I have over 20 years’ experience working in the arts and culture sector leveraging my experience, initiative and insight to identify strategies that support the sustainability of organizations. I ignite creativity and challenge mediocrity to drive desired outcomes through public speaking, facilitating workshops that focus on nonprofit governance consulting, event and project management, and leadership and equity empowerment.In 2014, I established VerveSimone Consulting as a means to build an organization where I could control the fruits of my labor. I wanted to exercise my own capacity as a community leader for the issues and topics most dear to my heart, arts and culture, women and girls, and marginalized communities.I am a curator of community connection. As Executive Director of the State of Black Arizona, I advance the organization's mission of using actionable data to motivate our community, unite new partnerships and relationships, and create solutions. The evolution and paradigm shift of producing data-driven reports to raise awareness and incite action with accountability has been displayed throughout my tenure. My proven efficacy in educating communities and growing civic leaders is evident in my involvement in the expansion of the African American Leadership Institute. A 2022 and 2023 "Titan of Industry," I have received numerous awards for my contributions: ASU 2021 MLK Community Servant-Leader Award, Phoenix Business Journal’s Most Admired Leader, and 2020 Governor’s Arts Award Individual Nomination.I have a master’s in educational administration and supervision, a bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies in educational psychology-emphasis on theater for youth, and garners certificates as a certified nonprofit accounting professional (CNAP), nonprofit leadership and management, and equity and inclusion.