Meet Michael
"If I have time to watch TV, I have time to change the world."
Michael Mazzocco: Small Business Owner, Community Builder, Change-Maker
For almost two decades, Michael Mazzocco has helped shape the heart of Phoenix. He has brought people together, built organizations, and created spaces for art, culture, and local business. Now he wants to bring that work to City Hall.
Early Life & Background
Born on Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, while his father served overseas during the Vietnam War, Michael grew up on military bases across Oklahoma, Georgia, and Alaska. Those early experiences - rooted in service, adaptability, and connections - sparked a lifelong belief that strong communities are built when everyone has a seat at the table.
The son of Melody, a Montessori educator and citizen of the Delaware Nation, and Ronald, an Army veteran and UAW leader, Michael inherited a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to public service. After years living in cities like Cleveland, Washington D.C., Chicago, and New York, he made Phoenix his home in 2006—and has spent the past 19 years helping it grow into a more vibrant, inclusive, and compassionate city.
Career & Community Leadership
With over 20 years of experience in events and catering, and over 38 years in hospitality, Michael founded Michael Mazzocco Events in 2017. That same year, ASU hired him as a Faculty Associate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where he mentored Arizona business owners through 2020. His creative leadership has helped raise millions of dollars for the Phoenix Symphony, Ballet Arizona, Children's Museum of Phoenix, Aunt Rita's Foundation, Check for a Lump, Free Arts of Arizona, and Read Better Be Better.
A respected voice for equity and small business, Michael served six years on the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce, including four as Board President. Under his leadership, the Chamber grew its programs, hired its first executive director, and nearly doubled membership—empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and advancing inclusive economic opportunity. He also co-founded the Equality Chamber Foundation to expand access and leadership development across diverse communities.
Appointed by Mayor Kate Gallego, Michael now serves as Chair of the Phoenix Human Relations Commission, where he champions efforts to eliminate discrimination, expand equity, and build understanding across the city. His leadership reflects a simple but powerful belief: that every neighborhood, business, and resident deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued.
Boards & Civic Service
Beyond his civic roles, Michael continues to strengthen the city's cultural heartbeat, having served on the boards of:
- International Live Events Association
- Phoenix Gay Men's Chorus
- Arizona Costume Institute
- GLSEN Arizona
- Convergence Ballet
- LGBTQ+ Police Advisory Board
- MCSO Community Advisory Board
- Gala committees for the Children's Museum of Phoenix and the Phoenix Symphony
Recognition & Awards
- 2017 GLSEN Legacy Award
- 2022 One Community Local Hero Award
- Judge's Choice — 2020 Dancing with the Stars Arizona (National Kidney Foundation)
- 2024 Dancing for One-N-Ten: People's Choice, Most Philanthropic, and Grand Champion
Education & Personal
A proud alumnus of Valley Leadership, Michael lives by his personal motto: “If I have time to watch TV, I have time to change the world.” As a small business owner and proud citizen of the Delaware Nation, his commitment to service is not just professional—it’s personal.
Now, Michael is ready to take his experience in building partnerships, amplifying local voices, and leading with heart into the next chapter of service. He envisions a Phoenix where every resident can afford to live, create, and thrive; where neighborhoods are cooler and safer; where local businesses and cultural spaces are protected; and where equity isn’t an aspiration—it’s the foundation of progress.
Together, we can rise—stronger, fairer, and more connected than ever.
Michael lives in Phoenix’s District 4 with his husband, Isaac, and their girls, Vivienne and Alexandra, 10lbs of furry love each.
If elected, he would be the first Native American on the Phoenix City Council.