Gilbert resident Tanya Kirkpatrick has taken her leadership role in business and women’s ministry and transformed her life and those of others. With a mindset of positivity and helping others, she leads by example and has inspired all those around her.
Kirkpatrick moved to Gilbert from Mesa in 2003. “I love Gilbert because it has a small- town feel,” explains Tanya Kirkpatrick. “I also love it because of the people. The people are the heartbeat of this city and it is like family. I love going shopping and interacting with our city and everyone is so kind.” She also enjoys that Gilbert is family oriented.
Kirkpatrick also heads up a busy family. “I’m married to my best friend, Jeremy Kirkpatrick, we’re getting ready to celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary and we’ve got four kids,” says Kirkpatrick of her husband who is also involved with her in Isagenix International, a global well-being company based in Gilbert.
There is an old saying that states when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, and that is exactly what Arizona native Kirkpatrick has done. Some years ago, Kirkpatrick discovered Isagenix, lost weight, felt better, became an independent distributor for Isagenix and found success. Since then, she has been traversing the world doing public speaking and inspiring others to be healthy and successful. Through hard work and passion, she has risen to become one of the country’s top Isagenix distributors, whom the company calls “associates.”
The philanthropic arm of Isagenix is the ISA Foundation which helps those children and families facing hunger, lack of access to wellness education, natural disasters and racial inequality. The nonprofit awards grants to U.S.-based nonprofits so they can make an impact in communities globally by creating positive change. “What I love about it is that they connect with associates in the field,” explains Kirkpatrick. This allows the foundation to have a great impact.
The savvy business woman also stepped in to assist her oldest daughter’s friend when Kirkpatrick learned of a young lady who had soft tissue and bone cancer. As part of her nature of giving and being in service to others, she utilized her PR skills to help the family. “I did PR for them,” explains Kirkpatrick. “We helped them get a house, a washer and dryer and a car. In every season of our life, Jeremy and I always love to ask, ‘How can we give back?’” During this particular time, the couple didn’t necessarily have the finances, but they gave their time, talent and treasure.
“We feel like we’re very blessed and we work very hard,” says Kirkpatrick. “We joined Isagenix as independent distributors back in 2013. Their morals and values were very congruent to mine and Jeremy’s.” The couple now loves giving back to the community in various ways through the ISA Foundation.
After growing their Isagenix business for several years, the Kirkpatricks have given generously for the past three years to the ISA Foundation. “When you are in a place of being blessed you also need to give back and pay it forward.”
Kirkpatrick appreciates that the foundation provides healthy meals to people who struggle to access quality nutrition. “Everybody should have a healthy meal!” she says. “It’s something that I really enjoy partnering on.”
Last year, the Kirkpatricks helped distribute Isagenix products with other food staples at AZCEND, a food bank in Downtown Chandler. “It’s been really cool to have different opportunities to serve through Isagenix as top leaders,” she says.
Since launching in 2018, the ISA Foundation has awarded $3.4 million in grants to 79 nonprofits in the United States and Canada, including 12 grants totaling $525,000 to U.S.-based nonprofits providing COVID-19 relief.
“When you are in a place of being blessed you also need to give back and pay it forward.”