Each year, Az Business magazine, a publication of AZ Big Media, presents the Champions of Change Awards to recognize those dynamic innovators and trailblazers who are changing Arizona’s business landscape through leadership, visionary thinking and philanthropy. The Champions of Change Awards honor both individuals and organizations. The Champions of Change Awards will be held Thursday, May 16, 2024. Each day leading up to the event, we will preview one category of finalists. Today, meet the Champions of Change finalists for innovative company of the year.

Sponsors of the Champions of Change Awards include BOK Financial (impact sponsor), Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona (spotlight sponsor), Stearns Bank (step-and-repeat sponsor), Maricopa Corporate College at Maricopa Community Colleges (photo booth sponsor), Lerner & Rowe Gives Back (name tag sponsor), REDW Advisors and CPAs (floral sponsor) and Center for the Future of Arizona (dessert sponsor).

To learn more about the Champions of Change Awards, click here.

Finalists for innovative company of the year

Clayco

Clayco Rising, providing opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, CCDI (Construction Career Development Initiative), extending mentorship to underrepresented and underserved students, and VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) promoting effective worksite-based safety and health are several examples of Clayco’s innovative approaches. 

Colossal Management

Mary Hagen, CEO of Colossal Management, helps propel Colossal’s commitment to social change. The nationally registered professional fundraiser organization’s 2023 fundraiser wins included Favorite Chef: $4.7 million benefiting James Beard Foundation; Super Mom: $2.6 million benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and more.

Peerlogic

Peerlogic is powered by AI and processes data points captured from human speech to help practices quickly identify and win back missed opportunities, improve processes and streamline communications. Since 2020, Peerlogic has served more than 1,000 dental offices in the U.S., yielding 60% reduction in call times; a 70% increase in appointments and a 40% reduction
of costs.

REDW Advisors & CPAs

For more than 40 years, REDW has been a committed advocate for tribal self-determination and a valuable consultant for tribal economic expansion. These efforts include advisory roles within federally recognized Arizona tribes — sovereign nations that contribute more than $150 million in tribal revenue each year to Arizona.

Cordia

Cordia has been a pioneer in providing energy-efficient district cooling services to Downtown Phoenix since 2001. Its system has realized customer energy savings of approximately 13% and Cordia’s infrastructure supports more than 45 buildings, covering a vast 12 million square feet.

CHASSE Building Team

Employee-owned general contractor CHASSE launched the CHASSEing Healthy initiative to improve employee health and wellness, consisting of three tenants: CHASSE Eats, focusing on food and nutrition; CHASSE Gains, addressing movement and exercise; and CHASSE Headspace, centering on mental and behavioral health.

LifeStance Health

Founded in 2017, LifeStance Health is reimagining mental health, as one of the nation’s largest providers of virtual and in-person outpatient mental healthcare for children, adolescents and adults experiencing a variety of mental health conditions. The company employs approximately 6,600 psychiatrists, advanced practice nurses, psychologists
and therapists. 

RPG Brands

RPG Brands’ Orion Series Electric Fireplace, available since July 2023, embodies RPG Brands’ ethos of eco-friendly innovation. With its lifelike 3D virtual flames and customizable features, the Orion Series employs zero-emission technology and reduces household CO2 emissions by 300 kilograms annually.

U-Haul International

U-Box Load Share is the newest U-Haul innovation to promote sustainability within the DIY moving industry. As an industry first, U-Box Load Share is designed to cut costs for customers involved, be more efficient and offer greener solutions in today’s gig economy.