Never before has the Arizona business community needed leaders who are agile, adaptable, and innovative more than they are needed in today’s rapidly expanding economy. That’s what the Champions of Change awards are all about — recognizing those dynamic innovators and trailblazers who are changing Arizona’s economic environment through leadership and visionary thinking.
READ ALSO: Nominations open for Arizona’s Most Admired Companies of 2022
“We created the Champions of Change Awards to recognize those innovative leaders, for-profit companies, and nonprofits who are changing the landscape of Arizona business,” says AZ Big Media Publisher Amy Lindsey. “These awards shine a spotlight on the state’s true game-changers and thought leaders. This is an awards event that is unlike any other the state has even seen.”
In the days that follow, the 2022 Champions of Change will be spotlighted right here on azbigmedia.com. Be sure to check back every day.
Champions of Change: Brad Vynalek, partner and firm president, Quarles & Brady
Brad Vynalek isn’t one to forget the influences that helped shape who he is today. It’s a two-way street and now, he works to shape those influences for the better.
This is most evident in the numerous ways he gives back to his home state of Arizona and in his commitment to strengthen the law firm of Quarles & Brady, where he began his legal career more than 20 years ago and where he now serves as national president, based in the firm’s growing Phoenix office.
Born and raised in Tucson, he went to Stanford for his undergrad degree and then returned to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona Law School. With such deep Arizona roots, it is no surprise he chose to raise his family and build his legal career here while immersing himself in the community.
He has worked to make Arizona stronger on many fronts, serving on the board of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and as a founding member of the University of Arizona Law Dean’s Economic Council, a participant at the McCain Institute Sedona Forum and a board member of Teach for America Arizona.
But the community work nearest to his heart is his involvement with Make-A-Wish of Arizona, where he was on the board for seven years and served as chair from 2013-2015. Working closely with many of his Quarles & Brady colleagues and community leaders, Brad helped reshape the local organization, making it a leading chapter for Make-A-Wish nationally.
He has been an equally passionate ambassador for Quarles & Brady.
He became a partner in 2007 and now as president, Brad is instrumental in moving the firm forward in innovative ways for its people and our clients. He works to advance its DEI initiatives, provides creative professional development opportunities for team members and serves as “connector-in-chief” for collaboration across the firm.
“We have long strived to foster a welcoming, inclusive and collaborative culture intended to bring out the best in each of our attorneys and business professionals,” said Brad. “We’re also finding new ways to partner with our clients and their teams on things such as DEI and pro bono projects. At every level, we seek to empower our people to share ideas and take risks, leaving them deeply invested in their own success, the success of Quarles & Brady and the success of our clients.”
