Patti O’Brien has played a pivotal role in aligning marketing, outreach, and programs to create a more connected and impactful experience for women motivated to change their lives. Her leadership has improved access to Fresh Start services, enhanced the organization’s ability to track and measure outcomes, and advanced systems for increased scale and impact.
Fresh Start recognizes Leidan Mitchell Salon & Spa for nearly 30 years of partnership in elevating the Annual Gala, contributing to a record-breaking $3.5 million raised and advancing programs that empower women and families.
Abdu Dahr has played a pivotal role in strengthening Fresh Start’s mission-aligned partnerships with employers, educational institutions, and government agencies that expand access to education, training, and sustainable careers for women across Arizona.
Fresh Start Women’s Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its highest leadership honor, Legacy Luminaries, a new award recognizing the extraordinary contributions of the organization’s most impactful board members and champions.
Fresh Start Women’s Foundation has been selected as one of just 25 organizations nationwide—and the only organization representing Arizona—to join the 2025–2026 Microsoft TechSpark Fellows Program.
Fresh Start is grateful to announce that the 31st Annual Charity Golf Classic presented by Valley Toyota Dealers raised over $580,000 to help Arizona women and families thrive. On Friday, November 21st at Talking Stick Golf Club, the Fresh Start Men’s Board hosted over 200 golfers to celebrate another momentous year of golf and community…
Published in The Arizona Republic, reporter Sasha Hupka spotlights Fresh Start alum Jennifer De La Cruz and her inspiring path to self-sufficiency. Once juggling two jobs to make ends meet, Jennifer now works as an equipment technician at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC)—a role that transformed her career and her family’s future.
In August, Fresh Start honored 12 graduates of the Small Business Start-Up program—offered in partnership with Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC)—during its annual Celebration of Success event. This milestone marked 15 years of transforming lives through entrepreneurship and education.
Fresh Start’s Sip & Soirée, an uplifting fall luncheon that benefits the nonprofit’s mission to empower women, was held in its new home at JW Marriott Desert Ridge on September 13th. Hosted by Fresh Start’s Auxiliary Board, Sip & Soirée raised a record-breaking $650,000 to help provide comprehensive resources and workforce training programs to Arizona…
Fresh Start Women’s Foundation has received a $250,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to enhance its Thunderbirds Charities Family Law Support Center, an essential program that helps Valley women navigate complex legal matters related to family court. The grant marks the latest milestone in a nearly two-decade partnership with Thunderbirds Charities.
Jennifer De La Cruz, a 25-year-old mother of two, learned about TSMC through the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, which connects local women with stable, high-wage employment. She was previously working at Wendy’s.
Speaking on the economic impact of women in the workforce and the rise of demand in the technology industry, Kim McWaters, President & CEO of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, and Abdu Dahr, Fresh Start’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, were recently featured as guest participants on AZ TechCast, the official podcast of the Arizona Technology…