Bertus Cilliers
GPECC Membership Chair
membership@equalitychamber.org
Founder and CEO of bloomROCK Partners since 2020, Bertus Cilliers uses his business and financial expertise working to improve client’s profit, cashflow and company value. He focuses on small to medium companies, as well as non-profits, for which he has a strong passion.
Bertus has 25 years’ experience in the financial industry holding the position of Chief Financial Officer for T-Systems North America for 11 years. There he was responsible for the successful financial turnaround of the company leading Finance in addition to Legal and Procurement functions in the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa.
Originally from South Africa, Bertus earned his MBA and his B Com Accounting degree from University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a proud member of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce and long-term resident of Scottsdale, Arizona.
He serves on various non-profit boards including GPECC, Televerde Foundation and Kid in the Corner and is a Volunteer for SCORE
D Page Danyluk
D Paige Danyluk is a dynamic professional with a multifaceted background that spans various industries and roles. As the Sales and Marketing Specialist at Rainbow Pest Control, D Paige brings a wealth of experience to the Chambers of Commerce. With a foundation in heavy equipment technology, D Paige expertise extends to electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems, along with equipment software troubleshooting. Having owned a successful company with a team of three, D Paige has honed a keen business acumen, especially during years spent in Arizona, gaining valuable marketing and sales skills. A native of Canada, D Paige journey led to Washington State where she lived for over 14 years, contributing significantly to a Crain company. Known for her cheerful demeanor and quick thinking, D Paige is dedicated to fostering connections within the business community.
Outside the world of business, Paige is an avid lover of life's joys. An enthusiast of dancing and twirling, she finds joy in the rhythm of movement. Swimming and beachside relaxation are among Paige's favorite pastimes, allowing for moments of tranquility and reflection. But don't be fooled by the professional exterior – Paige's playful spirit shines through as they embrace horsing around and engaging in unexpected water fights in the most unusual places, creating moments of laughter and camaraderie. Paige's commitment to fun and spontaneity is a testament to their energetic approach to life.
Lisa Malachowsky
Lisa (she/her) has more than 35 years of professional experience in both the diving and motorcycling industries. She is a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) assistant scuba instructor and a Total Control Training motorcycle safety instructor.
Lisa learned to dive in 1986 and became a PADI assistant scuba instructor in 1994. She has worked as a professional divemaster and has logged well over a thousand non-training dives in world-class locations such as Indonesia, Fiji, the Philippines, Turks and Caicos Islands, Mexico, and many other places.
Lisa was 12 years old when her father taught her how to operate the clutch on a motorcycle. She’s been riding ever since. Having developed a passion for long-distance touring she has ridden untold miles in many countries, on multiple continents.
Lisa is the founder/owner of Drive and Ride Adventures
Matt Parker
Matt is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones and has been a member of the Equality Chamber for 10 years. He also serves on the board of a local charity serving homeless youth. He is a Phoenix native and graduate of ASU and has significant experience in the Finance and Real Estate Industries. Matt and his husband enjoy traveling, cruise ships and spending time with their 2 adult children.
Melissa Schonberger
Melissa is an Arizona native, a graduate of Xavier College Prep and Arizona State University, where she earned a B.S. in Marketing, a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. She began her career in executive recruiting, then transitioned into tech sales with a top-rated marketing software company. After she got her real estate license, she found North&Co. and immediately knew it was the perfect home to grow her real estate business.
Melissa provides exceptional client service while fostering connection and community. It is her commitment to give back and make a substantial impact, specifically within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as within the realms of recovery, mental health awareness and homelessness. As Ram Dass says, "We are all here walking each other home." Melissa believes it is her responsibility to make that walk as beautiful as it can be for as many people as she possibly can.
Melissa is a proud Board Member for the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce, which promotes the interests of LGBTQ+ businesses and serves on the Development Committee of one n ten, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving and assisting LGBTQ+ youth in Arizona.
She is also in the process of completing her 200 hour yoga teaching training certification through the Livin in Flow YTT. You can always find her moving and making friends at group fitness classes, whether that’s yoga, hip hop dance, boxing or spin.
Michael Mazzocco
GPECC Board Chair
Michael Mazzocco is the Board Chair for the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce. Their mission of working towards an equitable business community thru values like equality, leadership, diversity, respect, and gratitude resonate with him. He loves to find ways to help spread these values thru collaboration with other organizations around the valley. In addition to this board, Michael was appointed by the mayor to serve as the Vice-Chair for the Human Relations Commission for the City of Phoenix. He also serves as the Vice-Chair on the board of the Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus that strives to unite, inspire, educate, and entertain its diverse audiences, members, allies, and supporting partners. As well as the Arizona Costume Institute board which serves the Phoenix Art Museum to sustain their vast collection of fashion thru the ages. Michael is a Valley Leadership participant (Catalyze class 1 and Explore class 1) and has an obvious passion for being a change maker here in the Valley of the Sun. His passion and volunteerism highlight his motto that if he has time to watch tv, he has time to change the world.
Michael is the owner of Michael Mazzocco Events, a bespoke events company started in 2017. He specializes in high-end event coordination and fundraising for many non-profits and arts organizations around the valley. When Michael is not working on our community, he lives in Central Phoenix with his partner, Isaac and their adorable furry princesses, Vivienne & Alexandra. Being a proud gay indigenous (Delaware Nation) small business owner, a passion for positive change and education is what drives Michael to do better and be better every day.
Mike Klein
Michael Klein, CFP®, MBA, is the owner of Klein Financial. He provides financial planning, insurance and investments to professionals and small business owners. Mike received his BS in Finance from Arizona State University and his MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management. He joined the GPECC in 2019, to give back to the LGBTQ+ community and enjoys working with other queer business owners. Mike is currently on the GPECC board as the Treasurer. Mike lives with his husband, David, whom he met serendipitously at a GPECC luncheon. He is a proud father and a recent grandfather. For leisure, Mike loves to work on jigsaw puzzles, hike, travel, and tour the National Parks.
Gabe Hagen
Gabe Hagen, a seasoned professional with roots in regulatory compliance within the financial services industry, is the co-founder of Brick Road Coffee. This queer-inclusive, community-centric coffee shop in Tempe, Arizona, reflects Gabe's dedication to inclusivity and community service. Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey with his husband, Gabe spent over a decade navigating the complex world of regulatory compliance.
An accomplished academic, Gabe holds bachelor's degrees in Philosophy and Political Science from Arizona State University and a Master's in the Studies of Law from the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law. His rigorous academic background has informed his professional and community work.
A proud Iowan by birth, Gabe has made a significant impact since moving to the West Coast and finally settling in Tempe. As a testament to his active community involvement, he currently serves on the Tempe Tourism Board of Directors, Tempe Leadership Foundation Council and holds the position of Vice Chair of the City of Tempe Neighborhood Advisory Commission. Gabe's personal and professional life beautifully intertwine, creating a rich tapestry of community service, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. He resides in Tempe with his husband and their two dogs.