“Integrity is your word, your character and the foundation for all future endeavors.

Francis Najafi
Thirty years ago, Najafi founded Pivotal Group, one of the Valley’s top investment companies. In addition to his professional success, this father of three and Paradise Valley resident has made
a name for himself due to his philanthropic pursuits, as well.

What does “power” mean to you?
In business, power is about demonstrating good judgment against market forces over time. For nonprofit and community concerns, power is about building consensus and galvanizing people to act. But the greatest and most important power is the one that comes from within, which enables us to maintain a healthy life balance and leverage our time, talent and resources for greater impact.
What impact do you strive to have on the Valley?
Continued advancements in the quality of life for our local and global communities are of distinct importance to me. For more than 30 years, I’ve been privileged to work with many of the Valley’s finest nonprofit organizations, which contribute to the rich fabric and quality of life that define Greater Phoenix. In more recent years, I’ve been focused on the Thunderbird School of Global Management and Translational Genomics Research Center, which represent prominent business education and medical research concerns significantly impacting both our local and
international communities.
What has made you successful?
For me, success has many dimensions, defined in terms of my family, business, academic pursuits and community impact. Each of these areas is influenced by being a lifelong learner, always challenging myself to expand my mind and interests; surrounding myself with good and very smart people, and listening; aligning my values and priorities with my actions; and honoring my word.
What is one tip that everyone can use to become successful?
To succeed, you can fail, but you can never succeed if you compromise your integrity. Failures are the foundation of success. They teach us many powerful lessons and fortify us to move
forward. Integrity is your word, your character and the foundation for all future endeavors.