GCU honors leaders with the Colangelo Servant Leadership awards

Grand Canyon University on Wednesday recognized four dedicated leaders who exemplify Jerry Colangelo’s renowned concept of servant leadership at the fourth annual Colangelo Servant Leadership Awards. 

The awards, sponsored by Freeport-McMoRan, pay homage to Jerry Colangelo, a prominent figure in Arizona’s business and sports spheres and the namesake of GCU’s Colangelo College of Business (CCOB).

The award ceremony was held at GCU and honored Karrin Taylor Robson, Bill McKee, Brandy Labinjo, and Mike Greenawalt.

Karrin Taylor Robson is the founder and president of Arizona Strategies. Additionally, she has provided mentorship to GCU students and collaborated with them on projects. In June 2017, Gov. Doug Ducey appointed her to the Arizona Board of Regents. Presently, she is a member of the Civic Leaders Group for the chief of staff of the United States Air Force. 

Bill Mckee is a scholar in residence at Valley Presbyterian Church and executive in residence at GCU. McKee, a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy class of 1968, served in the military as an advanced jet instructor pilot in T-38s. Upon his honorable discharge in 1973, McKee embarked on a career in finance, holding various positions including vice president and manager at The Arizona Bank, and later assuming the roles of president and cEO at FBS Venture Capital Company. In 1987, McKee established his own company, initially known as McKee & Company, which later evolved into W.B. McKee Securities Inc., an NASD Broker/Dealer specializing in providing capital to Arizona-based companies. In 2000, he opted to sell the business to its employees.

Brandy Labinjo is the leader of executive operations support at APS. Labinjo holds the role of professional chair for APS’ African American Employee Group, sits on the CCOB Advisory Board, and serves as faculty at GCU. Before transitioning to the utility sector, Labinjo’s professional background included positions in education, where she worked in finance, student advising, and as a faculty member teaching accounting and business law.

Mike Greenawalt is the CEO of Rosendin Electric. Greenawalt played a pivotal role in founding The Rosendin Foundation, which, between 2020 and 2023, distributed $1.8 million to support 220 distinct organizations across the country. He initiated teams to bolster Rosendin’s Zero Tolerance policy against racism, discrimination, and bullying, implemented a hotline for reporting discrimination incidents, expanded the training under Rosendin’s Respect for People initiative to cover diversity and unconscious bias, and introduced an Emerging Leaders program. Additionally, Greenawalt was instrumental in establishing GCU’s Pre-Apprentice for Electricians program to tackle workforce shortage concerns.

Colangelo, an Arizona legend, has enjoyed a Hall of Fame career spanning 50 years, beginning in 1968. His achievements include ownership of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks, leading the Valley to its sole major sports championship with the 2001 World Series victory, founding or relocating teams like the Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Rattlers, and Arizona Coyotes, transforming downtown Phoenix with two cutting-edge sports facilities, reviving USA Basketball’s global prominence, and serving as principal partner with JDM Partners, a company boasting a 60-year legacy in real estate acquisitions, development, and management.