The Adventurer
Jessica Stickel
Jessica Stickel is a passionate advocate for possibility, dedicating more than 25 years to helping individuals recognize their potential. A lifelong learner and “possibilitarian,” she has built a career centered on empowering others to shift their mindset and step into their purpose.
Her career began as a Family Support Specialist with Head Start, followed by roles as a School Counselor. Today, she serves as the Student Well-being Director and Teen Life Coach for Prescott Unified School District, supporting students both academically and emotionally.
Jessica is also the founder of Inspired Freedom Coaching & Speaking, where she blends coaching, counseling, and the outdoors to help individuals gain clarity and confidence. Her approach focuses on mindset shifts, resilience, and personal growth.
A TEDx speaker and experienced keynote presenter, Jessica has spoken to organizations across the country. Through her YouTube channel, Mindset Shift, she continues to share tools that help people reframe their thinking.
At home, Jessica and her husband Andy are raising their growing family with a spirit of adventure. Whether in her professional or personal life, she leads by example—showing that growth begins from within.
Prescott’s M.O.M. (Mom or Mentor)
Lexi De La Cruz
Lexi De la Cruz is a determined entrepreneur and proud mother whose journey is defined by resilience, growth, and purpose. At 28, she has already built two businesses from the ground up, all while raising her six-year-old son, who remains her greatest motivation.
Her path wasn’t easy. Lexi began her journey as a single mom, navigating the challenges of providing for her family while building a future from scratch. Those early experiences shaped her work ethic and fueled her determination to create something meaningful—not just for herself, but for her son.
Today, Lexi is a business owner who leads with passion and persistence. She often works long, demanding weeks, fully committed to growing her ventures and building a stable, thriving future. Every challenge she has faced has strengthened her, reinforcing the belief that success is built through consistency and perseverance.
Lexi’s story is not just about entrepreneurship—it’s about transformation. She believes that your starting point does not define your outcome. Instead, it’s the choices you make and the effort you put in that shape your path forward.
Through her journey, Lexi continues to inspire others to keep going, even when the odds feel stacked against them. Her story is a powerful reminder that resilience, purpose, and hard work can create lasting change.
STEAM
Melissa (Honeybee) Slayton, Honeybee’s Adventure School
Honeybee Slayton is the founder of Honeybee’s Adventure School, an innovative outdoor-based learning program rooted in the belief that children learn best through experience. What began as a small, intentional gathering has grown into a thriving educational community that blends academics with hands-on, real-world learning.
At the core of Honeybee’s approach is the idea that education should extend far beyond the classroom. Her programs integrate outdoor adventure with meaningful skill-building, giving students opportunities to hike, explore nature, build, create, and problem-solve in dynamic environments. Whether it’s woodworking, cooking, or STEM-based outdoor activities, each experience is designed to build confidence, resilience, and independence.
Honeybee is especially passionate about helping children disconnect from screens and reconnect with the world around them. She believes that when kids are given the space to explore, take healthy risks, and engage with nature, they develop not only practical skills but also a deeper sense of self and purpose.
Her leadership style is rooted in encouragement and empowerment. She creates an environment where children feel supported to try new things, learn from failure, and grow into capable, curious individuals. Through her work, she is helping shape a generation of young people who are grounded, resourceful, and inspired.
Honeybee Slayton’s impact reaches far beyond education. She is building a community that values exploration, creativity, and connection—reminding both children and families that some of life’s most important lessons are learned outside.
BeYOUtiful
Kara Krieger, Personal Trainer
Kara Krieger is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Recovery Specialist who has built her career around helping others discover strength, confidence, and lasting wellness. Based in Chino Valley, she works with clients in a private gym she and her family built on their property—a space that reflects her philosophy that fitness should be both challenging and fun.
With more than 15 years in the health and fitness industry, Kara’s journey began from a deeply personal place. Facing her own health challenges, she turned to exercise as a way to heal and quickly realized that fitness is not just about physical transformation, but also mental and emotional well-being. What started as a personal commitment soon became a lifelong passion and purpose.
Kara specializes in strength training, nutrition guidance, and sustainable habit-building. She also teaches Pilates and Barre, offering a well-rounded approach that supports both strength and balance. Her focus is on helping clients create routines that truly stick—ones that fit into real life and lead to long-term success.
Known for her supportive and encouraging approach, Kara builds strong relationships with her clients, often working alongside them every step of the way. She celebrates their milestones as if they were her own and finds genuine joy in watching them grow stronger, more confident, and more empowered.
For Kara, fitness is more than a profession—it’s a way to connect, uplift, and transform lives. She considers it an honor to be part of her clients’ journeys, where hard work, trust, and community come together to create meaningful change.
The PRO
Leslie Horton, Community Health Services
Leslie Horton serves as the Director of Yavapai County Community Health Services, leading a comprehensive public health system that impacts thousands of residents.
With more than 23 years of experience, she has built a career focused on improving community health through strong programs and partnerships. Her leadership spans clinical care, public health initiatives, and policy development.
Leslie oversees a wide range of services, including primary care, behavioral health, and the County Medical Examiner’s office. She also serves on multiple boards and advisory groups.
Her work ensures that vital health services are delivered effectively across Yavapai County, making a lasting impact on the community.
Feeding the Soul
Ashley Rollins, Thumb Butte Coffee Co.
Ashley Rollins is the owner of Thumb Butte Coffee Company, where she has thoughtfully created a space rooted in quality, connection, and community. What began as a passion for coffee has grown into something much deeper—a place where people gather, slow down, and feel at home.
Ashley’s approach to coffee is intentional and craft-driven. From house-made ingredients to carefully balanced flavor profiles, every detail is designed to elevate the experience while keeping it approachable. She believes that great coffee should not feel intimidating, but instead be welcoming, consistent, and enjoyable for everyone who walks through the door.
Under her leadership, Thumb Butte Coffee Company has become more than just a stop for a morning drink. It has evolved into a true community hub—where conversations happen, relationships are built, and a sense of belonging is felt. Whether it’s a quick coffee on the go or time spent connecting with others, Ashley has created an environment that invites people to stay.
Her journey as a business owner reflects dedication, creativity, and a genuine love for what she does. She continues to refine and grow her craft while staying grounded in the values that matter most—quality, authenticity, and community.
Ashley Rollins is not only serving exceptional coffee, she is creating a space that brings people together, one cup at a time.
Social Impact
Amy Marshall, Coalition for Compassion and Justice
Amy Marshall serves as the Stagger Straight Shelter Supervisor at CCJ and has called
Prescott home since 2007. Her journey of service began in 2016 with the Yavapai
Reentry Project, where she worked as both a Program Assistant and an alumna,
bringing not only knowledge, but lived experience to her work. Amy has also made a
meaningful impact as a Yavapai County Health Educator through MATFORCE, guiding
youth in public schools and the Juvenile Detention Center by sharing honestly about the
risks of drugs and alcohol. She speaks from her own past challenges and choices,
using those experiences to connect with others who are walking through difficult and
uncertain moments.
Amy studied Behavioral and Social Science and Human Services at Rio Salado and Yavapai Community College, driven by a deep desire to serve others. Her personal mission, help people help themselves”—comes to life every day at CCJ. To our shelter guests, Amy is more than a supervisor; she is a steady presence, a compassionate listener, and truly a beacon of hope. She believes wholeheartedly that ending homelessness is possible with continued support, understanding, and a little bit of hope.
In her rare moments of free time, Amy enjoys doing absolutely nothing—something she has more than earned.
The Makers
Danielle Derois, Old Soul Creatives
Danielle Derois is an artist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for creativity, built on the belief that art is for everyone. As the owner of Old Soul Creatives, she has created a business that goes beyond traditional art—it’s about connection, confidence, and community.
Through her signature paint-and-sip experiences, Danielle brings people together in a welcoming, judgment-free environment where creativity can thrive. Whether someone is picking up a paintbrush for the first time or rediscovering a long-lost passion, her classes are designed to be fun, freeing, and approachable. Her mission is simple: to prove that anyone can be artistic with the right encouragement and space to explore.
Danielle’s work extends into the community through her involvement with the Prescott Public Library, where she teaches and continues to find new ways to make art accessible to all ages. She is constantly dreaming up fresh ideas, experiences, and opportunities that invite people to step outside their comfort zones and tap into their creative side.
Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, Danielle brings authenticity, energy, and heart into everything she does. She understands the importance of creating moments of joy and connection, especially in the midst of busy, everyday life.
Inspired by Arizona sunsets and fueled by imagination, Danielle Derois is not just creating art—she is creating experiences that bring people together, build confidence, and remind others that creativity lives within us all.
Rosie the Riveter
Emily Reed, The Salvation Army
Lt. Emily Reed is a Salvation Army Corps Officer who leads with compassion, faith, and a deep commitment to serving others. Alongside her husband, Lt. Brian Reed, she works to provide both spiritual guidance and tangible support to individuals and families throughout the community.
Rooted in The Salvation Army’s mission to meet human needs in the name of Jesus Christ, Emily believes that true transformation happens when faith is lived out through action. Inspired by the words often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi —“Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words” — she leads by example—creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and valued.
Emily oversees a range of programs that address critical community needs, including food insecurity, housing stability, and connection for those experiencing hardship. Her leadership ensures that individuals not only receive immediate assistance but also feel a sense of dignity and belonging.
Her impact extends beyond local outreach. Emily was recently appointed to The Salvation Army’s Western Territory Anti-Human Trafficking and Social Justice Committee, where she contributes to broader efforts focused on advocacy, prevention, and systemic change.
Through her work, Emily demonstrates that service is not just about meeting needs—it’s about building relationships, restoring hope, and creating lasting change. She continues to inspire those around her by living out her faith with authenticity and purpose.
I AM Prescott Woman
Sarah Kieckhefer, Rancher and Culinary Entrepreneur
Sarah Kieckhefer embodies the spirit of the modern-day cowgirl, blending grit, tradition, and leadership in everything she does. Based in Prescott, Arizona, she is a rancher, professional barrel racer, and co-owner of K4 Ranches alongside her husband, Rick Kieckhefer. Together, they oversee both the historic K4 Ranch and the iconic Diamond A Ranch—the largest ranch in Arizona—while also managing K4 Gourmet Beef and hosting the annual Legacy Ranch Horse Sale.
Sarah’s life is deeply rooted in ranching heritage, where long days, hard work, and a commitment to excellence are simply part of the way of life. She is passionate about raising high-quality cattle and horses, preserving western traditions, and ensuring that the legacy of ranching continues for future generations.
In addition to her work on the ranch, Sarah has made a name for herself in the rodeo arena. She is a multiple-time Turquoise Circuit barrel racing qualifier and has previously served as a director for the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Her dedication to the sport extends beyond competition—she actively supports the local rodeo community through events, mentorship, and youth programs.
For Sarah, ranching and rodeo are more than careers; they are a way of life built on resilience, discipline, and heart. Whether she’s in the arena or out on the land, she leads with purpose and pride, carrying forward a legacy that continues to shape the western way of life.