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 Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Each day leading up to the event, we will preview one category of finalists. Today, meet the Champions of Change finalists for most innovative leader of the year.
Sponsors of the Champions of Change Awards include BOK Financial and Diversified Partners (spotlight sponsors), Optum (dessert sponsor) and Wilde Wealth Management Group (step-and-repeat sponsor).
To learn more about the Champions of Change Awards of to purchase tickets, click here.
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Most innovative leader of the year finalists
Here are the Champions of Change Awards finalists for most innovative leader of the year:
Carlos Contreras, director, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity
Carlos Contreras, Director of the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), transforms Arizona’s workforce and economic landscape. OEO coordinates workforce development strategy and evaluation, monitors the state’s tax and regulatory competitiveness, and produces labor market, economic and demographic research and analysis.
Kate Brandt, senior vice president/digital and creative services, Bell Bank
Brandt has expanded and leads a digital team that in the past year has launched a major website overhaul, implementation of a new customer relationship management, integrated digital marketing platform and related sales initiatives and campaigns. These initiatives have enabled the company’s ability to more effectively engage with customers.
Tim Orscheln, founder, HomeLyfe
Orscheln started HomeLyfe, out of necessity. Orscheln and his wife purchased a Phoenix home with an over-20-year-old roof that was failing and he wanted to avoid spending thousands on a roof replacement. Orscheln found a cutting-edge technology called Gonano that uses nanoparticles to penetrate roofing materials and transform their molecular structure.
Ken Orgeron, chief information officer, Snell & Wilmer
Orgeron is an innovator who makes technical jargon easily digestible for the average consumer. Since joining the law firm in 2018, his efforts are succinctly best described by a mantra he often likes to share, “innovation through frictionless technology.” He embraces new perspectives and welcomes the challenges faced in our ever-evolving technical world.
Sundip Patel, CEO and co-founder, AVANA Companies
Patel is CEO and co-founder of AVANA Companies, a comprehensive lending and asset management ecosystem. He leads the company’s efforts in the fintech industry, focusing on innovation and inclusive financial services. He directs AVANA to combine technology with commercial real estate financing expertise, creating a distinct market approach.
Andre Pennington, founder, Pennington Law
Pennington is a United States Air Force veteran, licensed financial professional, and attorney who has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of people all across Arizona with their estate planning needs, from wills and trusts, retirement protection and growth, to probate, and beyond.
Kim Poole, senior vice president of economic development, Clayco
Poole is a visionary thinker who empowers others. She is a founding member of Clayco NOW, an initiative dedicated to increasing female leadership in design, construction and real estate development. She has created pathways for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry, advocating for greater inclusivity and equity.
O. Robin Sweet, founder, Gateway Academy
Sweet is the founder of Gateway Academy, a private school in Phoenix for students in grades 6-12. The school is changing the lives of children with autism. The school serves about 125 students who are considered “Twice Exceptional,” academically bright with high-functioning autism.
Torrie A. Taj, CEO, Child Crisis Arizona
Over the past decade, Taj has led Child Crisis Arizona through the most substantial period of growth since its inception in 1977. Under her leadership, in early 2024, the organization acquired Whispering Hope Ranch, the 45-acre ADA-compliant ranch in Payson that hosts camps for medically-fragile children and adults.
Kristopher Woolley, founder and CEO, Avista Senior Living
Woolley is the founder of Avista Senior Living, a Mesa-based company operating over 30 senior living communities across multiple states. With a background in finance from Goldman Sachs, he emphasizes a “kindness counts” philosophy and prioritizes staff well-being and value-based care in his leadership approach.
