I like to find a challenging new trail to hike or stumble upon one of the unique street festivals happening all over Greater Phoenix.

What makes Greater Phoenix so great: Kimberly Vegliante

Published: 12/11/2018
Updated: 10/09/2019

What is your first and last name?
Kimberly Vegliante

How old are you?
29 (30 in December)

What current city do you reside in?
Gilbert

How long have you lived in Greater Phoenix?
4 months

Did you grow up in Arizona?
No

Where are you originally from and why’d you decide to move to Arizona?
I have lived in many states- New Jersey, Georgia, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Indiana, Wisconsin and Virginia. I recently moved from Virginia to Arizona with my boyfriend. We both came to an inflection point in our careers and lifestyle and wanted a change. We wanted to move somewhere where we saw ourselves getting married, buying a home, raising a family, and seeing our careers grow. We came to Phoenix for a visit in November of 2017 and by June of 2018 we had sold everything we owned and moved here without knowing a single person here. Three months later I can’t imagine being as happy anywhere else!

What college/university did you graduate from and what’s your degree?
I have a Bachelor’s of History from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s of Education from the College of William and Mary.

Where do you currently work and what is your title?
I am the Workforce Development Manager for the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation

What is your job industry?
Economic and Workforce Development

What do you like to do in Greater Phoenix on the weekends?
On the weekends I like to find a challenging new trail to hike or stumble upon one of the unique street festivals happening all over the Greater Phoenix region.

What’s your go-to staycation spot and why?
Tonto National Forest is my go-to staycation spot. You can go on a scenic drive, splash around in the river, see horses run wild, or get a great cardio workout in on a hike.

What’s your favorite restaurant and why?
While not a restaurant, my favorite place to sit and enjoy food and drinks is Jarrod’s Coffee, Tea, & Gallery in Mesa. The atmosphere is really fun and the artwork on the walls heightens the experience. Their coffee is really good, too!

How do you stay “cool” in the Arizona summers?
Cucumber water is my secret to staying cool in the summer. I try to drink a gallon of homemade cucumber water per day!

What do you like about our winters and why?
I love the Arizona winter because I do not have to hide indoors due to snow, ice, or cold temperatures. My life is not put on hold due to a new season. If I want to do any winter sports like skiing, I can head a few hours north to Flagstaff and get my winter wonderland fix.

What do you love most about living in Greater Phoenix?
I am very lucky that my job has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in the Greater Phoenix community. I have been afforded the opportunity to create relationships with all types of businesses and organizations in the region. What I love most about Greater Phoenix is that everyone here is working towards the same goal- to grow Greater Phoenix to its true and full potential. It is an innovative and invigorating mission to be a part of and I am so thankful to be living here during such a time of growth.

Please include anything else you’d like to share about what makes Greater Phoenix so great.
I really value how health forward the Greater Phoenix area is! I noticed our grocery stores- Fry’s, Natural Grocers, Sprouts, Trader Joes, etc. are all health-conscious markets with allergen- free and organic products. I also greatly appreciate Valley Metro’s Express and Rapid bus transportation lines. I ride the bus to work almost everyday and it has truly been a stress-free experience.

WANT TO SHARE YOUR STORY?

Complete this short 5-minute survey!