Kate Kucharski Joins Valley Leadership

We’re excited to welcome Kate to the Valley Leadership team! A Phoenix native with more than 15 years of experience in human resources leadership, Kate has built a career around creating supportive, people-centered workplace cultures. Her work has spanned the roofing and hospitality industries, with a consistent focus on organizational development, operational excellence, and helping people and businesses thrive.

In her new role as Director, Business Engagement & Wellbeing, Kate will help Arizona employers develop stigma-free workplaces through the OUD Business Toolkit. She has a passion for building trust, strengthening communities, and making an impact in people’s lives. Learn more about Kate’s background, what drew her to this role, and the impact she hopes to make through the OUD Business Toolkit in our interview below!

VL: Can you tell the Valley Leadership community a little about yourself?

KK: I’m proud to be a Phoenix native. I earned my BIS degree in Business and Communication from Arizona State University and went on to earn both my PHR and SPHR certifications in Human Resources. For more than 15 years, my career has been rooted in HR leadership, organizational development, and creating supportive workplace cultures in the roofing and hospitality industries. While much of my work has focused on operational excellence and people strategy, I’ve always been drawn to opportunities that foster meaningful human connection and lasting impact.

Outside of work, I love exploring Arizona’s less-traveled trails with my pup or stand-up paddleboarding in a quiet lake. When time allows for a longer getaway, I’m usually off to a favorite or new city with friends, often with a concert (or two) on the itinerary.

VL: What drew you to this role and the work of the Opioid Business Toolkit?

KK: I knew my next role had to include deeper community involvement. This position offers the perfect combination, helping Arizona organizations build more supportive, stigma-free work cultures that ultimately improve lives. The chance to create impact by empowering employers to better support their people was too meaningful to pass up.

VL: What is a goal you hope to accomplish through your role?

KK: While I’m excited to meet and exceed our current program goals, I’m also aiming to help expand the Opioid Business Toolkit into at least two additional Arizona counties by 2028, bringing the same opportunities for supportive, stigma-free workplaces to more communities across the state.

VL: What impact do you hope the OUD Business Toolkit will have in Arizona workplaces?

KK: I believe the OUD Business Toolkit has the potential to be truly life-changing. By equipping workplaces with the knowledge, resources, and strategies to better support employees affected by opioid use disorder, we can not only improve individual lives but also strengthen entire organizations.

VL: What Principle of Doing resonates with you most right now?

KK: Building Trust. As I step into this new role and organization, my priority is to build trust—with my team, with our partners, and with the broader community. I believe trust is the foundation that makes everything else possible.

VL: What do you love most about living, working, and playing in Arizona?

KK: Outside of the people, Arizona’s beauty never gets old. From the sweeping desert landscapes, to the pines up north, to the vibrant cityscapes, this state keeps me grounded and inspired. I love that no matter how long you’ve lived here, there’s always more to explore and you’ll never see it all.
What’s one fun fact or hobby that helps you recharge outside of work?

I’m a lifelong live music fan. There’s nothing quite like seeing a band or performer I love in person—especially in a small venue. Outside of concerts, time with friends and family is what recharges me.