and education together to provide kids with actionable pathways in their lives and give them a sense of what careers are like. We introduce different career opportunities in the freshman and sophomore years because kids have no idea what they want to do or where they want to study. By their junior year, we bring companies to talk to our kids and get them well-versed in these careers. Our goal by their senior year is to get them an internship that gives them a good sense of what that career is about while earning a paycheck. We started with one Phoenix Union high school and are currently in 21 high schools and will expand to 27. They believe in us, and we believe in them. 12:15 P.M. >> OPENING DOORS We also work with a variety of industries, including financial services, construction, cybersecurity, IT and healthcare on boutique workforce solutions beyond high school. Through our Connect to Work AZ program, we take underemployed and unemployed individuals and provide opportunities with partners who give them an interview once we’ve screened them. We are ramping up this program, which includes the financial services and healthcare industries, and expanding into advanced manufacturing. It’s about getting people who want to contribute to the system a career. 1:30 P.M. >> WALK THIS WAY We’re continuing to grow the foundation and are out there every day pounding the pavement, talking to schools and the business community. All this work takes funding. As chamber people, we love asking for money and it’s a natural extension of our work. The results speak for themselves in terms of the impact and growth of the program. OFFICE DOORS 52 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE Todd Sanders records an episode of “Let’s Talk Business Phoenix,” the Greater Phoenix Chamber podcast he hosts. Sanders provides opening remarks for the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation’s annual Workforce Summit.

I participate in many policy-based meetings. Right now, we’re working on extending Prop 123, and this includes strategy meetings with my team regarding where we are in discussions with the Governor’s office and the legislature. We meet with those interested in moving this forward as well as those who aren’t about why education is important to the business community and the economy. This is the sausage-making that no one likes to think about. You must have a lot of conversations and be willing to compromise. It’s figuring out how we can come together for the benefit not only of our members, but for the state. 3 P.M. >> STRONG TIES Valley of the Sun United Way and the Arizona-Mexico Commission are organizations that are important to me and ways that I can give back. My work on the United Way board has a significant connection to the chamber’s workforce work. They’re an important partner and engaged in areas where we’re not and are, in many ways, the first responders. My Latin American connection is strong, given where I come from. Arizona’s relationship with our friends in Sonora dates back to the 1950s. To lead the Arizona- Mexico Commission board of directors and continue to strengthen our economic and cultural ties with Mexico is really important. 6 P.M. >> POWERING DOWN, CHARGING UP As soon as I get home, I throw on workout gear and spend 30 to 45 minutes on the stationary bike or take a hike or bike ride. If I stop and relax, exercising is not going to happen. When I’m done, I have an uninterrupted dinner with my wife and son, when he’s home from college. This is the time for us to be together, which is tremendous. To learn more, go to phoenixchamber.com . PLEASE DELETE THIS LAYER BEFORE SAVING All images must be embedded All fonts must be outlined BLEED AREA - 33.5”W x 85”H NOT VISIBLE WHEN DISPLAYED FINISHED AREA - 33.5”W x 58-78.5”H VISIBLE WHEN DISPLAYED SAFE AREA - 31.5”W x 76.5”H KEEP IMPORTANT TEXT/LOGOS WITHIN THIS AREA Telescoping pole allows for shorter Let us take care of the numbers, so you can focus on your mission.