growth and real change. Our partners often start small but they think creatively and grow to have much larger impact on a national and even global scale. Arizona Science Center is a great example. They’re a well-run organization that leads beyond their size. Their local impact with a global perspective led to the development of ASU’s Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiative Science Museums program. The Arizona Science Center piloted the program locally and it now reaches close to 200 museums across the U.S. and more than 30 countries. It’s a great example of how local action can lead to global impact. Frontdoors: We know that brain health and consciousness studies are also interests of yours. Would you talk about your work with the Arizona Science Center on that front? MELANI: The Arizona Science Center helped us create the Walton Optimal Neurological Discovery Education and Research — or “W.O.N.D.E.R.” — Center. We believe children should have the opportunity to ask questions, to live in wonder, and be inspired to take brave steps going forward in uncharted territory to find answers. The W.O.N.D.E.R. Center gives children, and adults, a great opportunity to learn about everything from neuroscience to mindfulness to brain anatomy. We’ve used the same name — W.O.N.D.E.R. — with programs the foundation supports through other partners, such as The Phoenix Symphony and Phoenix Theatre, tying together the healing power of both the arts and science. Frontdoors: Let’s talk about a couple of those W.O.N.D.E.R. projects. You support a program at Phoenix Theatre called Partners That Heal, right? MELANI: Yes, this is a terrific project with a goal of bringing laughter and joy to patients experiencing health challenges. Partners That Heal is a theater troupe with an enormous repertoire — acting, improv, puppetry, music — they use to deliver very personal performances at care facilities such as Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The Partners program is meaningful because healing isn’t just about medicine or surgeries. It’s another good example of something that started local but is now looking to expand beyond the Valley. Frontdoors: What about Phoenix Symphony’s B-Sharp Music Wellness, another W.O.N.D.E.R Project? MELANI: The concept is similar to the Partners That Heal Project. B-Sharp recognizes the power of music as a healing force. The musicians give people an opportunity to enjoy the experience of a symphony, even if they’re in a homeless shelter or hospital. Another really great aspect of B-Sharp Music Wellness is the program’s outreach extends to Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers. It’s helping researchers understand how music can reduce stress and possibly help people on a much bigger scale. Frontdoors: What other local organizations do you support? MELANI: We’re drawn to projects and organizations committed to promoting healing in the broadest sense. There are several here in the Valley that are doing great work. The foundation supports the Barrow Neurological Institute through the Rob and Melani Walton Neuro-Rehab Gym, which looks for ways to heal that blend science and creativity, to help people who have suffered brain and spinal cord injuries. The foundation has also supported the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine in Scottsdale to help physicians find new ways of caring for patients and rethink how people can heal. On the conservation side, the foundation has worked closely with Liberty Wildlife. They’re doing a fantastic job caring for injured animals and helping educate people about the wildlife that’s native to our region. Frontdoors: You helped to create the Rob and Melani Walton Urban Farm at St. Vincent de Paul. Why was that something you became involved with? ROB: Our values align with the values at COVER STORY CONTINUED 24 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JANUARY 2019

TOP | Melani and Rob Walton are co-founders of Arizona Science Centerʼs W.O.N.D.E.R. Center. BOTTOM LEFT | Professional actors from Phoenix Theatre Partners That Heal, a W.O.N.D.E.R. Project, deliver therapeutic improvisational theater to a young patient. BOTTOM RIGHT | A Phoenix Symphony musician greets a patient following a performance through the Symphonyʼs B-Sharp Music Wellness, a W.O.N.D.E.R. Project. The program recognizes the power of music as a healing force for those facing adversity. JANUARY 2019 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 25