The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership is pleased to announce the newest class of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy, the Center’s flagship initiative. This is the fifth Flinn-Brown Academy class, which now counts a network of 131 Fellows throughout Arizona. The new cohort of 30 Fellows includes leaders from Arizona’s private sector, business development specialists, entrepreneurs, nonprofit professionals, college professors, community activists, government executives, and current and former local elected officials.
A full list of the newest Flinn-Brown Fellows is below.
The nonpartisan Flinn-Brown Academy was created to help prepare and support Arizona’s future state-level civic leaders who wish to serve–whether full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid–as a member of a state board, commission, or advisory council; an elected official; a state government executive; or a policy advisor. The initiative is supported by the Flinn Foundation in Phoenix and the Thomas R. Brown Foundations in Tucson.
During the Academy seminar series beginning in early March, the cohort will focus on Arizona’s role in the global economy, fostering livable communities, the state’s education system, human services, managing Arizona’s natural resources, and other issues vital to Arizona’s long-term success. Public-policy experts, scholars, current and former agency heads, elected officials, and other leaders–drawn from the public and private sectors–share with Fellows not only facts and figures, but also a wide variety of perspectives and leadership skills. Fellows will enhance the seminar content with their own perspectives and life experiences drawn from leadership roles in communities across Arizona and varying professional backgrounds.
Beyond the seminars, the Academy includes advising from private- or public-sector leaders, support developing an individual plan for civic leadership in Arizona, a statewide network, and continued learning opportunities. Fellows begin the Academy with a wide array of state-level civic leadership goals and are expected to use the knowledge and skills developed to take their next steps as civic leaders.
Fellows are selected in a highly competitive process that involves a formal application and in-person interview. The Leadership Council of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership makes the final selection of Fellows.
If you are interested in participating in the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy, subscribe to the free AzCCL e-newsletter at https://azcivicleadership.org/newsletter-signup/ to find out about upcoming classes.
 Arlene Alen Dewey-HumboldtCouncilmember, Dewey-Humboldt Town Council; CEO, Neighbor to Neighbor; Director of Marketing and Development, Horses with Heart |
 Catherine AlonzoPhoenixPartner, Javelina |
 Erin Carr-Jordan, Ph.D.ChandlerAcademic Department Chair, Kaplan University; Executive Director, Kids Play Safe |
 Ken ClarkPhoenixReal Estate Agent, Homesmart |
 Anne DeGrawPhoenixGovernment Affairs Associate, Molera Alvarez |
 Jaime DempseyPhoenixDeputy Director, Arizona Commission on the Arts |
 Tim ElinskiCottonwoodOwner, Kohanowicz Restoration; Councilmember, City of Cottonwood |
 Julie ErflePhoenixCreator, PoliticsUNCUFFED.com |
 Dan FitzgibbonChandlerRotational Development Professional, Edward Jones |
 Antonia Franco, Ed.D.PhoenixVice President and Program Director—Student, Family and Community Initiatives, Helios Education Foundation |
 Eddie Genna, J.D.PhoenixProfessor, Phoenix College |
 John GlennPhoenixProject Manager, CCBG Architects |
 Michelle R. HessBuckeyeCouncilmember, Town of Buckeye |
 Mignonne HollisHerefordExecutive Director, Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation |
 Misty KlannChandlerTransportation Planner and Tribal Liaison, Arizona Department of Transportation |
 Jeannette MaréTucsonExecutive Director and Founder, Ben’s Bells Project |
 Juan M. MoranScottsdaleImmigration Service Officer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security |
 Anton Orlich, Ph.D.PhoenixLead Portfolio Manager, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System |
 Nicole PasteurScottsdaleDirector of Communications, Picmonic, LLC |
 Mark L. SchofieldMesaManaging Director, Strategic Value Wealth Management, LLC |
 John SiningerFlagstaffMedical Products Division Leader, W.L. Gore and Associates (Retired) |
 Ryan SmithGilbertAccount Executive, HighGround, Inc. |
 Jami SnyderPhoenixOperations Administrator, Acute and Long Term Care, AHCCCS |
 Jane C. StrainSierra VistaTrustee, Cochise College Governing Board |
 Pamela K. Sutherland, J.D.TucsonEconomic Development Director, Downtown Tucson Partnership |
 Fred Urbina, J.D.TucsonChief Prosecutor, Pascua Yaqui Tribe |
 Brandy WellsPhoenixManager of Education and Outreach, TGen |
 Venessa WhitenerQueen CreekMember, Higley Unified School District Governing Board |
 Janelle WoodPhoenixBoard Chair and Executive Director, Global Training Institute for Women |
 Annette ZinkyFlagstaffVice President for Flagstaff, Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology |