Kathy Shayna Shocket has the inside scoop on Celebrities and the social scene

Why the TV cameras were there for this exclusive party... 

What a power lunch. A group of career and volunteer women who have made an impact in the Valley gathered  at an intimate luncheon at the Ritz Carlton in their honor.  Channel 15's Stephanie Sandoval emceed the exclusive event hosted by Arizona Foothills Magazine. The TV cameras were rolling and my camera was flashing behind the scenes. (Above is one of my favorite photos which I snapped of Stephanie and honoree Tammy Coe.)  

Tammy is the dessert master known for her creative and delicious signature custom cakes.

 Celebrities in the invitation only crowd included Kristi Gibson, (rock star Bret Michaels' financee) and Jacqueline Nerguizian of Jacqueline Nerguizian Fine Jewelry.. whose jewelry you will see on the red carpets of Tinseltown. And Scottsdale superstar Rachel Sacco,  president of the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau was among those on the elite guest list. 

   Behind the scenes... getting ready for the photo shoot

 The  “Women Who Move the Valley” luncheon is presented annaully by Arizona Foothills Magazine.  The invitation only affair celebrated these women for their achievements in the community and within the work place.  

 Ruth Seigel who is pictured above is one of this year's honorees. She's the founder and owner of Serenity Hospice and Palliative Care. PACC911 founder  and tireless animal supporter Bari Mears, the amazing strong Denise Resnik who co-founded the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center,  Brooke Bogart architect and principal of Ecological Environments, Gelie Akhenblit, founder of NetworkingPhoenix.com, Georganne Bryant, founder of Frances and Smeeks novelty store, Marcia Mintz, CEO of John C. Lincoln Health Foundation,   Sue Glaw, Vice President of Community Relations of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and  Maya Thomspon.   Maya, founded the Ronan Thompson Foundation after the loss of her precious almost 4-year-old old son, Ronan, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma.  Her blog, ww.rockstarronan.com, has reached more than two million people.  

Honoree Dr. Joanne Cacciatore  who is pictured above at the podium, delivered an emoitionally powerful speech – revealing her personal tragedy of losing her child Cheyenne during birth in 1994. She now helps other families enduring this tragedy and founded the MISS Foundation. 

Kathy Shayna Shocket is a REPORTER and PHOTOGRAPHER based in Phoenix, Arizona. If you have an interesting item you can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it m