2024 Accolades

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Chandler is one of the best places to live and work, and we’re not the only ones with this opinion. The City of Chandler is often recognized nationally for its many programs, innovations and quality of life. The accolades received by Chandler in 2024 include:

#1 Most Innovative City in Arizona
#1 Best Place to Live in Arizona
#3 Best Place to Raise a Family in the Phoenix Area
#5 Best Place to Live in the Southwest
#6 Best Place for Young Professionals
#7 Best Place to Save for Retirement
#10 Best Place for People wth Disabilities
#12 Most Caring City
#14 Best Cities for First Time Home Buyers
  • #16 Best City for Foreign Direct Investment in the nation and #1 location in the State of Arizona | Financial Times - Nikkei Investing in America
  • #26 Best Cities for Jobs | Wallet Hub
  • #28 Best Cities to Start a Business | Wallet Hub
  • #33 Happiest Places to Live | Wallet Hub
  • #35 Healthiest Cities in America | Smart Asset
  • #37 Best Places for Families | Fortune
  • 2024 30 Under 30 Top Young Parks and Recreation Professionals for Kennedy Terrill | National Recreation and Parks Association and Parks and Recreation magazine 
  • Healthy Arizona Worksite | Arizona Dept of Health Services
  • Outstanding Service Recognition for Civil Inspector Daryl Atkinson | Sunstate Builders

Financial Excellence

The City of Chandler’s Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, Dawn Lang, was awarded the newly created Finance Excellence Award

The City of Chandler’s Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, Dawn Lang (pictured 4th from the left), was awarded the newly created Finance Excellence Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of Arizona (GFOAz) on Aug. 8, during their Summer Conference. The new award celebrates the hard work, professionalism and excellent financial management of those working in local government in Arizona.

Maintained AAA General Obligation

Maintained AAA General Obligation (GO) bond credit rating with all three credit rating agencies, Aaa Excise Tax Revenue Obligation (ETRO) rating with Moody’s bond credit rating agency and other bond ratings with all three credit rating agencies.

 

Received the 20th consecutive Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute
Received the 37th consecutive Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the FY 2024-25 Budget
Received the 42nd consecutive GFOA Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for the FY 2022-23 ACFR

Neighborhood Excellence

Leah Powell, Chandler’s Neighborhood Resources Director

Community Builder Award for the 2024 Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards

Leah Powell, Chandler’s Neighborhood Resources Director, was selected as a recipient of the Community Builder Award for the 2024 Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards. The Community Builder Award recognizes public servants in large and small cities and towns who advance community pride and connection. The Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards are named after the community outreach director whose life was taken in a mass shooting in 2011 at a “Congress on Your Corner” event for Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Leah Powell (pictured in center)

Misty Gustafson, Chandler’s homeless programs supervisor

2023 Beth McDonald Woman of the Year

Misty Gustafson, Chandler’s homeless programs supervisor, was named the 2023 Beth McDonald Woman of the Year. Gustafson and other nominees were honored at a banquet hosted by iHeartMedia’s 99.9 KEZ and Shea Homes. During the year an outstanding woman is honored each month and from the 12 nominees, one is selected as Woman of the Year.

CDBG Code Inspector Martin Guevara

Code Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee

CDBG Code Inspector Martin Guevara was nominated as the American Association of the Code Enforcement (AACE) Code Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Code Inspector Yanta Stepp

Code Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee

Commercial/Residential Code Inspector Yanta Stepp was nominated for the Code Enforcement League of Arizona (CELA) Code Enforcement Officer of the Year award.

Guy Jaques, Neighborhood Preservation Senior Manager

Code Enforcement Manager of the Year Nominee

Guy Jaques, Neighborhood Preservation Senior Manager, was nominated for the Code Enforcement Manager of the Year award.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Honors

DEI Officer Niki Tapia

National Diversity Council Top Latino Leader Award was presented to DEI Officer Niki Tapia in recognition of her exceptional leadership and contributions to promoting diversity and equity.

DEI Program Coordinator Adrianna Erickson

DEI Program Coordinator Adrianna Erickson was named one of the Top 100 Influencers in Local Government by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) for her impactful leadership and contributions to the field.

DEI Management Assistant CC Cantabrana

DEI Management Assistant CC Cantabrana was honored as a 2024 Women of Chandler by Chandler City Lifestyle Magazine for her dedication to the Chandler community.

Rocky Mountain Emmy

Chandler’s 2024 State of the City Video entitled “Struthio” has earned a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Graphic Arts. The awarding-winning video features a series of visual and special effects encountered by Mayor Kevin Hartke as he navigated a local gaming experience to open the State of the City event.