West Valley Magazine May 2012

westvalleymagazine.com • April • May 2012 |1

22 | April • May 2012 • westvalleymagazine.com

By Kathy Knecht, Executive Director Leadership West

Sometimes, just by seeing a person’s smile otherscan feel a sense of comfort and inspiration and that isexactly the kind of vibe Tiffany Payette Jenkins sendsout. Tiffany is a woman truly beautiful on the inside andout.

Tiffany Payette Jenkins has lived in the West Valleyfor three years and works at the Cancer TreatmentCenters of America (CTCA) in Goodyear where she isthe Public Affairs Manager. Being the Public AffairsManager means she is responsible for all publicrelations activities in a 13-state region. She works harddoing things such as media relations, public speakingand community outreach with cancer supportorganizations across the Western region of the US.

Her Public Relations skills are not limited to just theCTCA though. In 2010 Tiffany was the Public RelationsChair for the American Cancer Society’s 49th annualJewel Ball and she was the Public Relations Chair forArizona Assistance in Health Care MASH Party in 2010and 2011 where she is also a board member. Tiffany isalso a part of many other organizations/non-profitsincluding Susan G. Komen, Colon Cancer Alliance, TheWellness Community and more. At these functions,Tiffany says her involvement ranges from speakingabout early detection and cancer awareness to runningin races.

She also recommends people should volunteer moreand take the opportunity to help out their community.“Find a cause important to you and offer your time andsupport. You’ll always be welcome as a willing andpositive volunteer.”

When it comes to being involved, Tiffany is more thanjust that. She is an advocate, a supporter, aspokesperson and an inspiration for people all over thecountry through her work and through her participationin pageants.

“I’ve generated media coverage for the West Valley,specifically about CTCA in Oregon, Los Angeles,Washington, Denver, Las Vegas and many other citiesand states across the nation,” said Tiffany.

“Through these efforts, resulting in promoting thehospital and the West Valley, I’ve received more than40 television stories and 80 print stories. I also won the2010 Mrs. Arizona United States pageant as Mrs. WestValley and then went on to place 16th at nationals inLas Vegas, representing the West Valley and Arizona.”

This former Mrs. Arizona is someone who sets goalsand reaches them. For example, Tiffany said one of hergoals was to promote the West Valley any way shecould, and she was successful through her PublicRelations and media outreach efforts, as well asthrough her pageant endeavors.

“Never give up, don’t take no for an answer andalways surround yourself with talented, passionate andpositive people,” said Tiffany about the secret to hersuccess.

Something that many people may not know aboutTiffany is that, for seven years, she served in the UnitedStates Air Force as a Public Affairs Officer, earning therank of Captain. She lived in South Korea for a year andhas traveled to 22 countries, including Iraq andAfghanistan.

Along Tiffany’s journey, she has met some trulyamazing people. One person that truly inspired her wasMaster Sergeant Travis Crosby in the Air Force. Tiffanyrecalls a story he once told her that always stuck in hermind.

“I remember him sharing a story with me about howhe was awarded the Silver Star with Valor (one of thetop medals awarded for combat and heroism) at thePentagon. A few days later while [he was] in New YorkCity for an interview with Fox News he encountered ayoung 8- year- old boy and his mother. While the boywas looking up admiringly at MSgt. Crosby, his motherexplained how he lost his dad, her husband, in theworld trade tower attacks on 9/11. MSgt. Crosby,without hesitation, takes off his medal and pins it onthe little boy. The selflessness of that act describes theduty, devotion and character of those serving in ourArmed Forces,” said Tiffany.

Years in West Valley:Three

Family:Single

Who are some of your mentors? U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen.Charles Brown, Molly Stockley,Marketing Director at Cancer Treatment Centers ofAmerica, and Heather McLean.

Name a project in which you took a leadership role inthat you are particularly proud of and why? One of my goals was to promote the West Valley in anyway I can, which I was successful at accomplishingthrough my PR and media outreach efforts as well asthrough my pageant endeavors.

Favorite quote: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” ~Anonymous

Who in history would you most like to have dinnerwith? Gandhi

Favorite book?The Aquariums of Pyongyang

What’s your favorite Artist?Anything country.

What is something you miss most?Dancing, I went to college initially to be a professionaldancer.

What’s your biggest inspiration? The power of volunteers across the world who canmake a significant impact with limited resources, butwith endless passion and commitment to the cause(s)they believe in.

What do you know about life that you wish you hadknown 10 years ago? Don’t stress the little things in life and always spend asmuch time with your family as you can.

What is your favorite place/feature in the West Valley?Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Most coveted: Luke Air Force Base…the sound of the F-16s is aconstant reminder of our freedom!

What is your favorite cause? Cancer awareness and early detection.

Most overrated virtue:Toughness.

What would your super power be?To be able to clone myself and not require sleep.

What’s your nickname?“Tiff” and “The General”

Describe yourself as a child:Could never sit still and wanted to be involved ineverything.

What keeps you up at night? Knowing there are so many thousands of cancerpatients who are fighting for their lives at any givenmoment and how we still don’t have a cure.

One phrase you wish people would say more often?Thank you and I love you.

What is your biggest pet peeve? Selfishness

What would you do, career wise, if you had the choice?Professional Dancer.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Still work and give my time to causes most important tome and take time off to travel the world.

What’s your favorite food?Thai food

What do you do during lunchtime?Work or visit with friends/co-workers.

Greatest Extravagance:The spa and international travel.

What originally drew you to the West Valley?Family

How did you get into your current career field?Through the Air Force

What drives you?Knowing I’m making a difference in someone else’slife.

What are your goals (career, personal or for the WestValley)?To advance professionally at Cancer Treatment Centersof America.

What’s the biggest challenge facing you in your work?Never enough time. There is always so much to do andso much I want to accomplish, but the reality is that youjust have to prioritize and do what you can to the best ofyour ability.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing theWest Valley, and how does what you do help easethose challenges?Putting the West Valley on the map and letting peoplethroughout Arizona and the nation know all the greatopportunities awaiting them in this part of the Valley.Through my PR efforts, I’m constantly trying to findways to spread that message.

MOVER

[ Q & A ]

Tiffany Payette JenkinsLEADER PROFILE

mov•er

[moo-ver] v.

moving up in business or the community

24 | April • May 2012 •westvalleymagazine.com

West Valley Magazine May 2012

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