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Celebrating innovative leaders across all sectors, the Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40 awards highlight individuals under the age of forty who are making a difference in their community. Out of 400 applicants, Hillary Bryant, age 33, secured a spot on the prestigious list through her commitment to people and the planet.
After graduating from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Bryant
pursued creating equity in environmental health systems to better the lives of Arizonans. She went on to be a Maricopa County Climate and Health Champion. She also served as the Food Loss and Waste Work Group Chair for the Maricopa County Food Systems Coalition.
But Bryant's dedication to Arizona started at a young age.
As a fourth-generation Arizonan whose family has roots in the Douglas and Miami areas, Bryant had an upbringing that taught her the value of taking care of the place you call 'home'.
"I spent a lot of time in the White Mountains with my grandfather," Bryant says. "I loved being outside…and it really helped connect me to my environment."
As a child, Bryant would monitor energy, waste, and water usage within her family, largely motivated by conservation and recycling presentations at her school. By high school, she was volunteering to make blankets for local shelters and coordinating activities at a local walk for Down Syndrome.
Now, she serves as the Executive Director at one of the oldest food rescue organizations in the country – Waste Not.
Waste Not's purpose is to help people and the planet flourish. Partnering with dozens and dozens of food businesses, Waste Not makes sure edible excess food is put to good use by feeding Arizonans struggling to find their next meal.
Bryant started as the Community Engagement Manager for Waste Not and was promoted to Executive Director within a year and a half. She has led the team out of the tail-end of the pandemic and overseen two of the largest food rescues for the nonprofit from the Super Bowl and the WM Phoenix Open in the early part of 2023.
"I particularly love the dual mission [of Waste Not]," Bryant says. "I love helping people and the planet. It's incredible to see the impact we have. And I find it very rewarding to fight for our environment."
In addition to serving her community professionally and personally, Bryant was recently selected as an Emerging Sustainability Leader Fellow through Arizona Forward. Within the program, she participated in activities and opportunities centered around climate action and social change throughout the state. She is also completing her Master of Business Administration degree later this year.
When asked about winning a spot on the 40 Under 40 list, Bryant said this:
“I am so honored to be selected at one of this year’s 40 Under 40. My fellow honorees are incredible and I admire the hard work they put into making Phoenix a thriving community.”
The award ceremony for all 40 Under 40 winners will take place on August 3, 2023.