2009 Woman of Excellence

Honoring Exemplary Valley Women

by Amanda Jaskulski

Watch an exclusive video from the event!

Event Photos:
* Black Tie Arizona
* Ryan J. Cook Photography (@ rjcookphotography.com)

It's been a year in the making--an emotional, collaborative event that could only be brought to you by Phoenix Woman magazine. How do we properly honor, acknowledge and showcase the dynamic women who make our community such a great place to live? Well, after many long, closed-door discussions and hours of planning, Phoenix Woman is ready for the big reveal.

Within these pages, a new feature is unveiled. You'll meet 10 outstanding and accomplished women--one of whom will be honored and named Woman of Excellence during a special luncheon sponsored by Phoenix Woman at the Silverleaf Country Club on Nov. 13. The winner will also be announced on PhoenixWoman.com and in our winter issue.

The 2009 Woman of Excellence Award will honor a woman who has demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others in our community. This Woman of Excellence will also exhibit the type of personal and professional growth that makes her an exemplary Phoenix woman.

In keeping with Phoenix Woman's Focused, Fun and Fiercely Local theme, these nominees have shown unwavering focus on worthy goals; they're fun women who each have a positive outlook, sense of humor and winning personality; and they're fiercely local in serving their community. Each of these women demonstrate character, commitment and leadership, and are all worthy of praise.

Donna Bartos

Donna Bartos is one of the most dedicated women you will ever meet. Her cause, her passion, and her goal is to "cut out" domestic abuse. A past victim of teen dating violence, Bartos had a moment of clarity and obligation in August 2006 to break her silence. She launched a survivor, volunteer and new advocate mobilization effort for domestic abuse prevention, education and outreach.

Bartos is the founder and volunteer chief executive officer of the Purple Ribbon Council to Cut Out Domestic Abuse. She is the creator of Girls Night Out to Cut Out Domestic Abuse, Purple Ribbon Brunch, It's Okay to Talk About It Community Circles, Rock the Purple, Pedal for Purple and the Pretty in Purple Party.

"By recognizing my life's mission and the work of the Purple Ribbon Council, you honor domestic abuse survivors here in Arizona, across the country and around the world," says Bartos. "This nomination is helping to break the silence and the cycle--one woman, one child, one family, one voice at a time. Together, we are changing the statistics, restoring hope, rebuilding lives and preventing it before it starts."

Bartos is also the proud wife of Peter Bartos and mom to two socially aware children--five-year-old P.J. and four-year-old Gracie--who are already following in their mother's footsteps to change the world. Her five-year-old started P.J.'s Annual President's Day Lemonade Stand to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation--a non-profit organization for pediatric-cancer research. Clearly, the lemon doesn't fall far from the tree!

Elaine Birks-Mitchell

One encounter with this dynamo will have you thinking differently about your bras! Elaine Birks-Mitchell recognized that there are women in our community who don't have a clean bra to wear or the funds to spend on bras due to their circumstances. Her dream was to build a bra recovery and recycling program. Birks-Mitchell is now the CEO of Bosom Buddy Bra Recycling, a green group devoted to recycling new and used bras for deserving women in Arizona and other states.

In addition to running Bosom Buddy Bra Recycling, Birks-Mitchell is a senior information technology project manager at WorldatWork, a global human resources association with more than 30,000 members in 75 countries. In her spare time, she volunteers with the United Way: Helping the Working Poor Investment Committee, and works with the Arizona Women's Partnership on the Grant Review Committee. Birks-Mitchell is a member of the Chandler and Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of Living Word Bible Church and serves on the Ministry of Services team.

"When I received the news that I was a nominee for the 2009 Woman of Excellence Award, I was excited, surprised and honored to receive recognition for doing what I believe is my 'calling,'" says Birks-Mitchell. "Richard Leider, who wrote 'Whistle While you Work,' defines your calling as 'a commitment to be moved by something other than simple self-interest. It is the inner urge to give our gifts away--and it's a dedication to something larger than ourselves.' Thank you for this honor."

Margaret Dunn

Like Ollie the Trolley, who carries Arizona passengers more than 500,000 miles annually, Margaret Dunn, 45, has come a long way. Dunn moved from Omaha to Arizona in 1984 to attend ASU, only to fall in love with the trolley business. Her part-time job became her life's work in 1986, when Dunn--then 21--borrowed $65,000 from a relative to buy her first trolley.

"It's unbelievably flattering anytime someone uses your name in the same sentence as the word 'excellence,' especially since that word has motivated me since I launched my trolley business more than 20 years ago," says Dunn.

Now president of a 45-employee, 21-trolley, $2.5 million-a-year operation, Dunn serves Scottsdale as a Board Member of the Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce. She is also a former city planning and city transportation commissioner. The mother of a nine-year-old son, Dunn will soon earn her degree in Urban Dynamics from ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability. She is also an active member of Charter 100 and a partner with Social Venture Partners.

"I've always worked to be an excellent business owner, an excellent Valley citizen, an excellent working mom and an excellent 'woman in charge,'" adds Dunn. "If in the eyes of others I've managed to balance these various roles and come close to excellence, well, I couldn't be more proud or more humbled."

Kristen Sandquist

It's been apparent since she was very young that Kristen Sandquist's heart is bursting with compassion, kindness and empathy for those less fortunate. At 11 years old, Sandquist gave her family a glimpse of what her focus and passion would become when she boldly called a radio station and volunteered her father to build a home for a deserving family in the community.

Sandquist's altruistic nature came into play again while teaching for the Wisconsin Public School District. She noticed the startling number of children who had no jackets or mittens for school, and Circle of Friends--her first non-profit--was born. Since 1996, the program has provided winter coats and attire for the underprivileged in the Wisconsin community.

In 2003, Sandquist founded Visions of Hope in Scottsdale, which contributes 100 percent of its funds to organizations such as Whispering Hope Ranch, The Arizona Humane Society and The Friend Playground Club. This past summer, she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro as a sighted guide with the Foundation for Blind Children, training and raising money to support the trek in just a few short months.

Sandquist is a prominent business woman and an incredible philanthropist. She is a terrific wife and mother to four sons. In 2008, Sandquist and a partner founded Swank, a shop-for-a-cause retailer in Scottsdale where a percentage of proceeds always goes to local charities.

"It is an honor to have been nominated for this award," says Sandquist. "I am thrilled to be associated with Phoenix Woman magazine and all they do for the community."

Lindsay Rattay

Lindsay Rattay, founder of Blankets for Babies, is truly a beautiful person from the inside out. In her travels, she witnessed countless children suffering in extreme poverty. After seeing children sleeping on dirt floors and babies wrapped in newspapers, Rattay felt compelled to take action.

A soft, warm blanket seems like such a basic childhood necessity, yet for many babies, it's a luxury they lack. So when Rattay received cash as a graduation gift, instead of buying a new car or going shopping, she used the money to launch Blankets for Babies, which provides quality chenille Boh Boh Blankets for underprivileged children. In two years, Blankets for Babies has donated over 4,000 Boh Bohs to children in Arizona and worldwide.

"My first reaction [to being nominated] was shock, because there are so many wonderful women in the Phoenix area and I admire their work in the community," says Rattay. "It is very humbling to be recognized for my work and extremely encouraging at the same time."

Rattay is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. While she used her journalism background to complete a short stint at KPNX Channel 12 and a local radio show, Rattay has decided to follow her heart and pursue a greater calling to help create a world where distressed, abandoned, poverty stricken and orphaned children have their basic needs met, and know that they are special. She is newly married to John Rattay.

Pam Gaber

Leave it to Pam Gaber to playfully put antlers on her dog and get a sudden inspiration for one of the most sought after non-profit services the Valley has ever seen. In 1999, Gaber was a volunteer at Crisis Nursery. Usually, she was met with untrusting, shy and withdrawn children, who were used to being let down or abused by adults Then one day, on a whim, she dressed her dog, Gabriel, as a reindeer and brought him in for a visit. According to Gaber, the children were different that day; as if by magic, the troubled little souls became "kind, loving and sweet."

At that moment, Gabriel's Angels--a 501-C3 non-profit--was born. Gaber realized her Weimaraner had the power to reach and heal these abused, neglected and at-risk children in a way humans could not. Empowered by this revelation, she decided she would help improve their lives by teaching them unconditional love through a pet.

Today, Gabriel's Angels has grown beyond Gaber's wildest dreams. Each year, over 100 therapy teams from 60-plus Valley agencies touch the lives of more than 12,000 children in crisis through the application of pet therapy.

Gaber has been featured in Money Magazine for departing the corporate world and building a successful "business with a heart." She is quick to add that her Weimaraner, Gabriel, continues to be a huge inspiration and partner in her organization.

Peggy Bilsten

Many people don't know that every day, young girls are being kidnapped, beaten and forced into prostitution right under our noses. Not only does Peggy Bilsten realize the gravity of this situation--it has become her life's mission to stop it.

Outspoken, passionate, and caring, Bilsten has been advocating on behalf of human rights issues, both locally and internationally, since she was appointed to the Phoenix City Council in 1994. During her membership with the council, she served on many different boards and committees, and was appointed vice mayor twice.

In 1995, Bilsten established the Graffiti Hotline. She opened her district's first senior center, Shadow Mountain, and served on the Mayor's Commission for Disabilities. She also represented the citizens of Phoenix and the Phoenix City Council on rescue trips to the post tsunami regions in Indonesia, earthquake regions in China, and war torn areas in Central Africa including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.

Bilsten is especially proud of her role in creating the Family Advocacy Center, which provides medical aid, counseling, prevention, education and other assistance to victims of domestic violence. It is now the largest facility of its kind in the state.

She is currently the vice president of Streetlight Phx, a local non-profit organization that focuses on eradicating child rape for profit. Bilsten's work with Streetlight Phx includes providing awareness about child sex trafficking, and helping to make changes in legislation regarding punishment for offenders. Some day soon, she hopes to establish a one-of-a-kind safe house facility for these young victims.

Sherry Lund

Philanthropist and Texas native Sherry Lund lives by the motto, "I root for the underdog." This philosophy is the driving force behind her many nonprofit activities. "I know personally that single, working moms, children and the community need our help," says Lund. "I'm prepared to work toward that!"

Her family, friends and community can attest that Lund's giving heart has no boundaries. Having spent 20 years as a single, working mother, Lund has devoted much of her life to easing the burdens and suffering of others. She continues this commitment through her impressive work with Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, the Wellcare Foundation, The Harp Foundation, and Starshine Academy.

Additionally, Lund is the president of the Victoria Lund Foundation, which provides medical attention for those who need but can't afford it. The foundation, named for her stepdaughter who passed away from liver failure, has been in the Murphy School District for five years, helping more than 2,600 children and their parents each year. Along with another organization, the Victoria Lund Foundation provides five full days of health care at Hamilton Elementary School along with dental clinics.

In her lifetime, Lund has had an eclectic mix of jobs; she is a former fashion model, radio voice-over broadcaster, television performer and commercial actress. She even owned several TCBY franchises.

But her focus, devotion and gift to the world is her compelling and giving spirit. She is married to Bill Lund, and has two daughters, Rachel and Sabrina.

Tara Hitchcock

We wake up to her bright, smiling face every morning, and are entertained by her quick wit and sense of humor. But Tara Hitchcock's day doesn't end when the lights and cameras go off--in many cases, it's just beginning.

Hitchcock, who anchors and hosts the highly rated "Good Morning Arizona" news program on 3TV, volunteers much of her time to a number of different Valley charities. Nearest to her heart is Best Buddies--an organization dedicated to establishing opportunities, friendships, employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Hitchcock has lent her time and talents to countless fundraising events including Childhelp's "Drive the Dream Gala" and the Scottsdale Women's Council of Realtors "Desperate Realtors" event to benefit Gabriel's Angels. Hitchcock uses her influential voice and position to bring unsolicited exposure and heightened awareness to these and other charities, bridging the gap between potential donors and new volunteers.

Hitchcock has dedicated herself to bringing our community pertinent, up-to-the-minute news. Fourteen years ago, she proved that a 25-year-old could get "the job,"

and through candid speaking engagements, she continues to inspire women to follow their dreams.

Hitchcock is married to Kenn Francis and enjoys being the stepmother of three wonderful children. "I'm so excited," she says, referring to her nomination. "I've never won anything before in my life!"

Mary Peterson

Mary Peterson's legacy, which began with an idea in 1999, will live on in our community forever. Peterson wanted to tackle what she felt were the root causes of our social problems--extreme individualism, materialism, and lack of love and dignity. She would counter those issues with love, respect and community through a special organization she called Maggie's Place.

Maggie's Place provides houses of hospitality for expectant mothers who are alone or living on the streets. A 1926 bungalowindowntown Phoenix, which was in complete disrepair, became the first home. After a nine month renovation, Maggie's Place welcomed its first mothers on Mother's Day, May 13, 2000. With the help of friends, Peterson has seen Maggie's Place grow from a daydream into a reality that has expanded into five homes currently serving, sheltering and assisting expectant mothers and their babies.

"My 'excellence' is simply a reflection of the love and generosity of the many incredible people who have rallied behind our mission and the moms we serve," says Peterson. "My role as the leader of Maggie's Place is simply to direct traffic and create opportunities for people to do the 'messy' work of loving one another."

Currently serving as the executive director, Peterson provides oversight and inspiration for the operations of all the Maggie's Place homes. She continues to be transformed by the stories of the heroic pregnant women who join the homes, and the changes they bring about in their lives when surrounded by a supportive community.

Amanda Jaskulski is an editorial intern for Phoenix Woman magazine.