Close the Gap

FOUNDED IN 2019, KAHILLA STRIVES TO CREATE GENDER PARITY ACROSS THE CORPORATE WORLD.

This bold vision combines our own desire for a supportive community of ambitious women with empirical evidence documenting a lack of women in top leadership positions and the financial risk facing companies without equal representation.

We realize our vision by uniting diverse subject-matter experts with a representative network of like-minded, like-hearted women on a singular digital platform. Through curated content and ongoing engagement, we help women become more confident and informed — and embolden them to own their choices, whatever they may be.

This spirit of empowerment, inclusivity, and accountability informs our core values and every aspect of Kahilla, including our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy and charitable commitments. Our Step Up, Reach Down gifting program contributes 10% of all corporate memberships to non-profits helping women rise. We are similarly dedicated to donating 1% of Kahilla’s profits to charities supporting women via the global Pledge 1% community.

Our commitment to building a more equitable world is also reflected in our name: Kahilla, which refers to a group of people united by a common goal.

Enjoy this interview with co-founders Kim Havens and Noa Ries.

Latasha Causey is the Vice President of Human Resources for Bell Banks South Region markets, with oversight of human resources activities, including culture and diversity efforts, for Bell Bank and its divisions. Causey offices in Phoenix and works with Bell’s team members in Arizona, as well as its mortgage offices in New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Florida.

Latasha has over 20 years’ experience in Recruiting and Human Resources leadership. Prior to joining Bell Bank Latasha worked for 12 years at USAA’s North Phoenix Campus. Holding various leadership roles, responsible for strengthening USAA's brand and culture in the Phoenix market. She was also responsible for leading the USAA local Foundation and employee volunteerism in the Phoenix community. During her tenure she was also part of the HR Talent Acquisition team, supporting and leading recruitment efforts across all USAA locations.

Latasha has also worked for U-Haul, Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo in various Human Resource leadership roles, having a vast knowledge of the HR and Recruiting fields. Latasha holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Arizona State University, Master of Arts Degree with a concentration in Organizational Management and Professional Human Resources certification (PHR).

Latasha is married to her wonderful husband Sullivan; they have two beautiful boys, Sullivan III and Maysn. Latasha is very active in the Phoenix community, being named a 2018 Outstanding Women in Business by Phoenix Business Journal. She is on the Teach for America of AZ, Valley of the Sun United Way, Arizona State University Alumni Association and Mayoral appointment by Mayor Kate Phoenix Workforce Commission Board of Directors.

Naomi leads all aspects of HR with accountability for staffing, employee leadership development and training, employee engagement, assessments, compensation and total rewards, HR operations and shared services, organizational effectiveness, patient experience, employee relations, internal communication and all HR functions for 52,000 team members.

Prior to joining Banner, Cramer had a progressive career in operations and human resources at Target Corporation. Her last role was senior vice president of field HR, where she led all areas of Human Resources for 350,000 employees in 1,780 retail stores and 37 distribution centers. Cramer holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Phoenix.

Nicole has twenty years legal experience first at a large private law firm and now in-house at an emerging company. She has received numerous recognitions and awards throughout her career, including listing in Best Lawyers in America from 2012-2019, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona (Arizona Business Magazine, 2015–2018), Southwest Super Lawyers Top 25 Female Attorney (2015–2016), Phoenix Business Journal’s Most Admired Leaders (2014) and was elected to the prestigious American Law Institute in 2015.

After earning her JD from the University of Arizona College of Law in 2000, Nicole began her career as clerk to Vice Chief Justice Charles E. Jones of the Arizona Supreme Court. As Justice Jones’ clerk, Nicole analyzed Petitions for Review in civil and criminal cases, reviewed direct appeals of death penalty cases, and researched, drafted, and edited judicial opinions.

In 2001, Nicole joined Quarles & Brady LLP, first accepting a position as associate attorney and later as a firm Partner. In 2013, Nicole was promoted to Managing Partner of the Phoenix office of the Firm, taking on leadership and management responsibility for 100 lawyers and 75 support staff with an annual office budget of over $50 million. At the time she was the first woman to ever manage a national law firm in Phoenix.

Nicole is also highly invested in Phoenix, her local community, not only as the former First Lady of Phoenix but as a committed civic servant in her own right. She spearheaded a statewide anti-bullying and childhood well being initiative called Stop Bullying AZ (now the Dion Initiative), teachers professional responsibility courses at Arizona State University, and currently serves as the President of Charter 100 Arizona. She has served on many nonprofit boards receiving several awards for her community service activities.

Nicole joined Harvest in 2019 as Vice President and General Counsel. She oversees and manages all of the company’s legal matters and regulatory compliance. Her focus has been on developing best practices to facilitate regulatory compliance and drive national cannabis legal and policy initiatives.

She is the wife of Congressman Greg Stanton, mom to Trevor (13), Violet (10) and four fur babies. She is an avid women’s basketball fan and loves the Phoenix food scene.

Tony Felice is the founder of the Felice Agency. He is named "One of 20 People to Know in Advertising & Marketing" by the Phoenix Business Journal and Ranking Arizona awarded his agency one of the Top 10 PR Firms and Top 10 Advertising Agencies in Arizona in 2020.

His multiple decades career has taken him from the halls of the U.S. Congress to Hollywood California and now Phoenix and San Diego. His clients have included Microchip, the Arizona State Fair, Adopt Technologies, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and many others.

Appointed by Mayor Stanton, he was a member of the Ad-Hoc Committee for FastTrack Cities. His volunteer work includes serving as Chief Communications Advisor to former Phoenix First Lady Nicole Stanton and serving as board member on many non-profits including Local First Arizona, Arizona Community Foundation, Phoenix Art Museum and many others.

Tony recently overcame a six month life ending diagnosis and the resulting experience led him to understand how mindfulness can overcome any challenge and can be harnessed to transform a business' bottom line.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Operations Management, summa cum laude from Arizona State University and most recently completed the pandemic crisis communication course from Harvard University where he intends to finish his Masters degree.

Shannon Goldwater, a native of Arizona, graduated, with a degree in marketing, from Arizona State University in 1997. Since 1994, she has been a licensed Real Estate Broker in the Valley. She is a devoted volunteer who has won several honors and accolades. In her spare time, Shannon enjoys spending time with her 18 year old triplets, Megan, Will, and Lee, and her husband, Bob, of 23 years, as well as traveling, playing tennis, and riding horses.

Since 2006, Shannon Goldwater has been a visionary leader, ardent supporter, and steadfast champion as Founder of Feeding Matters. Shannon’s story began in 2002 when her premature triplets required feeding tubes to survive and suffered every time they were fed. Her family’s harrowing experience fueled her determination to find comprehensive resources and support for her family and a relentless commitment to make sure feeding, something so fundamental to every childs overall well-being and survival will never be disregarded. Without a clear path, Shannon’s passion and ingenuity inspired Feeding Matters as a movement to fill an unmet need and create a world where all children with pediatric feeding disorder thrive.

During her 10 year tenure as Board Chair Shannon’s dedication and vision resulted in significant progress, in the field, including:

· Inception of the Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire by bringing together international feeding experts to form the original Medical Professional Council.

· The creation of a nationwide online platform for family advice, resources, support, and a virtual learning center for the healthcare community.

· The vision for a universally accepted definition and identity which lead to the groundbreaking 2018 publication of “Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework.”

Dave Adams is the chief executive officer of the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) and president/chief executive officer of CU Solutions Group (CUSG). The MCUL is headquartered in Lansing, Michigan and the CUSG office is located in Livonia, Michigan.

Mr. Adams joined the Michigan Credit Union League in August 1997. Prior to accepting the position in Michigan, he was president and CEO of the Washington Credit Union League and LSI, Inc. for six years. Dave also served on the staff of the Utah Credit Union League for eight years, the last three as president/CEO.

A native of Utah, Adams earned a bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Utah before earning an M.B.A. from Utah State University. During his 37-year credit union career, Adams has held numerous board seats with companies like Magic Line, Inc. and NYCE Corporation—both regional ATM companies, and has served on both former Governor Jennifer Granholm's Council of Economic Advisors, as well as Governor Rick Snyder’s Council of Labor and Economic Growth.

Through CU Solutions Group, an affiliate company servicing credit unions nationwide, Adams was instrumental in the creation of Invest in America (now Love My Credit Union Rewards), a program that fueled growth for domestic auto companies and helped increase new vehicle loans for credit unions during and after the financial crisis of 2007-2010. This award-winning program helped credit unions add value for credit union members with exclusive member discounts on products and services from GM, Sprint, Intuit and Tracfone, as well as an array of other companies' offerings.

Other recent innovations by Adams and MCUL and Affiliates include the nationally recognized Save to Win, a prize-linked savings program that incentivizes smart savings habits via a risk-free prize raffle structure.

Through CUSG, he has also been instrumental in the investment of respected product brands that help credit unions serve, grow and remain strong, including Performance Pro, Compease, CUBE TV Studios, and MemberXP.

In 2012, Dave Adams was named the Financial Services Champion by the Small Business Administration and received both the Michigan state award as well as the national recognition.

Lindsay Moellenberndt is Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer at Fennemore, an NLJ250 law firm that helps businesses thrive, and founder of A-Z Biz Link, an organization that inspires and empowers company leaders to continuously improve operations by challenging the status quo. A woman who wears many fashionable hats – community connector, speaker, podcast host, coach, event producer, book publisher, team builder, culture creator, strategist and philanthropist – she’s the epitome of the phrase, “if you want to get something done, give it to a busy person.” This born connector views her career as a lifestyle, and strives to support others whenever possible, which currently includes AZ Talent Coop Board of Directors, St. Vincent de Paul Vinnies Board, Luke Air Force Base/Fighter Country Partnership Blue Blazer Lifetime Member, Valley of the Sun United Way Women United and the Greater Phoenix Chamber Valley Young Professionals Board. Lindsay was also nominated as a 2020 Greater Phoenix Chamber ATHENA Awards Young professional, awarded the 2020 AZCrew - Arizona Commercia Real Estate Woman Icon and was the 2020 TEDx Scottsdale Women event emcee.

Follow Lindsay on Social Media: Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram | www.azbizlink.com

Resources for Growth: my annual publication featuring 100+ professionals that can ultimately help set you up for personal or professional success

A-Z Biz Link: Founded in 2017, A-Z Biz Link is a professional development organization focused on facilitating discussions around today’s modern workforce and leadership challenges, while creating solutions and driving real positive change in the workplace. A-Z Biz Link produces over 75 professional development events a year for our Phoenix, Las Vegas and Reno chapters.

A-Z Biz Link Podcast

Fennemore’s Venture Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs

As a sought-after international speaker and author, Susan is engaging and highly interactive with her audiences. Her on-stage presence brings her powerful and relevant information to life: The Ultimate Customer Experience, Career Jumpers: How to Avoid a Talent Free-Fall, and especially today, She Rises: Progress, Power, and Purpose.

As a business growth specialist for both business owners and corporate leaders eager to increase profitable revenue with controlled and strategic growth, Susan is the real deal. She has run the entrepreneurial gamut of starting, growing and selling an iconic, multi-million dollar, award-winning company…a company that sold cookies, yes, lots and lots of cookies! She’s been ‘in the trenches with her red boots on the ground’ for more than 30 years. Susan’s proven strategies deliver results: a financial sustainable business that remains competitive in today’s changing market.

Deborah Bateman epitomizes achievement, determination, and kindness, professionally and personally. Her career has seen her rise from bank teller to executive while never losing the grounded perspective and touch that makes her a valued friend and mentor. Deborah believes that a great leader inspires and creates more leaders. And, while Deborah acknowledges that she is a leader, she makes herself available and speaks from her heart when relating her own life experiences to those who seek and value her counsel.

Today, Deborah serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at National Bank of Arizona. Additionally, she is CEO of Risk Blossoming, a professional coaching and consulting organization, where she serves as a Certified Leadership and Executive Coach. “Risk Blossoming” was so named, because Deborah hopes to inspire others to life a full life, risk stepping out of their comfort zones, recognize and leverage their potential, passions, and purpose.