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DeVerges Jones is a brand champion and growth strategist and has an MBA from Cornell University Johnson School of Management with a major in marketing and managerial economics. In 2013 he received the Wilbur Parker Distinguished Alumni Award from the Cornell Johnson School. DeVerges also has a BA degree from Morehouse College and studied international business at Columbia University.  

DeVerges Jones is an innovative marketing strategist that leverages general management skills to exceed corporate goals. He captures the imagination and interest of consumers resulting into massive sales growth. Equipped with Fortune 500 best practices expertise from Kraft, Clairol, Pepsi, Mars, Inc., Pedigree and Whiskas pet foods, and Philips,

 DeVerges is an expert at creating unique customer experiences in digital and traditional formats across omni-channels. He is a passionate strategic leader that leverages both creative and bottom-line skills to drive long-term sustainable profits.   

DeVerges is a transformational leader, who maximizes multi-cultural and diversity to enhance brand growth. Additionally, he has helped small companies and startups better position themselves in their respective markets. 

Ilana Lowery is the Arizona Director for Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that studies how media and technology affect children. In 2018, the 18-year-old child advocacy organization partnered with the Arizona Community Foundation, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, and the Phoenix IDA on a statewide digital well-being initiative that Ilana oversees.

Ilana is the former editor-in-chief of the Phoenix Business Journal, where she served for 23 years and previously held titles of editor and managing editor of the publication. She started at the Business Journal in 1995 as a reporter covering retail, finance, hospitality, airlines, and sports business.

Prior to the Journal, Ilana was an editor for Independent Newspapers Inc., a community newspaper chain based in Scottsdale. Before moving to the Valley in 1989, she worked as a reporter and editor for Pulitzer Newspapers in Chicago. She also was as an associate producer for the NBC-TV affiliate there.

A 1986 graduate of the University of Illinois, Ilana serves as an adjunct professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. In addition, she is a steering committee member for the pet-therapy nonprofit, Gabriel’s Angels, and a member of the prestigious women’s professional associations Central Phoenix Women and Charter 100.

In 2015, Ilana was inducted into the Valley of the Sun Society of Professional Journalists Order of the Silver Key Society for her more than 25 years of dedication to the profession, and in 2014, she was named an Athena Award finalist by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.