As the Founder of The Kempington Group, Monique (Porras) Mason is a passionate people mover, influencer, and talker. She believes in the power of openness, humor, and storytelling to connect candidates and clients for lasting matches. Growing up in the Washington, DC metro area, Monique has grown a strong network in Phoenix and beyond with her enthusiasm and fearlessness. She and her team are on a mission to change the recruiting game and bring back the human touch. At her leadership, the Kempington Group continues to bring people together for a long-term commitment by raising the level of respect and quality conversations on both the candidate and client sides. Monique works hard to make every conversation count and every story matter.
Monique is a huge advocate for charity work. She has raised more than $900K dollars since 2012 which has impacted hundreds of children’s and cancer-focused non-profits. Her charitable work includes, but not limited to:
- National Board Member for ESPN’s V Foundation, Don’t Ever Give Up
- Ambassador for TGen (The Translational Genomics Research Institute)
- Founding Member and Board Member of Phoenix Suns Charities 88, ( Phoenix Suns Charities)
- Originator and Mentor of BE Empowered BE Fearless, a Title I girls mentoring program
- Former Committee Member for Make-A-Wish, Wish Ball
- Chair for the American Cancer Society’s 58th Annual Gala
- 3-time Chair for Phoenix Suns Charities, Slam Dunk event
- Creator & Curator of KNOW Cares, the philanthropic arm of The KNOW Book, 100 Women You Must Know and Do Business With
Monique is grateful to be recognized for her hard work! Awards and accolades include:
- 2018 & 2023 Athena Award nominee by the Greater Phoenix Chamber, honoring excellence in leadership, community service, and mentorship
- 2021 Outstanding Woman In Business recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal
- 2023 Woman of Impact awardee
- 2023 Titan 100 CEO recipient, part of an elite group of CEOs and executives
- 2024 Game Changer Honoree by The American Cancer Society
Monique has been featured in multiple publications. - Arizona Republic – Business Gazette cover story and azcentral.com
- So Scottsdale Magazine, February 2020 cover and feature story
- Scottsdale Airpark Magazine, “Top Chiefs, 5 CEO’s You Should Know”
- 2018, 2019, 2020 The KNOW Book, 100 Women You Must Know and Do Business With
- In Business Magazine, “The Game for Talent Has Changed – Have You?”
With Monique’s commitment to bridging leaders with our youth in education, she started the Be Empowered, Be Fearless program for a Title I middle school in Phoenix, Arizona. The program was designed to empower young girls by equipping them with vital skills such as emotional and financial independence, self-respect, and confident self-representation in society. Monique brought together community leaders who mirror the school's demographic, offering the girls relatable role models to inspire and guide them.
Outside of all of that, Monique is a mom to a 20 and 19 year old. She always believes in staying in a state of uncomfortableness. In 2022, she learned to play the saxophone as a surprise to her husband. She is also studying before officially enrolling for her Sommelier certification.