Diversity Champions
Diversity Champions are individuals who exemplify the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and who have enriched the community by empowering others. Individuals are nominated by others in the community and selected Diversity Champions are honored each year at the MLK Jr. Community Celebration. Eligible nominees must work, live or volunteer in Scottsdale.
2023 Diversity Champions
Forty-two Diversity Champions have been honored since the program’s 2001 inception.

Alyx Porter Umphrey
Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey is a Scottsdale native and a highly regarded physician leader, philanthropist, author, and associate professor with a passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion. A proud graduate of Spelman College and Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Porter has served as a neuro-oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale since 2008 and currently serves as the most senior Black woman in neuro-oncology in the country.
Eager to give back to the next generation of physician leaders, she founded ElevateMeD alongside her husband, Dr. Gregory Umphrey, to elevate medicine to an ideal where the physician workforce represents the communities served. Since its founding in 2019, the Scottsdale-based nonprofit organization has awarded over $1,000,000 in scholarships and support to more than 30 deserving medical students from underrepresented backgrounds across the country!
Past Diversity Champions
2023
Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey
2022
Chris Haines
Angela Hughey
Alan "AP" Powell
2021
Dr. Jan Gehler
Chief Alan Rodbell
2020
Rosa Casas
Shannon Paloma
Peter Rusin
2019
Sharon Cini
Gary Griggs
2018
Marybell Ramirez-Deeds
André Watkins
2017
Gina Griffiths
Linda Walton
2016
Keiko Conn
Stanna-Michelle Slater
2015
Frances Ann Burruel
Lee and Ray Silverman
2014
Michele Halyard
Tom Henny
Jim and Cindy Hill
2013
Darrell Copp
Christine French
Mary Manross
2012
Wendy Lyons
Carolyn Repp
2011
Helen Gandara
Mary King
2010
Don Logan
Joe Baca
2009
Tina Brown
Lin Ling Lee
2008
Marion Kelly
Graciela Candia
2007
Mark Rothman
2006
Doreen Reinke
Clif McKenzie
2005
James Yiannias
Jamie Leibovitz
2004
Ruben Camacho
Meghan & Manali Ghave
2003
Paul Eppinger
Kathy Hotchner
2002
Art DeCabooter
Norma Saldana
2001
Dick Bowers
John Calvin