BBB Serving Southern Arizona Celebrates Ethical Excellence at 2025 Torch Awards

On the evening of May 2, 2025, the Better Business Bureau Serving Southern Arizona (BBB) proudly hosted its annual Torch Awards ceremony at Casino Del Sol, presented by South32. The event honored six outstanding organizations with the 2025 Torch Award and recognized three high school students as winners of the Student Ethics Video Contest.

The Student Ethics Video Contest, sponsored by Kinghorn Law | Financial, encourages young leaders to explore the importance of ethics in real-world situations and share their perspectives through video storytelling. These remarkable students were celebrated for their creativity, insight, and commitment to ethical values.

As part of its ongoing mission to support trust and impact in the community, BBB donated $6,000—raised through Torch Awards ticket sales—to the nonprofit finalists and winners, helping further their vital work across Southern Arizona.

This year’s Torch Awards celebrated excellence in three categories: Business Ethics, Nonprofit Ethics, and the Spark Award, which honors millennial entrepreneurs making waves through principled innovation. Together, these awards spotlight the individuals and organizations who exemplify BBB’s values and help ensure a fair and trustworthy marketplace.

Meet the 2025 Torch Award and Student Ethics Video Contest Winners

Goalsetters Career & Workforce Development

Goalsetters Career & Workforce Development, founded by Anissa Brown, helps individuals and organizations unlock career and leadership success. With over 25 years of experience, Anissa has guided more than 40,000 professionals through career planning, leadership development, and business consulting. Goalsetters offers services including career coaching, resume writing, executive training, and job search strategies. Known for a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, Goalsetters empowers clients to build confidence, develop skills, and achieve lasting, meaningful growth.

Business Ethics Category I 

Jade Star Acupuncture & Wellness

Jade Star Acupuncture has become a leading name in holistic healthcare in Tucson, offering acupuncture, Chinese medicine, therapeutic massage, and integrative fertility care. Known for their trauma-informed, patient-centered approach, Jade Star’s team of experienced practitioners creates personalized treatment plans that address the whole person — body, mind, and spirit. Whether helping patients navigate chronic pain, fertility challenges, stress, or overall wellness goals, Jade Star is committed to compassionate, empowering care. Their warm, inclusive environment welcomes individuals from all walks of life, offering a pathway to healing, balance, and renewed vitality through trusted, time-honored practices rooted in Eastern medicine..

Business Ethics Category II

Kaiser Garage Doors & Gates

What began as a small operation in 1994 out of a garage in Tucson, Kaiser Garage Doors & Gates has now become one of the largest garage door companies in Arizona. Headquartered in Tucson, we also service the Phoenix and White Mountains areas. We are proud to be the go-to garage door expert in the community, with a deep understanding of local needs and preferences, and are proud to offer the highest quality products coupled with the best service in the industry.

Business Ethics Category III

Southern Arizona Book Heroes

Reading a book is just the first step in building a strong relationship with our youngest and most vulnerable citizens in our community. In supporting our first responders, it is our belief this program is our hope for future generations of this community to find comfort interacting with various emergency responders & in many capacities. Southern Arizona Book Heroes joins the front lines with first responders giving comfort to our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. SABH stocks first responder vehicles with new children's books, coloring books and plushies to distract, comfort, and soothe traumatized children.

Non-Profit Ethics Category - Below $1.5 in Revenue

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona strives to create a world where every family has what they need to ensure the best health outcomes for their children. We provide essential services that reduce barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. Locally incorporated in Tucson in 1981, our organization cares for more than 9,000 people each year at our six core programs: the27-bedroom Ronald McDonald House, two Ronald McDonald Family Room programs at Banner Diamond Children’s Medical Center and TMC for Children, two Ronald McDonald Care Mobile programs in partnership with Chiricahua Community Health Centers and MHC Healthcare, and the brand new Sibling Center at Banner Diamond Children’s.

        Non-Profit Ethics Category - Above $1.5 in Revenue    

Jaqueline Gallegos - SHOTZ DE SALUD, LLC

Jaqueline Gallegos is the founder and CEO of SHOTZ DE SALUD, LLC, a wellness company based in Tucson, Arizona. After overcoming her own health challenges, including a battle with kidney cancer and significant weight loss, Jaqueline turned to natural remedies to aid her recovery. Her company offers a range of plant-based products, including ginger tonics and CBD-infused body butters, aiming to promote holistic health and well-being in the community

Spark Category

25 TA - Photos Final - 7
Leticia Ortiz - Nuestra Hora Con Lety

The Community Visionary Award honors an individual who leads with purpose, uplifts others, and uses their voice to inspire meaningful, lasting change. This year, we are proud to recognize Leticia “Lety” Ortiz, founder and host of:

Nuestra Hora con Lety on Estrella TV Tucson.

Through her platform, Lety has become a powerful advocate for underrepresented voices in Southern Arizona—highlighting community stories, building bridges, and sparking important conversations. Her passion, authenticity, and commitment to positive impact make her the embodiment of what it means to be a community visionary.

Community Visionary Award

2025 Student Ethics Video Contest sparked by Kinghorn Law | Financial

Sylis Manuel

Ajo High School

Attending: Muskingum University

$2,000 Award Recipient

Student Ethics Video Contest - 1st Place

Marina Nelson Martinez

Ajo High School

Attending: University of Arizona

$1,000 Award Recipient

Student Ethics Video Contest - 2nd Place

Abriana Valdez

Ajo High School

Attending: Northern Arizona University

$500 Award Recipient

Student Ethics Video Contest - 3rd Place