By KJ Philp, May 2015 Issue. Meet the other winners here.
In past years, Katy June has worked with SWAY Events to throw the Echo Readers’ Choice Awards party, co-hosted the event, and won an award, too – is there anything she can’t do?
Echo caught caught up with June following the April 9 awards ceremony and here's what she had to say:
Echo: You co-hosted the Readers' Choice Awards with Barbra Seville last year – how what that different than taking home Service by a Woman honors?
June: Oh, well presenting is just great fun, especially when it's alongside Barbra! There is no pressure when hosting of presenting, you have to privilege of recognizing all of the amazing people that make our community go around! I wasn't nominated last year so there was no pressure. When you're nominated, it's a little bit more nerve-wracking! But certainly a great feeling to be recognized by your peers. The Echo awards are so much fun either way.
Echo: Most recently we saw you at the Swagger Awards, co-hosting the HRC Arizona dinner and announcing the Pride parade; is there anything you don't do? No, seriously, tell us about the work you're involved in.
June: Ha! Each year, about spring time, it gets a little bit hectic, but many of our community leaders know about that (Natalie Cianciola, CJ Minott, Dani Logan, to name a few). I have had a multiyear commitment with HRC that came to a close this year and I'm so happy with the money we raised to further the work of equality at those dinners. In my day job I work with Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema on her campaign team – many people know this because I call them for contributions! Shameless plug: We're hosting an Equality Leaders Support Sinema event on May 7 at The Duce (find more information at Kyrsten Sinema on Facebook).
Echo: What would you say to someone reading this who wants to become involved in the community but doesn't know where to start?
June: I would say pick an organization or a person that you can relate to and reach out – give them a call, send an email, show up to an event or attend a meeting. There are so many opportunities to get involved, but you have to ask and you have to show up even when, and especially when, the work is not glamorous. I started working with Phoenix Pride and I got my start volunteering on the board and working at the festival. It's a great family and an incredible organization that I was lucky to be a part of!
Echo: What's the best advice you've ever received?
June: I literally do not have an answer for this. I have to think about it ... maaaayyyyybe that work/life balance is critical. Whether or not I received it is debatable but I've learned it first hand.
Echo: Here's a fun one: Tell us about your earliest Echo memory.
June: My earliest Echo memory is working at Hamburger Mary's (RIP) and loving when the photogs would show up to take pics of the crowd on a Saturday night. It was so exciting to see pics of our friends! When I was working with SWAY and we were contracted to work with Echo it was a big deal for me! I felt like we had arrived!
Echo: Where can you be spotted when you're not working?
June: Volunteering at preschool, hanging at the Children's Museum, attending endless birthday parties – which is literally my new party life – and the water park this summer!
Echo: What new and exciting things can we expect to see from you between now and the 2016 Echo Readers' Choice Awards?
June: My entire family worked in public education and now that I have a daughter in public education I'm talking about, hearing about and thinking again about how important education is and also how underfunded and backward public education is in Arizona. As I'm discovering what is next for me and where I go next, I think it will be somewhere/something to do with education. It's critical to empower our next generation, to setting our youth up to get good paying jobs, find success and live happy, productive and comfortable lives. And maybe we'll have another baby!
Echo: What is the best way to stay up to date with the efforts and organizations you're involved with?
June: Yes, organizations that are important to me: Kyrsten Sinema for Congress, one n ten, Equality Arizona, HRC Arizona and MovePHX.
Echo: Is there anyone you'd like to thank? Shoutouts you'd like to make?
June: I have to thank my partner, Kelly Flading, for picking up a lot of slack at home while I'm out working all. the. time. And my friends, people who I work with, alongside every day to make good strides in Phoenix. I'm so humbled and honored to be recognized in this way, but anything I've ever done has been the result of a big and amazing team of people. This is an amAZing community that I'm thankful to be a part of!!
Echo: The floor is yours; anything else you'd like to add?
June: Love Phoenix or Leave Phoenix. Hahah, no just kidding. But seriously, I love Phoenix!
