June 2026 Network News

Thoughts from Dawn Wallace

I am writing this month’s Network News from Portugal, where I have been introduced to one of the more unexpected civic rituals I have encountered: being hit on the head with a plastic hammer.

In Porto, the festival of São João has filled the streets on the night of June 23 for centuries — and this year, as on every year, the city gave itself over to music, fireworks, grilled sardines, lanterns, and thousands of people carrying colorful toy hammers. What began as an older tradition involving leeks and garlic flowers has evolved into something much more whimsical: total strangers gently bonking one another on the head as they pass through the city.

At first, it is hard not to laugh. It is also hard not to flinch.

But after a while, the whole thing starts to feel less strange and more disarming. There is a kind of shared agreement in the air. Everyone understands the rules. The tap is playful, not aggressive. The stranger is not a threat. The crowded street is not something to endure, but something to move through together.

I have been thinking about that small exchange: the brief moment when two people who do not know each other meet with humor instead of suspicion. It is not grand. It will not solve a policy problem. It will not appear in a strategic plan. But it does say something about community.

So much of public life asks us to be serious, and rightly so. The issues facing Arizona are real and often urgent. But seriousness alone does not build trust. Trust is often built in the smaller spaces: in laughter, in generosity, in the willingness to be surprised by one another.

That is one of the things I value most about the Flinn-Brown Network. It creates room for people from different communities, professions, and perspectives to know one another before the hard conversations begin. It reminds us that relationships are not a side benefit of leadership; they are frequently what make leadership possible.

Maybe that is why the São João hammer has stayed with me. It is absurd, yes. But it is also a reminder that communities need moments that lower our defenses and help us see one another with a little more humor and generosity of spirit.

As we move into another busy season across Arizona, I hope we can carry a little of that spirit with us: less armor, more curiosity, and maybe, every now and then, the humility to accept a gentle tap on the head.

Best, Dawn

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Fellows Running for Office

Putting your name on a ballot takes courage, and it reflects exactly the kind of civic commitment this Network was built around. More than 30 Flinn-Brown Fellows are running for office this cycle, from local school boards to the U.S. Congress, and we want to make sure they are recognized. The Fellows pictured below are those we know of so far. If you are running and don’t see your picture, please let Dawn know so we can include you.

^{*Indicates candidate is running for re-election.} 

CONGRESS

*Juan Ciscomani (Tucson, 2011), U.S. Congress CD6

STATE LEGISLATURE:

*Matthew Gress (Phoenix, 2015), House LD4; *Brian Garcia, J.D. (Tempe, 2018), House LD8; *Chris Mathis, J.D. (Tucson, 2011), House LD18; *Kevin Volk (Tucson, 2022), House LD17; Tammy Caputi (Scottsdale, 2019), House LD4; Bridget Fitzgibbons, N.M.D. (Mesa, 2024), Senate LD9; Kevin Hartke (Chandler, 2014), House LD13; Aaron Lieberman (Paradise Valley, 2017), Senate LD4; Jay Schlum (Fountain Hills, 2011), House LD3; Edgar Soto (Tucson, 2022), Senate LD17; John Winchester (Tucson, 2018), House LD17 

MAYOR

*Mila Besich (Superior, 2019), Mayor, Superior; *Roberta Cano (Winslow, 2025), Mayor, Winslow; *Becky Daggett (Flagstaff, 2014), Mayor, Flagstaff; Levi Johnson (Benson, 2026), Mayor, Benson; *Kell Palguta (Prescott Valley, 2019), Mayor, Prescott Valley

CITY COUNCIL

*Austin Aslan (Flagstaff, 2024), Flagstaff; *Jeni Coke (Lake Havasu City, 2026), Lake Havasu City; *Brannon Hampton (Goodyear, 2022), Goodyear; * Matt Herman (Casa Grande, 2019), Casa Grande; *Khara House (Flagstaff, 2025), Flagstaff; Sheri Lauritano, J.D. (Goodyear, 2012), Goodyear; *Lori Matthews (Flagstaff, 2024), Flagstaff

NAVAJO NATION

*Shaandiin Parrish (Kayenta, 2025), Navajo Nation Delegate; Debbie Nez-Manuel (Window Rock, 2017), President, Navajo Nation

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

*Deborah Ann Begay, J.D. (Phoenix, 2024), District 4; Kristel Ann Foster (Tucson, 2015), District 8; Kara Egbert (Sahuarita, 2015), District 7

COMMUNITY COLLEGE GOVERNING BOARD

*Nicole Barraza, Ph.D. (Tucson, 2020), Pima Community College

SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD

Ben Blink (Phoenix, 2018), Osborn School District; *Violeta Ramos (Phoenix, 2025), Osborn School District; Jennifer Richards, Ph.D. (Flagstaff, 2024), Flagstaff Unified School District; Elizabeth Slater (Tucson, 2025), Amphitheater Unified School District

The Flinn Foundation does not endorse candidates or campaigns. 

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Flinn-Brown Convention

Register for the 2026 Flinn-Brown Convention, taking place Friday, Aug. 14 at On Jackson in Phoenix, with a pre-Convention reception on Thursday, Aug. 13 at the FOUND:RE Hotel.

The 2026 Flinn-Brown Convention, Living the Network: 15 Years of Leadership in Action, is a celebration with a charge. As the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation and the Flinn-Brown Fellowship mark their 15th anniversaries, the Convention honors 15 years of Fellows who have served, advocated, and led—and challenges the Network to make the next 15 matter even more. Learn more about the sessions and activities here.

Fellows Spotlight

Alexis Danneman, J.D. (Phoenix, 2016) has built her career at the intersection of law and democracy, and she would be the first to tell you that the work is deeply personal.

A partner at Perkins Coie, Alexis is a litigator whose practice centers on public law. She represents clients in complex cases involving government agencies and questions arising under the federal and state constitutions. Over the last several election cycles, she has represented a presidential candidate, the Arizona Attorney General, and the Arizona Governor in voting rights and election law matters. Her clients, she explains, depend on strong public policies that uphold the rule of law and the strength of government institutions.

A fourth-generation Arizonan, her roots in the state run deep. Alexis went east for college at Georgetown University before returning home to earn her law degree at the University of Arizona. That return wasn’t incidental. Arizona is in her bones, and her work reflects a genuine investment in the state’s civic future.

Growing up, one phrase came up again and again in her household. Her father would often return to John F. Kennedy’s definition of happiness: “the exercise of vital powers along lines of excellence in a life affording them scope.” It is a phrase that has grown in meaning for her over time.

“I am only starting to fully appreciate this definition of happiness,” she reflects. “I feel grateful to have a significant amount of autonomy in my job and my life, and I strive to do my best both at home and at work.”

For Alexis, that aspiration toward excellence isn’t confined to the courtroom. It shapes how she approaches the Flinn-Brown Network, too.

“Being part of this Network has allowed me to connect with, and deepen ties with, some of the most interesting and impactful people in Arizona,” she says. “I love when I come across a Flinn-Brown Fellow. There is a shared understanding about the importance of respect and community, regardless of political ideology.”

That shared ethic is something Alexis sees as essential, not just within the Network but across Arizona’s civic landscape. When asked about opportunities to strengthen civic health in the state, she starts close to home. In her professional world, she believes lawyers and litigants have a responsibility to continue prioritizing respect for one another and for the legal institutions that underpin democratic life. Looking more broadly, civic education and community engagement are where her deepest concerns lie.

“I’m most concerned about civic education and community engagement,” she says. “I’m grateful to the Fellows dedicating themselves to this in our state.”

It is a fitting reflection from someone who has spent her career defending the very structures that make civic participation possible. For Alexis, the health of Arizona’s democracy is not an abstraction. It is the thing she argues for every day.

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Legislative Wrap-Up

Join us at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 15, for a Fellows-only event featuring lobbyists Meghaen Dell’Artino of Public Policy Partners, Gaelle Esposito of Creosote Partners, Jay Kaprosy of Veridus, and Stacy Pearson, co-founder, Lumen Strategies. Flinn-Brown Fellow Ben Blink, (Phoenix, 2018) president of Blink Public Policy, will moderate the panel discussion.

These insiders will provide a wrap-up of the 2026 legislative session, including legislation, budget, and how the 2026 election drove topics and issues at the state Capitol.

This will be a hybrid event held in-person at the Flinn Foundation and simulcast via Zoom.

Fellows Field Trips

Mother Road Brewing Company Tour & Beer Tasting

Flinn-Brown Fellow Michael Marquess (Flagstaff, 2025), founder & CEO of Mother Road Brewing Company in Flagstaff, invites Fellows for an inside look at one of Arizona’s most celebrated craft breweries from 2-5 p.m. Friday, July 24.The event includes a brewery tour, a Q&A session, and a complimentary pint. Capacity is limited and capped at 12 Fellows, so register early! 

See where your beer is made and meet the crew behind it. Learn about the brewing process and the science of fermentation, and get your questions answered about running a craft beverage business. Following the tour, head to the Mother Road Tap Room for a pint of your choice. Lunch or dinner will be available at Fellows’ cost.

Registration Fee: $25 per person. Plus-ones are welcome but require a paid ticket. 

Civic Leadership Is Coming To You! 

This August, the Civic Leadership team is hitting the road, and we look forward to seeing some familiar faces along the way!

We’ll be at the 19th annual Rural Policy Forum in Kingman and would love for Fellows in the area to stop by our table and say hello. It’s a great opportunity to connect in person and catch up on all things Flinn-Brown.

We’re also planning a Fellows meet-up at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Annual Conference at the Arizona Biltmore. Stay tuned for more details to come on that front.

Watch your inbox for updates, and in the meantime, come find us in Kingman!

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.

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Fellows Meet Fellows

The Honorable Bill Regner (Clarkdale, 2018) and the Honorable Janet Regner (Clarkdale, 2017) enjoyed a tour of Verde Valley Sanctuary with new Fellow Jessye Johnson (Cottonwood, 2026), and connected with the Honorable Coral Evans, Ph.D. (Flagstaff, 2011) and Flinn Foundation CEO Tammy McLeod, Ph.D., at a fundraiser for the Museum of Northern Arizona.

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Fellows Celebrating Birthdays

We want to wish a happy birthday to all the Fellows celebrating in July!

• David Martinez, III (Phoenix, 2011)
• The Honorable Sara Presler, J.D. (Gilbert, 2011) 
• Suzanne Sisley, M.D. (Scottsdale, 2011)
• Joel Edman, J.D. (Tempe, 2016)
• Matthew Isiogu (Phoenix, 2016)
• Marge Zylla (Tempe, 2017)
• The Honorable Russell McCloud (Yuma, 2018) 
• The Honorable Jennifer Pawlik (Chandler, 2018)
• Erika Philpot (Flagstaff, 2018)
• The Honorable Bill Regner (Clarkdale, 2018)
• John Zimmerman (Goodyear, 2018)
• The Honorable Alex Benezra, J.D. (Phoenix, 2020)
• The Honorable Sherri Jones (San Tan Valley, 2022)
• Jerry McPherson (Phoenix, 2022)
• Noah Mundt (Gilbert, 2023)
• Michelle Beaver (Phoenix, 2024)
• The Honorable Cameron Moses (Lake Havasu City, 2024)
• Stephanie Soto (Phoenix, 2024)
• Jason Zibart (Benson, 2024)
• Eric Chalmers (Phoenix, 2025)
• Thomas Collins, J.D. (Tempe, 2025)
• The Honorable Shaandiin Parrish (Kayenta, 2025)
• Ryan Anderson, J.D. (Tucson, 2026)
• Stephanie Elzenga, J.D. (Phoenix, 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.

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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 Alexis Danneman, J.D. (Phoenix, 2016).

I’m currently reading The Vanishing American Adult by Ben Sasse. I have three young children and am always trying to think of ways to instill resilience, integrity, and life-long learning. This book has a lot of great ideas.

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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.

Carlos Alfaro (Scottsdale, 2024) was featured in KTAR News coverage about the launch of the Civic Action Network, an initiative of his nonprofit Arizona Talks Foundation aimed at expanding speech and debate programs at high schools across the state.

Catherine Alonzo (Phoenix, 2013) co-wrote an Arizona Republic opinion piece arguing that social impact organizations addressing homelessness must prioritize long-term, vision-driven strategies rather than becoming consumed by reacting to immediate crises. 

Ashley Anderson (Maricopa, 2025) was named in the Phoenix Business Journal Class of 2026 40 Under 40.

Clare Aslan, Ph.D. (Flagstaff, 2017) was featured in a NAU Review story examining how the paradine plains cactus species may hold insights into post-wildfire ecosystem recovery. She received a grant from the U.S. Forest Service to monitor the lifecycles of the cacti at various White Sage Fire burn sites.

The Honorable Mila Besich (Superior, 2019) was highlighted in coverage of the water rights agreement signed between the town of Superior and Resolution Copper. 

Vance Bryce (Safford, 2024) was featured in an Eastern Arizona Courier profile on the Graham County Chamber of Commerce, highlighting new business openings across the Gila Valley and identifying housing availability as the region’s most pressing challenge.

Erin Carr-Jordan, Ph.D. (Chandler, 2013) was featured in Arizona Highways Magazine’s “People We Love” series, highlighting her work leading the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration (IDIA), which has brought technology access and training to more than 136,000 Arizonans through a statewide network of 10 technology “hives.”

The Honorable Juan Ciscomani (Tucson, 2011) is leading a bipartisan effort urging swift modernization of the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, calling it a national asset critical to border security and the nation’s economy.

The Honorable Eddie Cook (Gilbert, 2023) was quoted in a Prescott News Network article about Arizona’s new deed fraud law, warning that forged property documents can transfer ownership before victims even realize their property has been stolen.

The Honorable Reetika Dhawan, Ed.D. (Yuma, 2022) was featured in KYMA coverage marking her first day as the 10th president of Arizona Western College. She is the institution’s first female and first immigrant president.

The Honorable Matthew Gress (Phoenix, 2015) is sponsoring HB2210, which would prohibit Arizona airports from using aviation safety tracking technology to collect landing fees, warning that doing so could induce pilots to turn off critical safety devices.

Stephanie Healy (Tucson, 2011) wrote a Herald/Review op-ed for Internet Safety Month, urging Sierra Vista families to develop AI literacy habits. 

The Honorable Daniel Hernandez, Jr. (Tucson, 2011) authored an Arizona Voices op-ed on safe and secure elections as a cornerstone of democracy, published in the Arizona Daily Sun.

Nick Hilton (Tucson, 2025) was quoted in a University of Arizona News article announcing that UA Cares received the Champions of Caring Award from United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Gabriel Jaramillo (Phoenix, 2022) was quoted in White Mountain Independent article about a ribbon-cutting celebration for the Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation’s teacher workforce housing project in Pinetop-Lakeside.

Dana Kennedy (Phoenix, 2016) was interviewed on Arizona Horizon about the growing role of AgeTech in helping older adults age in place. She was also featured in ABC15 coverage of AARP Arizona’s advocacy efforts to bring SB1041—which would require cameras in long-term care facilities—up for a vote in the Arizona Senate.  

Aron Ketchel, J.D. (Paradise Valley, 2023) prosecuted a federal embezzlement case resulting in a 48-month prison sentence for a former Mesa bank branch manager who stole $655,000.

Claire Louge (Phoenix, 2023) made the case for expanding the concept of “mandated supporting” in a KJZZ interview, arguing that connecting overwhelmed families to community resources before crises occur is just as important as reporting suspected abuse.

The Honorable Lea Márquez Peterson (Tucson, 2011) was elected Vice President of the Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners.

Juliana Manzanarez, J.D. (Phoenix, 2025) was quoted in AZFamily coverage of the surge in federal habeas corpus filings, explaining how immigration detainees are increasingly using the legal tool to challenge prolonged detention under expanded mandatory detention policies. 

Rebecca McKay (Phoenix, 2024) is now Director of Data & Technology at the ASU Helios Decision Center.

Reyna Montoya (Gilbert, 2020) authored an Arizona Republic opinion piece calling on Arizonans to speak out against the detention of migrant children. 

The Honorable Sara Presler, J.D. (Gilbert, 2011) was named among the Southwest cohort of The Most Influential Executives of Cannabis, recognized for her leadership at JARS/Mohave Cannabis Co.

Kathryn Ptak, J.D. (Phoenix, 2015) announced the Arizona Department of Child Safety would adopt a new policy requiring caseworkers to maintain updated photographs of children in DCS care, after Gov. Hobbs’ office blocked the underlying legislation from being codified.

Kristen Randall (Arivaca, 2025) authored a TucsonSentinel.com op-ed urging Pima County to reverse the Sheriff’s Department’s decision not to renew its contract with Pima Community College for Adult Basic Education services at the county jail.

Benjamin Taylor, J.D. (Phoenix, 2019) was quoted in an ABC15 news story about a civil lawsuit filed by Arizona inmates alleging prison abuse and excessive force, where he is serving as the plaintiffs’ civil rights attorney. 

The Honorable Laura Terech (Phoenix, 2025) was quoted in an ASU News story about the 2026 America 250 Scholarship recipient, Pilar Sosa Gonzalez.

Edgar Soto (Tucson, 2022) co-authored a Tucson.com opinion piece calling on Arizona legislators to prioritize passing a state budget, drawing on his Marine Corps service to argue that elected officials should stay focused on the mission until the job is done.

The Honorable Kevin Volk (Tucson, 2022) sponsored HB2800, which would make it a criminal offense to provide a vehicle without an ignition interlock device to someone convicted of a DUI, in honor of his late friend John McLean.

The Honorable Thea Wilshire, Ph.D. (Globe, 2011) presented the Globe community with the 2026 Oonagh Award, a statewide Arizona Creative Excellence Award, during a Globe City Council meeting. 

Jason Zibart (Benson, 2024) was interviewed for a KGUN news story about Benson becoming the first designated dementia-friendly city in Cochise County.

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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.

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Career & Professional Opportunities

Western Resource Advocates is hiring an Associate Director of Government Affairs for Arizona.

Arizona Council on Economic Education is seeking an Executive Vice President to help lead organizational growth, strengthen strategic partnerships, and advance ACEE’s mission throughout Arizona.

Pima County is seeking a Deputy Director, Transportation to plan, organize, and direct certain assigned functions and activities of the Transportation Department.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is seeking an Associate Director of Academic Programs for the Taliesin Institute.

The Nature Conservancy Arizona is seeking a Director of Development to direct all aspects of one or more development functions.

The University of Arizona Foundation is accepting applications for Director of Development, Foundation Relations.

Arizona SciTech Institute is seeking a Development Manager to advance its fundraising efforts related to individual and corporate giving.

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Events & Conferences

Local First Arizona’s Rural Policy Forum will be held Aug. 5-7 at Lee Williams High School in Kingman.

AZ Impact for Good is hosting the 2026 UNITE Conference: Transform Arizona, Aug. 12-13 at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix.

Registration is open for the 2026 League Annual Conference, Aug.18-21 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 2026 Summer Policy Summit Aug. 26-27 at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. 

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