From day one, she felt it was her calling to create. She recalls making up stories with friends about little people living in their hats. She even DIY’d her own Barbie Dreamhouse. Growing up in Montana, Gissler was often chosen by her elementary school teachers to design the class bulletin boards or make posters.

“I was asked to paint a compass rose on our playground in grade school and I guarded that thing with my life,” Gissler said. 

That early creativity led her to turn her passion into a career. Today, Gissler commissions pet portraits, illustrations, abstract paintings, collages and more. Her whimsical and dynamic style of art features bold colors, intricate backgrounds, curvy lines and a distinct quirkiness.

“A lot of people say, ‘You need to just focus on one thing,’” she said. “I couldn’t. I finally threw in the towel and said, ‘I’m doing what I know is from my heart,’ and I think it makes me even more creative.”

Not just creative in art, Gissler also writes short stories about some of her paintings, which showcases her humorous side. Her portrait of a woman titled “GeOrgEanN RuTh EliZabEth MiRiaM MaVe KeeLer’’ tells the story of a woman not too pleased about having to take a photo of herself. She wears sunglasses under the guise of giving her an outdoorsy appearance, but in reality, she had too much Limoncello the night before.

“Getting Your Magic Back” is a poetry book by Gissler, which tells the story of finding yourself after heartbreak. Lending her writing and artistic talents to the book, it provides a glimmer of hope for people facing similar situations. In part, it reads, “Stop! Breathe – I must focus on me / What is my life? What does it mean to me? / I turn toward my passions, sleeping deep in my soul / Wake up! I need you! We are changing my role!”

While she was writing “Getting Your Magic Back,” the pandemic hit, leading to her departure from her receptionist job. The situation inspired Gissler to finally embrace her career as a full-time artist.

“My two favorite words are “why not?” You don’t want fear to get in the way of your life. What’s the worst thing that can happen?” Gissler said. “You don’t want to look back and regret anything.”

Eclectic as it is, she finds deep meaning in her work, especially her pet portraits, which are often commissioned by people who have lost their furry friend.

In the summer of 2023, Gissler was on a plane from Phoenix to Santa Barbara to celebrate the life of Peter, someone she loved very much who passed away from cancer.

“I got on the airplane and sat down and this young couple sat next to me. We started chatting, and they told me she was pregnant,” Gissler recalled. “I said, ‘Oh, what are you thinking about naming your child?’ and they said, ‘Well, we’re thinking about naming him Peter.’”

The couple, Natalie and Chad, explained that they were drawn to the name and were looking for a sign from the universe — and that sign came to them in Jules Gissler. They told Gissler about their late dog, Moose, an Italian greyhound that loved to snuggle and give kisses. One day, Natalie took Moose on a walk with a friend and her pup, when another dog approached the pair and started attacking her friend’s dog. In an act of bravery, Moose stepped in to defend his friend, ultimately sacrificing his life.

The couple stayed in touch with Gissler and commissioned her to do a portrait of their beloved Moose as a Christmas gift. The portrait features Moose with antlers, a bow tie and plaid background — very fitting for his personality. When she dropped the painting at their house, she met 3-week-old baby Peter.

“When I hear people say, ‘Your art or your story or whatever brings joy,’ it makes me smile. I mean, we need so much of that in this world,” Gissler said. “It just warms my heart, my little contribution.”

To learn more, visit julesgissler.com. 

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There are plenty of reasons why dogs are called “man’s best friend.” They provide companionship and love in an unconditional way. And, like any good friend, they are there when you need them the most.

The dogs (and humans) of Gabriel’s Angels take the latter idea to the next level. Founded in 2000, the organization aims to help at-risk children through pet therapy. The goal is to use the connections between kids and dogs to help the kids develop some core behaviors — attachment, confidence, self-regulation, affiliation, empathy, tolerance and respect.

Like many nonprofits, Gabriel’s Angels had to reboot a bit after the pandemic slowed down their work and their founder left the organization. But now they’re back at it, with some exciting new initiatives to spread the impact of pet therapy to kids all over Arizona.

“I say it’s a 24-year-old startup working to reinvent what we can do for the community,” said Melissa Steimer, the CEO of Gabriel’s Angels. “We know that kids’ needs have changed through the pandemic. There are a lot of mental health issues happening. In Arizona, that’s one of the biggest challenges we’re facing.”

^{Melissa Steimer}

Gabriel’s Angels does its work by identifying and training volunteers (canine and human) who work in teams to go to crisis centers and other places where children experiencing trauma and mental health challenges can participate in programs with the dogs. The organization has ramped back up to now have more than 100 teams across the state actively working with kids.

And they may have found the secret sauce. Gabriel’s Angels is now expanding its work in schools in disadvantaged areas, where they can maximize their impact on the largest number of children possible. 

“They have more of a consistency of kids, which is really helpful, and they can pull kids out of their classroom space to have smaller group activities,” Steimer said. “A lot of schools right now are doing that anyway, because of needing counselors at schools to help these kids with whatever their issues are. We have this audience of kids that need this support, and the schools are allowing these kinds of programs to come into schools.”

Kristine Kassel is one of the organization’s volunteers — along with her dog Teddy — and is a former board chair for the organization. She has seen the impact pets can have in schools firsthand.

“I have witnessed direct impact individually and also on the larger groups of kids since Teddy and I have been at the same school for three years,” she said. “Now, we even see younger siblings of students that Teddy already worked with. There is no other program like Gabriel’s Angels. Personalized outreach from a fuzzy friend is a type of compassion like no other.”

Kassel cited the impacts of COVID and parents having to work longer hours as having a significant impact on the children she serves, as well as the access kids have to information — good and bad — through the Internet.

“The work has always been important, but I think today there is more of a need,” she said. “So the caring and outreach that a therapy team can provide to all students, especially those struggling, is priceless.”

One of the districts Gabriel’s Angels is most involved in is the Washington Elementary School District in the West Valley. Amanda Quine, the district’s director of social services, said the organization is currently working in three schools, with many more currently in the pipeline and the potential to work in all 32 of the district’s schools.

The district signed a memorandum of understanding with Gabriel’s Angels for this school year that focuses on three program areas.

“One is all about reading, where kids can practice reading to the dog in a safe environment. If they’re uncomfortable with their reading skills or abilities, you couldn’t ask for a better place to take some risks and be as vulnerable as you can when you practice those skills with a dog,” she said.

Gabriel’s Angels is also doing small group interactions where the children work on some of the core values that will help them as they grow and mature. And, teams from Gabriel’s Angels are making community visits where groups of children have an opportunity to interact with pets.

The results of the reading program have been tangible, as have the behavioral benefits for the students.

“It improves their coping skills, and in the reading group, you can see drastic improvements in reading skills,” Quine said. “Kids that have the opportunity to practice with the dog have seen significant growth academically. And those students’ reading abilities, comprehension, fluency — they are improving in all of that.”

But the improvements are more than academic. “Their whole presence is calmer, and it allows them to not only identify what those coping strategies are but to really feel them,” Quine said. “When we can feel the impact of something, it’s much more likely that we’re going to continue to practice it, because we like how it feels. We want to experience that all over again.”

Steimer said the organization is working diligently to plan for the future and expand its impact. Schools are an important part of that. She even sees Gabriel’s Angels as a resource in addressing issues such as school absenteeism and other core issues students and families face.

“Something we’ve been seeing lately is a shift in this realization that pet therapy has a place in helping to heal kids and to help kids show up at school more,” she said. “If we can bring the expertise of understanding how the pet can be brought into the solutions, that’s what we’re looking to do over the next 10 years.”

To learn more, visit gabrielsangels.org. 

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Or perhaps you stumbled upon the NAHMIAS brand after learning of the young designer’s inspiring story and his will to never give up. Regardless, the NAHMIAS brand and its genesis are the stuff dreams are made of.

Hustling to turn his passion for fashion into his career since adolescence, Nahmias moved from his average American home in Summerland, California, to Los Angeles in his late teens to be “all in,” obtaining his future aspiration. Fast-forward years of barely making ends meet and avoiding nay-sayers to the current day — now serving as the lead creative for Arizona Coyotes merchandise collections, as well as founder and creative director of his men’s luxury brand, NAHMIAS, a favorite among celebrities.  

The Nahmias x Coyotes mix is a natural fit, according to Arizona Coyotes chief brand officer Alex Meruelo Jr. The parallel between the emerging fashion designer and the Coyotes as an NHL team is well-aligned. Clean, modern styles that blend well with any wardrobe are the focus for Nahmias and are true to the NAHMIAS aesthetic the designer is known for. The Nahmias/Coyotes collection appeals to professional athletes, hockey fans and people interested in an elevated, luxe look. 

As founder and creative director of NAHMIAS, Nahmias’ path to success was one of struggle and risk. Nahmias spent years working multiple odd jobs to afford materials and continue creating. The grind included networking, looking for leads, making and distributing samples — searching for creative ways to get in front of stylists and others in the industry. COVID added an extra layer of complication, challenging the designer to push through and stay the course. 

Nahmias’ grit and determination eventually paid off when he attended Paris Fashion Week in 2020. While working on getting his designs in the hands of stylists, meeting designers and being in the middle of the industry action, Justin Bieber was photographed wearing one of his hat designs — aptly named Miracle. Instantly, Nahmias became “one to watch,” and, according to the designer, the rest is history.

The current Doni Nahmias x Arizona Coyotes collection includes a range of designs. “We have collaborated to offer fans limited-edition merchandise, including sweatshirts, sweatpants, a lifestyle jersey, T-shirts and hats,” Nahmias said. “I even designed a new custom skate that matches the apparel line, in partnership with Bauer Hockey.” The designer is also excited to reveal special jerseys for upcoming events. Recognizing the endless potential for partnership, Nahmias views hockey as a canvas for creative expression, with new perspectives to redefine the very essence of style and the sport.

The newest apparel line is available for sale only in-arena at Coyotes home games, with soon-to-be-announced opportunities to buy online at CoyotesShop.com. NAHMIAS ready-to-wear collections can be found in luxury retailers, including Harrods, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, and at fashion-forward sites online.  

To learn more, go to commonhype.com/collections/arizona-coyotes-x-doni-nahmias-collection

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Well, truth be told, ASU Gammage and I have been dating for a while. Back in 2010, I performed “Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” at the Beyond Series. A few years later, I performed “The Wong Street Journal.” So when I was invited to go steady for three years as ASU Gammage’s artist-in-residence in 2022, I knew our connection was real and worth the commitment. 

2. You’re known as the “Food Bank Influencer.” How did that come about?

I stumbled upon World Harvest Food Bank in my neighborhood in Los Angeles in the fall of 2019. They use a nontraditional model that lets people “shop” their donations without having to show proof of income. It’s a model that gives people a sense of choice and, more importantly, dignity. I’d always thought food banks were for “other people who were in need.” But so much of now using a food bank to get my food and directing others to it as a resource has made me confront the moments of my life when I was actually food insecure. Choosing cheaper, unhealthier filler foods or choosing to skip meals — this is actually what food insecurity looks like. I also couldn’t stop talking about this place to people because it was so fun, and it was a fascinating way to understand our broken distribution systems that waste 40 percent of the food produced. 

I found myself making videos for World Harvest the way beauty influencers do “haul videos” of fancy things they shop for. I figured I’d use my undeniable good looks at 45 years old to influence for the food bank!

During the pandemic, World Harvest became a vital part of the ecosystem of mutual aid that my group, the Auntie Sewing Squad, was doling out. We sent a lot of stuff from our food bank to both border communities for asylum seekers as well as to the Navajo Nation. Some of the Navajo organizers were so impressed by the food bank that they asked how they could set one up. Part of my wanting to research and create a show about food banks comes from trying to answer the question of how to help get more food banks like World Harvest started.

3. Where did your interest in food come from?

I never considered myself a big food aficionado until I was hit with an existential depression, which kicked off around the November 2016 election. I found myself unable to watch anything too intense. I was just getting through the days by watching YouTube haul videos or “unboxing videos.” That was as much plot as I could take, videos where people opened boxes and showed what was inside. Somehow, this led me down a rabbit hole of watching people challenging themselves to live on $10 a week in groceries. Then I found myself watching budget cooking videos and wowed by how far people could stretch if they really got creative, although some of the videos were sad in how unhealthy the meals were. 

I wondered if it was possible for me to live on a small budget for groceries but also stay healthy and decided to see if I could live on $50 of groceries a month as a personal experiment. This was close to impossible, but when I found World Harvest, I found the only way I could pull it off and eat healthy. When the pandemic lockdown hit, grocery stores became my museums and art spaces. My only great stimulation in this time was food and how to cook it — but also thinking about how much emotion is tied to food and our ability to access it. 

4. What’s the biggest misconception about food banks?

One is that they are in the charitable sector. They aren’t part of the government. Yes, there’s definitely government entities that will point people toward food banks and sometimes work in tandem with them to give away their food, but food banks are there to supplement what government programs like SNAP cannot. And SNAP doesn’t cover people as much as it should. Should SNAP benefits disappear, food banks have nowhere near the capacity to fill the need that SNAP fills in.  

Also, I think we associate food banks with those canned food drives where people gather their dented, expired cans from the back of their pantries and give them away. I think that’s why there’s such a lack of dignity around going to a food bank, because we associate it with someone’s unwanted, rotting food. But most of the foods that food banks give away are much better than the worst of what we think people donate. There are also gaps in food manufacturing that push food out for sale too late and a grocery store won’t sell it because the food is close to the “best buy” date — which most of the time is just a suggestion. So some pretty good stuff can come through the food bank. And as the working poor grows in size, there is more of a reliance on food banks. 

5. You weigh in on a lot of social issues with your work. Why is humor effective in dealing with big problems?

We need humor to survive and to give us some sense of control over the uncontrollable. And these are some pretty scary times.

6. You’re an elected representative of Koreatown, Los Angeles, and turned the experience into a rally campaign show. How do you stay motivated — and motivate others — in 2024?

I don’t know if it’s motivation as much as the house is on fire and you can either feel compelled to do something about the fire or just let yourself burn up with it. 

7. Sewing is a signature of your work. How did you learn to sew?

My mother and home economics classes. With refreshers as an adult on YouTube and a few classes here and there.

8. You’ve been spending a lot of time in the Valley through your residency. What do you like to do here?

The coolest thing about being at ASU is getting to know this community the way you never could as a tourist. I was invited to be part of a cabaret that the ASU Gammage staff was performing for each other. The most hilarious act was the box office staff doing deadpan readings of complaints and comments they had received over the years. It was comedy gold. I’ve also been hanging out with the Pitchfork Pantry, the student-run pantry. Those student leaders are incredible.  

9. Any favorite spots you recommend?

I don’t know if this is my favorite spot, but there’s a place in Tempe called Angie’s Lobster that does a $10 lobster roll with fries and soda! I know it sounds like an invite for food poisoning to eat lobster in a landlocked state, but I survived and don’t understand how they can be profitable.

10. What are you looking forward to next?

When I gave a graduate lecture last year called “Sex, Lies and Food Banks,” I was surprised when the CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank came. Because they are the first food bank in the country, I had thought that they were too “big time” to ever take an interest in me, so I never thought to reach out. But they heard about the talk and have invited me to meet with them and see what they do. That’s exciting to me.  

Kristina Wong will perform, teach and connect communities throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. She will bring a new show to ASU Gammage in April 2025. To learn more, go to asugammage.com.

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“The restaurant business is my passion,” she said. “I love food, I love wine, and I love sharing my culture with people. I wanted to create a beautiful place for people to meet to enjoy great coffee, food and company.”

After working in her family’s Italian restaurant for years, Ambrosio decided to open her own restaurant close to her family’s Casa Mia restaurant in Scottsdale. She opened Zingara Market in August 2023. 

Zingara, which translates to “gypsy woman” in Italian, offers coffee, pastries, grab-and-go items, wine and all-day dining. The market sells a variety of European goods, ranging from olive oils and pasta to cutlery and candles. 

“This neighborhood needed a restaurant like this, where people could meet any time of day, from having coffee and pastries in the morning to having wine and dinner,” Ambrosio said.

Opening the restaurant was a new experience for Ambrosio, and she was involved in every aspect of the design, from the space to the menu to the plating.

Zingara’s menu was created by Ambrosio and chef Jordan Adams and features authentic dishes from Italy, France and Spain, as well as wine selections from Europe. Menu favorites include dates stuffed with Iberico pork chorizo and guanciale, meatballs made with American wagyu beef and Iberico pork, Spanish octopus with forbidden rice, and Gambas al Ajillo, a Spanish shrimp dish with garlic, lemon and chili flakes. The dessert menu offers brown butter chocolate pave and croissant pudding with a salted caramel bourbon sauce.  

Ambrosio has received positive feedback. “I have built relationships in the local community working at my family’s restaurant for many years,” she said. “People thank me for bringing this concept to the neighborhood.”

To learn more, visit zingaramarket.com.

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The area’s fascinating attractions include a presidential home, the deep roots of Southern music and, of course, good ‘ol Tennessee fare and libations. From honky-tonks to haute cuisine, here are ways to explore the city’s dynamic fusion of flavor and sound.

A Bit of History

The third most visited presidential home in the U.S., Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is just 10 miles east of downtown Nashville. The tour of the mansion, garden and Jackson’s tomb provides a fascinating look into the life of the seventh U.S. president and the times of slavery and war. A café and the Natchez Hills Winery tasting room are onsite to enjoy. 

For more flora and fauna, Radnor Lake State Park in South Nashville is a stunning nature preserve with unpaved trails that wander around the lake and through the woods. While serene views await at every turn, you might get lucky and catch a glimpse of the bald eagles that live there.

Nashville is also a college town, so if the Music Row neighborhood is part of your visit, consider taking a stroll through Alumni Lawn at Vanderbilt University. Wander the grounds of this storied campus, established in 1873, while you take in the grandeur of its historic buildings and magnificent magnolia trees.

Music Is Everywhere

Of course, music is the heart and soul of Nashville. For a true honky-tonk experience, head to Robert’s Western World, where there is never a cover charge and musicians pass the tip jug during sets. You won’t see TVs mounted on the walls because people come to listen to world-class musicians perform daily. Indulge in Robert’s infamous “Recession Special” — for $6, you get a fried bologna sandwich, chips, a Moon Pie and an ice-cold PBR. And don’t miss the life-size model of Arizona legend Marty Robbins in the rafters.

Spend an afternoon at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, where you’ll learn about the history of recorded music through rich stories and fascinating memorabilia that includes instruments played by Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks and many others. The museum honors the biggest stars as well as the talented studio musicians who played on recordings through the years.

^{Ryman Auditorium}

No trip to Nashville would be complete without taking in a concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium, the “Mother Church” of country music. When you walk in the doors of this hallowed hall, you’ll be taken not only by the architecture and acoustics but also by the fact that you’re standing in one of the most iconic venues in the world.

In 2025, the Grand Ole Opry will be celebrating 100 years. What started as a radio program in 1925 is now a cultural landmark as well as home to today’s biggest country music stars and hottest rising artists. The behind-the-scenes tours are excellent, and taking in a live show is a must. Buy your tickets early — you never know who might take the stage on Saturday night! 

Beats, BBQ & Books

Guitar and stringed-instrument fans will be over the moon with showroom options in Nashville. You can’t miss the gorgeous three-story hand-painted mural on the exterior of Gruhn Guitars, a premier vintage guitar store with an inventory of over 1,100 instruments. Carter Vintage Guitars is a leader in collectible vintage guitars, and Rumble Seat Music offers some of the finest vintage instruments available. While you’re there, stop and say hi to the owner’s friendly dog, Cheyenne.

Edley’s Bar-B-Que has six locations throughout Nashville. Join the line to order when you arrive, then grab a table at this rustic spot with a casual vibe and lively playlist. Offerings are vast and tasty — try the pulled smoked chicken sandwich topped with red and white BBQ sauce, a hit of coleslaw and pickles. And don’t forget the fries tossed in Edley’s signature BBQ rub. If you head to the location in Franklin, make sure you have time to wander through the nearby shops, including the Draper James flagship store owned by Reese Witherspoon.  

Speaking of noteworthy shops, many consider Parnassus Books, owned by novelist Ann Patchett, the literary hub of Nashville. Settle into one of the cozy reading chairs and stay for a spell at this inviting store, which stocks a wide range of genres, art and gifts.

Before an evening concert, head to Margot Café & Bar in the heart of the city’s Five Points neighborhood. The French-inspired restaurant with a Southern twist focuses on locally sourced ingredients and a menu that changes daily. Its location dates back to the 1930s as a Fluty’s service station before being transformed in 2001.

^{Lockeland Table}

For a day of culinary adventure, head out from downtown across the Cumberland River to East Nashville, where the food and nightlife scene thrives. Enjoy a glass of wine or a wine-based cocktail at Parlor Wine Bar, housed inside an 1898 Victorian mansion, and then walk across the street to Lockeland Table Community Kitchen and Bar, a rehabbed storefront, for dinner. Their empanadas of the day, roasted chicken with crystal hot sauce, and margherita pizza are worth a try, but the crown jewel is the Chocolate Chip Skillet with vanilla bean gelato. After dinner, pop into The 5 Spot to hear one of many local, peerless bands that play nightly. And come morning, Sky Blue Cafe is a small, cozy diner with friendly staff serving hearty, down-home meals.

So, saddle up for fun! From iconic music venues to lively restaurants to fascinating historic settings, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy an authentic Nashville getaway. 

Written by Andrea Evans & Lori Appleby Hoke

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^{Allison Rapping}

Organization: Arouet

Leadership: Alison Rapping – CEO | Dana Campbell Saylor – Board Chair

Annual Budget: $1.1 million

Origin

Arouet was founded in 2011 to prepare women for success after they leave prison by providing them with education, employment and life skills. Its CEO, Alison Rapping, came to the organization after helping her brother launch Gideon’s Promise, a national nonprofit that trains, supports and advocates for public defenders throughout the U.S. Through that process, Rapping gained insight and empathy for people caught in the criminal justice system, and she wanted to do something to invest in them. “I saw the opportunity to lead Arouet as a remarkable chance to create a program that empowers women with education, employment and mentoring,” she said. “I saw the opportunity to help them rebuild their lives, reconnect with their families, and contribute to their communities.”

Mission

Arouet empowers and transforms the lives of formerly incarcerated women and their families through its holistic pre- and post-release programs, which cover financial coaching, career development, job placement, mentoring, healthcare navigation and community integration. Arouet also champions fair-chance hiring practices, which create more inclusive and diverse workplaces for people with criminal records.

Most Surprising Thing About the Organization

Arouet has had astounding success in reducing participant recidivism. “When we started, we aimed to lower the recidivism rate by at least half, but we have far exceeded our expectations,” Rapping said. Since its founding, Arouet’s participants have returned to prison at a fraction of Arizona’s average of 39 percent — consistently lower than 7 percent and under 3 percent for the last four years. 

“It is a testament to the power and impact of our programs and services, which empower and transform the lives of formerly incarcerated women and their families. And it is really a testament to what is possible when surrounded by people who care deeply about you and your growth, coupled with a solid road map for success,” Rapping said.

Tami, an Arouet client, agreed. “It was more than just a place to get help,” she said. “This was a group of people who had been through what I had and understood the challenges I was facing. They embraced me and helped me get a job that can support me and my fur baby!”

Program Highlight

The CASE Academy provides comprehensive training in the Grow with Google certificate program and prepares women to be workforce-ready in STEM fields. The academy has an intensive curriculum that includes workshops, training, guest speakers, hands-on projects, and professional mentoring and guidance. “We augment this training with comprehensive life skills and wraparound services that address our participants and their families’ multiple needs and challenges,” Rapping said. These services include mentorship, professional development training, financial and employment coaching, and access to healthcare resources, housing, transportation and other community resources.

“Arouet has made such a difference in my life. They encouraged me when things were going rough and celebrated all my wins,” said Christine, an Arouet client. “With Arouet, I know I matter.”

Recent Challenges

Arouet has faced challenges in the past few years due to the pandemic and labor shortage. Despite the difficulties, it adapted to the changing circumstances.

“We provided additional support and resources to our participants, who showed remarkable resilience and determination in pursuing their goals,” Rapping said. Morever, Arouet enhanced its services to meet the specific needs of the many women released during the pandemic, who faced incredible challenges adjusting to the new reality.

Future

Arouet is looking forward to launching its Workforce Partnership program, a new initiative that supports businesses interested in fair-chance employment by providing them with resources, tools and guidance on recruiting, training and retaining justice-impacted talent. The program will also create a network of fair-chance employers, who can share best practices and learn from each other.

“We are thrilled to be able to reach more women who are preparing for their transition to the community and provide them with the support and preparation they need to succeed,” Rapping said. “We’re proud of the work we do at Arouet.”

To learn more, visit arouetempowers.org. 

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Repeatedly answering this question led him to a career managing science and engineering corporations, including more than three decades as president and CEO of Microchip Technologies Incorporated. This inquisitive nature never waned and binds the pages of his personal and professional stories. “When I traveled around the world, I took a little toolkit with me,” Sanghi said. “I used it to open hotel thermostats, coffeemakers and TVs to figure out what products are in them. If I didn’t see our Microchip logo, I would talk to our salespeople about how they could break into those accounts.”

Both tireless effort and education are undoubtedly the keys to Sanghi’s success. After completing his bachelor’s degree at the age of 20, Sanghi decided to continue his education in the United States so he could pursue entrepreneurial and growth opportunities that were not available in India. 

With just a one-way plane ticket and $150, he arrived at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1976 to earn his master’s degree. “All I could afford was an off-campus room that could only fit a twin bed. Not even a desk,” Sanghi said. “I used the communal bathrooms and kitchen, and my food would often get stolen from the refrigerator.” To survive, he borrowed money from the credit union, got a job grading for a professor and did research work.

After graduating with a 4.0 GPA, Sanghi’s professional life reflects accomplishments attributable to his skills and knowledge, coupled with competing fairly and working hard. Sales growth, Microchip’s stock price increasing 300 times over the course of his tenure, and the company becoming a juggernaut are a few of his career achievements. In 2022, Sanghi was recognized with the Global Semiconductor Alliance’s highest honor, the Dr. Morris Chang Exemplary Leadership Award, for his exceptional contributions to the semiconductor industry.

Sanghi is equally proud of his personal life, which includes a 42-year marriage, two kids, three grandchildren and one on the way. “Few CEOs make it throughout their lifetime without getting divorced or experiencing other issues,” he said.

In 2021, Sanghi’s second act began when he stepped down as president and CEO and assumed the role of Microchip executive chair. He spends three days a week as adviser to the company’s CEO and management team. The remaining two are dedicated to helping entrepreneurs by serving as board chair for two private companies as well as giving back to the community.

Investing in the community is a mainstay for Sanghi. More than three decades ago, he took the lead in working with Microchip’s management team and employees to identify eight areas of need in the community. There was a keen awareness that the company did not solely have the resources to address those needs and a partner was essential. Microchip collaborated with Valley of the Sun United Way over these many years. The holistic partnership includes financial support, as well as the time and expertise of Microchip employees.

Three of these eight areas — education, entrepreneurship and workforce development — are the direct focus of Microchip’s community involvement. Sanghi will readily share how engineering is a crisis for the United States due to a lack of engineering graduates supporting the semiconductor industry, resulting in a need to hire from other countries. “The recognition of science and technology is very low among our youth. Unless you catch kids early enough and build their interest in science and technology, they’re going to be lost to pop culture,” he said. “If you ask most teenagers in high school about their role models, their response is singers, actors and sports heroes. Society gets what it celebrates.”

Sanghi applied his signature drive and determination in shifting society’s celebration to science and technology when he brought the national nonprofit For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition to Arizona 20 years ago. Describing this as his “personal passion,” Sanghi has volunteered to mentor a majority-girls team that won the state competition, funds two annual scholarships, and underwrites the state championship held at ASU.

Whether it’s teaching Microchip employees to take the time to figure out customer problems and how the company can solve them or nurturing a love of STEM through AZFirst, Sanghi continually leverages his entrepreneurial mindset to offer sustainable support to others. “Since I came here with nothing, I’ve always had the desire to provide opportunities for others who may not be able to reach their potential because they couldn’t get resources,” he said. “I look back and wish more help were available when I needed it. But I survived, and I’m here trying to give help to others.”

To learn more, visit microchip.com. 

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But what happens if you’re a student and your particular circumstance results in you missing a lot of school? Say your family moves around because they don’t have the money to afford where they live. Someone is sick and needs a caregiver. Or any of a variety of other circumstances keeps you from going to class. 

Naturally, you would fall behind. And it would be harder to catch up.

But if you are early in your academic career, not showing up for math or English makes it harder to complete later grades. Dropout rates are higher for kids who miss a lot of school. And when kids drop out, their path to a brighter future is compromised. 

There’s a term for this — it’s called chronic absenteeism when, by educational standards, a student misses more than 10 percent of a school year, or about 18 school days. It’s one of the most telling indicators of whether a student is going to be successful and go on to college. And it tends to happen more in underserved communities where economic factors can derail educational pursuits.

“One of the emerging issues and priorities that jumped out from a data perspective is a growing and increasing percentage of students missing school, especially those who are chronically absent,” said Paul Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation, which works in Arizona and Florida with a focus on student completion of secondary education. “That absence from school becomes absence from learning, and absence of learning then starts to minimize the opportunity for those students to stay on an academic trajectory to ultimately be successful in high school and moving into some type of education beyond
high school.”

There are a couple of important things to keep in mind when talking about chronic absenteeism in Arizona. First, the COVID-19 pandemic had a massive effect on chronic absenteeism when schools were moved to online settings. And second, Arizona has one of the highest chronic absenteeism rates in the country. According to Read On Arizona, an educational nonprofit focused on improving early literacy, one in three Arizona students fell under this category in 2022, and some estimates are as high as 46 percent. 

Dr. Paul Perrault, senior vice president of community impact and learning for Helios, said that chronic absenteeism has eaten away at some of the gains made in K-8 education, particularly in minority populations, as student attendance grew worse after schools reopened post-pandemic.

“Kids need to be in school to learn how to write well and read well and do mathematics problems with a teacher there,” he said. “We thought those numbers would get better as students get more used to going back to school, but in fact, recent data has shown the chronic absenteeism problem has gotten worse, particularly in Arizona.

Fortunately, a concerted effort to counter the increase in chronic absenteeism is underway in the form of a partnership between Helios, Valley of the Sun United Way, Attendance Works, Read On Arizona and several other groups that have created a task force on the subject.

They are working to identify and combat the sources of chronic absenteeism, with the goal of raising awareness of the issue and putting guard rails in place to keep attendance more consistent.
Some areas they are working on include educating parents and students about the importance of attendance, working with school districts to identify at-risk students earlier and provide them with support services, and training teachers and educators to identify the problems created by chronic absenteeism.

“If we come together as a community, we can go further and deeper and the message can be stronger,” said Dawn Gerundo, director of education and children for Valley of the Sun United Way. “We work with districts side by side to identify what’s working, what’s not working, what has been tried before, what are you going to try that’s different. Ultimately, the end game is that each of the school districts develop a year-round attendance plan.” 

The work being done is in its early stages, and at the end of the day, success will be measured by attendance data. The real effect will be harder to measure, yet incredibly important — real success will be keeping kids on track to a brighter future. Lori Masseur, director of early learning for Read On Arizona, said school attendance directly impacts student achievement. 

“All of us have to come together and work in concert and in tandem to support students,” she said. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach to addressing attendance, and we really want to do it from an engagement perspective, really elevating to families the importance of why their children should be in school on a consistent and regular basis.” 

To learn more, visit helios.org.  

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They’ve been married for 57 years

Ardie McCrone had barely started her freshman year at Arizona State University when she was set up on a blind date. Steve Evans, a junior, wore a coat and tie to the dinner at his fraternity house. “From fraternity row, we walked across the railroad tracks to the stadium for the first football game of the year,” Ardie said. “It was August, and I was wearing three-inch heels and stockings.”

A year-and-a-half later, Ardie and Steve were married at the Newman Center at ASU — a love story and partnership that has spanned more than five decades and helped shape our community.

They’ve traveled the world

Steve Evans grew up in Downey, California, a city of 113,000 people halfway between downtown L.A. and Disneyland. The Carpenters hailed from Downey, and it is the birthplace of the Apollo space program.

Evans left Downey in 1963 to attend ASU through the ROTC program. After earning a bachelor’s degree and an MBA, he headed to Biloxi, Mississippi, for 11 months of Air Force electronics and electrical engineering training. Then, he and Ardie were sent to Hawaii, where Steve served as an officer, building electronic systems in the Pacific for three-and-a-half years.

The young couple loved exploring the islands and took trips to Asia when they could. “I think that’s where Ardie and I developed a love of travel,” Steve said.

They settled in Arizona

When it came time to put down roots, they decided Arizona presented the most opportunity. Steve worked for five years at W.R. Schulz and Associates, an apartment investment company, before
co-founding Evans Withycombe Residential. The company merged with Equity Residential in the late 90s, and Steve stayed on the executive committee and board for another 10 years.

Through all the growth and change — “We remember when Shea Boulevard was gravel,” Ardie said — the couple remained bullish on Arizona. They still are. “Coming back was the absolute right thing to do in so many ways,” she said.

They rolled up their sleeves

Ardie and Steve have always been active in the community. In the early days of their marriage, Ardie joined the Junior League and supported Phoenix Art Museum. Steve started with Luke’s Men, which became Vitalyst. “For us, volunteerism leads to philanthropy. We don’t just give money to organizations. We volunteer and go to work,” Steve said.

Ardie’s first fundraising effort provides an early glimpse. When Ardie was in her 20s, a friend asked her to help canvass for March of Dimes. So she set out, pulling her kids in a wagon behind her. “Everyone gave the same amount — $1. I came home and wrote my very first check for a donation. I mean, we’d make little donations, for kids’ stuff or money in the basket at church, but this was a real check for $10,” Ardie said. “You never guess where life is going to take you.”

Indeed, that $10 led the Evanses to broad and deep commitments to the community, in education, health and human services, and arts and culture. Valley of the Sun United Way, Homeward Bound, the W. P. Carey School of Business, Trust for Public Land, Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust, Arizona Community Foundation, Desert Botanical Garden, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale, Phoenix Art Museum, Teach for America, and the ASU Foundation have all benefited from their dedication.

“Look at the boards we’ve been on. You can kind of tell where most of the money goes, because we’ve rolled up our volunteer sleeves or chaired a capital campaign,” Steve said. “I think that’s from Ardie being a candy striper when she was in high school and me being in the Key Club in Southern California. Our families were involved,” Steve said.

They raised leaders

Family is central to the Evanses’ world and a reason they invest in the community. “This is where we raised our three children, and we’ve been lucky to have eight grandchildren raised here,” Ardie said. “So, we care a lot about the health of this community and the quality of life for everyone.”

All three of Ardie and Steve’s children are active in community life. Pam Kolbe, their oldest daughter, is executive director of Desert View Learning Center and chair of the Board of Visitors. Lizzie Bayless, their youngest daughter, serves on the Board of Visitors board, too. Their middle child, Matt Evans, is active in housing, working in the same business as his dad.

“They each have different specifics, but they get it,” Steve said of their involvement.

Growing up, the Evans kids frequently came to events their parents worked on. “They learned through that,” Ardie said. “What we were doing became important enough that we were spending our time on it.”

The tradition extends to the current generation. (Their youngest grandchild is a senior in high school. The rest are in college, and one is in the U.S. Air Force.) “I can remember our oldest granddaughter was working on a lemonade stand for the Humane Society. She gave me a Ziploc baggie full of money. Before I handed it over, I had to wash it, because it was sticky from the lemonade,” Ardie laughed.

They want to widen the tent

Arizona is a great place to live, but there’s a lot of need, too. Because resources are limited, Ardie and Steve believe we have to look to nonprofits, particularly in serving the most under-resourced communities.

For decades, Steve has admired Valley of the Sun United Way’s work to monitor needs, identify social issues and bring the right people together. “They don’t just give money; they have a staff that works with the various nonprofits on these issues to give a longer-term runway,” he said.

Steve and Ardie have invested heavily in Valley of the Sun United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society since they became members in 1996. At the time, the Society, made up of those who commit at least $10,000 a year, included about 30 members.

During their stint as chairs of the Tocqueville Society in 2004, local membership surpassed 400 — the largest group of Society members in the country that year. More importantly, those members provided more than $7 million to support Valley of the Sun United Way’s efforts to address the most vital human care issues in our community.

“We were really committed to it, and it grew exponentially,” Ardie said. “It was reaching a tipping point. We were just there to help it along.”

Their service to the organization continues. Steve now serves on the Valley of the Sun United Way board.

They invest in what they know

At least once a year, Ardie and Steve sit down and evaluate where they’ve been giving and what they’d like to get to in the future. It’s thoughtful, and it tends to favor organizations they know best.

“Ardie and I have done a lot with ASU. I’m currently on the board of the foundation, and Ardie is in ASU Women and Philanthropy. That’s a biggie for us, because it’s so impactful,” Steve said.

Impact and openness to collaboration are key traits of organizations they support. “And then Ardie and I look at our other interests. We support Trust for Public Land, Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust, the Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden for the same reason — conservation and outdoor spaces,” Steve said. “We want to promote healthy outdoor spaces for people to enjoy. That’s something we’re very fortunate to be surrounded with in Arizona.”

They like to have fun

An overseas laugh turned into a gift for the Valley after Steve and Ardie took a trip to Shanghai in 2007. They traveled with Chevy Humphrey, the then-CEO of the Arizona Science Center. Steve was giving the graduation speech at an MBA program on behalf of the W. P. Carey School, and together they visited the newly opened Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. “One million square feet!” Ardie said. “It was museums within museums.”

Among the fun, interactive displays was a bike rolling above them, balanced on a cable. “Chevy and I got Ardie up on it, and she was riding it back and forth on this wire,” Steve said. “We said, ‘We’ve got to have one of those in Arizona!’”

Today, the Evans Family SkyCycle — one of just eight in the world — allows Arizona Science Center passengers to experience properties of counterbalance and center of gravity, just like Ardie enjoyed in Shanghai.

They’ve shifted power to influence

When Steve turned 50, he received a book from his friend Patty Withycombe, the wife of his business partner, Keith. It was Gail Sheehy’s “Men’s Passages,” about men’s journey through middle age.

It argued that to stay relevant in the second half of life, executives must make the transition from power to influence. The book made a tremendous impression on Steve. 

“I don’t have power on a board,” he said. “But I do have influence.”

Accordingly, he and Ardie now use their time and influence to help steer and support the community.

The Evanses see philanthropy as a natural progression. “You don’t give up the volunteerism because you become a philanthropist. It just gives you more impact and extension. You grow in your life,” Steve said.

The key is getting started. “It doesn’t matter where you start, but make that transition early,” he said.

They have advice

It seems fitting that the couple whose story started at an ASU football game now looks to that university’s president to maintain their zest for the future. “I learned from Michael Crow years ago that Arizona’s growth rate is an opportunity, because the faster the rate of change, the more impact each decision has. ASU is a perfect example,” Steve said.

So, Ardie and Steve continue to use their considerable influence for maximum impact, and try to convince others to, as well. Their belief in this community is palpable, and so is their faith in what can be done. 

“Forget about giving back. Just think about giving,” Ardie said. “It just takes a lot of people doing a tiny bit to make a difference.”  

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