FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30th, 2024
ONE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCES 2024 SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS HONOREES
Marquee Event Celebrates Arizona’s LGBTQ+, Allied Businesses and Community Leaders
(Phoenix, AZ) - ONE Community, the coalition of socially responsible businesses, organizations and individuals working to advance diversity, equity, equality and inclusion for all Arizonans, is proud to announce the 2024 Honorees for the fourteenth annual Spotlight on Success Awards. The marquee event is scheduled to be held on Friday October 18th, 2024 at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Phoenix.
This year’s Local Heroes Honorees represents a diverse group of individuals, from various backgrounds; however, what they have all demonstrated their dedication to ensuring Arizona is a place that celebrates, respects, and protects all who live and work in our great state:
2024 Spotlight on Success Local Heroes Announced
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Amanda Ventura, Public Affairs Manager, Waymo,
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Bobby Dulle, President, Phoenix Rising
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Michele White, Executive Director, Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce
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Monica Villalobos, President and CEO, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
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Chad Wolver, CFO, Adobe Population Health
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The Right Rev. Jennifer A. Reddall, VI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
2024 Unity Agent Honoree Announced
This year’s Unity Agent Honoree is the remarkable Nate Rhoton. Nate serves as the CEO for one-n-ten, an LGBTQ+ nonprofit delivering youth services in Arizona. He joined the team in 2015, serving as the Director of Development followed by Director of Finance & Operations, before assuming his current role in January of 2018.
Following a career of fifteen years in corporate management and finance, Rhoton chose to serve the community with his nonprofit fundraising and development expertise. He has worked extensively to expand corporate community involvement and non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ Arizonans. He has also dedicated years to building up dedicated staff through continuing education, development and instituting training to increase retention and impact.
Born and raised in Arizona, Nate graduated from Flagstaff High School and then pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Arizona State University’s WP Carey School of Business graduating magna cum laude in 2000. Over the last decade, he has committed himself to nonprofit service, serving on the Arizona steering committee of the Human Rights Campaign, the board of the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, The Melonhead Foundation, and as the past co-chair of the board of directors for Equality Arizona. Currently he serves on the Human Relations Commission for the City of Phoenix, vice chair of Leading for Change, and on the LGBTQ Advisory to the Chancellor of Maricopa County Community Colleges.
“It is a distinct privilege to have the opportunity to honor and recognize individuals from across our respective communities who have worked tirelessly to ensure Arizona is a place that celebrates, respects and protects all of us equally,” said Angela Hughey, President and Co-Founder of ONE Community and ONE Community Foundation. “All of these individuals understand that diversity and treating people fairly is our super power,” stressed Hughey.
The recognition and special awards will take place at a luncheon scheduled for October 18th, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a networking cocktail reception to follow from 1:30 - 3:00 pm at the Sheraton Grand located at 340 N. 3rd Street in downtown Phoenix. Individual and corporate tickets for the Spotlight on Success Awards are available at www.ONECommunity.com.
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For More Information:
Sophie O’Keefe-Zelman
602-380-1809
About ONE Community
Since our inception in 2008, ONE Community has evolved into the member-based coalition of socially responsible businesses, organizations and individuals moving diversity, inclusion, equity and equality for all Arizonans forward. We are committed to reshaping Arizona’s image through educating, empowering and connecting our diverse LGBTQ+ and allied communities on the benefits of inclusion and its direct impact on attracting and retaining top talent and businesses—and thereby, ensuring our state’s economic sustainability.
Additionally, over the years ONE Community has led efforts to pass ten municipal ordinances that updated or created non-discrimination policies over the past decade. To date, these cities include Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Sedona, Winslow, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tolleson and Chandler. These ordinances protect residents living in their respective cities from discrimination in housing, employment and places of public accommodations based on characteristics including race, ethnicity, disability, religion, age, nationality, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
About ONE Community Foundation
The ONE Community Foundation is committed to diversity, inclusion, equity, and equality for all Arizonans. We are committed to reshaping Arizona’s image through educating, empowering and connecting our diverse LGBTQ+ and allied communities on the benefits of respecting, protecting, and celebrating all who live in our great state.
