The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation’s education initiative, ElevateEdAZ, has expanded its team to new schools and districts across the Greater Phoenix region. Each team member offers different backgrounds and experiences, which will aid in impacting more students!
1. Tell us about your professional and educational history.
I have a diverse background in the corporate, higher education, and nonprofit sectors. Before joining ElevateEdAZ, I held several senior leadership positions in business development, partnership management, enterprise operations, and data analytics. I have a BA in Psychology with a minor in Mathematics from The University of Arizona and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
2. Why did you want to work for the Foundation?
This position allows me to use my experience and passion to help students change the trajectory of their lives while building a strong talent pipeline for the Phoenix metro area’s thriving business community.
3. What’s your most used productivity hack?
I get up early and begin my day with an activity. I start each day with a 3 mile walk at 5:30 a.m.
4. What’s the most exciting part of your job?
The most exciting part of leading the Foundation’s K-12 education initiative is being part of a team that is reshaping education, workforce development, and communities in Arizona. This also includes working with educators, business leaders, and school administrators to move education forward and increase positive outcomes for students.
5. What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
Family dinners, hiking in the Estrella mountains, and traveling. I also love watching and playing sports.
1. Tell us about your professional and educational history.
I have acquired a lot of experience in a variety of roles. These range from the restaurant industry to aiding students with special needs in the classroom. I received a bachelor’s in arts, focusing on journalism, and became a music director of a local radio station. I felt called to education and continued to further my own by receiving a master’s in secondary education. Before joining ElevateEdAZ, I taught middle school math and high school.
2. Why did you want to work for the Foundation?
I believed in the work that the Foundation is doing through ElevateEdAZ and wanted to continue to work with students in a different capacity.
3. What motivates you at work?
At work, I am motivated by my purpose and my love for my family.
4. What’s your most used productivity hack?
A productivity timer! I use Pomodoro.
5. What’s the most exciting part of your job?
Working with students! I love working with kids and being a part of their journey in life.
6. What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
Outside of work, I enjoy moving my body. Activities such as yoga, roller skating, rock climbing, concert going, and hitting the gym have currently been taking up my time.
7. What are your favorite places and things to do in the Valley?
I LOVE to eat and try need foods. Some of my favorite restaurants are Glai Baan, Tasty Pot, Hidden House and La Santisima.
1. Tell us about your professional and educational history.
I am originally from Billings, Montana. I attended Arizona State University from 2014-2018, where I earned a bachelor’s in Educational Studies and then pursued a master’s in Higher and Postsecondary Education from 2018-2020. Prior to joining the ElevateEdAZ team, I worked for The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University from 2018-2023 where I was part of the recruitment team working with prospective students and families.
2. Why did you want to work for the Foundation?
I wanted to work for the Foundation and ElevateEdAZ because I felt there was a shared interest in goals. Providing early opportunities to students to explore college and career pathways can open several doors and assist students in guiding their educational decisions.
3. What motivates you at work?
I’m motivated by helping students explore and engage with career opportunities during high school, so they have the chance to see if that is a pathway they want to pursue in the future. By providing job shadows, internships, and guest speakers, students can gather so much more information earlier on the process and can use that to guide the direction they want to go, whether that is attending a four-year university, community college or entering the workforce right after high school.
4. What’s your most used productivity hack?
My most used productivity hack is utilizing a platform called Notion to plan my weeks, track goal progress, and take meeting notes. Having everything in one digital location makes it so much easier for me to stay on track and find previous meeting notes that may need to be recalled again in the future. It was a little intimidating to use at first, but the endless customization allowed me to create a system that works best for my work style.
5. What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I’m a big sports enthusiast! Basketball and football are the two I follow the closest, but in the last two years I’ve started following Formula 1 and hockey. Being in Phoenix allows great opportunities to follow all the major sporting leagues and attend a variety of games throughout the year.
6. What are your favorite places and things to do in the Valley?
On the weekends, my finance and I enjoy visiting different coffee shops and bookstores. With so many shops and stores across the valley, it’s easy to find a new place each week.
Amir Law, District Director – Mesa Public Schools
1. Tell us about your professional and educational history.
I’ve had the pleasure of working as an executive in higher education as well as with foundation and organization committed college and career pathways. In each of those roles, I enjoyed work with students, educators, as well as business leaders as we worked together to shape our future workforce and more importantly, help people build a life with high-wage, high-demand careers. As far as my education, I have an MBA in Entrepreneurial business and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. I’ve been considering a Law Degree, stay tuned! I may be a student at Sandra Day O’Connor soon!
2. Why did you want to work for the Foundation?
I enjoy the work and helping students transform their lives. I enjoyed this work from the executive side and really wanted to spend some time doing the work in a different capacity. Based on my background and the Foundation’s current and future plans, It’s a great fit.
3. What motivates you at work?
Letting students and those we work with see and know there are more people than they know who are committed to their success.
4. What’s your most used productivity hack?
Chunks! Chunk out the work in blocks then take a stretch/walk/music/snack break.
5. What’s the most exciting part of your job?
Definitely being on a high school campus. The energy and excitement is a lot of fun.
6. What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I love a good road trip or camping excursion. The more trees and lake views, the better. Also enjoy karaoke every now and then and volunteering at animal shelters with the doggos.
7. What are your favorite places and things to do in the Valley?
Still learning my way around so send all your hiking, camping, dive bars, and food spot recommendations my way!
1. Tell us about your professional and educational history.
My previous experience includes four years as a teacher in Florida and four years as an Athletics Learning Specialist for the University of Houston and University of New Mexico.
2. Why did you want to work for the Foundation?
I wanted to work for the Foundation because of the opportunity to help high school students find their career and academic path.
3. What motivates you at work?
Helping students accomplish goals and find opportunities.
4. What’s your most used productivity hack?
My most used productivity hack is listening to music in the background when I need to make sure I am focused.
5. What’s the most exciting part of your job?
Seeing the accomplishments of those that you are working to help.
6. What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I enjoy coaching wrestling and working out. Besides that, I enjoy watching my former student-athletes compete and traveling to their events with my fiancé.
7. What are your favorite places and things to do in the Valley?
I enjoy Downtown Phoenix as well as exploring areas of the community that I have not previously been to.
1. Tell us about your professional and educational history.
I have a BBA in Business Management and a MEd in Educational Leadership. I have worked in elementary education for the last 23 years and the last 10 years as an elementary school principal. My professional experience spans from restaurant management to all things elementary school.
2. Why did you want to work for the Foundation?
I wanted a change of scenery from traditional education. Post covid education is much different with higher demands. Working for the foundation is allowing me to stay connected to education but in a different capacity without the day-to-day stressors.
3. What motivates you at work?
Setting goals and accomplishing them. Also working with smart people.
4. What’s your most used productivity hack?
Weekly and daily to do lists that are color coded.
5. What’s the most exciting part of your job?
So far having the flexibility to do what needs to be done and being able to interact with various types of people.
6. What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
Listen to live music, shop and travel.
7. What are your favorite places and things to do in the Valley?
Finding live bands that play RnB music, shopping at Goodwill and finding new treasures, and staycations at various resorts.
1. Tell us about your professional and educational history.
I am an Arizona native. After graduating from ASU with a degree in Secondary Education and History, I moved to Denver, Colorado and taught special education for eight years, both at the elementary and high school levels. I received my Masters in Educational Leadership Policy Studies and Special Education Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. I was a high school administrator at a large comprehensive high school in Littleton, Colorado for four years. I was also worked with many different schools and school districts in implementing Restorative Practices/Justice during this time. Last year we moved back to Arizona, and I was most recently a high school administrator at Gilbert High School running the accelerated middle school on campus.
2. Why did you want to work for the Foundation?
I am so excited about the work being done through the Foundation and ElevateEdAZ. I am passionate about the education field but wanted to move into a role that could increase my impact on education in general, and I think I have found that in my new role!
3. What motivates you at work?
Knowing there is a purpose behind the work and that it aligns with my background and passion. I know this work will help impact so many students across the valley and the state of Arizona.
4. What’s your most used productivity hack?
I make sure to take the time every morning to prioritize and visualize my day. Just taking 15 minutes to map out my goals for the day and week helps me accomplish my tasks and not feel overwhelmed or rushed.
5. What’s the most exciting part of your job?
I am learning that my job is going to be a lot of sense making and putting pieces of a puzzle together, which I love!
6. What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I have two young boys, ages 2 and 4, so we do a lot of swimming and playground time (anything to expel that energy)!
7. What are your favorite places and things to do in the Valley?
I love an ASU tailgate and football game. We love all of the kid friendly activities in Gilbert including the Regional Park and splash pad.
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