ONE Community, the coalition of socially responsible businesses, organizations and individuals advancing diversity, inclusion, equity, and equality for all Arizonans, is proud to announce the thirteenth annual Spotlight on Success Local Heroes Awards to be held on Friday October 18th, 2024, at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix.
Common Good Honoree
Mayor John Giles of the City of Mesa. Mayor Giles has worked tirelessly to advance inclusion and equality efforts in Mesa, bringing together city leaders, faith, business, and community organizations to take actionable steps towards creating a more welcoming city. In March of 2021, his visionary leadership resulted in the passage of a non-discrimination ordinance that included protections for LGBTQ+ people in employment, housing and public accommodations. The ordinance was a major victory for fairness, equality for all, and for LGBTQ+ people and families in Mesa and paved the way forward for ordinances in Scottsdale, Glendale, Tolleson and Chander. Mayor Giles is a champion for the Equality and Fairness for All Arizonans Act.
2024 Spotlight on Success Local Heroes
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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
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.
The recognition and special awards will take place at a luncheon scheduled for Friday, October 18th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a networking cocktail reception to follow from 1:30 - 3:00pm at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix, 340 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix.