Guiding Growth

A CPA and attorney dedicated to protecting taxpayers, a classically trained chef, and a devoted wife, mother of six, and grandmother of three. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, she learned resilience early. At just 15 years old, becoming a mother changed everything—instilling a deep sense of responsibility and purpose. She and her husband, Gerald, are on a mission to see the world with their family while building a legacy together. She is full of wisdom, and her journey has provided her with lessons and insights. ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Daryl Chester (62), Owner Manager of Jester's Billiards (2010) and Rino D's Pizza and wings (2016). He has been in the Food and Beverage business since 1979. He is married to Kenda vonHamm for 19 years. They have raised 5 children and have 2 grandchildren. Daryl Was born in Tacoma Park Maryland in 1962 and Moved with his family to College Station, Texas in 1965. H graduated from A&M Consolidated High School in 1981 and Texas Lutheran College in 1987. His BA degree is in Biology. Daryl Moved to Arizona in 1990 to open a new Clicks Billiards. He was awarded Manager of the year in 1994. ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Dr. CJ Wurster is a first-generation college student who earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Master's in Administration/Project Management through Northern Arizona University. His Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice was earned through Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was also captain of the men’s basketball team. He is a graduate of The Chair Academy and the AACC John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute. CJ has been with the Maricopa County Community College District since 2010, and he currently serves as the Interim President at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Prior to his current role, he has served MCCCD in various leadership roles such as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Phoenix College; and Executive Director, Associate Dean, and Dean at GateWay Community College. CJ is also an active Adjunct Faculty at Phoenix College and GateWay Community College, and a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University. CJ is originally from central New York, and has lived in the Phoenix area for over 20 years, and over 10 of those years have been spent living in Gilbert. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Kara and daughters Grace and Reagan. He also enjoys participating in endurance sports, such as distance running and triathlons ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Warde Nichols is a successful business entrepreneur who has owned and operated small businesses for over 30 years. He also served four terms in the Arizona House of Representatives. While in the House, he worked with many diverse groups to build consensus and pass legislation. He served as Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and Rules Committee and had bills signed by Governor Janet Napolitano and Governor Jan Brewer. Warde has the proven ability to successfully bring groups together to focus on solutions to current challenges we face. At Arizona State University, Warde works closely with various business and civic organizations throughout the East Valley and Pinal County and acts as a liaison with state and local governments. He is a lifelong learner and loves learning and growing with his work at ASU. He volunteers at his local church and serves as a reserve EMT-Firefighter when needed in rural Arizona. Warde is a fifth-generation Arizona native who grew up in the East Valley and currently lives in Queen Creek with his wife, Paula, and their children. ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Ryan Smith is the Director of Communications and Government Relations for Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. He oversees marketing and community relations and all government relations duties for the airport. Ryan graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Political Science, lives in Mesa with his wife and kids, and is a fifth-generation Arizonan. ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Dallas Sloan is the Co-founder of Colair Beauty Lounge & Med Spa, where she has transformed her nearly 15 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry into a thriving business. Beginning her journey as a Cosmetologist, Dallas later pursued Business Management at MacEwan University in Canada, blending her artistic skills with business acumen. Since its founding in 2016, Colair Beauty Lounge & Med Spa has become a standout in the industry, recognized for its dedication to enhancing natural beauty and creating an exceptional experience for clients.  Beyond her professional achievements, Dallas is deeply committed to community engagement and empowerment. She participates in her church’s youth group and passionately supports a range of charitable and philanthropic organizations. A dedicated advocate for women in business, she has been a member of the Women Empowered Committee since 2020, serving as Chair from 2023 to 2024. Dallas’s leadership and professional excellence was honored with a nomination for Business Woman of the Year 2020. She continues to contribute to her community’s growth and drive positive change by serving on the Board of Directors for the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

JW is often referred to as authentic, growth-oriented, and values-based. He is also a business owner, Financial Advisor, Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, and board leader. In these roles JW has had the opportunity to effectively coach clients by helping them discover, acknowledge, and embrace their deepest drivers of success; in other words, their strengths. JW is the founder and president of Rayhons Financial. It has been his life’s work to help others both embrace their current place in time and to proactively plan for their future happiness. Experience has confirmed that JW’s coaching and career expertise lends itself well to business owners, executives, professionals, community leaders, and other individuals looking for guidance and training in their pursuit of a values and strengths-based approach to their well-being. Rayhons Financial is consistently ranked in the top 7% of investment firms within Cetera Financial, one of the largest investment advisor networks in the U.S. Gilbert, Arizona, is a community with over 260,000 residents. He has served as Chairman of the Board for three organizations and has enjoyed coaching basketball for over 450 young athletes. JW’s ‘Gallup Top 5 Strengths’ are Achiever, Developer, Positivity, Responsibility, and Empathy. “When you look for the good in someone; you’ll find it.” ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Professionally, Matt Dallas owns and operates three Stroll neighborhood newsletters in Gilbert. He and his team work with Agritopia, Seville, and Val Vista Lakes to help connect neighbors while introducing top local businesses and giving through partnerships with non-profits. Their mission is to make a positive difference in Gilbert through the work they do serving these communities. He is obsessed with constant improvement in his business, hates email, and loves the challenge of running and growing his business in an industry that some people said was dead before he even started 10 years ago. Personally, Dallas lives his life with his faith as his top priority, followed by his marriage and daughters. ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

For over 15 years, Deb has developed the talents and businesses of some of the top credentialed keynote and motivational speakers in the industry. In 2017, Deb created DEBx, a 90-day Speaker Development Experience designed to show emerging speakers how to use their voice as a powerful instrument of change. Through onstage appearances and professional recordings, DEBx has touched tens of thousands… and counting. In 2020, leveraging the tools and learnings from DEBx, Deb founded the award-winning Amplify Voices, a nonprofit advocacy incubator, helping historically marginalized communities discover, develop, and amplify their voices to empower systemic change. Through stage events, speaker circles, and a compelling documentary, The Journey, Amplify Voices has become a space of empowerment and change for survivors of sex trafficking and assault, those formerly incarcerated, and women touched by breast cancer. ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

James DeVary is a dedicated US Army veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). After a successful 17-year career on Wall Street, James transitioned to entrepreneurship, where he now leads Senior Helpers of Gilbert and Chandler, a thriving business with a team of 60-plus employees. James was the 2024 GilbertChamber Emerging Business Leader Of The Year. A devoted husband and father of two, James enjoys taking on endurance challenges and races as a personal pursuit. In addition to professional and personal achievements, James serves as a passionate board member of veteran charity, reflecting a deep commitment to supporting fellow veterans and their communities. ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy