The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation selected 24 civic and community leaders from around the state in May 2026 as Flinn-Brown Fellows.
Meet the 2026 Fellows, learn about their careers and public service, the communities they represent, and connect with them on social media.
Cochise
The Honorable Levi Johnson
Deputy of Logistics, HT-JCOE
U.S. Department of War
Vice Mayor, City of Benson
2022 – Present
Levi Johnson is a logistics leader, Army veteran, and public servant dedicated to operational excellence and community growth. He currently serves as deputy of logistics at Fort Huachuca, where he oversees procurement, compliance, and supply chain operations supporting mission readiness. With more than a decade of experience in military logistics and management, he brings a disciplined, data-driven approach to leadership and process improvement. Levi also serves as vice mayor of Benson, where he helps guide strategic planning, budgeting, and community engagement initiatives. He is passionate about mentorship, youth development, and building strong, accountable organizations that serve people effectively.
Mark Savage, J.D.
Fire Chief
Fry Fire District
Mark Savage started his career in public service with the Fry Fire District in 1993. He has served as its fire chief since 2017. Mark is a certified paramedic with degrees in Fire Prevention Administration and Business Management. He received his law degree from the University of Arizona and completed the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program and the Naval Postgraduate School Executive Leaders Program. Mark volunteers as a reserve deputy with the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office and is currently the board chair for the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona. In his free time, he and his wife, Ashley, enjoy hiking outdoors with their children and dog.
Coconino
Jeffrey Kennedy
Senior Pastor
First Missionary Baptist Church
Jeffrey Kennedy is the senior pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in Flagstaff, where he has served since 2017, providing faith-based leadership centered on community engagement, dialogue, and service. He is also a certified facilitator, leadership trainer, and coach with Lancaster Leadership, supporting executive teams, public-sector leaders, and nonprofit organizations in strengthening communication, accountability, and leadership effectiveness. With 18 years of facilitation experience, 25 years in operational leadership, and 28 years as a News Talk and sports radio host, Jeffrey is known for guiding thoughtful conversations across diverse audiences. A U.S. Air Force veteran and linguist, he brings a collaborative, values-driven approach to leadership.
Aaron Knudson, D.O.
Internal Medicine and Lead Pediatric Hospitalist
Banner Health Page Hospital / Banner Medical Group
Aaron Knudson is a rural internal medicine/pediatric hospitalist and clinical instructor at Banner Page Hospital, where he has served in various leadership roles including chief of staff and medical director. Living with his family in Northern Arizona, bordering the Navajo Nation, he focuses on improving healthcare access for geographically isolated communities. Aaron co-founded the Creek Valley Health Clinic in Colorado City and currently serves as its board president. He is a professional member of the Arizona State Medicaid Advisory Committee and is dedicated to sustainable healthcare delivery through state-level policy and innovation.
Dianna Sanchez
Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives
Coconino Community College
Dianna Sanchez has spent her career dedicated to all levels of education, driven by the desire to ensure educational access for all. Currently serving as the vice president of advancement and strategic initiatives at Coconino Community College (CCC), Dianna has championed and led multiple collegewide initiatives and helped co-lead a $100 million capital construction bond special election. Serving as a member of the President’s cabinet, Dianna’s leadership has anchored the CCC Foundation as a key component of the college’s overall mission and has been an essential driver for improving student success outcomes collegewide.
Maricopa
James Arndt
Principal, Camelback High School
Phoenix Union High School District
James Arndt is the principal of Camelback High School in Phoenix, where he has led nationally recognized efforts to expand ninth grade success and early college access. Under his leadership, Camelback High School became a National Demonstration School and dramatically increased the number of students earning college credit. A lifelong Arizonan, James is deeply committed to strengthening public education and civic life across the state. He serves on several nonprofit and district leadership boards and previously led a successful school funding campaign that generated more than $100 million for local schools. He lives in Phoenix with his wife and two children.
Jennie Bever, Ph.D.
President and CEO
4th Trimester Arizona
Jennie Bever is president and chief executive officer of 4th Trimester Arizona. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California, San Diego and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Arizona State University. An international board-certified lactation consultant, Jennie serves on the Arizona Department of Health Services Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the State Maternal Mental Health Task Force, and the Arizona State University Maternal and Child Health Translational Research Team. A mother of four, she founded 4th Trimester Arizona to advance fully integrated, community-rooted postpartum care and strengthen maternal health systems across the state.
Steven R. Brown, M.D.
Program Director and Professor, College of Medicine
University of Arizona
Steven R. Brown is program director of the Family Medicine Residency and professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix. He has mentored more than 150 family physicians, many of whom practice in Arizona with underserved populations. He is past president of the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, and co-host, editor, and creator of the award-winning American Family Physician Podcast. He is an advocate for civic engagement by medical trainees and for addressing social determinants of health. His wife is a teacher in the Scottsdale Unified School District, where their two children attended school.
Erika Coombs
Business/Finance Officer
Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority
Erika Coombs has worked in municipal finance since 2004, including 20 years at regional investment banks handling underwriting, municipal advisory, and consulting for Arizona governments. She is currently the business/finance officer at the Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority and previously managed the debt for the city of Scottsdale. She serves in various roles for organizations whose mission is to increase women in leadership or in the financial field. She holds a bachelor’s degree and an MPA from Arizona State University. Her favorite people call her “Mama.”
Stephanie Elzenga, J.D.
General Counsel
Arizona Department of Health Services
Stephanie Elzenga is an experienced public health attorney and legal executive with a strong record of guiding agency leadership through complex legal and policy challenges. She is general counsel for the Arizona Department of Health Services, advising the director and executive team on litigation, complaints, and legislative matters, while managing the agency’s legal and legislative teams. Previously, she served as deputy general counsel at the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Stephanie has also earned a graduate certificate in Health Information Privacy, Compliance, and Data Security from the University of Arizona and graduated cum laude from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Brandon Hiller
Chief of Staff
Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
Brandon Hiller is an Arizona-born public servant committed to strengthening communities through principled, collaborative leadership. A University of Arizona graduate, he began his career interning for Sen. John McCain, where he developed a bipartisan approach to public service rooted in civility and problem-solving. Brandon has served in congressional outreach roles, as a council aide in Surprise, and in senior leadership on statewide campaigns in Arizona and New Mexico. He now serves as chief of staff to the Maricopa County Attorney, advancing public safety, intergovernmental cooperation, and community engagement. His work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring Arizona families, neighborhoods, and local institutions have the opportunity to succeed.
Tyler Mastin
Assistant to the Mayor
City of Peoria
Tyler Mastin is the assistant to the mayor of Peoria, bringing more than a decade of experience in government, public policy, and stakeholder engagement. His background includes service in the Governor’s Office, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and work at the Arizona State Legislature, where he developed a strong ability to navigate complex political environments and advance strategic priorities. Tyler is known for building trusted relationships, aligning diverse interests, and managing competing demands with focus and discipline. He is committed to strengthening civic operations and delivering practical, results-driven solutions that benefit both the local community and the state.
Joan Serviss
Director, Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Arizona Community Foundation
Joan Serviss is director of affordable housing and homelessness for the Arizona Community Foundation and has led efforts to address housing insecurity in Arizona for nearly two decades. With experience in coalition building, policy, and community engagement, she was appointed by Gov. Katie Hobbs to lead the Arizona Department of Housing in 2023, stewarding a historic level of state investment toward Arizona’s housing challenges. She previously led the Arizona Housing Coalition for over a decade, advancing statewide advocacy. Joan was named the Arizona Capitol Times 2020 Public Policy Leader of the Year. She holds an MPA from Arizona State University.
Kado Stewart
Vice President of Programs & Strategy
one-n-ten
Kado Stewart is vice president of programs and strategy at one•n•ten, overseeing housing, workforce development, camps, the Youth Center, and 20 statewide satellite sites. He has led strategic growth, strengthened operational infrastructure, and cultivated major philanthropic investments to expand one•n•ten’s impact. Kado is a proven leader in building cross-sector partnerships that increase opportunity and remove barriers for youth. In 2008, he founded Camp OUTdoors, one of the nation’s largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ leadership camps. In 2023, Kado was appointed to the Governor’s Interagency Community Council on Homelessness and Housing. In 2024, he was a Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and among Phoenix Magazine’s Great 48.
Tenneh Turner-Warren
Chief, Office of Chronic Disease & Population Health
Arizona Department of Health Services
Tenneh Turner-Warren currently serves as chief of the Office of Chronic Disease and Population Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She has a B.S. in Microbiology and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Rhode Island. A current ASTHO DELPH Scholar, she leads a multidisciplinary team and develops cross-sector partnerships to advance health equity and improve access to care for underserved and rural populations. With more than a decade of experience across nonprofit, healthcare, county, and state public health systems, she brings a service-oriented approach grounded in sustainability and systems thinking.
Mohave
The Honorable Jeni Coke
Market Director of Physician Recruitment
Havasu Regional Medical Center
Councilmember, Lake Havasu City, 2012 – Present
Jeni Coke is the market physician recruiter for Havasu Regional and Valley View Medical Centers where she markets the community and hospital to potential physicians. A Nebraska native, Jeni relocated to Lake Havasu City 24 years ago. She is currently serving her 14th year on the Lake Havasu City Council, where she also served two years as vice mayor. Jeni is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization, E3, formed to help educate and empower those interested in running for public office.
Pima
Ryan Anderson, J.D.
Manager, Business Development
Tucson Electric Power
Ryan Anderson serves as the manager of business & economic development for Tucson Electric Power (TEP). The team supports regional economic development and focuses on supporting community prosperity through facilitating TEP’s partnerships with community partners and customers, advocating for prospective and existing customer energy objectives. Outside of his work at TEP, Ryan is proud to have served on multiple boards and commissions. Previously, Ryan served as the energy, transportation, and planning policy advisor for Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild after practicing law in the private sector. Ryan is married to Blue Baldwin and has a 12-year-old daughter, Mosey. Before settling down, Ryan traveled to 38 countries and attended McGill University.
Nannon Roosa
Managing Partner
Crescent Edge, LLC
Nannon Roosa is managing partner of Crescent Edge, providing results-driven consulting to advance the innovation economy. She currently serves as board chair for the Bioindustry Organization of Southern Arizona, a board member for Arizona Tech Investors, and a commercialization partner for Tech Launch Arizona at the University of Arizona. Beyond economic development, she is committed to community impact through the Southern Arizona Make-A-Wish Wishmakers Council. Leveraging her experience with Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee, she bridges private-sector strategy with civic stewardship to build sustainable, scalable success for Arizona.
Elizabeth Soltero
Chief Executive Officer
Sunnyside Unified School District Foundation
Elizabeth Soltero is chief executive officer of the Sunnyside Foundation, a nonprofit foundation serving students, educators, and families on Tucson’s southside through education, emergency relief, and community investment. Soltero operates at the intersection of community organizer, institution builder, and civic entrepreneur with deep roots, long relationships, and decades of experience across city government, academia, and public librarianship. Soltero holds a B.A. in Mexican American Studies and a M.A. from the School of Information Resources and Library Science at the University of Arizona.
Pinal
Clay Robinson
Director of Creative Strategy and Technology
Winged Victory Agency
Clay Robinson is the director of creative strategy and technology at Winged Victory Agency, a Phoenix-based firm specializing in strategic communications, campaigns, and public affairs. He also serves in the Arizona Army National Guard and has deployed overseas in support of Combined Joint Task Force — Horn of Africa. Clay graduated from Arizona State University’s Barrett, the Honors College with degrees in civic and economic thought and leadership, political science, and innovation in society, and holds a graduate degree from ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Yavapai
Jessye Johnson
Executive Director
Verde Valley Sanctuary
Jessye Johnson has served as executive director of Verde Valley Sanctuary since March 2022, leading the organization’s operations, finances, programs, and strategic vision. She holds a B.S. in Justice Studies from Arizona State University and an MPA from Grand Canyon University. With 25 years in Arizona’s domestic and sexual violence movement, she began her career in direct service before advancing to statewide leadership roles, including chief strategy officer at the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. A published author and statewide policy contributor, she is recognized for advancing survivor-centered systems, strengthening organizational sustainability, and driving strategic transformation across Arizona.
Tricia Lewis
Economic Development Manager
City of Prescott
Tricia Lewis is an Arizona public-sector leader with 26 years of experience in marketing, communications, and economic development, including government service since 2010. She previously served as tourism and economic development director for the city of Cottonwood and currently leads economic development initiatives for the city of Prescott. Tricia specializes in regional tourism, destination marketing, strategic economic growth, and public-private collaboration. A breast cancer survivor, she brings resilience, integrity, and perspective to her leadership. Her work is grounded in a commitment to strengthening Arizona communities and advancing thoughtful, impact-driven civic leadership at the municipal and statewide levels.
Yuma
Lilian Campa-Serna
Associate Superintendent
Yuma Union High School District
Lilian Campa-Serna serves as associate superintendent at Yuma Union High School District, bringing over 25 years of experience in public education. After immigrating to the United States as an English learner, she experienced firsthand the transformative power of strong public schools. A proud graduate of Yuma schools, she was inspired early on by educators who challenged her to pursue excellence—an influence that continues to shape her leadership. Deeply shaped by her daughter Kate’s courageous battle with cancer, Lilian leads with resilience and purpose, believing leadership is a responsibility to serve, uplift, and relentlessly advocate for students and the broader community.
The Honorable Cori Rico
Director of Human Resources, Talent Acquisition and Development
Gowan Company
Governing Board Member, Yuma Elementary School District
2025 – Present
Cori Rico is a senior human resources leader at Gowan Company, a global agricultural solutions organization supporting one of Arizona’s most critical industries. She leads talent acquisition and workforce development strategies that strengthen organizational capability and future leadership pipelines. Cori also serves as an elected governing board member for Yuma Elementary School District One and is actively engaged in civic leadership through United Way and First Things First. With a foundation in social work and public service, she is committed to advancing collaborative solutions that strengthen education, workforce readiness, and Arizona communities.
