DéMario Vaughn
Community Relations Manager, Mercy Care
Thanks to his parents, from a young age DéMario Vaughn learned the importance of community.
So much so that while in high school he mentored fellow students—something he would also do while a student-athlete at Arizona State University. Upon graduation, Vaughn began his career as a probation officer to serve the community before getting into higher education and eventually joining Mercy Care in 2014.
“Mercy Care advocates for the comprehensive health of our members and their families. We provide access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities,” he says.
Today, Vaughn serves as community relations manager, helping direct community reinvestment through Mercy C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Community Action Resources Education and Service.
“Through this program, our team awarded nearly $3.6 million to support local nonprofits addressing addictions, housing, school-based services, women’s health, and food insecurity this past year alone,” says Vaughn.
Garrad Perry
Professional Sinatra Singer
Garrad Perry spent his childhood summers in Scottsdale, visiting his grandparents who had moved here from New Jersey.
“We'd listen to the radio by the pool, and I fell in love with ’50s doo-wop, Elvis, and the Rat Pack. I've always loved to sing and act, [and grew up performing],” he says.
Though he had stopped for a while, when his aunt’s birthday was approaching, she asked him to put together a CD of music for the speakeasy, casino-type party she was planning.
Listening to those songs sparked something in him, and he again turned to singing.
Today Perry—who moved to the Valley about two years ago—performs at events, restaurants, bars, and more, and acts in various theatre shows.
“I love taking people on a nostalgic trip,” he says of his Sinatra performances. “It brings me joy to see a spark regained in a lot of people’s eyes when they hear me.”
Beau MacMillan
Culinary Director of Cala
“I've always loved what I do as a chef, and even in the hospitality and entertainment side of life, I've been able to branch out a little as of late and really focus on passion projects which give me the freedom to be more creative and develop young culinary talent which is really important to me,” says chef Beau MacMillan, who is known for manning the kitchen at Elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain for more than 20 years, as well as his frequent appearances on the Food Network.
Recently, MacMillan opened Cala in Old Town Scottsdale.
“Professionally, I am focusing on my responsibilities with the Clive Collective group. I'm in partnership with Sanctuary on Camelback a Gurney's Resort and Spa to continue facilitating our signature culinary festival here in Arizona, Nirvana Food & Wine Festival, and a new show with Food Network that I am ecstatic to be a part of but can't share the details of just yet.”
