The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership is pleased to introduce the 26 Arizonans who have been selected as the second class of Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Fellows. Coming from many cities and towns, a broad spectrum of professions, and many walks of life, the group will begin the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy on September 9.
The Flinn-Brown Academy, one of three core components of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, is anchored by a 12-session seminar series that emphasizes the skills and knowledge necessary to become state leaders and resolve state-level challenges. The Academy is presented in the fall and spring each year.
The nonpartisan Academy’s content is based on the critical issues facing Arizona today and in the coming years. Current and former public-policy experts, scholars, and 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.
Beyond the seminars, the Academy includes mentoring, an individual plan for civic leadership, and an alumni network.
The 26 Flinn-Brown Fellows were selected in a highly competitive process that involved formal nominations, a written application, and an in-person interview. The Leadership Council of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership made the final selection of Fellows.
The Spring 2012 class of the Academy will begin in March. Information about becoming a member of the third Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy will be available on the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership’s website by September 1.
Fall 2011 Flinn-Brown Fellows
 Jodi Bain, J.D., Tucson
Attorney, Munger Chadwick PLC |
 Magdalena (Malena) Barajas, Tucson
Advisor, Pima County Board of Supervisors |
 Terry Benelli, Mesa
Executive Director, Neighborhood Economic Development Corp. |
 Stacey Button, Flagstaff
Economic Vitality Director, City of Flagstaff |
 Molly Edwards, Scottsdale
Marketing Manager, Polsinelli Shughart PC |
 Tony Gonzales, J.D., Flagstaff
Attorney, private practice |
 Stephanie Healy, Tucson
President, Hospital Council of Southern Arizona |
 Daniel Hernandez, Jr., Tucson
Intern, Office of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords |
 Cassandra (Cassie) Hilpman, Phoenix
Director of Alumni Affairs, Teach For America-Phoenix |
 Norman Honie, Kykotsmovi
Director, Office of Mining & Mineral Resources, The Hopi Tribe |
 Brandi Hunt, Scottsdale
President and CEO, Gauge Construction Corp. |
 Justin Johnson, Phoenix
CEO, Old World Communities LLC |
 Diane Landis, C.P.A., Litchfield Park
Councilmember, City of Litchfield Park |
 Stefanie Mach, Tucson
CEO, CM Concordia Consulting LLC |
 Christopher H. Mathis, J.D., Tucson
Attorney, Law Office of Christopher H. Mathis PLC |
 Lea Marquez Peterson, Tucson
President and CEO, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce |
 Beatriz Elisabeth Rendón, J.D., Tempe
Associate Vice President for Educational Outreach, Arizona State University |
 Brett Rustand, Tucson
Vice President, Crest Insurance Group |
 Jay Schlum, Fountain Hills
Mayor, Town of Fountain Hills; Cloud Communications, Telesphere Networks Ltd. |
 Suzanne Sisley, M.D., Phoenix
Clinical Faculty, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Arizona Telemedicine Program |
 Audra Koester Thomas, Fountain Hills
Senior Associate, Partners for Strategic Action Inc. |
 Douglas Von Gausig, Clarkdale
Mayor, Town of Clarkdale |
 Brad Vynalek, J.D., Phoenix
Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP |
 Tonya Watson, Ph.D., Flagstaff
President and CEO, Senior Services Inc. |
 Thea Wilshire, Ph.D., Globe
Vice Mayor, City of Globe; Clinical Director, San Carlos Apache Wellness Center |
 Kimulet (Kim) Winzer, J.D., Phoenix
Director of Compliance – West Region, UnitedHealthcare Arizona Physicians IPA |
Four other Arizonans have been tapped for the Spring 2012 Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy. These include:
- Carl Zaragoza, Advocacy Director, Stand for Children;
- Talonya Adams, Attorney, People Caring for People;
- Stacy Reinstein, Senior Projects Manager-Policy, Program and Process Improvement, Division of Children, Youth and Families, Arizona Department of Economic Security;
- Deborah Gonzalez, Chief Academic Officer, ASU/University Public Schools.