Community Is Everything

It is important for all of us to find a community that we love, as it is essential to our wellbeing and helps us thrive. On this episode of Collaborative Connections Radio Show and Podcast, host, Kelly Lorenzen highlights some of the very best resources in the Tempe community.
Denise Hart, Jill Buschbacher, and Karen Nowicki joined Kelly on-air for an enlightening conversation about Tempe, small businesses, collaboration efforts, trauma, leadership, and more.
If you live in Tempe or the surrounding areas, check out this episode and hear all of the resources that are available for you through the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, The City of Tempe, and Phoenix Business RadioX.
Our Featured Guests…

Karen Nowicki, Phoenix Business RadioX
Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker, and creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.

In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.

Denise Hart, Tempe Chamber of Commerce
Denise Hart served as the Interim President, CEO, and the Vice President of Marketing for the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and provides strategic direction, vision, and management for overall Chamber and marketing operations. Prior to joining the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, she held the President and CEO position at the Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and has led marketing divisions at Festival Companies, Vestar, The Mills Corporation/Simon Property Group, and NIKE and has more than 20 years of leadership and marketing experience. Denise is the past chair of the Tempe Tourism Bureau Board of Directors where she served for 14 years, the 2016 Tempe Business Woman of the Year, and a graduate of Tempe Leadership – Class 31.

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce represents nearly 650 businesses with more than 70,000 employees. For more than a century, the Tempe Chamber has been dedicated to sustaining Tempe’s quality of life and keeping our community and economy vibrant. The Tempe Chamber is the recognized voice of business. They make a bottom-line impact for the community by advocating for a favorable business climate through interactive public policy engagement and providing ongoing representation in government at local, state, and federal levels.
Through more than 65 annual events and programs attended by more than 8,000 business professionals, the Tempe Chamber provides a place for its members to connect with other business leaders and the community. They facilitate network development among our members through training workshops, committees, mixers, and conferences. Their programs and events build relationships and develop leadership skills while serving the greater community. By creating active and engaged leaders, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce ensures that our region has a bright future.

Jill Buschbacher, City of Tempe

Jill has worked in the workforce and economic development in the Valley for the last 20 years – with Maricopa County, City of Phoenix, and now with the City of Tempe. She is a member of the Arizona Association for Economic Development, past Chair of the AAED Professional Education Committee, a graduate of the Aspen Institute’s Sector Skills Academy, and a certified Arizona ED Pro. She has experience serving a variety of industries and especially enjoys helping clients connect with local resources and business connections. In her current role, Jill manages Tempe’s Business Retention and Expansion Program, entrepreneurship, and small business services, and leads a commute solutions initiative with major employers. Over the last year, she’s led the city’s efforts to assist small businesses hardest hit by the pandemic, coordinating closely with Tempe Chamber, Tempe Tourism, and Downtown Tempe Authority.
Tempe makes waves as a technology and business magnet, an inclusive, caring community, and a hub for recreation and adventure. The City of Tempe’s Economic Development Department’s mission is to lead the region for sustainability, entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth fueled by the diversity of the community and to enhance the competitive position by attracting, retaining, and growing high-quality jobs and investment.
Contact Information
Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM Consulting. klmconsultingaz@gmail.com, klmconsultingandmarketing.com – LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube
Denise Hart, Interim President and CEO of Tempe Chamber of Commerce. denise@tempechamber.org, tempechamber.org – LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube
Karen Nowicki, Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. karen.nowicki@businessradiox.com, businessradiox.com/phoenixbusinessradio – LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
Jill Buschbacher, Economic Development Program Manager of City of Tempe. jill_buschbacher@tempe.gov, tempe.gov/government/economic-development – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube
Listen to Collaborative Connections live on Phoenix Business RadioX on the third Thursday of every month at 1:00 PM MST to hear amazing stories from phenomenal people that are impacting our community. Listen Live Here