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 philanthropic business 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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Philanthropic business leader of the year finalists
Here are the Champions of Change Awards finalists for philanthropic business leader of the year:
Jeff Anthony, chief growth officer, Wilde Wealth Management Group
Anthony is an appointed member of PCH 50, inspired to action after Phoenix Children’s Hospital saved his son’s life. Through fundraising efforts since 2016, PCH 50 has raised more than $6.7 million for Phoenix Children’s as it continues to deliver innovative and impactful pediatric care to children. He is also a volunteer with Junior Achievement, and active with the Knights of Columbus as well as the Turnbow Foundation, which is committed to improving the lives of disadvantaged families through charitable giving.
Tracy Bullock, CEO, Board Developer
Bullock leads Board Developer, a true champion of social responsibility and community impact, leveraging its expertise in strategic business growth to support vital mental health initiatives for first responders and frontline workers. Through its inaugural Fall Gala, the company raised more than $50,000 for two nonprofits—Stop Our Stigma (S.O.S.) and Living In Fulfilled Enlightenment (L.I.F.E.)—dedicated to addressing the mental health crisis in these high-risk professions.
Michael Jones, president and CEO, Delta Dental of Arizona
Each year, under Jones’ leadership, Delta Dental has averaged $1.8 million in community giving, impacting an average of 293,000 Arizonans annually. Jones has spearheaded the development of Delta Dental’s first-ever strategic plan focused on diversifying products/services, expanding into the Medicare/Medicaid government sectors, cultivating deeper relationships with stakeholders and transforming the organization into a health/wellness business to provide healthier lives for everyone. This entailed evolving the culture to drive improved workplace collaboration, enhanced focus on innovative problem-solving and improved alignment with its new mission, vision and values.
Jeff Meshey, president and CEO, Desert Financial Credit Union
In 2024, as Desert Financial Credit Union celebrated its 85th anniversary, Meshey celebrated 30 years of service with the company. Meshey marked these significant milestones by giving back to the Arizona community in more transformative ways than ever before. Under Meshey’s leadership, Desert Financial invested more than $5.2 million in corporate, foundation and employee giving in 2024, making a difference in the lives of 365,232 Arizonans. Meshey’s engagement inspired employees to donate $528,493 through the Sharing & Caring Workplace Giving Campaign and volunteer more than 16,000 hours in the community.
Jen Miller, client executive, Marsh McLennan Agency Arizona
Miller embodies the philanthropic leadership that serves as a driving force behind the agency’s well-known commitment to the local community. An Arizona native with two decades in the insurance industry, Miller not only excels professionally, but she dedicates herself to uplifting fellow residents in need through extensive charitable efforts, which earned her an Arizona company-wide Volunteer of the Year award in 2024. This recognition came after many of Miller’s Marsh McLennan Agency Arizona peers recognized her significant contributions to the company’s robust philanthropy program.
Taylor Perkins, director of business development, CHASSE Building Team
Perkins leads CHASSE Building Team’s K-12 development division and has been with CHASSE since 2018. Perkins is also co-chair of CHASSE’s extensive community giving arm, leading small- and large-scale philanthropic/volunteer efforts ranging from CHASSE school STEM programming to the firm’s annual CHASSE-Giving Meal Program, which has delivered more than 7,000 meals to local families over the past four years. Perkins also is a member of Urban Farming Education, helping create urban gardens at schools to teach children how to cultivate their own food.
Bob Roth, managing partner, Cypress HomeCare Solutions
A tireless advocate, Roth’s work in policy reform has improved industry standards. He successfully championed SB 1401, ensuring transparency in home care services, and played a key role in Arizona’s Credit for Caring Act, providing financial relief for family caregivers. His leadership in the Safe Home Care Coalition has redefined how home care is perceived and regulated and earned him an appointment to Gov. Doug Ducey’s Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging. Beyond transforming home care, Roth is educating and shaping public discourse through his advocacy for older adults.
Kevin Rowe, managing attorney and founder, Lerner & Rowe
Rowe founded Lerner & Rowe Gives Back over 15 years ago to teach his daughter, Taylor, the values of humanity and to help those less fortunate. Now, it has grown to a successful nonprofit that makes a huge splash locally and extends its support across the country. The organization is dedicated to breaking socioeconomic barriers for our most vulnerable neighbors through three areas of focus: youth programs, health and human services and public safety. In 2024, the nonprofit distributed over $2 million nationally, participated in over 3,800 volunteer hours and had an impact on over 3.56 million lives (human and animal).
Tania Torres, CEO, Torres Multicultural
As the founder of Chingona Soles, Torres has spent the last decade proving that philanthropy and innovation can walk hand in hand. Chingona Soles Stiletto Art & Fashion Show is a yearly event that’s now a movement. What started as a bold idea 10 years ago has now become a highly anticipated cultural tradition that merges art, fashion and social impact. Over the years, Torres’ Chingona Soles has raised thousands of dollars for nonprofits dedicated to education, social justice and women’s empowerment by auctioning off transformed stilettos, while simultaneously showcasing emerging artists.
Trevor Wilde, CEO, Wilde Wealth Management Group
Financial leader Trevor Wilde has grown his firm – Wilde Wealth Management – from a small holistic financial planning firm that opened in 2003 to the region’s preeminent one-stop shop for individuals and businesses that provides comprehensive retirement, investment, real estate, insurance, legal, and tax planning services all under one roof. Wilde has done all of this while serving the community – notably on the Child Crisis Arizona and Junior Achievement of Arizona boards – and developing a company philanthropic arm, Wilde for Arizona Community Outreach.
