Thoughts from Dawn Wallace
Tomorrow, I will move my daughter into her freshman dorm at the University of Michigan.
For weeks, I have been occupied with the wonderfully mundane details of getting a child ready for college: sheets, storage bins, laundry hamper, Command hooks, fans, lamps and a truly unreasonable number of conversations about what can and cannot fit under a twin XL bed.
There is something comforting about a list. It makes you feel as if, with enough preparation, you might somehow be ready for the bigger thing that is actually happening. You cannot, of course.
For 18 years, so much of parenting is about helping someone become ready for what comes next. And then, suddenly, what comes next arrives.
I have been thinking about that as I have watched my daughter step into this new chapter with far more confidence than I seem to be bringing to it. The people, organizations, and communities we care about are a little like that, too. They change, whether we are ready for it or not. New people arrive. Priorities shift. Traditions change. And eventually, someone comes along and does things differently than we would have.
And if we have done our part well, that is probably a good thing.
Maybe that is why transitions are so complicated. We can be excited about what comes next and still feel the weight of what is changing. We can know someone is ready and still not feel entirely ready ourselves. I suspect tomorrow will involve all of that for me.
And somewhere between making the bed, carrying the last box upstairs and walking back out the door, I will try to remember that letting go is not necessarily the opposite of holding on.
Sometimes it is simply what comes next.
Best, Dawn
Fellow Spotlight
Ashley Bridwell
(Phoenix, 2019)
Program Coordinator, Adult Neuro Program
Barrow Neurological Institute
For more than two decades, Ashley Bridwell has helped people navigate complex systems during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. What began as a career in clinical social work has grown into a civic leadership journey spanning healthcare, law enforcement, disability advocacy, research, and public policy.
A graduate of Arizona State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, Ashley began her career at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, working with patients and families confronting life-changing neurological diagnoses and injuries.
Her work is also deeply personal. A brain tumor survivor, Ashley experienced serious illness in her early 20s, shaping both her clinical practice and her commitment to improving systems for others.
That commitment led her to help create a groundbreaking program to screen, identify, and treat survivors of interpersonal violence who may have sustained head or brain injuries. In 2018, she co-authored research in the Journal of Neurotrauma that brought national attention to the intersection of brain injury, interpersonal violence, and homelessness and encouraged other institutions to consider similar approaches.
Her expertise also led to work with law enforcement. For roughly 15 years, Ashley has trained professionals on cognitive impairment and vulnerable populations, including officers with the Phoenix and Peoria police departments and professionals with the FBI’s Victims Advocacy Division. She has also served on Phoenix Police Department interdisciplinary review bodies and helped establish its Crisis Intervention Training Oversight Committee as a civilian member.
Beyond law enforcement, Ashley has served organizations within Arizona’s disability community, including Ability360, Solari, and the Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues.
Her career has made the connection between public policy and daily life impossible to overlook. Policies affecting healthcare, housing, homelessness, disability services, and public safety are not abstract debates to Ashley. She sees their consequences in hospital rooms and in the choices families must make when resources are limited.
In 2024, Ashley also gained firsthand experience with the political process when she ran in LD5’s unusual precinct-committee process following two legislative vacancies. Advancing through the first round and ultimately finishing third gave her a close-up view of how party rules, candidate commitments and rapidly evolving procedures can determine who moves forward to public office.
That experience has shaped her approach to civic leadership. She is drawn to Margaret Mead’s reminder: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”
For Ashley, the quote reinforces what she has seen throughout her career: meaningful change often begins with a few people willing to engage, work together, and persist through challenges.
She sees that same spirit in the Flinn-Brown Network, which she describes as a “soft landing place” of people with different backgrounds and perspectives who share a commitment to Arizona and public service.
Looking ahead, Ashley hopes to bring her experience into the classroom by teaching social work at a community college or university. She wants future social workers to see themselves not only as providers of direct service, but also as participants in shaping policy. She said it’s important to pay attention to the people a system is meant to serve and be willing to improve when the system falls short.
“Civic health is about engagement,” she said. “I plan to teach social workers their voice is not only needed but helpful to shape the way we treat each other on a macro level.”
Flinn-Brown Convention
On behalf of the Flinn-Brown team, thank you for making the 2026 Flinn-Brown Convention such a meaningful and memorable gathering. Your engagement and energy truly brought our theme, “Living the Network: 15 Years of Leadership in Action” to life.
Convention photos are available here. If you have additional photos you would like to share, please send them to us, and we will add them to the archive.
We would love to get your feedback as we begin to plan the 2027 Flinn-Brown Convention. Please take a moment to complete this brief survey. If you would like to be part of next year’s planning committee, please let us know in the survey.
Throw & Receive Board
At the 2026 Convention, we unveiled the Throw & Receive board, an electronic platform where Fellows offer their expertise or request support on real projects from peers across the Network. The premise is simple: the Flinn-Brown Network grows stronger every time a Fellow reaches into it. It lives beyond Convention day, giving Fellows an ongoing space to stay engaged, share what they know, and tap into what others bring.
We will include a link to the board in Network News each month, but please bookmark this board and check it often for new posts and responses to your own posts.
Fellows Field Trips
State Archives Tour
Join the Honorable Laura Terech (Phoenix, 2025) at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, for a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Polly Rosenbaum Archives and History Building, home to some of Arizona’s most significant historical records and treasures.
Fellows will have the opportunity to see how the State Archives, Research Library, and Records Management branches work together to preserve Arizona’s history and provide access to information. Rare documents and materials that tell the story of our state and its people will be highlighted. The tour will be followed by an optional (self-pay) lunch. Capacity is limited to 20 registrants.
The Honorable Michelle Hess (Buckeye, 2013) is organizing a Luke Air Force Base tour this fall.
Northern Arizona Fellow Michael Marquess (Flagstaff, 2025) is planning another tour of Mother Road Brewing Company for Fellows.
Watch for more details and registration in upcoming issues of Network News!
Fellows are encouraged to suggest or offer opportunities for Fellows to visit and learn more about what is happening in Greater Arizona. Please let Dawn know if you have an idea or are interested in providing a field trip opportunity.
CivEx
Join us at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, for a virtual CivEx exploring artificial intelligence, moderated by Flinn-Brown Fellow Chris Richardson (Scottsdale, 2022), senior vice president, Enterprise Architecture, CSAA. Chris will be joined by Minky Kernacs, co-founder and CEO, Mercurio Analytics, Srinivas Mukkamala, CEO, Securin Inc., and J.R. Sloan, chief information officer, State of Arizona Technology (ASET).
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how organizations operate, make decisions, protect information, and serve their communities. This conversation will bring together perspectives from the private and public sectors to explore where AI is headed, how organizations are putting it to work today, its impact on workforce development, and the opportunities, risks, and policy questions civic leaders should understand as the technology continues to evolve.
Flinn-Brown Art Exhibit
Join us at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 for the Flinn-Brown Art Exhibit opening reception. To celebrate 15 years of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership and the Flinn-Brown Network, the Flinn Foundation will debut our new children’s book, “Arizona’s Everyday Heroes”, and art exhibits created to celebrate the Flinn-Brown Fellows featured in the book.
Fellows Directory Updates
We distributed the 2026 Flinn-Brown Directory at the Flinn-Brown Convention.
Please make sure your information is accurate and current by scanning the QR code or following this link to complete the survey. We will update the online directory for you.
You can also upload a new headshot to this Google Drive folder.
Please let Dawn know if you have problems accessing the survey or uploading a photo.
Fellows Meet Fellows
It was wonderful to see so many Flinn-Brown Fellows at the Arizona League of Cities and Towns conference! The Honorable Ben Blink (Phoenix, 2018), William Kovacs (Phoenix, 2016), John Winchester (Tucson, 2018), Timothy Gomez (Phoenix, 2023), the Honorable Matt Herman (Casa Grande, 2019), the Honorable Fernando Shipley (Miami, 2011), Julie Katsel (Tucson, 2014), the Honorable Mila Besich (Superior, 2019), the Honorable Cecilia McCollough (Wellton, 2018), the Honorable Kevin Hartke (Chandler, 2014), Rosalva Zimmerman (Goodyear, 2018), the Honorable Becky Daggett (Flagstaff, 2014), the Honorable Matthew Gress (Phoenix, 2015), Tyler Mastin (Peoria, 2026), Suzanne Sisley, M.D. (Scottsdale, 2011), Audra Koester Thomas (Fountain Hills, 2011), Rodney Short, J.D. (Yuma, 2024), the Honorable Brannon Hampton (Goodyear, 2022), Elaine Becherer (Tucson, 2023), Joan Serviss (Goodyear, 2026), and Gabriel Jaramillo (Phoenix, 2022).
Thank you to Gail Jackson (Flagstaff, 2023), Heath Vescovi-Chiordi (Tucson, 2023), and Zach Yentzer (Marana, 2020) for sharing your expertise on the panel “AZ Opportunity: A Conversation on Arizona’s Economic Future.”
And thank you to all the Fellows who joined us for the League reception and panel co-sponsored by ABOR: Heath Vescovi-Chiordi (Tucson, 2023), the Honorable Khara House (Flagstaff, 2025), Gail Jackson (Flagstaff, 2023), Joshua Munoz (Tempe, 2025), Tyler Mastin (Peoria, 2026), the Honorable Lea Márquez Peterson (Tucson, 2011), Timothy Gomez (Phoenix, 2023), Ryan Peters (Gilbert, 2025), Veronica Aguilar (Scottsdale, 2025), Marge Zylla (Tempe, 2017), the Honorable Jeni Coke (Lake Havasu City, 2026), Brad Kendrex (Queen Creek, 2018), Amy Love (Phoenix, 2019), William Kovacs (Phoenix, 2016), David Martinez, III (Phoenix, 2011), Paul Brierley (Phoenix, 2011), Cheyenne Walsh, J.D. (Phoenix, 2013), Rodney Short, J.D. (Yuma, 2024), Elaine Becherer (Tucson, 2023), Zach Yentzer (Marana, 2020), Suzanne Sisley, M.D. (Scottsdale, 2011), and the Honorable Alexandra Arboleda, J.D. (Phoenix, 2018).
Congratulations to William Kovacs (Phoenix, 2016) on being recognized with the Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Award at the Arizona City/County Management Association’s summer conference! Nick Hilton (Tucson, 2025), Teresa Bravo (Tucson, 2023), the Honorable Alexa Lucchese (Tucson, 2024), and Julie Katsel (Tucson, 2014) were in attendance offering Flinn-Brown support.
Sophie Dessart (Florence, 2025), the Honorable Juan Ciscomani (Tucson, 2011), and the Honorable Mila Besich (Superior, 2019) discussed energy policy at the recent Pinal Partnership gathering.
Heath Vescovi-Chiordi (Tucson, 2023), the Honorable Lea Márquez Peterson (Tucson, 2011), the Honorable Nicole Barraza, Ph.D. (Tucson, 2020), Sean Goslar (Tucson, 2020), and Daniel Palm (Tucson, 2020) with Global Ties in Tucson.
OG Flinn-Brown Fellows David Martinez, III (Phoenix, 2011), Patrick McWhortor (Cave Creek, 2011), and the Honorable Fernando Shipley (Miami, 2011) at the Rural Policy Forum in Kingman.
Dana Kennedy (Phoenix, 2016) and Julie Katsel (Tucson, 2014) enjoyed a visit with Michael Marquess (Flagstaff, 2025) at Mother Road Brewing Company in Flagstaff.
Fabulous Flinn-Brown Fellows Elvy Barton (Chandler, 2013), the Honorable Alexandra Arboleda, J.D. (Phoenix, 2018), Ashley Anderson (Maricopa, 2025), Veronica Aguilar (Scottsdale, 2025), Sophie Allen-Etchart (Phoenix, 2022), and Teniqua Broughton (Phoenix, 2013) attended the ATHENA nominee reception.
Jay Smith (Flagstaff, 2025) and Sophie Dessart (Florence, 2025) talking water at the Arizona Forward breakfast.
The Honorable Bill Regner (Clarkdale, 2018), the Honorable Janet Regner (Clarkdale, 2017), and Jessye Johnson (Cottonwood, 2026) with Gov. Katie Hobbs in the Verde Valley.
Buna George (Yuma, 2023), Heath Vescovi-Chiordi (Tucson, 2023), and Mignonne Hollis (Hereford, 2013) at the Nogales Sonora Consulate.
Gail Jackson (Flagstaff, 2023), the Honorable Khara House (Flagstaff, 2025), and Michael Marquess (Flagstaff, 2025) in Flagstaff.
Thank you to all the Fellows who attended the Southern Arizona happy hour last month: Jose Arias (Tucson, 2023), Mark Savage, J.D. (Hereford, 2026), Erica Yngve (Tucson, 2024), Nannon Roosa (Tucson, 2026), Jeffrey Ratje (Tucson, 2015), Edgar Soto (Tucson, 2022), Douglas Hockstad (Oro Valley, 2022), Teresa Bravo (Tucson, 2023), and Sean Goslar (Tucson, 2020). Special thanks to Julie Katsel (Tucson, 2014) for organizing!
Fellows Celebrating Birthdays
We want to wish a happy birthday to all the Fellows celebrating in September!
- Nora Hannah (Phoenix, 2011)
- Brenda Sperduti (Munds Park, 2012)
- Jami Snyder (Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2013)
- The Honorable Ruth Ellen Elinski (Cottonwood, 2014)
- Mitchell Moore (Phoenix, 2014)
- The Honorable Sarah Benatar (Flagstaff, 2015)
- Ande Burke (Centreville, Virginia, 2015)
- Angelica Garcia (Chandler, 2015)
- Joseph Erceg (Tucson, 2016)
- Joanne Keene (Flagstaff, 2016)
- The Honorable Gail Knight, Ph.D. (Phoenix, 2016)
- Nicholas Vasquez, M.D. (Chandler, 2016)
- Marie Raymond (Phoenix, 2017)
- David Engelthaler, Ph.D. (Flagstaff, 2022)
- Hiral Tipirneni, M.D. (Phoenix, 2022)
- Teresa Aseret-Manygoats (Chandler, 2023)
- Vanessa Barchfield (Tucson, 2023)
- Teresa Bravo (Tucson, 2023)
- Vincent Gallegos (Prescott, 2023)
- Jesse Galvez, Jr. (Gilbert, 2023)
- The Honorable Julie Spilsbury (Mesa, 2023)
- The Honorable Austin Aslan (Flagstaff, 2024)
- Manuel Felix (Tucson, 2024)
- The Honorable Alexa Lucchese (Tucson, 2024)
- Rebecca McKay (Phoenix, 2024)
- The Honorable Roberta Cano (Winslow, 2025)
- Sophie Dessart (Florence, 2025)
- Sara Torres (Tucson, 2025)
- Oye Waddell (Phoenix, 2025)
- James Arndt (Phoenix, 2026)
- Brandon Hiller (Glendale, 2026)
- Tricia Lewis (Prescott Valley, 2026)
- Joan Serviss (Goodyear, 2026)
- Elizabeth Soltero (Tucson, 2026)
This is not a complete list, but we can only wish you a happy birthday if we know when it is! You can help us make sure we celebrate by sharing your birthday with us in the Fellows Survey.
Fellow Book Recommendation
Each month, we feature suggestions from Fellows to create a virtual library about public-policy issues, the practice of leadership, professional development, and other areas worth sharing. This month’s recommendation comes from Ashley Bridwell (Phoenix, 2019).
I would recommend “Compassionomics” by Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli. The book, simply put, is an evidence-based, data-driven look at how being compassionate can save money and increase health outcomes for all populations, thus reducing future expenses. It’s a great way to see how doing the “right” thing can translate into effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
Fellows Lists
Each month, we feature a Fellows list in a specific employment sector, public policy area, affinity group, or region. With August being full of statewide gatherings, from the Flinn-Brown Convention to the League of Cities and Towns, this month we highlight our fellows by region:
You can find additional lists here. If there is a new list you would like to see compiled, please let us know.
Fellows In The News
We are happy to promote your work through social media, so reach out if you would like us to recognize a professional accomplishment, event, or program with which you are involved.
The Honorable Alexandra Arboleda, J.D. (Phoenix, 2018)was interviewed for a FOX 10 news segment about a new federal proposal that could impose disproportionately large Colorado River water cuts on Arizona through 2036.
Clare Aslan, Ph.D. (Flagstaff, 2017) was featured on KJZZ’s The Show to discuss her research on the Paradine plains cactus and its unusual resilience to the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires.
The Honorable Nicole Barraza, Ph.D. (Tucson, 2020) and Heath Vescovi-Chiordi (Tucson, 2023) took part in a Global Ties Arizona panel on partnerships driving Southern Arizona’s future, with Barraza moderating.
Michelle Beaver (Phoenix, 2024) was featured on Arizona Horizon and Arizona & Me to discuss how News Literacy for Arizona helps Arizonans navigate today’s information landscape.
Tony Boone (Sierra Vista, 2019) was honored with an Arizona Space Marshal title at the Arizona Technology Council’s inaugural Arizona Aerospace Summit, recognizing his contributions to advancing the state’s space ecosystem. He also discussed with KGUN the delay in Sierra Vista’s FAA spaceport application and the city’s continued push to advance its space industry plans.
Quintin Boyce, Ed.D. (Phoenix, 2020) was a keynote speaker for Miami Unified’s AI Summit.
Paul Brierley (Phoenix, 2011) joined KJZZ’s The Showto discuss Arizona’s reopening of the Douglas border crossing to Mexican cattle after a yearlong closure due to the New World screwworm. He was also quoted in a FOX 10 news story discussing how proposed Colorado River water cuts could hurt Arizona’s agriculture industry and rural economies.
Tony Cani (Phoenix, 2014) provided a news recap on a recent episode of Politics Unplugged.
The Honorable Nikki Check (Jerome, 2012) was featured on a panel at Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau’s Economic Outlook and Leadership Forum.
The Honorable Juan Ciscomani (Tucson, 2011) is sponsoring the Alzheimer’s Early Detection Act which would expand insurance coverage for early-stage Alzheimer’s screenings.
The Honorable Demion Clinco (Tucson, 2013) was featured in a Monocle article on Tucson’s creative and cultural renaissance, spanning the city’s neon sign preservation movement, its mid-century modernist architecture, its status as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, and its growing food and hospitality scene.
The Honorable Becky Daggett (Flagstaff, 2014) was featured on an Arizona List panel of Arizona female mayors and vice mayors to discuss the gender and racial bias they’ve faced in political leadership.
Sophie Dessart (Florence, 2025) discussed copper mining’s economic impact on Pinal County communities as part of a panel at the Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce’s Biz Outlook luncheon.
The Honorable Reetika Dhawan, Ed.D. (Yuma, 2022) was highlighted in a KAWC article about a $150,000 grant, split among Arizona Western College, Sunset Health, and Onvida Health, that will help expand healthcare training programs and scholarships to address workforce shortages in Yuma.
Buna George (Yuma, 2023) was featured in an Arizona Luminaria article about the Greater Yuma Port Authority’s plans to explore whether the San Luis commercial crossing could open to private vehicles to ease traffic at the port.
Stephanie Healy (Tucson, 2011) was quoted in a Tucson Weekly article about a $500,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation to expand virtual healthcare access at TMC Rincon for underserved communities across Southern Arizona.
Mignonne Hollis (Hereford, 2013), Executive Director of the Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, was quoted in a Trust for Civic Life newsletter explaining what it means to be a civic hub. Her organization was among those named as a 2026 Civic Hub Grantee.
Gail Jackson (Flagstaff, 2023), Heath Vescovi-Chiordi (Tucson, 2023), and Zachary Yentzer (Marana, 2020) were featured on a panel at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns conference discussing how educational attainment and workforce development are shaping economic growth across their respective regions of the state.
Peter Kim (Scottsdale, 2023) will deliver the closing keynote, exploring how AI is transforming cyber operations, at the Arizona Technology Council’s 11th annual Cybersecurity Breakfast Forum on Sept. 15.
Marie Raymond (Phoenix, 2017) was featured in a KJZZ article about the legacy of former Congressman Harry Mitchell, whose personal experience as a caregiver helped establish Tempe as Arizona’s first “dementia friendly” city.
Joan Serviss (Goodyear, 2026) was spotlighted by LISC Arizona for her career-long work on housing affordability and homelessness in Arizona, including her new role as director of affordable housing and homelessness at the Arizona Community Foundation.
Jay Smith (Flagstaff, 2025) was interviewed for an AZ Family news story about Coconino County’s forest thinning efforts near Arizona Snowbowl, aimed at reducing wildfire risk and protecting Flagstaff’s watershed near the San Francisco Peaks.
The Honorable Robyn Stallworth Pouquette (Yuma, 2020) is now Assistant County Administrator for Yuma County.
Benjamin Taylor, J.D. (Phoenix, 2019) wrote a Daily Independent op-ed on the public reaction to the July 19 Mill Avenue incident involving Tempe police and an ASU student.
Beya Thayer (Flagstaff, 2023) was interviewed for a KJZZ article about Yavapai County’s new partnership with tech company Kyndryl to improve case management and connect former inmates with behavioral health services.
Alec Thomson (Phoenix, 2019) was quoted in a Yahoo News article about the Arizona Lottery’s 45th anniversary.
Board & Commission Openings
Serving on a board or commission is a great way to influence public policy on issues where you have expertise or a passion to serve.
The Arizona Governor’s Office has more than 200 boards and commissions. To apply, complete the application on the website. For the most recent list of vacancies, please see here.
Most Arizona counties and cities have boards and commissions with frequent vacancies. Check local websites for more opportunities.
If you’re interested in joining a nonprofit board, or you work for a nonprofit with board openings, sign up for AZ Leaders on Board, a platform that connects civic-minded professionals with meaningful board service opportunities for Arizona nonprofits.
If you have specific opportunities to share, let us know.
Career & Professional Opportunities
Maricopa Association of Governments is seeking a Governmental Relations Administrator to lead intergovernmental relations efforts with member agencies.
The Arizona State Board of Accountancy is seeking an Executive Director to serve as the chief executive officer.
iCivics is searching for a Chief Communications and Marketing Officer to execute comprehensive communications strategies and amplify iCivics’ brand across multiple internal and external platforms.
ALL in Education is seeking an Executive Director who will set the vision for the organization’s next chapter.
Arizona SciTech Institute is hiring a Development Manager to advance its fundraising efforts related to individual and corporate giving.
Events & Conferences
Registration is open for the 2026 Southern Arizona Development Finance Summit on Sept. 10, hosted by the Tucson Industrial Development Authority.
The Arizona Association for Economic Development is hosting the 2026 Fall Forum, Clues to Growth: The Evidence for Economic Development, Sept. 23-25 in Flagstaff.
The Greater Phoenix Chamber will host the 2027 Economic Outlook on Oct. 1 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
Registration is open for the Arizona Health Equity Conference Oct. 22 at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix.
The Goldwater Institute’s Freedom Gala will be Oct. 23 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.
Arizona Forward is hosting the 2026 Statewide Sustainability Summit: Thrive in 2035 on Oct. 26 in Tempe.
The Greater Phoenix Chamber’s ATHENA Awards will be Oct. 29 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge.