ONE Community, the coalition of socially responsible businesses, organizations and individuals advancing diversity, inclusion, equity, and equality for all Arizonans, is proud to announce the thirteenth annual Spotlight on Success Local Heroes Awards to be held on Friday October 17th, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix.
Registration opens at 10am.
The recognition and special awards will take place at a luncheon scheduled for Friday, October 17th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a networking cocktail reception to follow from 1:30 - 3:00pm at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix, 340 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix.
This year’s Local Heroes Honorees represent a diverse group of individuals, from various backgrounds; however, what they have all demonstrated their dedication to ensuring Arizona is a place that celebrates, respects, and protects all who live and work in our great state.
2025 Spotlight Honorees include:
Local Heroes:
- Michele Boggs, Staff Vice President, Talent Acquisition and Organization Development, Chief Diversity Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
- Daniel Packard, Attorney, Frazier Ryan Goldberg
- Debbie Esparza, CEO Emerita, YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix
- Debbie Castaldo, Sr. Vice President, Corporate & Community Impact, and Executive Director of the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation
- Oscar De Las Salas, Client Relationships Manager, Gensler
- Rev. Katie Sexton, Executive Director, Arizona Faith Network
Unity Agent Honor:
- Presented by PetSmart, this year’s UNITY Agent honor is awarded to City of Mesa Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury. UNITY Agents lead by doing what’s right; they follow their hearts no matter the obstacles, and no matter the personal cost in order to make the world a little bit better for all of us. Councilwoman Spilsbury embodies the spirit of this award with her dedication to doing what’s right in the face of extreme public and personal adversity. Councilwoman Spilsbury is a lifelong Mesa resident deeply involved in the well being of her community. When she took office in 2021, she bravely joined in support of the historic Mesa LGBTQ+ inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance. Throughout threats of referendum and recall, Councilwoman Spilsbury bravely stood by the LGBTQ+ community and the ordinance as the right thing to do.
