Where are you from and what brought you to Arizona? I was born in Vancouver, BC then migrated to Oakland, and Denver before landing in Phoenix. Through my work in baseball, I started coming here for Spring Training as a teenager and was wooed by the siren song of spring and the smell of orange blossoms.
What’s your hidden talent or random unknown fact about you? I danced salsa and merengue with a band right after high school!
What are 3 items you can’t live without? Wine, wine opener, and wine. Just kidding (mostly). I could not live without my laptop, favorite pair of Converse, and a toothbrush (gotta keep the pearly whites!)
Describe your dream home and location? This might be cheating but my dream home is one I can take with me on the road…an Airstream! I truly believe variety is the spice of life, so being able to get out and explore all the corners of our country, settle down for a bit, and then move along, would be a dream come true.
What’s your superpower? Combining a vision for the future with the flexibility to make adjustments along the way.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “It’s not about you”. These wise words came from The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz and have been life-changing. No longer do I personalize everything which is unbelievably liberating in freeing you from your ego. It’s made me a better leader, community partner, friend, mom, and overall human being.
What community organization are you passionate about and why? The Arizona Pet Project, of course! Why: See below.
What’s your business? I run a Phoenix-based nonprofit called The Arizona Pet Project. People who struggle to keep and care for their pets (the homeless, domestic violence victims, seniors, people with mental and physical disabilities, and the chronically or terminally ill) are often the people who need them the most – in fact, their pets are often the only family they have. We provide life-saving services and resources like veterinary care, temporary boarding, housing assistance, and pet food to ensure these families are able to remain together and live their best and most healthy lives.
We also send mobile spay & neuter and vaccine clinics into our community’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, the most effective method for reducing the number of homeless pets, and improve overall health and safety.
What makes you and your business different? Most social service agencies only work to resolve human-related issues. And, most animal welfare agencies only work to resolve animal-related issues. But, pets live in 40% of households so, in order to best serve the needs of people and pets, we must create programs that address the needs of both. The Arizona Pet Project is at the forefront of this movement, and works with human service agencies, like hospitals, homeless and domestic violence shelters, and senior care facilities to create safety net services that support the two and four-legged members of the family. We keep families together and reduce the number of homeless pets dying in our Valley shelters – it’s a win-win.
How can people support your business or community organizations? The best ways to support us are through treasure, time, or talent. Donations can be made by visiting our website, www.azpetproject.org. And, we’re always on the hunt for passionate advocates to join our board or committees, as well as volunteers!
Connect with Leanna: They can connect with our organization on Facebook, Instagram, and/or signing up to receive our emails. To connect directly with me, folx can reach out by email at [email protected].
Know a local leader you think I should spotlight next? Drop a comment with your suggestions below.
Lindsay Fricks- Helping you, your family and friends Live & Love in Arizona!
