HomeFeaturesPeople › Women Who Move The Valley 2015
 
 
 

Screen Shot 2015-01-27 at 6.07.00 PM

Photographed by Jason Black on location at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa

As Phoenicians, we have a lot to be grateful for: intensely beautiful sunsets. Seventy-degree winters. The best spa and golf experiences on earth. These 11 admirable women. Meet some of the Valley’s most talented and giving women who are at the top of their professional fields and have a goal of making the Valley the very best it can be.

 

TINA CURRAN: chairman and co-founder of the Advisory Council of Cardon Children’s Medical Center

TWITTER: @TINA_SOTS

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A WOMAN WHO MOVES THE VALLEY?

I am humbled and grateful to be chosen as one of the Women Who Move the Valley. As an Arizona native, I deeply love and care for Arizona. I have had the privilege to experience the beauty of amazing mentors. My desire is to give back. Mentoring and inspiring others, particularly children, to volunteer is most important to me.

WHY IS CHILDREN’S MEDICINE SO NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART?

As a mother of three sons, nothing is more important than the health of our children and the children of the world. As a spouse of a pediatrician, I have the unique understanding of how innocent children really are—how disease does not discriminate. No one ever asks for cancer, juvenile diabetes or autism. However, together we can raise money for research, support each other during difficult times and never give up on looking for a cure.

WHAT OTHER VALLEY CAUSES ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

P.A.N.D.A (founding board member); St. Mary’s Food Bank; Elevate Phoenix; Forever Young Foundation/Sophie’s Place.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT?

Co-founding the Advisory Council of Cardon Children’s Medical Center with my husband, Dr. David Curran. Equally important, creating the signature event, Stars of the Season, that has in its fifth year netted close to $2 million for various programs at Cardon Children’s Medical Center.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND YOUR SUCCESS? 

Passion and gratitude. I love what I do! I am very blessed to be surrounded by such incredible family members and friends.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

Time. There are never enough hours in a day.

WHAT IS ONE WISH YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE? 

I would love for Arizona to become the nationwide leader in adopting and implementing integrative medical therapies to both treat and cure childhood diseases.

NAME A WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE.

Without a doubt, my mom. She leads her life with such grace and wisdom.

TINA’S FAVES

BOOK: “The Little Prince” by Antoine De Saint-Exupery.

MOVIE: “Rocky”.

GUILTY PLEASURE: Taking a nap.

TV SHOW: “Scandal.”

VALLEY RESTAURANT:  Prado at The Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia.

ANNUAL LOCAL EVENT: Stars of the Season.

THING ABOUT ARIZONA: Sports! Love the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Suns and Arizona State University Sun Devils. 

 

PEARL CHANG ESAU, president and CEO of Expect More Arizona, a nonprofit striving for world-class education for all K through 12 students in Arizona

TWITTER: @EXPECTMOREAZ; @ESAUPEARL

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A WOMAN WHO MOVES THE VALLEY?

It means a lot to be recognized as someone who is having an impact on ensuring that all of Arizona’s students are getting an excellent education. My goal is to encourage everyone to play a role in supporting Arizona’s students. The quality of our education system doesn’t just impact students; it impacts our economy and everyone’s quality of life.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF EXPECT MORE ARIZONA? 

Expect More Arizona is building a movement of Arizonans who are committed to ensuring a world-class education for every child. We raise public awareness, engage parents and voters, and foster collaboration across the state to improve education.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT?

One of my proudest professional moments was when my first class of fifth graders in East Los Angeles walked across the stage at their promotion ceremony, with a commitment in their hearts to succeed in school and go to college.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR EMPLOYEES WOULD SAY ABOUT YOU?

They would probably say that I’m very passionate about our mission of ensuring an excellent education for every child, that I care a lot about working together with each other and the community and that I like to eat!

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND YOUR SUCCESS? 

My belief that every child deserves the opportunity to fulfill his or her potential drives me to work hard every day to ensure that their education helps them succeed.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

We are working to create a culture in Arizona where education is a top priority. That means that we need parents and voters to be more engaged in understanding the issues impacting education and taking action to support students.

WHAT IS ONE WISH YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE?

I hope that, one day, we are able to say with confidence that, in Arizona, a child’s life prospects are not determined by his or her circumstances of birth.

NAME A WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE.

That would have to be my mother. She and my father immigrated to the United States right before I was born. She has continually made sacrifices big and small throughout my life to support our family, and I am so grateful to have her as an example.

PEARL’S FAVES

MOVIE: Anything in the X-Men series and anything I can watch with my 4-year old daughter.

GUILTY PLEASURE: My espresso machine.

TV SHOW: “So You Think You Can Dance.”

VALLEY RESTAURANT: I love anything that Upward Projects or Sam Fox creates.

ANNUAL LOCAL EVENT: Local First Fall Festival and the Chinese New Year Festival.