Fellows Spotlight
Elizabeth Alvarado-Thorson
2017 Flinn-Brown Fellow
Director, Arizona Department of Administration
“A great opportunity [for Arizona] would be providing citizens the opportunity for something like Flinn-Brown. We have such a diverse population now that if we could find ways to bring people together that have different opinions, different perspectives…solving problems would get so much easier.” – Elizabeth Alvarado-Thorson.
When Elizabeth Alvarado-Thorson was a child, she and her five siblings watched as two men in suits left their family home. Shortly after, their parents sat them down, and their father explained that the men had presented them with an opportunity to give back to the state of Arizona.
It was the late 1970s, a time of rapid growth in Phoenix, and their opportunity came in the form of giving up their home to allow for the expansion of I-10. When Alvarado-Thorson says that downtown Phoenix is her “backyard,” she means it in the most personal way.
Elizabeth’s career began in the private sector, where she spent 12 years with Blue Cross Blue Shield, followed by a role at Arizona State University, her alma mater. Reflecting on those experiences, she describes them as nothing short of wonderful. Yet, it was the resilience and determination she discovered while working in state government that shaped her path and gave her the challenge she craved.
“The fulfillment and challenge that I get every single day serving the state of Arizona, there’s nothing that beats it, right?”
Her current title? Director of the Arizona Department of Administration, a role that speaks volumes about her exceptional leadership skills and dedication to public service. Yet, in her own words, she’s quick to admit that “nerd” might just as easily fit into her title, reflecting her enthusiasm for tackling complex challenges and diving deep into the intricacies of state governance.
“Leadership, it’s something that truly drives me. But the other thing I love everyone to know, and those who know me in the state know it already, I’m a big geek. I’m probably the director who’s the biggest nerd. If it was all day ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Lord of the Rings,’ I’m there every single time.”
Alvarado-Thorson credits her deep love for serving others to her father, a man whose ability to frame the loss of their home as an opportunity to give back to Arizona left a lasting impression on her. A World War II veteran and paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, he exemplified resilience, dedication, and selflessness.
His greatest lesson to his children, however, went beyond his heroic service. He instilled in them a profound belief in the importance of making a positive difference in their communities, encouraging each of them to find their own path to contribute. For Elizabeth, this legacy of service and gratitude continues to guide her work and inspire her every day.
“Growing up, it felt like an expectation, but now, I’m so thankful for it. As a leader, and for how it shaped my career, and my life. This idea that we serve, and that it’s a privilege.”
As a third-generation Arizonan, her connection to her home state runs deep. Her roots in Arizona have always shaped her perspective, fueling a sense of responsibility and pride in contributing to its growth and well-being.
For Alvarado-Thorson, the opportunity to bring her skills and professional background to a role that serves the greater good of Arizona is more than a career. It’s a calling. She believes this sense of fulfillment is what drives so many dedicated individuals to work in state government, united by the shared goal of making their communities stronger and their state a better place for all.
In 2017, a colleague introduced Elizabeth to an opportunity to expand her network of problem-solvers at the state level: the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. As a human resources expert, she understands that collaboration is at the heart of meaningful change. Joining a group of individuals as deeply committed to Arizona as she gave her a renewed sense of purpose and a powerful platform to make a difference.
“I wanted to build a strong, professional HR staff that understood business, and the business of the agencies, because that’s how we can provide value. So, understanding that, I knew one of the ways I could do that as a state HR director and as a leader of the state, and to best represent then Gov. Doug Ducey, was to create better bonds between myself and other public service folks. And Flinn-Brown, boy, that did it for me.”
The Arizona Department of Administration is often referred to as the “nerve center” of state government, overseeing critical areas such as contracts, accounting, procurement, human resources, risk management, and IT. Managing such a broad array of responsibilities requires diverse perspectives to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Alvarado-Thorson recognized that what her work needed most was fresh perspectives, and that’s exactly what she found through the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. Engaging with individuals from budgeting, communications, the Legislature, and private sector leadership brought a dynamic energy to the problem-solving process, sparking new ideas and approaches.
While bringing together people with different backgrounds to discuss policy might seem challenging, Alvarado-Thorson believes it’s essential. She hopes Arizona continues to create opportunities for collaboration across sectors, fostering innovative solutions for the state’s most pressing issues.
Book Recommendation
Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven
“Essentially, it’s about discipline. The idea that making your bed each morning is a small step to creating some big habits of self-discipline. It’s small accomplishments that build up bigger things. Something as minor as making your bed every morning is just one of those things that I took to heart. When I talk to groups, it’s those small things that matter. We always try to tackle these big, huge things, these big, hairy, audacious goals. And those are tough, but you also need these really small things that matter. What I tell my staff and my leaders at the Department of Administration, or anywhere in the state enterprise, is what we do matters. It matters every single day to someone.”
If you missed a Fellows Spotlight, you can find them here. View all Flinn-Brown Fellow profiles here.