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 leader 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 leader of the year
Rick Ballmann
Technology innovator // American Express
As an American Express team member for the last nine years, Ballmann has become a driving force behind the company’s innovative servicing technology efforts. His dedication and expertise in helping to modernize the company’s customer service systems and processes have elevated the ability to provide best-in-class service to customers.
Juliet Burgess
Founder // The Burgess Law Group (BLG)
Burgess is known for her innovative leadership within both her firm and community. She’s dedicated to empowering women and takes pride in BLG’s collaboration. During the pandemic she co-founded “The Aggregate” to support, connect and inspire women in law and business.
José Luis Cruz Rivera
President // Northern Arizona University
Beginning his tenure as the 17th president of Northern Arizona University (NAU) in 2021, Rivera is known as a leading national advocate for equitable educational policies, collaborating with university stakeholders in the development of the NAU 2025 – Elevating Excellence strategic roadmap.
Sybil Francis
President and CEO // Center for the Future of Arizona
Under her leadership, Francis has helped the Center for the Future of Arizona create a shared statewide agenda based on what matters most to Arizonans, working with communities and leaders to strengthen Arizona’s talent pipeline. CFA has impacted 330,000 Arizona students and more than 14,700 teachers.
Mike Gallaugher
President // Toro Insurance Group
Shortly after starting Toro Insurance Group in 2018, Gallaugher successfully navigated his team through COVID-19 lockdowns and continues to push forward through a challenging market by introducing creative solutions, embracing emerging technologies and adapting to evolving market trends.
Mary Hagen
CEO // Colossal Management
Since 2022, Colossal has made an extraordinary impact on fundraising with a commitment to supporting diverse charitable causes. In 2023 alone, through Hagen’s leadership, Colossal raised a remarkable $23 million through innovative online competitions, showcasing a unique and effective approach to philanthropy.
Trent Hancock
Managing director // Camelot Homes
Hancock runs Paradigm, Camelot’s entry luxury and short-term rental division. He also heads up interior design for the company. In this role, he embraces new styles of architecture and explores the boundaries of what can be done in the world of homebuilding.
Marc Lamber
Director // Fennemore
An Az Business Magazine Top 100 Lawyer, Lamber chose personal injury law after spending several years as a defense attorney. He has represented thousands of accident victims and their families, resulting in hundreds of successful jury trials, arbitrations, mediations and settlements.
Karl Schultz
Vice president and head of TASER New Ventures // Axon
If you spend more than a few minutes with Schultz, you’ll realize his leadership in innovation isn’t confined to simply creating breakthrough products, but in curating a safe space for next generation talent to challenge and innovate. He lives by the idea that 50% of concepts will end up on the cutting room floor. Through rapid prototyping, fast and swift ‘cuts’ of projects that aren’t succeeding, and building a culture of challenging each other with direct feedback – he’s leading some of Axon’s most cutting edge work towards its mission of protecting life.
Amy Walters
Vice president, Product Operations // City of Hope
Recognized as one of City of Hope’s most innovative leaders, Walters utilizes artificial intelligence to help physicians swiftly match patients to the right clinical trials. There are numerous active clinical trials at any moment and AI quickly triages which trials will have the best possible outcome for the patient.
