Leadership & Membership
- Hannah Porter, Civil Litigation, Criminal Defense
PWG Chair - Melissa Benson, Family Law, Litigation
- Samantha Catalano, Administrative & Regulatory, Environmental & Natural Resources, Litigation
- Jennifer Cranston, Real Estate, Public Utilities, Insurance Coverage
- RivaLee Ferland, Civil Litigation
- Shayna Frieden, Litigation, Criminal Defense
- Haley Harrigan, Employment & Labor, Litigation
- Kathleen Harris, Chief Financial Officer
- Janey Henze Cook, Criminal Defense, Litigation
- Patti Marshall, Human Resources Manager
- Sarah Myers, Real Estate, Environmental, ESG, Corporate Transactions
- Elizabeth Nañez, Family Law, Litigation
- Kortney Otten, Commercial Bankruptcy, Franchise Law, Cannabis & Hemp Law
- Maria Raciti, Civil Litigation
- Ellie Shaffer, Plaintiff’s Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
- Anna Walp, Marketing Manager
Community Service
Shoebox Ministry – March 2024
The PWG coordinated a fundraiser and bake sale to aid Shoebox Ministry, a 501(c)3 organization that coordinates the collection and distribution of toiletry items in the Phoenix Metro area to those experiencing homelessness and others who need but cannot afford hygiene items. Sarah Myers took the lead organizing a silent auction bake sale, with 60 items donated by G&K attorneys and staff, which resulted in monetary donations totaling over $3,200.
Shoebox Ministry – May 2023
The PWG coordinated a fundraiser and bake sale to aid Shoebox Ministry, a 501(c)3 organization that coordinates the collection and distribution of toiletry items in the Phoenix Metro area to those experiencing homelessness and others who need but cannot afford hygiene items. Sarah Myers took the lead in collecting contributions for Shoebox’s Annual Mother’s Day Purse Drive, including medium and large purses in new or good condition and new toiletries and cosmetics to distribute to local mothers. Additionally, Sarah and the PWG organized a silent auction bake sale, with 42 items donated by G&K attorneys and staff, which resulted in monetary donations totaling over $2,000.
Shoebox Ministry – October 2022
The PWG held a hygiene drive (floor wars edition) to benefit Shoebox Ministry, a 501(c)3 organization that coordinates the collection and distribution of toiletry items in the Phoenix Metro area to those experiencing homelessness and others who need but cannot afford hygiene items. Sarah Myers, RivaLee Ferland, Shayna Frieden, and Maria Raciti spearheaded the drive. They collected 1,222 toiletry items and $1,528 in monetary donations. Our 8th floor is the pizza party winner for scoring the highest points of the PWG hygiene drive (floor wars edition)!
Fresh Start Women’s Foundation – January 2021
Determined to support worthy causes even though in-person events were still being canceled and postponed, the PWG hosted a virtual charity walk to benefit Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. Exploring Arizona’s mountain trails, lakes, and urban walking paths, the group trekked to raise $1,400 for this worthy cause!
Homeward Bound – July 2019
The firm’s Professional Women’s Group collected gently-used books and donations from Gallagher & Kennedy employees to donate to Homeward Bound, an Arizona-based nonprofit that serves the needs of families going through homelessness. The books were an excellent addition to Homeward Bound’s newly remodeled library.
Valley of the Sun United Way School Readiness Kit Assembly – December 2018
With the help of donations from fellow Gallagher & Kennedy employees, the firm’s Professional Women’s Group purchased supplies for and assembled 30 Student Activity Kits for Valley of the Sun United Way. Containing a variety of school supplies that every child needs, Valley of the Sun United Way distributed the kits to a classroom in need. The Valley of the Sun United Way is a nonprofit that focuses on ending hunger and homelessness, increasing financial stability for families and individuals, and ensuring children and youth succeed.
Child Help – August 2017
Donations to Childhelp in Arizona. Founded in 1959, Childhelp cares for an increasing number of abused and neglected children in Arizona with each passing year. They help over 8,000 children and families annually with recent new cases hitting 450-600/month. The Professional Women’s Group spearheaded a “Christmas in July” clothing and toy drive. Here they donate the results, along with a cash donation, to Kathy Emig from Childhelp. “A more worthy cause would be hard to find,” shared Hannah Porter, from Gallagher & Kennedy, “as this is such a fragile sector of our society.”
Circle the City – August 2016
With the help of donations from employees at Gallagher & Kennedy, the firm’s Professional Women’s Group assembled 80 Kindness Kits for Circle the City, a nonprofit that creates and delivers innovative healthcare solutions to address the needs of those facing homelessness. Containing everyday necessities, Circle the City distributes Kindness Kits in parks and other social service agencies to raise awareness for the organization’s medical services.
Valley of the Sun United Way School Readiness Kit Assembly – January 2016
Designed by leading Valley experts in early childhood development, each School Readiness Kit includes age-appropriate books, practical tips, and educational information to help pre-K children develop socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. The distribution of Kits focused on school districts that exhibit critical needs through high-level dropout rates, at-risk youth, and school readiness assessment scores. The PWG volunteers helped assemble more than 1,000 kits in one afternoon!
G&K ‘s Professional Women’s Group Answers a Call for Prom – April 2015
Gallagher & Kennedy’s Professional Women’s Group donated gently used formalwear and monetary donations to the Girls Leadership Academy of Arizona (GLAAZ). GLAAZ, a single-gender charter high school that empowers young women to succeed as leaders in their classrooms, in their communities, and in their own lives.
Many students view prom as a rite of passage for teens. But what about those young women who want the experience but whose families are unable to provide the formal attire for the event?
On Tuesday morning, April 28th, Jennifer Cranston, a shareholder with Gallagher & Kennedy, received word that GLAAZ needed formalwear for the school’s upcoming prom. Their search was down to the wire, with many students unable to afford dresses and suits. Jennifer immediately called upon her colleagues in Gallagher & Kennedy’s Professional Women’s Group. The women quickly mobilized. In less than 24 hours, the Professional Women’s Group collected more than 15 dresses, five pairs of dress shoes, and more than $250 in donations.
Jana Pool, GLAAZ’s Student Success Liaison, and several students stopped by Gallagher & Kennedy on April 29th to pick up the donations.
“We were thrilled by the opportunity to help these young ladies,” said Cranston. “Not only did it bring back fond memories of our own prom experiences, but it allowed us to demonstrate through our actions the importance of giving back to the community.“
Whether partnering to support the causes of their clients or serving organizations that meet unique personal or professional interests of their employees, hundreds of volunteer service hours are given to hundreds of nonprofit and professional organizations each year by Gallagher & Kennedy employees.
Support for clothing drive was tremendous.
Partnering with Dress for Success – March 2015
On March 16, 2015, the Gallagher & Kennedy law firm donated more than 300 professional clothing items as well as a monetary donation to the Arizona affiliate of Dress for Success (DFS). This organization supports women reentering the workforce. Over three weeks in February, the law firm’s Professional Women’s Group collected new and gently used women’s business clothing to donate to the Dress of Success Phoenix boutique. These donations came from others in the Esplanade Complex, vendors, and employees of the law firm.
The Professional Women’s Group became a new partner for DFS Phoenix in 2014, with members participating in various mentorship opportunities, including interview skills and resume writing workshops. “Gallagher & Kennedy has been a wonderful partner this year,” said Pat Torres, boutique coordinator for Dress for Success Phoenix. “Their dedication to helping women in the community through their contribution of time, professional expertise, and clothing items will have a lasting impact for our clients.”
Whether partnering to support the causes of their clients or serving organizations that meet unique personal or professional interests of their employees, hundreds of volunteer service hours are given to hundreds of nonprofit and professional organizations each year by Gallagher & Kennedy employees.
Book Delivery Day at Phoenix Day School – May 2014
The Professional Women’s Group concluded its 2013-2014 community outreach initiative, which supported the Valley of the Sun United Way’s (VSUW) reading initiative, Million Minutes Volunteer Reading Challenge. Group member and shareholder Jennifer Cranston, a member of the VSUW’s Women’s Leadership Council, proposed the reading initiative as its community service project. Forming Team Right to Read, 18 members of the group contributed over 7,300 minutes from September 2013 through May 2013. Volunteers read to Arizona youth at Phoenix Day, an early education and youth development center serving children in South Phoenix.
In addition to the time spent as volunteer readers, the Professional Women’s Group spearheaded a firm-wide book drive in May 2014. Collections of gently used books and cash donations enabled the group to deliver new and gently used, age-appropriate books to each of the 80 students of Phoenix Day.
