EDITOR’S NOTE The Power of Collaboration our cover are some of the best of the best, as you’ll soon read, when it comes to creating a positive impact in a community where all of us can live, work and play to our fullest. We’re also excited to feature several other leaders and organizations that spend their day-to-day working to improve our community’s quality of life for all. From Phoenix city manager Jeff Barton, who spends his time making our city a place we can all live and succeed, to Sam Leyvas, former First Things First CEO, who now works with the Valley’s business community to help them achieve their corporate social responsibility goals. And be sure to check out the great things happening with UMOM’s social enterprise Helping Hands Café and the nonprofit Elaine, which provides safe and accessible transportation for the Valley’s homeless and underserved. All that, plus art, travel, fashion and a chat with OG rock superstar Alice Cooper make this an issue you won’t want to miss. Enjoy! Creating an equitable community where every child, family and individual can thrive is a journey so much greater than any single person or organization — it takes an entire community. Here in Maricopa County, we’re fortunate to have the wide-ranging community leadership and support of Valley of the Sun United Way, an organization that’s been dedicated to meeting the most pressing needs of people throughout Maricopa County since 1925. Valley of the Sun United Way partnered with Frontdoors on this special issue to underscore some of the important collaborative work happening in the Valley. With its five-year plan for Mighty Change in Maricopa County by 2026, Valley of the Sun United Way has brought together more than 230 corporate, nonprofit and public partners to work cooperatively toward bold goals set by the community collective in the areas of health, housing and homelessness, education and workforce development. Speaking of workforce development, don’t miss the article about an all-new nonprofit collaboration, the Pathways to Economic Opportunity program for Black and Latina young women. You’ll find that story on page 53. We’re proud to feature some of the Valley’s top movers and shakers in the corporate social responsibility world who are partnering with Valley of the Sun United Way to reach the goals for Mighty Change while supporting so many other incredible nonprofits and causes throughout the year. The women featured on KAREN WERNER EDITOR IN CHIEF Karen 8 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

in action: Valley of the Sun United Way employees work to deliver meals to community members in need. vsuw.org Creating Mighty Change in HEALTH | HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS | EDUCATION | WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT