g u i d i n g s ta r awa r d n a n c y s p e t z l e r [ 4 ] he National Kidney Foundation of Arizona Guiding Star Award honors those few who have shown exemplary leadership and passion in their philanthropic work for the foundation, and whose dedication has made a significant impact on its future. The award recognized those who have not only given their time but their hearts and vision, to the mission of the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona and to the Phoenix non-profit community, at large. As a close friend of former CEO Glenna Shapiro and former DWS AZ Chair Linda Pope, Nancy was one of the original Celebrity Star Dancers at the inaugural Dancing with the Stars Arizona 2007. Returning to the dance floor in 2008, along with her husband, Dr. Robert Spetzler, the couple carried ‘Best in Smooth’ category. Nancy and her family have continued their joint love of ballroom dancing, including her son-in-law, Andy, who is part of the Celebrity Star Dancers’ Class of 2019. Nancy Spetzler’s dedication and energy supporting the local nonprofit community can be felt through her long history of board service and galas chaired. Nancy served as the Chapter President of the ARCS Foundation Phoenix Chapter from 1993-1994 and most recently served as their National Board President from 2014-2016, receiving the ARCS Foundation Phoenix Chapter “ARCS LIGHT” Award. It is an honor for the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona to present Nancy Spetzler with the 2019 Guiding Star Award. T T h e a w a r d r e c o g n i z e s t h o s e w h o h av e n o t o n l y g i v e n t h e i r t i m e , b u t t h e i r h e a r t s a n d v i s i o n , t o t h e m i s s i o n o f t h e N at i o n a l K i d n e y F o u n d at i o n o f A r i z o n a a n d t o t h e P h o e n i x n o n - p r o f i t c o m m u n i t y, at l a r g e .

[ 5 ] Dr. Chakkera was born and raised in India and immigrated to the United States after completing medical school. After completing my residency training in Minneapolis, she decided to pursue a career caring for patients with kidney disease and in 2000 started her Nephrology Fellowship at University of California, San Francisco. Subsequently, after completing a Transplant Nephrology Fellowship at University of California, San Francisco, she joined the Mayo Clinic Arizona as a transplant nephrologist in 2005. Over the past 18 years, she has been involved in caring for patients with kidney disease and those who have received a kidney transplant. She has been an active member of the National Kidney Foundation in Arizona contributing to their academic growth; including being the organizing chair of their annual Southwest Kidney Conference over the last couple years. This year she decided to step out of her comfort zone and be a participant in 2019 — Dancing with the Stars Arizona providing her the opportunity to further give back to the community in assisting patients with kidney disease. Laura Bianchi has called Scottsdale, Arizona home since 2003. She was raised in Illinois and Colorado, received her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Colorado Boulder, and earned her JD from Vermont Law School. Laura has risen from law clerk to partner at Rose Law Group and, as director of the firm’s cannabis business practice, is regarded as one of the industry’s leading business attorneys and strategic advisors. Laura is honored to support the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona as a dancer for this year’s Dancing with the Stars Arizona gala. She hopes her first ever dance performance will raise awareness of a little known issue facing athletes competing in mixed martial arts, combat sports and wrestling: athletic performance-related kidney disease and kidney failure brought on by dangerous weight cutting and training practices. Mackenzie Darling Berk has called Scottsdale, Arizona home since 2003. Originally from Redmond, Washington, she attended Gonzaga University before relocating to Arizona. She spent her early years in Arizona raising her three children and teaching various exercise modalities, including Pilates, ballet barre and yoga. Now in the field of Medical Aesthetics, she is passionate about providing preventative anti-aging solutions to her clients and offers the most cutting-edge services in the industry. She found her niche in the Aesthetics Industry by bringing a completely mobile med-spa experience into her client’s homes, instead of summoning them to her. Mackenzie and her husband are passionate about giving back to the community and teaching their combined (7) children to be of service to others who are in need. Having attended the Kidney Foundations DWTS gala for several years, in support of different friends as they took the ballroom floor, she was honored to represent her community for this great cause. Andy Chambers is the husband of Christina Spetzler Chambers, the father of 10-year old Abigail and 8-year old Wilson, and an attorney at the long-time Phoenix law firm, Jennings Strouss & Salmon, PLC. Andy is dancing in honor of his amazing mother-in-law, Nancy Spetzler (he couldn’t say no). He hopes to raise a lot of money for the NKF-AZ (it’s still not too late to contribute), and to not embarrass himself on the dance floor. D r . H a r i n i C h a k k e r a L a u r a B i a n c h i M a c k e n z i e D a r l i n g B e r k A n d y C h a m b e r s c e l e b r i t y s ta r d a n c e r s