At PVCL, we skip the “Best Of” labels—because everyone’s doing their best, and who gets to decide what’s best anyway?
What we do value is fostering impact, innovation, creativity, and connection. So, for our Women’s Issue, we’re celebrating a handful of fabulous Valley females—each offering raw reflections, insights, and hard-earned wisdom from their journeys.
If you could sit down with your younger self, what would you tell her?
Having to overcome barriers teaches you to believe amazing things are possible—even when they feel like a long shot. There’s no real gain if there was no striving for the goal. When accolades come too easily or are given without being earned, people feel hollow and unworthy. Be grateful for walls—they show you how to jump higher.
I don’t want to be remembered for “being that news lady on TV.” LOL! I’d much rather be remembered as a woman with a servant heart—someone who cared enough to help others through my role with nonprofit Hospice of the Valley.
- Lin Sue Cooney
Former newscaster & current nonprofit leader
What was the most pivotal moment in your career?
Early in my career, I went to Art Basel in Miami. When I walked through the door, I was hit with overwhelming energy—thousands of works from artists around the world. I could barely breathe.
At first, I felt small—like I didn’t belong in that space. But as I walked through the galleries and truly absorbed the work, something shifted. I stopped just admiring and started comparing. And I realized… my work could hang here. Some of it was even stronger.
I turned to my publicist in tears and said, “I belong in here. I’m good enough.” She looked at me and said, “I know. Stop doubting yourself. You belong.”
That moment buried my imposter syndrome. I left Art Basel with a fire in my soul and a belief in my voice, my vision, and my path. That shift has fueled everything I’ve built since—not just in my work, but in how I show up for my children. At the end of the day, they are my greatest masterpieces.
-Niki Woehler
Contemporary abstract artist
What defining moment in your life shaped the way you see yourself?
In 1995, I found myself as a single mother, raising two young daughters on my own, burdened by debts left behind by my ex-husband and without family support. It was one of the hardest chapters of my life—but also the most defining. The best advice I received—and still live by—was this: I still had the power to define myself in my own way—no one could take that from me.
So, I made a conscious choice. I didn’t define myself as a “single mom.” I defined myself as a “mom of two beautiful girls.” I didn’t say I was “struggling to make ends meet.” I said I was “lucky to have opportunities.” That shift in mindset gave me strength, and it’s something I try to pass on to anyone facing life’s challenges.
That same year, I took a leap and started a business. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain—for myself and for my daughters. It was the bravest thing I’ve ever done, and it changed the course of our lives. To anyone thinking about making a big move or starting something new: just do it. The power to redefine your story is always yours.
-Pat Watts
2025 Phoenix Heart Ball Chairman
What’s a misconception about work-life balance you’ve let go of?
One work-life myth I’ve let go of is that being a devoted mom and a driven professional are at odds. Balance isn’t about choosing—it’s about integrating both in a way that fits my values and my family.
The most difficult challenge I’ve faced was losing my son to stillbirth at 35.5 weeks. The grief was all-consuming, making even the simplest tasks—like getting out of bed—feel impossible. But I had a one-year-old daughter who needed me, and despite the overwhelming pain, I knew I had to be present for her.
In those moments, I didn’t want to work or think about the future. Yet deep down, I knew my passions and purpose hadn’t disappeared, even though my world had shattered. I refused to let my life slip away because of this tragedy. Instead, I chose to keep going—not just for my daughter, but in honor of my son, my husband, my now second daughter, and the patients who rely on me.
Healing wasn’t linear, and some days were harder than others. Loss changes you, but it doesn’t have to define you. I carry my son’s memory with me every day, using his presence as a source of strength rather than sorrow.
-Sheridan James, MD
Board certified concierge internal medicine physician
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Grow a strong network. I never truly understood the value of the people you surround yourself with until I started my own business and began growing it both locally and nationally. My network inspires me, supports me, and serves as a source of mentorship. I’m constantly trying to learn from those around me, and this community is a big part of what keeps me motivated—even on the hard days. I even created a local group of physicians and attorneys who meet every other month for events with an educational component, helping us all continue to grow our businesses together.
As for work-life balance, I’ve let go of the idea that it’s something you can achieve. To me, it’s more about work-life integration—interweaving personal and professional responsibilities in a way that aligns with my values and goals. I’ve learned to make intentional decisions about where to focus my time and energy each day.
-Brook Choulet, MD
Concierge Sports & Performance Psychiatrist
What’s something about you that most people don’t know?
My experience as a competitive figure skater has profoundly shaped who I am today. I fell in love with skating at age four after attending the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, and meeting Nancy Kerrigan. This passion led to over a decade of synchronized skating competitions, influencing my personal and professional growth in significant ways.
Perhaps the most powerful lesson skating taught me was the value of failure. In figure skating, one often falls repeatedly before landing a jump successfully. This experience ingrained in me the understanding that failure is a natural part of any process. Embracing failure as a steppingstone to success has been instrumental in my journey. True achievement comes from the courage to fail and keep going.
-Paige Dimakos
President, The Draft Network
How do you navigate the demands of work, life, and family?
I’m not sure true balance ever exists—some weeks, work takes priority, and other times, family does. What helps me most is embracing flexibility and letting go of the pressure to have it all perfectly aligned.
I do my best to be present for school events or volunteer opportunities because I know those days are fleeting. But as a working mom, I miss things—and the mom guilt is real. I've learned to prepare my kids ahead of time for what I’ll miss and lean on my village to fill in the gaps.
I also remind them that my patients and staff count on me, and that I truly love what I do. I want them to see that it’s okay—and important—to pursue what you’ve worked hard for and enjoy.
My advice? Set priorities, communicate clearly, and be intentional with your time. Presence and purpose goes a long way.
-Dr. Danielle Masserman
Affiliated Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
What do you hope to be remembered for?
That I lived boldly and authentically—never afraid to stand out, even when it meant going against the grain. Whether in life or in business, I’ve always believed in the power of staying true to who you are.
Mill & Habs was born from that same belief—a desire to create something timeless, meaningful, and unapologetically original. But beyond the brand, my deepest hope is to leave a legacy rooted in love, courage, and intention.
The idea of living intentionally has also shifted how I define success. It used to be about hustle—how much I could accomplish, how many hours I could work, how far I could push myself. But over time, success has come to look more like balance, alignment, and peace.
I still have big goals and a drive to build something lasting—but now I understand that those achievements only matter if I’m well enough to enjoy them. Setting boundaries, learning to say no, choosing rest without guilt—those are wins, too.
-Ellie White
Founder + Designer of Mill & Habs
What helps you manage work and family?
Balancing it all didn’t come naturally to me—it’s something I struggled with until I became a mom. Now, I try to set firm boundaries, like having a hard stop to emails, meetings, and events after 4PM. My husband and I prioritize eating dinner as a family. I know that’s not always realistic for everyone, so I often recommend meal services- they’ve helped boost my confidence in the kitchen.
Of course, working in event planning means I can’t always be home at night. When that happens, I make up for it with one-on-one time with my son the next morning or over the weekend. I’ve also learned the power of saying no.
My advice? Don’t be afraid to protect your time—you can still be that rockstar mom and get the job done.
-Meghan Alfonso
CEO/Founder, Girl About Town
What was the most pivotal moment in your career?
It came after 18 years of photographing people when I realized there was so much more to see and share on this earth. I took a life-changing safari trip to Africa, and the experience shook me to my core. Seeing the world through a new lens, quite literally, transformed the way I viewed photography. That’s when I took a major leap and added a new branch to my creative tree: landscape and wildlife photography.
It was a big risk, but I kept hearing my mom’s advice in the back of my mind: “Leap, and the net will appear.” That tile she gave me 20 years ago still sits in my studio. That leap taught me to trust my vision and quiet the noise of doubt and naysayers.
-Sarah L. Glabman
Award-winning photographer
Was there a time you took a big risk that changed everything?
Yes, in 2021, I helped my husband open our Scottsdale clinic, Integrated Spine, Pain & Wellness.
Business felt familiar thanks to my family's entrepreneurial spirit—but healthcare was uncharted territory. Thankfully, we had great guidance.
Opening the practice pulled us from our comfort zone and into something much bigger than ourselves. When you're running a business, you're uncomfortable every single day. You’re constantly solving one problem, only to uncover the next. But that discomfort stretched us.
We started on one path and ended up on an entirely different one—one that’s more aligned with who we truly are and how we want to serve our community. It revealed our values, our purpose, and what kind of life we want to build. This journey has also shaped us as a couple. Working together isn’t always easy, but it’s taught us how to communicate better, respect each other more deeply, and grow stronger as partners—in business and in life.
I’ve learned the power of knowing exactly what I want—and not being afraid to say it out loud. And on the tough days—the ones where I feel exhausted or stuck—I turn to a podcast or a story about someone who’s overcome their own challenges.
-Nikki Goyle
Somatic Coach, Integrated Spine, Pain, and Wellness
What have you learned about yourself through motherhood?
Motherhood has taught me that strength isn’t always about pushing forward—it’s also about knowing when to pause, be present, and choose differently. I was incredibly career-driven, even after becoming a mom. When my daughter was born in the '90s, I was already anchoring the news in Phoenix. I soon left for Los Angeles, where I continued evolving in TV. Five years later, I returned to Phoenix with a newborn son and became the first Latina in nearly two decades to anchor the main newscasts.
Those years brought some of the greatest professional highs—and some of the hardest personal lows. After my divorce, I juggled single motherhood with a demanding career. I made mistakes I still regret. But one choice I’ll never regret is walking away from traditional news after my ex-husband passed away. Helping my children navigate that loss made it crystal clear where I needed to be: with them, fully present, in a way I hadn’t always been before.
The decade since has been the most fulfilling of my life as a mother. My children have become grounded adults because of that choice—and I’ve grown alongside them. I now engage with my TV career in a way that honors my priorities and my peace. Motherhood didn’t just shape me—it redefined what success means to me.
-Catherine Anaya
Emmy Award-winning journalist
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve learned from your profession?
My #1 piece of advice for women is to give yourself the gift of proper bioidentical hormone replacement—when the time is right. We often think hormones are only tied to periods, fertility, or libido, but they impact every major system in the body. Mood swings, frequent illness, fatigue, even changes in heart health—all can be hormone-related.
As we enter perimenopause and menopause, hormone levels naturally decline. Having them tested (ideally with a 24-hour urine test) and replaced by an experienced doctor can be life-changing. I’ve watched both my patients and myself age backwards—feeling more energized, balanced, and yes, even frisky.
-Dr. Sharon Stills
Naturopathic Physician
What motivates you to keep pushing forward?
As a mother of three, I want to be an example—to show them that dreams are worth chasing, and that with faith, grit, and perseverance, they can absolutely come true. I want them to see that hard work leads to results, and that even when it feels tough, showing up still matters.
My clients also fuel my drive. I believe the talents I’ve been given aren’t just for me—they’re meant to be shared. I find so much purpose in creating spaces where people live, laugh, thrive, and make memories. The idea that I’m designing the backdrop to someone’s family photos, holiday mornings, or quiet evening conversations—it’s not lost on me.
-Melissa Mae
Full-service luxury interior designer
What’s one thing you hope to pass down to the next generation of women?
Many years ago, I joined a 200-hour yoga teacher training just for fun. During that time, my mentor shared a simple but powerful phrase: “Do what you do, don’t do what you don’t do.”
In honor of the generations of strong women who came before me—and those still to come—I find deep wisdom in those words. As women, we often spend our lives comparing, competing, trying to prove ourselves—not just to others, but to ourselves. We lose sight of who we are, shapeshifting into who we think we should be, only to (hopefully) return to our true selves later in life.
What I want future generations of women to know is this: trust yourself. Be still. Sit with the silence. There is beauty all around you—don’t let distractions pull you away from what truly matters. Your presence is your power.
-Paige Mullen
Pictured with her mom and sisters
Philanthropy has played a significant role in both of your lives. As a mother-daughter duo, what first inspired you to give back?
Sandy (mom): Giving back has always been part of who I am. I was raised in a home where community involvement was the norm, not the exception. As my daughters were growing up, my husband and I made sure they saw that firsthand. Whether it was supporting the Heart Ball or volunteering with the Visiting Nurses, we brought them along whenever we could. One of my most meaningful experiences was chairing the Heart Ball in 2004—one of Phoenix’s largest and longest-running philanthropic events. I'm especially proud that Kristine later followed in my footsteps. At five, Kristine watched her grandfather undergo a triple bypass and her grandmother suffer strokes—making heart health deeply personal, not just a cause.
Kristine (daughter): Growing up, giving back was simply a way of life. We didn’t see it as volunteering—we just did it. I remember watching my mom pour herself into causes she cared deeply about and always following through on her commitments. Some of my earliest memories are tied to charitable events, especially the Heart Ball. As a child, it felt like such a glamorous night, but as I got older, I came to understand its true purpose—and why it meant so much to my mom. Chairing the Heart Ball in 2019, just as she did in 2004, was one of the greatest honors of my life.
-Sandy Magruder & Kristine Thompson
Heart Ball mom & daughter
What’s the biggest leap you’ve ever taken?
About nine years ago, I took a leap of faith and got my real estate license after spending eight years building a career as a hairstylist—something I truly loved. But when my body could no longer keep up with the physical demands, I had to let that chapter go.
Real estate became my second passion—a space where I could still connect with people, be creative, and make a difference. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
At the end of the day, I’d want to be remembered for my ability to connect with anyone in the room and for having a big heart. Whether it’s through a conversation or a small gesture, I hope people feel seen and valued when they’re around me. Genuine connection and kindness go a long way—and that’s the legacy I hope to leave.
-Adrianna Baum
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