Our Master of Ceremonies
Ian Schwartz
Ian Scwartz an Arizona native, born and raised in Mesa, and a graduate of Arizona State University, Ian is thrilled to support great causes in his community like Live & Learn.
After starting his journalism career in Illinois, Ian worked in Albuquerque and later Sacramento. In the field as a reporter, he has covered flash floods, blizzards, tornadoes, wildfires, drought, and just about everything the weather can offer.
After spending some time reporting, Ian decided to further his education and completed Mississippi State’s broadcast meteorology program. Ian loves everything about Arizona’s weather, from winter storms in the north to the monsoons in the south.
When Ian isn’t giving you the forecast in the morning, you can find him hiking, traveling and exploring everything our great state has to offer. If you have any weather pictures or want to say hi, drop him an email or connect with him online.
Currently, Ian is part of Arizona’s Family on 3TV and CBS 5. You can catch him every weekday morning and out in the community supporting great Valley organizations like Live & Learn AZ.
Vision Message
Michelle Bradshaw
Michelle is a visionary who leads through sound strategy development and iterative execution.
Currently, a Senior Vice President at Alaska USA Credit Union, a federally chartered financial institution that serves its members globally, Michelle leads an agile Enterprise Product Portfolio
Management program that delivers member-facing value through digital investments.
Michelle has been an avid philanthropist for more than thirty years, supporting women, families,and anti-poverty charities. Her involvement with Live & Learn began in 2020, and she joined Live & Learn’s Board of Directors in 2021, becoming the Chair of the Board in 2023.
Presenting Community Ally Award
Daniel Sciortino
The 2022 Community Ally Recipient, Daniel offers financial literacy workshops to women in Live & Learn’s program, equipping them to take control of their finances even in the most difficult of times.
Currently, Daniel is a Facilitator II supporting Consumer, Small Business and Wealth Management Client care at Bank of America.
Daniel also serves as the Phoenix Market Chair for Bank of America Community Volunteers and Better Money Habits Champions. He is responsible for working with the Market President’s Office and local Non-Profit Organizations to determine the biggest need in the Phoenix community. He believes so firmly in the mission of local non-profits that he spends over 1,000 hours every year volunteering with them. Other awards he has received include the Presidential Service award for the last 6 years. This award is given to individuals who volunteer more than 500 hours in a calendar year.
Presenting Distinguished Alumna Award
Stefanie Nader
The 2022 Distinguished Award recipient, Stefanie overcame daunting obstacles to reach financial self-sufficiency and stability for herself and her family. That was only the beginning. She earned a Masters Degree in Addiction Counseling and Mental Health and Wellness from Grand Canyon University, then pursued a Doctorate Degree in Organizational and Industrial Psychology.
Currently, Stefanie works for the Landlord Tenant and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) with the City of Phoenix. In this role, she provides outreach across the state of Arizona for both programs and is the liaison between community residents in need of assistance and program staff, other city departments, social services, and government agencies.
Why Give?
April Hernandez
April started the Live & Learn program in 2020, hoping to gain more tools to support her development and her children’s future.
Upon starting the program she was drawn to the empowering community Live & Learn offers, from uplifting and inspiring conversations with her Client Coordinator to Empower Hour gatherings where she meets other women on the same journey.
Since starting with Live & Learn, April has earned a Human Resources certification. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors Degree with an ultimate goal of getting a Masters in Public Administration. April has overcome multiple barriers to realize her dream of a professional career and financial stability and hopes to do the same for others.
April’s goal is to one day open a group home for teenage single mothers, where they feel safe and supported, the way she felt at Live & Learn.
