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 nonprofit 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 nonprofit leader of the year
Teniqua Broughton
Executive Director // State of Black Arizona
Broughton has proven efficacy in enhancing systems, educating communities, equipping citizens and is passionate about using data to advance the organization’s mission by compelling both leadership and the grass-root community to create solutions that benefit the lives of others.
Jennifer Caraway
Founder // Joy Bus Diner
Caraway founded The Joy Bus in 2011 to honor her friend, Joy, who struggled with the painful and debilitating side effects of ovarian cancer to which she ultimately succumbed. Her grace, drive and determination inspired Caraway to help those who fight that same battle.
Jana Ferraro
Executive director // Phoenix ToolBank
Ferraro is the first executive director of Phoenix ToolBank, a nonprofit that serves other community-based organizations by providing tools, equipment and expertise to empower their most ambitious goals. She has helped transform the organization from tools only to a diversified nonprofit.
Kentay Garvin
CEO // United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona
With more than 20 years of experience in managing complex healthcare systems, Garvin is responsible for strategic operations and creating innovative solutions across UCPCAZ’s four business lines. UCPCAZ provides comprehensive services to individuals with disabilities and their families.
Karen Johnson
President and CEO // New Pathways for Youth
Throughout her career, Johnson has dedicated herself to advancing organizations dedicated to education and youth empowerment. Her expertise in external relations, communications, and C-level leadership has made a lasting impact on the organizations she has served.
Mark Moeremans
Managing director // The Journey Venture Studios
Moeremans leads a nonprofit that creates and launches healthcare companies in partnership with underrepresented founders with the intention of closing the racial and gender opportunity gap in venture. He provides resources and support to increase diverse founders’ odds of success.
Katrina Morgan
COO // NOAH – Neighborhood Outreach Access to Healthcare
NOAH’s mission is to provide compassionate, quality healthcare for the community and Morgan exemplifies this mission every day as a dynamic innovator and trailblazer who is changing Arizona’s business landscape through leadership, visionary thinking and philanthropy.
Maureen Noe
President and CEO // The Foster Alliance
Noe is a titan in the nonprofit industry because of the radical expansion she has helped lead. Not only has Noe tripled the number of foster families served by The Foster Alliance, she has also created systems to help support that growth.
Kevin Rowe
Founder // Lerner & Rowe Gives Back
Rowe is an award-winning, philanthropic attorney who founded the nonprofit foundation, Lerner & Rowe Gives Back. He did this as a means to give back and do more for those living, working, and raising families in Arizona outside of the legal arena.
Aimee Runyon
CEO // Assistance League of Arizona
Runyon leads Assistance League of Phoenix, which partners with high poverty K-8 grade schools in Metro Phoenix to implement their program, Operation School Bell. Through this program, children in need receive brand new clothing, shoes and other necessities.
