The Business of... podcast by the Tucson Metro Chamber The Business of... Tucson Metro Chamber's podcast

Empowering Women and Girls: A Conversation with Katia Jones, CEO of the Women's Foundation for Arizona

This episode of "The Business of" dives into the impactful work of the Women's Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA) with its newly appointed CEO, Katia Jones.

Katia shares her background and passion for working in the nonprofit sector, particularly her focus on empowering women and girls of color. She details the mission and vision of WFSA, emphasizing their commitment to dismantling systemic barriers that prevent women and girls from thriving.

The conversation highlights WFSA's unique approach. They combine grantmaking with advocacy and program piloting to achieve long-term solutions. Katia discusses their shift towards a more community-centered approach, prioritizing authentic dialogue and collaboration.

A successful example of this approach is the Pathways for Single Moms program. This program equips single mothers with certifications and childcare support, enabling them to pursue higher-wage careers and achieve financial independence.

If you're interested in learning more about how WFSA is making a difference in the lives of women and girls in Arizona, tune in!



https://womengiving.org/

In this episode of The Business Of..., we hear from Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Arizona's only member of the House Appropriations Committee. Congressman discusses his efforts to secure funding for Arizona's priorities in the FY2024 appropriations package, including $26 million for his district. He also dives into his successful advocacy for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VET-TEC program, which received $45 million in funding and recently passed the House thanks to his reauthorization bill.

Guest: John Kmiec, Director of Tucson Water
Guest: Natalie DeRook, Senior Public Information Officer, Tucson Water

Synopsis:

This episode of The Business Of..., dives into Tucson's water story.

Key Points:


Tucson has a rich history of water management, utilizing the Santa Cruz River and later groundwater.
Tucson Water responsibly manages water resources through a multi-pronged approach including:



Pumping groundwater strategically
Utilizing Colorado River water via the CAP Canal
Reclaimed water system for non-potable uses



The One Water 2100 Plan outlines long-range water resource planning, including potential future solutions like rainwater harvesting and storm water management.


Tucson Water offers rebates and incentives to encourage water conservation efforts by residents and businesses.
Tucson Water is transitioning to a smart water system, providing real-time water use data to customers.

Resources:


Tucson Water website: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Water


Responsible Desert Dweller campaign: 
Responsible Desert Dweller Guide (tucsonwaterrunsdeep.org)
Tucson Water YouTube channel: 
Tucson Water Runs Deep: Monsoons (youtube.com)
Tucson Metro Chamber website: https://tucsonchamber.org/

This episode of The Business of Tucson features John Winchester, Senior Director of Government and Community Engagement at Arizona State University (ASU) and a member of the Tucson Metro Chamber Board. John discusses ASU's contributions to the Tucson community, highlighting its lesser-known 40-year history in the city.

The conversation starts with John revealing his background as a University of Arizona alumnus who eventually came to appreciate the value of ASU in the community. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration between universities for the betterment of Tucson.

John then dives into ASU's presence in Tucson, mentioning their social work program as the first and longest-running initiative. He details how the program serves the community by training social service providers and partnering with local government entities. Other ASU contributions highlighted include executive education programs for local governments, research projects focused on mental health and social services, and digital classes offered to Tucson school districts.

The second half of the episode explores ASU's role on a statewide level. John mentions the university's involvement in creating more healthcare professionals and physicians in Arizona. ASU's new medical school focuses on a marriage between engineering and medicine, aiming to make medical delivery more efficient and cost-effective. John concludes by emphasizing ASU's data-driven approach to creating medical professionals prepared for the future of medicine in the 21st century.

This episode of The Business of Tucson dives into the world of agave with Todd Hanley, founder of the Agave Heritage Festival.

Tune in to learn about the festival's exciting evolution, from its humble beginnings as a tequila fest to a comprehensive celebration of agave's cultural, economic, and environmental significance.

Discover the wide range of activities offered at the festival, including food and beverage experiences, educational panels, cultural performances, and more.

Todd also shares his vision for the future of the festival, highlighting its potential to promote sustainable agave farming and economic growth in Southern Arizona.



Listeners interested in attending the festival can learn more at https://www.agaveheritagefestival.com/.

This episode of "The Business Of," focuses on the Chamber's advocacy efforts in the Tucson community.

Hosts:


Zach Yentzer, Vice President of Business Advocacy
Frank Velasquez Jr., Director of Workforce Advocacy



Discussion Topics:


Workforce Development:

Healthcare Roundtable discussion about collaborative efforts to address workforce shortages.
Importance of addressing childcare options to improve workforce participation.
Call to action for healthcare and health science businesses to get involved in the Chamber's roundtables.



Fair Free Transit:



The Chamber's advocacy around the City of Tucson's Fair Free Transit policy.
A future member engagement campaign encouraging people to join the Chamber's efforts.


Key takeaways:


The Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce actively addresses workforce development challenges in Tucson.
Collaboration between businesses and educational institutions is crucial to address workforce shortages.
Affordable childcare options are essential for supporting workforce participation.
The Chamber advocates for common sense solutions to Fair Free Transit that benefit the Tucson community and businesses.

Call to Action:


Healthcare and health science businesses are encouraged to participate in the Chamber's roundtables.
Listeners interested in supporting the Chamber's advocacy efforts are invited to become members.

Additional Information:


Contact Frank Velasquez Jr. for more information on workforce advocacy: FVelasquezJr@tucsonchamber.org