Ryan House names new executive director

Valley nonprofit, Ryan House, whose mission is to provide world-class care and programs that embrace all children and their families as they navigate life-limiting or end-of-life journeys, announced Tracy Leonard-Warner as its new Executive Director. 

In this new role, Leonard-Warner will serve as the chief fundraising and administrative officer and lead the development/administrative team.

She was most recently Ryan House’s Individual Giving Officer. Prior to joining Ryan House in 2017, Leonard-Warner led an interdisciplinary healthcare team for Hospice of the Valley for five years.

“Tracy’s experience, proven leadership abilities and commitment to our mission will enhance Ryan House’s community presence and the services we provide the children and families we serve,” said Ryan House Board Chair Janet Moodie. “We are thrilled to have Tracy lead our development team, grow our presence in the community and develop increased support through volunteerism and financial contributions.”

Emre Toker will lead Center for Entrepreneurship

Arizona State University announces the appointment of Emre Toker as the executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the W. P. Carey School of Business. Toker joins ASU from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was the managing director of the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

In his new position at ASU, Toker will provide inspiration, and develop and lead campus-wide entrepreneurship initiatives that serve the university, the state of Arizona, and beyond. The Center for Entrepreneurship, which was founded more than 20 years ago fosters creativity, innovation and learning across all disciplines at every college and school – serving as a hub of entrepreneurial activity across all ASU campuses.

“I took this position because I believe in President Crow’s vision for ASU as a model public university for the nation,” said Toker. “I am looking forward to playing my part in helping realize this broad vision by making the W. P. Carey Center for Entrepreneurship a uniquely differentiated national model for all university-based entrepreneurship centers.”

A native of Turkey, Toker brings a wealth of teaching and venture funding experience to ASU. He founded and successfully exited three highly profitable medical device startup firms, and has taught innovation and entrepreneurship to a wide range of students and faculty located around the world, including students of science, engineering, medicine, business, liberal arts and the social sciences.

FirstService Residential appoints Kim Rubly

FirstService Residential, Arizona’s leading HOA management company, has announced the appointment of Kim Rubly as senior regional director of its Tucson and Southern Arizona operations. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing and mentoring a dedicated team of community managers and support staff as well as fostering new business relationships throughout the Tucson and Southern Arizona region.

“In recent years, we’ve emerged as the preferred HOA management partner throughout Tucson and the Southern Arizona region, and we expect to see further growth in this area as a result of the exceptional leadership demonstrated by Kim,” said John Kemper, president of FirstService Residential Arizona. “Kim truly embodies FirstService Residential’s global service standard of building great relationships with board members and communities, and she provides an outstanding level of industry experience and knowledge that will be a great asset to community managers and staff.”

With more than 14 years of experience, Rubly has held various positions in the community management industry, including chief executive officer of her own management company, chief operating officer, and director of management services and marketing. She has helped hundreds of communities throughout the Tucson area by educating board members on industry best practices and solutions.

BCBSAZ names chief growth officer

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) has named Paige Rothermel as its chief growth officer. In this role, she will ignite new opportunities to deliver on what customers need and want, and help drive our mission for improving the quality of life for Arizonans.

“I’m energized by this new role,” Rothermel says. “Arizona has so much potential with its growing economy and business climate. Add Blue Cross’ stellar reputation in the community, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I’m looking forward to creating products and services that will help Arizonans achieve their optimal health.”

Rothermel joins BCBSAZ from Anthem Inc., where she served for more than 30 years.    In her most recent role as vice president and general manager, she was responsible for directing the California Large Group sales, underwriting, and account management functions. Rothermel championed strategic growth initiatives that nearly doubled the size of the group business.