Longtime Childsplay Artistic Director Dwayne Hartford to retire
Childsplay Artistic Director Dwayne Hartford has announced his plans to retire in September 2026 after 10 years of service. The Board of Trustees has formed a search committee to find his successor.
“Dwayne (Hartford) has taken Childsplay to new heights over the last decade of service,” said Board President Gaylord Gagnon. “We are so grateful for everything he’s done for Childsplay and the Arizona theatre community and are looking forward to continuing to collaborate in the future.”
Hartford led Childsplay through the creation of new works, a performance venue change, and a pandemic, further developed the Childsplay Academy, oversaw the creation of the company’s latest mission, as well as expanded access to Childsplay’s theatre programs in schools and on tour.
“My partnership with Dwayne (Hartford) over the past 10 years has been a true joy,” said Managing Director Steve Martin. “His commitment to Childsplay and the young people we serve has been nothing short of phenomenal. He believes in the capacity of our youth to tackle tough issues while experiencing the great joy of live theatre. While we’ll miss him after 35 years with the Childsplay Ensemble, we all wish him grand new adventures as well as a relaxing retirement.”
Hartford began his Childsplay career in 1990 when he was hired for a school touring production of “Just So Stories.” Since then, he has acted in more than 50 different Childsplay plays and musicals, including originating the role of Father in the world premiere of Founding Artistic Director David Saar’s “The Yellow Boat”in 1992.
In addition to acting, Hartford has directed more than 25 Childsplay productions and written several award-winning plays for the company, including “Eric and Elliot,” “The Color of Stars,”and “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” among others. He was named Playwright-in-Residence in 2005.
In 2016, Hartford was named the second artistic director of Childsplay after Saar’s retirement.
Hartford led Childsplay’s transition from its former home, the Tempe Center for the Arts, to its current home, the Herberger Theater Center, during the 2016-17 season. During his tenure, Hartford championed the creation of over a dozen new and original plays that prioritized elevating the voices of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) writers and actors, such as “Chato’s Kitchen” by Mark Valdez, “Selena Maria Sings” by Miriam Gonzalez, and “The Hula Hoopin’ Queen” by Gloria Bond Clunie.
Kristen Rosati awarded American Health Law Association’s top honor
The American Health Law Association (AHLA) recently awarded Coppersmith Brockelman partner and former AHLA president Kristen Rosati with its highest distinction — the David J. Greenburg Founders Award — during the organization’s annual meeting. The David J. Greenburg Founders Award honors individuals who exemplify the values of AHLA’s founder — a deep commitment to health law, sustained service to the association, and exceptional qualities of leadership.
“Receiving the David J. Greenburg Founders Award is incredibly meaningful to me,” said Rosati. “I have been involved in AHLA for more than 25 years, and it’s been a great professional joy every step of the way. AHLA is a fantastic organization that fosters collegiality and excellence in the health law profession. It’s full of people who care deeply about the association and each other, and I’m extremely honored to have received this recognition.”
Kristen has been a driving force within AHLA as a fellow, president, board member, and chair of many committees and programs. A frequent speaker and author of many AHLA publications, she has developed extensive educational content to advance the health law profession nationwide. During her presidency, she spearheaded an educational trip to Cuba, offering members an immersive look at alternative health care delivery models.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see Kristen receive this well-deserved recognition,” said Sam Coppersmith, the firm’s co-founder and fellow AHLA member. “Over the years, I’ve watched her become a leader in health law and reshape how the industry approaches data privacy and security. Receiving this award is now a firm tradition, as Beth Schermer also was honored in 2009.”
Rosati’s extensive expertise in data privacy and health data governance has positioned her as a trusted advisor to major hospital systems, academic research institutions, and data companies across the country. Her insights continue to shape the shifting landscape of health law and data protection.
Learn more about Kristen Rosati.
Scott Baumgarten joins CBRE in Phoenix
CBRE announced today that Scott Baumgarten has joined the firm’s Phoenix office as Senior Vice President. Baumgarten will specialize in agency leasing for both institutional and private owners of office buildings throughout the Phoenix area.
“Scott will be a great addition to our office division at CBRE,” said Vanessa Williams, senior managing director and Arizona market leader. “His industry expertise, client-first mindset, and collaborative leadership style align perfectly with our mission to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.”
Baumgarten joins CBRE after spending the last seven years at Transwestern. He has 22 years of experience in office leasing, value-add investment sales, land sales and tenant representation. Throughout his career, he has been involved in over 800 transactions, totaling more than 7.5 million square feet.
“Joining CBRE marks an exciting chapter in my career,” said Baumgarten. “I’m energized by the opportunity to collaborate with CBRE’s platform to deliver exceptional value to clients.”
Baumgarten holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and is actively involved in the industry through NAIOP, Urban Land Institute and the Phoenix Community Alliance Warehouse District Council.
Drive Health names Leeza Constantoulakis as chief nursing officer
Drive Health, a Phoenix-based digital health startup, today announced the appointment of Leeza Constantoulakis, PhD, RN, as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). Dr. Constantoulakis brings over a decade of diverse healthcare experience spanning direct patient care, government affairs, health policy, healthcare technology, and leadership.
As CNO, Dr. Constantoulakis will oversee Drive Health’s nursing and clinical strategy, including building and leading a national nursing advisory council to gain clinician feedback to inform product direction. She will also serve as the primary liaison among industry coalitions and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, including emerging digital health guidance.
Dr. Constantoulakis combines active clinical practice with executive leadership and policy expertise. Previously, she volunteered as a Registered Nurse while maintaining her role as manager at Deloitte Consulting. There, she served as a program manager to one of the firm’s platinum client accounts, as well as the Chief of Staff for the firm’s 250-member Physician, Clinician & Scientist Community. In this capacity, she led complex go-to-market initiatives and drafted healthcare policies for federal clients to standardize care and reduce provider burnout. Dr. Constantoulakis’ academic credentials include a PhD from the University of Virginia School of Nursing and a Master’s in Clinical Nurse Leadership from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She has published several articles and manuscripts on topics including health equity, policy, advocacy, and community-based care.
“Dr. C’s unique ability to fluidly connect lived clinical experience to national policy sets her apart,” noted James Stringham, Chief Strategy Officer of Drive Health. “Her extensive nursing credentials, policy expertise, and deep curiosity about healthcare technology make her the ideal leader to champion nurses and advance our mission.”
“I am excited to join Drive Health because they truly understand that technology should make nurses’ lives easier, not harder,” said Dr. Constantoulakis. “I have seen and experienced too many healthcare solutions that sound great on paper but ultimately create more of a burden for clinicians and less time for patients. My work has always focused on high-quality and equitable care. When advising clients on strategies and solutions, I made certain the well-being of the clinicians was part of the equation; and that’s exactly the approach I plan to bring here. I look forward to ensuring nurses’ voices stay at the center of everything we build.”
Dr. Constantoulakis brings over five years of healthcare consulting from Big Four firms, advising state and federal clients on health policy and healthcare workforce initiatives. She worked at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, where she supported the director of government affairs and enhanced advocacy efforts for nursing research, education and practice. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Catholic University of America, Georgetown University and is a volunteer nurse for the American Red Cross.
