Todd LaPorte, CEO of HonorHealth, shared his personal experience with servant leadership at the sixth annual Colangelo Servant Leadership Awards ceremony held at Havoc House. Recalling a heart attack he suffered in 2014, LaPorte said, “I learned that I can serve effectively only if I engage in self-care by nurturing my relationship with God, engage in self-care through nutrition, and exercise and engage in self-care through commitment to marriage and fatherhood.” As the leader of one of Arizona’s largest employers, LaPorte has focused on improving community health through various initiatives.
LaPorte was recognized alongside Ken Brissa, CEO of Phoenix Rescue Mission; John Moore, founder of John Moore Associates; and Rachel Mitchell, Maricopa County attorney and Grand Canyon University alumna. The awards highlight individuals who demonstrate service to their communities and positively impact the economy through selflessness and stewardship.
The event was organized by the Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University (GCU) and presented by Freeport-McMoRan. GCU President Brian Mueller addressed attendees during the ceremony. Jerry Colangelo, for whom the university’s business college is named, stated: “When you have a diverse group, it’s indicative of the kind of reach that we really do have at GCU, and to recognize people who have made contributions and (exemplify) servant leadership is a great thing. The more we can bring attention to individuals who have committed themselves to making their communities a better place in which to live and helping people get to accomplish goals and objectives, we should celebrate that.
“There’s no limit to the number of people who might be recognized. It’s a selection process, and you wish you could bring attention to everyone, but this is our small part in trying to make the community a better place.”
LaPorte emphasized bringing value as a key principle: “Be more of an asset than a liability,” he read from an article about NFL quarterback Josh Johnson. He also spoke about his involvement with HonorHealth’s food bank programs and Blue Zones project aimed at increasing longevity.
Ken Brissa described his organization’s recent work addressing homelessness in partnership with local sports facilities: “Through the support of so many of you and the grace of God, we rescued 1,363 people off the streets in the Valley last year,” Brissa said. “That’s an increase of more than 23% from 2024.… We talk about numbers, but for every single person we touch…we need to remember there is a group of people around us.”
John Moore received praise for blending financial expertise with faith values. Moore remarked on stewardship: “God owns everything,” Moore said. “Ownership is the first principle. If God owns it, we’re stewards.” He highlighted sustainability and succession planning as important lessons for leaders.
Rachel Mitchell reflected on her career as Maricopa County attorney since her appointment in 2022: “This is truly an honor,” Mitchell said. “I’m so appreciative. Grand Canyon University means a lot to me. I almost said ‘college’ because that’s what it was back then.” She has been noted for prosecuting sex crimes and working during high-profile cases such as Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing.
Grand Canyon University operates as a private Christian educational institution located in Phoenix, Arizona according to its official website. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across fields such as nursing—where it has earned high rankings—business and healthcare with flexible learning options. GCU centers its mission on Christian values supporting students’ personal growth and degree attainment.
