In 2026, the Flinn Foundation marks the 15th anniversary of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership as an important moment for us to reflect on how the Center began and how its work has evolved over time.
When the Center was established in 2011, it was guided by a clear conviction that Arizona’s future depended on informed, engaged leaders who understand the responsibilities and the complexities of public policy and civic life. That vision was championed by the Honorable Jack Jewett, the president and CEO of the Flinn Foundation at the time, and brought to life by Nancy Welch, whose leadership helped define the Center’s early direction and values.
Over time, the Center has grown beyond its original focus on preparing state-level leaders. Under the leadership of Flinn Foundation President and CEO Tammy McLeod, Ph.D. and Flinn Foundation Vice President, Civic Leadership Dawn Wallace, the Center has continued to evolve, embracing a more expansive understanding of civic leadership that begins with education, deepens through experience, and is sustained through connection, dialogue, and long-term engagement within Arizona’s civic life.
Today, the Center includes 494 Flinn-Brown Fellows who serve Arizona in elected office, public service, nonprofit leadership, business, and community life. The work also extends to youth civic leadership development through the Flinn Young Leaders program, expanded youth and adult civics education, and community partnerships such as the Arizona Civic Life Partnership, our collaboration with the Center for the Future of Arizona.
Recent initiatives reflect this broader approach, including AZ Leaders on Board, launched through the Leadership Collaborative to strengthen nonprofit governance statewide, and the Arizona Civic Language Perception project, which explores how language shapes public understanding, trust, and participation in civic life. These efforts reinforce the Center’s role not only as a program provider, but as a connector across Arizona’s civic landscape. Equally important is the Center’s role as a convener — bringing together civic organizations, leaders, and educators to strengthen participation, understanding, and trust across differences.
As we look ahead, the Center will honor its 15th anniversary with a series of events and activities designed not only to celebrate the past, but to highlight the important work still to come. This begins with Uncovering the 5 C’s, an art exhibit at the Flinn Foundation opening Feb. 3, developed in partnership with the Arizona America250 Commission. While honoring Arizona’s history, the exhibit aligns closely with the Center’s mission — inviting reflection and dialogue about our state’s history as we consider the future of civic leadership in Arizona.
Fifteen years in, we’re proud of how far the Center has come—and even more excited about what we’re building next. Stay tuned.