Organization Honors Valley Nonprofit Directors
By Lynette Carrington
In late March, Organization for Nonprofit Executives held its 16th Annual Director of the Year Awards. The organization is a nonprofit itself that helps Arizona nonprofit leaders develop by providing education, networking and professional growth opportunities.
The luncheon was attended by nearly 200 guests who gathered at Desert Willow Conference Center.
During the event, ONE treasurer and president and CEO of STARS David Henderson announced Michael Berry as ONE’s first-ever executive director.
Tiffanie Dillard, PhD, principal and founder of Avenir Consulting Partners said, “We help with leadership transitions, organizational transitions, mergers and acquisitions, upsizing and downsizing…all those things that cause so much angst.”
Stanton said as he addressed the attendees, “Each and every one of you have heard the call of service, took the skills that were given to you and you’ve put them to work in service to those who need it the most. Your success means the success of our city.”
Executive Director of MATFORCE, Merilee Fowler was honored with the Community Partnership Award.
Fowler said, “I have to say I am so fortunate to work with such a wonderful group of people in Yavapai County that every day try to come up with solutions for preventing substance abuse. It is an honor to be the director of MATFORCE and to do this work.”
Founder and Operator of The Joy Bus, Jennifer Caraway was recognized with the Organizational Accomplishment and Innovation Award. It was also announced that just days prior that Caraway won $10,000 Food Network’s “Chopped.”
Caraway said, “I’m so humbled to be standing here with these very accomplished nonprofits. Seven years ago we started and we’re just learning as we fail, day-by-day, so, it’s a huge honor to be standing up here showing that we accomplished what we set out to do.”
The winner of the 2018 Leader of Distinction Award was Darlene Newsom, CEO of UMOM New Day Centers.
Newsome said, “I want to thank the ONE organization which I’ve been a part of for the 16 years that I’ve been at UMOM. . . I have always loved what I do!”
She also mentioned that UMOM would like to do a collaborative project with The Joybus Café with Caraway and her team.
Master of Ceremonies was Kristy Siefkin, reporter and weather anchor for Fox 10 News. The keynote presentation was given by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. The event’s innovation partner was Duffy Group and the media sponsor was Frontdoors Media. Presenting sponsors were Wells Fargo and JP Griffin Group, with annual sponsors Alliance Bank of Arizona, Creative Business Resources (CBR) and Avenir Consulting Partners.
oneaz.org
