January 2025 TechCast | Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women for the Future of Work
In the latest episode of AZ Tech Cast, hosts Steve Zylstra and Eric Miller chat with Kim McWaters and Abdu Dahr from Fresh Start Women's Foundation and HR pro Scott Holman.
Episode Overview
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In this inspiring and first 2025 episode of AZ TechCast, hosts Eric Miller and Steve Zylstra welcome Kim McWaters, president & CEO of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, Abdu Dahr, vice president of strategic partnerships for Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and seasoned HR executive, Scott Holman of HHR Consulting to explore how Fresh Start empowers women to achieve self-sufficiency and thrive. Learn about the organization’s impactful career training programs, their partnerships with technology industry leaders like Intel, and the ripple effect supporting women has on families, workplaces and Arizona’s economy. Our guests will discuss how investing in women creates a win-win-win for employers, communities and the workforce of the future across Arizona and beyond.
Abdu Dahr’s role as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships is a key driver in the ongoing growth and accelerated development of Fresh Start’s mission. Abdu is responsible for building partnerships with companies, employers, and educators who will provide career training, employment and education opportunities that meets the FSWF’s expectations for the women we serve to become self-sufficient.
Along with obtaining, a degree in Social Services in Rabat, Morocco where he grew up, Abdu also obtained his professional certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from ASU. Abdu has over nineteen years of experience in the nonprofit field with the past eight years being at the executive level. He has held multiple leadership roles and is passionate about serving others within his community.
Kim McWaters is the President & CEO of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. Founded in 1992, Fresh Start is a Phoenix-based non-profit organization with a mission to provide access and resources that help women achieve self sufficiency and use their strength to thrive. The organization serves more than 5,000 at-risk women each year. Helping others transform their lives has been a central focus of Kim’s career. She came to Fresh Start as the former, long-term president and CEO of Universal Technical Institute (UTI: NYSE), the nation’s leading provider of transportation technician training. At UTI, Kim partnered with industry leaders such as BMW, Ford, Harley-Davidson, Mercedes-Benz, NASCAR, and Porsche, to train and prepare students for well-paying careers in the transportation industry, while providing employers with a pipeline of skilled talent. With a mission to change lives through education, UTI graduated more than 220,000 technicians during Kim’s tenure.
A Phoenix native, Kim began her 35-year career at UTI in 1984, as a teenage single mother working as a part-time receptionist. Over time she rose through the ranks and was named president of the company in 2000, chief executive officer in 2003 and chairman in 2013. She led the company’s initial public offering in 2003 and became Arizona’s first female CEO of a New York Stock Exchange listed company (NYSE: UTI). She retired as CEO in 2019 and served on the company’s board until March 2022. Kim served on the boardof WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings (NASDAQ:WSC) from 2014-2023. Presently, Kim sits on the board of directors for Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG).
In addition to being a business leader, Kim has been active in the community for many decades, serving on numerous nonprofit boards, focusing on the needs of women and children and their access to education and healthcare. Kim is a founding member of the TechForce Foundation and for nearly two decades served on the boards of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley. In recognition of her work as a business and community leader, Kim has received numerous honors and awards, including: 2019 Most Influential Corporate Directors, Women Inc. Magazine; The 25 Most Admired CEO’s and 40 Under 40 awards by the Phoenix Business Journal; 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona award by AZ Business Magazine; Distinguished Women award from Northwood University, Bill Shover Leadership Award from Vitalant/United Blood Services, and Founders’ Circle and Visionary awards from Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. Kim lives in North Phoenix with her husband, Chris and is mother to three adult sons and Mimi to four beautiful grandchildren.
Scott Holman is the Founder and CEO of HHR Consulting, LLC, providing comprehensive Human Resources services. With over 35 years of experience, he is currently consulting with Amkor Technology. Scott is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and holds a master’s degree in management from Webster University. He has held executive roles at TSMC Arizona, Micron, and Intel, and is a founding member of the Arizona Education Economic Commission (AEEC).
Abdu Dahr |
Kim McWaters |
Scott Holman
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About AZTechCast
The official podcast of the Arizona Technology Council, AZTechCast is dedicated to covering innovation and technology in Arizona and beyond. Through the art of the connected conversation, AZ TechCast’s hosts and guests share success stories, tech news and analysis about the region’s leading startups, companies and emerging technologies, as well as the latest industry trends and critical issues propelling Arizona’s growing technology ecosystem. Visit www.aztechcouncil.org/techcast to learn more or to listen to recent episodes.
About PADT, Inc.
Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies, Inc. (PADT) is an engineering product and services company that focuses on helping customers who develop physical products by providing Numerical Simulation, Product Development, and 3D Printing solutions. The company is an Ansys Elite Channel Partner and a Stratasys Platinum Partner. They are also a channel partner for Flownex, EOS, and ZEISS #handsonmetrology. PADT’s worldwide reputation for technical excellence and experienced staff is based on its proven record of building long-term win-win partnerships with vendors and customers. Since its establishment in 1994, companies have relied on PADT because “We Make Innovation Work.” With over 90 employees, PADT services customers from its headquarters at the Arizona State University Research Park in Tempe, Arizona, and from offices in Torrance, California, Lakewood, Colorado, and Albuquerque, New Mexico as well as through staff members located around the country. More information on PADT can be found at www.PADTINC.com.
