Never before has the Arizona business community needed leaders who are agile, adaptable, and innovative more than they are needed in today’s rapidly expanding economy. That’s what the Champions of Change awards are all about — recognizing those dynamic innovators and trailblazers who are changing Arizona’s economic environment through leadership and visionary thinking.
READ ALSO: Nominations open for Arizona’s Most Admired Companies of 2022
“We created the Champions of Change Awards to recognize those innovative leaders, for-profit companies, and nonprofits who are changing the landscape of Arizona business,” says AZ Big Media Publisher Amy Lindsey. “These awards shine a spotlight on the state’s true game-changers and thought leaders. This is an awards event that is unlike any other the state has even seen.”
In the days that follow, the 2022 Champions of Change will be spotlighted right here on azbigmedia.com. Be sure to check back every day.
Champions of Change: Small-medium business leaders of the year
Barry Chasse, founder, CHASSE Building Team: On Dec. 2, 2021, the CHASSE Building Team founder and president gathered his entire 200-person team and announced that his award-winning local general contractor firm had become a 100% employee-owned firm by launching an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Jonathan Keyser, founder, Keyser: Since the launch of Keyser in 2013, Keyser has focused on changing the culture of the industry through selfless service and making it a more diverse profession. He is working to change that through an internal diversity and inclusion initiative.
Jenny Poon, founder and CEO, HUUB: Poon is a serial entrepreneur and founder of CO+HOOTS, ranked as the No. 4 coworking space in the U.S. by Inc.com, and HUUB, a tech-enabled small business resource platform.
Brad Vynalek, partner and firm president, Quarles & Brady: Read his Champions of Change profile here.
Michael Zalle, founder and CEO, YellowBird: An Uber ride launched Zalle’s idea for YellowBird, a new kind of gig platform to connect qualified and certified Risk Assessment and EHS professionals with businesses for short-term contract work in high-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, energy and mining industries.
