps me up one too many nights. What influence do you hope to have on the Valley? I want to help increase the quality of life in our Valley communities by fostering economic opportunities. I want to advocate for strong public schools and the implementation of policies that foster healthy communities and job growth. I want to help build an Arizona that retains our talent and draws people to be a part of it. Partner in the Business Law Practice Group at Quarles & Brady, father of two and one of the state’s top pro bono attorneys Oct Issue.indd 789/20/19 4:26 PM @azfoothills #azfoothills 79 for them. Professionally, I have served on the National Councils for several insurance companies. Being respected for my knowledge and thought leadership on how to improve the industry has been incredibly rewarding. Additionally, being the fi rst agent in Arizona to complete the Certifi ed Advisor of Personal Insurance designation at Wharton is my biggest professional achievement. This was also probably the most challenging because I completed this 15-month program while working full time and being a wife and mom. I was also planning our daughter's wedding at the time! In what ways do you give back to the community? Causes supporting children's health are near and dear to my heart. Additionally, I have a huge soft spot for animals, and my family supports animal rescue. We have rescued many dogs and cats over the past several years. What prompted your interest in the fi nancial fi eld? I actually fi rst applied for a job in insurance on a whim! But I quickly discovered I had an aptitude for it and knew I could make this an exciting and rewarding career. I love helping people, and insurance can be confusing, especially for successful individuals and families. I was fueled by my desire to become an expert in luxury personal insurance and to be a trusted advisor and partner to my clients. Tell us about narrative. narrative is the way the luxury personal insurance- buying experience can and should be. The opportunity to off er bespoke services and being empowered to delight our clients at every opportunity was intriguing to me and, quite honestly, refreshing in a business not known for it. narrative’s president, Eric Gordon, has been a good friend of mine for many years, and I knew I wanted to be part of building on the foundation Eric and his partners had already established in Denver. Do you have a client story that is particularly memorable? There are so many! But one that really stands out to me was starting from scratch with a client who was very unsure of what his insurance needs were. After we designed Laurie Haas and built his program, he told me it was the fi rst time he felt at peace—he knew that he was properly insured. Insurance is a just promise until your client needs it. Being confi dent that the right coverage is in place at that time of need is personally rewarding to me. What is the most rewarding part of your career? What about the biggest challenge? Personally, it is all about hospitality and empathy. I genuinely enjoy helping people, guiding them and looking out Agent with luxury personal insurance brand, narrative, and the fi rst agent in Arizona to be awarded the designation of Certifi ed Advisor of Personal Insurance THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 @LAURIEHAAS Oct Issue.indd 799/23/19 3:47 PM80 AZFOOTHILLS.COM What prompted your interest in polo? What girl doesn't love ponies?! I grew up in Silicon Valley, not riding but always loving horses. When I went to college at UC Davis, I discovered a polo team and the rest is history. Once I came to Arizona, I connected with the Arizona Polo Club. Tell us about the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships (a k a The Polo Party). What’s new this year? This year I am super happy that we will be honoring the US military by hosting the USPA General Natalie Grancharov Camacho Patton Cup; this polo match will be played by veterans and families of veterans. Our main event match will also feature Nacho Figueras, who is well-known as the face of Polo Ralph Lauren. There are also The Polo Party’s signature events within the event like the Canine Couture Dog Fashion Show, the World’s Longest Catwalk Fashion Show presented by Phoenix Fashion Week, a half-time rugby match, a preview of 2020 Barrett-Jackson’s Car Auction and halftime performances by the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. One of my personal favorites is the fried chicken and Champagne—the best combo ever! What is the most rewarding part of your career? What about the biggest challenge? My career is actually completely outside of the horse world at Intel Corporation. I work as an engineering manager in one of the most advanced manufacturing sites in the world. Every day is a challenge and something new, but that’s what happens when you are making computer chips with more than one billion transistors on them. What advice do you have for girls and young women who wish to become successful athletes? Do what you love! Don’t do a sport, including polo, to prove something to anyone but yourself. Find your passion, follow it and don’t ever let anyone get in your way of what you are trying to achieve. If you think your passion might be polo, come out to our event in November and sign-up for a polo lesson. We are also hosting a special clinic this year after the big event. In what ways do you give back to the community? I try really hard to promote the goodness of polo, not only in Arizona, but in the US. There are many US polo women that have the same mission: get young women out to the fi eld and try the sport. It’s so unique that men and women can play on the same fi eld as equals, and this is something my club and I really try to embody. I work with my club to host women’s polo events to benefi t local causes as well. This year, at The Polo Party we will have a special charity match to benefi t Southwest Wildlife. See P. 30 to learn more about this year’s Polo Party! Arizona Polo Club Women’s League Chair THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 @NATALIEGCAMACHO Oct Issue.indd 809/21/19 1:35 PM @azfoothills #azfoothills 81 THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 How did you get your start in the art industry? Jumping into art was a monumental leap of faith, and my start is entirely thanks to my wonderful friends and family. They are the ones that encouraged me to pursue my passion. They not only gave me courage, but they were my first customers, my biggest advocates. What is the most rewarding part of your career? I can’t choose one, so I will share my top three. 1. Seeing the joy on my client’s face when we hang their art in its new space. 2. Being able to teach my children that you can do and be anything you want in this lifetime. You just have to have courage, work hard, have integrity and believe in yourself, Niki Woehler even when that little voice in your head says otherwise. 3. A completely unexpected reward of doing what I love is inspiring others to have the courage to do what they love. What are your thoughts on the Valley art scene? If I’m being honest, my feelings are a little bit of a mixed bag. It was disheartening to watch so many of the galleries close their doors, especially in Old Town; however, there seems to be a ground-level revitalization happening, and that is invigorating! More and more, I’m seeing art being celebrated, and local artists being given a voice. The Found:Re, dedicated to showcasing art from local artists, opened a couple of years ago, and it’s amazing to see. From the new murals popping up all over the city, to partnerships with local businesses infusing their spaces with original art, to the airport and light rail showcasing local artist talents, and magazines featuring established and emerging artists, it’s all very exciting. What do you envision for the future of the Valley as a whole? I see young people coming for a great education at ASU and the downtown U of A campus, and they aren’t leaving anymore. They’re staying. With youth comes vitality and growth. We’ve all seen our restaurant scene becoming world-class right before our eyes. I see communities growing and flourishing. It’s a really exciting time to live here. What influence do you hope to have on the Valley? Personally, I would love to be a source of inspiration for anyone who's on the fence about following their dreams. I’ve had quite a few brand new artists see my story somewhere and reach out with all sorts of questions, and I’m always incredibly honored when they do. I think we’re all here to help each other, and I’m more than happy to share what I’ve learned along the way. In what ways do you give back to the community? In addition to donating paintings to some of the Valley’s wonderful charitable organizations like Make A Wish, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for their annual galas, I am the Art Explosion lead for Gigi’s Playhouse. Every month, I have the privilege of teaching art to kids with Down Syndrome. Each month we focus on a different artist/medium, and the kids go home with their own masterpiece. It’s one of the most beautiful and rewarding things I get to do. Passionate and prominent Valley artist who specializes in acrylic on canvas and resin @NIKIWOEHLERARTIST Photo credit: Nichole K athryn Studios Oct Issue.indd 819/20/19 4:26 PM82 AZFOOTHILLS.COM THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 Missy Murray Anderson Founder and owner of House of Anderson, collaborator with Lyle Anderson Companies and passionate philanthropist Oct Issue.indd 829/20/19 4:26 PM @azfoothills #azfoothills 83 THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 How did you get your start in the design industry? I grew up in the art business with my parents opening the fi rst gallery in Scottsdale in 1968. I bought my father’s gallery in 1990 and while hanging artwork in the homes of clients, I also began helping them with accessories and furniture. In 1994, I met my husband Lyle and I subsequently had the opportunity to provide art and décor for the clubhouse, spa and casitas at his new community, Las Campanas in Santa Fe. When we married in 1998, I sold my gallery and followed my true passion as Lyle and I worked together on many residential and clubhouse design projects in our communities in Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, Scotland and Mexico. In 2015, I continued to evolve my love for design and creating beautiful environments by opening the House of Anderson, a complete design gallery of the fi nest furnishings and fi nishes for both residential and commercial projects. What is the most rewarding part of your career? My greatest joy and motivation is helping to create environments of beauty that enhance people’s lives now and for generations to come. You were born and raised in the Valley. In what ways have you seen the Valley evolve over the years? I was born and raised in Scottsdale and literally grew up on Main Street in my parent’s store and gallery. It’s special for me to continue this legacy by having my own business on Main Street. I’m amazed with the Valley’s growth, especially in North Scottsdale. Mayor Herb Drinkwater personally worked with developers like my husband to assure the quality of high-end developments. Herb had a vision of growth to make Scottsdale one of the most beautiful places to live while also maintaining the history, charm and architecture of Old Town Scottsdale which remains today. You are very involved in local philanthropy. In what ways do you give back to the community? My parents have always been very philanthropic, and I am fortunate that they instilled those same values in my sister, Jinger Richardson, and me. I have enjoyed working with Childhelp, Florence Crittenton, Trends Charitable Fund and the Heart Ball, as well as many other nonprofi ts over the years. When working with a charity, I always strive to understand its mission as well as personally interacting with the people they serve. When in a leadership role in many of these organizations, I always try to give 100 percent while focusing on fi scal responsibility and measurable results. I am passionate about making lasting diff erence and also helping organizations to grow responsibly. What lessons do you hope you pass on to your children and grandchildren? I try to show by words and example that living a life of honesty with an attitude of love and gratitude to God each day will always bring the greatest joys of a life well lived. This past year specifi cally has been one of the most diffi cult times in my life dealing with some very challenging health issues. I talk to my children and grandchildren about everything I’ve learned through this experience both good and bad. As diffi cult as it has been, I have received one of the greatest blessings in my life in what I call my course correction. I’ve had to deeply examine what is truly important in my life and how I spend my time. I’ve also learned what it means to live life more in the moment and to be grateful for each and every experience—large and small, good and bad. The greatest blessing that I am forever grateful for is experiencing the amazing love and support on an entirely diff erent level from Lyle, my family and my dear friends. Oct Issue.indd 839/20/19 4:26 PM84 AZFOOTHILLS.COM THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 How did you get your start in the medical industry? When I was growing up in Pittsburgh, I wanted to be a minister, but when I was 16, my mother became very ill. She was hospitalized for more than a year, and during that time, she had 11 operations. But she recovered and she lived for another 40 years. That year changed my life purpose. I could either provide therapy to the soul or provide therapy to the body. I believe the work I’m doing now as a cancer surgeon does both. Dr. Ronald Chamberlain What is the most rewarding part of your career? Many of my patients have advanced cancers, and it’s always a great feeling to know that I played a role in curing them, but it’s even more rewarding when I see them return to their normal lives. I’ve been very fortunate in that, in the 27 years that I’ve been a physician, I’ve traveled to 69 countries to perform complex surgical procedures. Along the way, I’ve met wonderful patients who have become close friends, and I’m grateful to be part of their journey. Tell us about HIPEC. Do you think more hospitals will be offering this in the future? HIPEC is a treatment for patients with advanced abdominal cancers, such as ovarian cancer. It involves surgically removing a tumor and then dispensing an extremely high dosage of chemotherapy directly into the abdomen. The goal is to kill remaining cancer cells and improve drug absorption and effect with minimal exposure to the body. I perform HIPEC procedures at Abrazo Central Campus in Phoenix. Unfortunately, I don’t see more hospitals offering this because of the expense involved, the time commitment—surgeries last up to 10 hours—and the need for trained oncologists. What do you envision for the future of Valley medicine/healthcare? I hope that we move toward more comprehensive centers of excellence. Phoenix is among the largest cities in the nation, and we need a maturation of medicine, a commitment to research and specializations in care. Right now, we have many hospitals trying to do a little of everything, but studies show outcomes are better when medical teams specialize in an area, such as oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and other lines of service. I hope we get there in the next five to 10 years. In what ways do you give back to the community? I travel overseas on mission trips two to three times a year, and I serve as a youth pastor. I am also a Navy veteran, and in 2007, I was honored as the first Philanthropist of the Year by the New Jersey chapter of the American Medical Association. Chief of Surgical Oncology and market medical director of Oncology Services at Abrazo Health, where he is one of the few surgeons in the nation performing heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for advanced abdominal cancers Oct Issue.indd 849/20/19 4:26 PM @azfoothills #azfoothills 85 How did you get your start in the ballooning industry? Living in Albuquerque as a kid and for four decades, I was exposed to ballooning with the [Albuquerque International Balloon] Fiesta and friends. I crewed for a while in my teen years. I fi nished my degree at Anderson School of Business at UNM, I learned how to fl y, loved it and was fortunate enough to be able to turn my hobby into a career. I started with one two-passenger balloon and now have 33 balloons, and fl y over 30,000 Scott Appelman passengers per year in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Why do you think you have been so successful in your career? We simply will not do second place. Our whole team wants to be the best, with safety, professionalism and providing an unforgettable experience for our passengers. We also take our commitment to the destination very seriously and partnering up with all destination marketing entities to further promote the destination. What has been most noteworthy about the evolvement of your fi eld since you started in the industry? We have raised the bar for higher standards for pilots and crew members. Although we are FAA commercial pilots, we have standards and requirements much more demanding than law requires. Also, the evolution of the equipment and technology we use has brought the sport to the highest level of safety, endurance and performance. How has social media transformed your business? I don’t know; I’ll tell you tomorrow with the newest changes! Social is a full-time requirement in today’s world for success to reach across all generations and potential passengers. What do you envision for the future of the Valley as a whole? We are loving it here in the Valley. I see an amazing future with great success for the community. Tourism is a huge business here. I see the destination continuing to grow and developing which brings success hand-in-hand with the residents of the Valley. More attractions, restaurants and events is a win/win for all. What infl uence do you hope to have on the Valley? We are starting a new balloon event called Scottsdale SkyFest and Balloon Glow on Thanksgiving weekend 2020, with over 50 hot air balloons fl ying in the morning, balloon glows at night, arts and crafts holiday extravaganza, concerts, kid’s zone, VIP and sponsor hospitality. We intend to bring the best, most modern balloon event for pilots, spectators, sponsors and the community with our extensive experience with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and Labor Day Liftoff in Colorado Springs. Founder and president of Rainbow Ryders, Inc., the largest balloon ride business in the United States, and next year’s inaugural Scottsdale SkyFest and Balloon Glow event THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 @HOTAIRSCOTT Oct Issue.indd 859/25/19 11:36 AM86 AZFOOTHILLS.COM THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 Catching up with… Travis Hearn ` Since being featured in 2018 Most Infl uential Phoenicians, Travis Hearn, Senior Pastor at Scottsdale’s widely adored Impact Church, has announced that the growing church is moving to a new location at the corner of Thunderbird and Scottsdale Roads. “After working diligently behind the scenes, thousands of hours of prayer and extensive planning, I am incredibly excited to announce that we are moving,” he says. "I’m really looking forward to seeing what God has planned for us in this new location. I believe that in this new building, many lives will be changed, prayers will be answered, hope will be restored and communities will continue to be impacted.” The new space will be double the size of the existing church, with more than 900 parking spaces (a big uptick from the current 45). With this fresh location, Hearn will continue his top priority: to reach people for Jesus. “We’ve been blown away at God’s timing and goodness throughout this whole process, and we’re so excited to experience what God has planned in this next phase for Impact.” The grand opening is slated for Easter 2020. @TRAVISHEARN Oct Issue.indd 869/20/19 4:31 PM @azfoothills #azfoothills 87 @azfoothills #azfoothills 87 @WIRESONLY @BOBBCOOPER THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOENICIANS '19 RD Whittington President of Scottsdale's Luxury Auto Collection has made a name for himself selling cars on Instagram You may have seen him in the NY Times. You may have seen him in photos with best friend and business partner Jaime Foxx. But if you haven't met RD Whittington and are an auto-enthusiast, listen up. Whittington is a parttner in Scottsdale's Luxury Auto Collection and founder of @wiresonly, an exclusive platform for CEOs, celebrities and those in the market for a sweet ride right now (buyers are typically at the ready to wire funds immediately to snag their dream car). Specializing in rare and European rides, Whittington has moved millions of dollars of unique cars through single 'grams, 10-second vids, and DMs. Whittington's clients include ASAP Rocky, Chris Brown, Tyga and Future, and one of his cars was even featured in Taylor Swift's Look What You Made Me Do video What does the future hold for Whittington? A new dealership on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, for starters. Oct Issue.indd 874/3/20 1:01 PM partner in Oct Issue.indd 87Oct Issue.indd 874/3/20 2:59 PM4/3/20 2:59 PMNext >