Thoughts from Dawn Wallace
YOUR STORY CAN BE IN THIS BOOK!
This year marks 15 years of the Flinn-Brown Fellowship, and we wanted to mark it in a way that feels true to what this Network is about—the people in it, and the communities across Arizona they show up for every day.
We are partnering with Art State Arizona to create an original children’s book, Arizona’s Everyday Heroes, celebrating civic leadership in Arizona, with one Fellow featured from each of our state’s 15 counties. The book will be illustrated by professional artists and written by commissioned writers—but the stories belong to you.
We are inviting every Fellow to express interest in being a featured civic leader. If you are selected, a writer will work with you to tell your story in a way that is accessible, inspiring, and honest—the kind of story that helps a young reader understand what it means to care about a place and the people in it. To express your interest, please complete the Fellows interest form and submit two headshots, one full-body image, and up to three additional photos connected to your work, community, or story. Those images will help us—and your illustrator—understand your world.
Look at the sample page above and you’ll get a sense of what we’re aiming for: strong, simple storytelling with illustration that carries real emotional weight. We want children across Arizona to see what civic leadership looks like—and we want it to look like the people in this Network. Please submit the interest form by Wednesday, June 10.
Please don’t talk yourself out of it.
Best, Dawn
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. A number of 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 list below is what we know so far—if you are running and don’t see your picture, please let Dawn know so we can include you.
The Flinn Foundation does not endorse candidates or campaigns.
Flinn-Brown Convention
Registration is now open 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.
Deadline to register is Wednesday, July 22.
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.
Nominations for Fellows awards are open until June 5!
We will honor our Arizona Champions during the reception on Thursday evening and present the Jack Jewett Award and Network Builder Award at the Convention on Friday.
Fellows Spotlight
Daryl Melvin
(Flagstaff, 2017)
Principal
Melvin Consulting
Daryl Melvin carries something most civic leaders don’t: a relationship with this land that stretches back countless generations. Hopi and Navajo, he was raised in Nuvatukya’ovi—Flagstaff—on land that has sustained his family through farming, gathering, and hunting. That connection to place is not incidental to his work. It is the foundation of it.
After earning a degree in civil engineering from the University of Arizona, Daryl was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, designing infrastructure and health care systems across the country—hospitals, clinics, and community facilities, including projects close to home. That path led him to hospital and clinic leadership before he returned to his engineering roots and founded Melvin Consulting, a civil engineering and professional services firm working with native-led nonprofits, tribal governments, and rural schools on projects that most firms never pursue.
He believes that for rural and Indigenous communities, public policy is never an abstraction. In his view, there can be serious consequences—funding disappears, timelines collapse, and communities already stretched thin absorb the damage.
Melvin said he has watched it happen repeatedly, adding that Arizona continues to treat rural and reservation communities as afterthoughts in conversations dominated by urban priorities.
“Closing the gaps in infrastructure and health care requires sustained commitment—not just attention when things finally reach a breaking point,” he said.
That belief in staying the course is part of what drew him to the Fellowship. What he found was something he hadn’t quite expected—a genuine space for hard conversations across real differences.
“The Fellowship provides a safe space to discuss differing viewpoints and prepares us for engaging discourse—helping us better understand and appreciate different perspectives,” Melvin said.
In a moment when that kind of exchange feels increasingly rare, the Network’s value becomes all the clearer. The relationships Daryl has built here continue to open doors and shape his thinking in ways that extend well beyond any single project or policy conversation.
His vision for Arizona’s civic health is rooted in the same instinct. He believes the state’s greatest opportunity lies in building genuine spaces where people from different communities, different geographies, and different starting points can talk honestly about what they share. And he is especially focused on young people. Creating environments where youth feel safe finding their voice and contributing to solutions, rather than simply inheriting problems, is something he returns to again and again in his firm’s language immersion work, in his civic engagement, and in the way he moves through the world.
In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that we share the news that 2013 Fellow Pamela Sutherland, J.D. (Lewes, Delaware), passed away on May 8, 2026.
Pamela’s sister offered these words, and we think they capture her beautifully:
The world is less sparkly today than it was before. Pamela K. Sutherland—a gifted attorney, passionate defender of social justice, indefatigable supporter of democratic ideals, and a truly unique style icon—leaves behind a legacy as vivid and uncommon as she was.”
We are grateful for the time Pamela gave to Arizona, to this Network, and to the many causes and people she championed. Her presence will be missed, and her memory will endure in the work she leaves behind.
You can read her full obituary and share memories of Pamela at the tribute wall here:
https://www.parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/pamela-sutherland-3/obituary
Fellows Salons
The Flinn Brown Salons hosted their third Salon visit to Cottonwood, creating a meaningful opportunity for Fellows to reconnect with one another and with the community.
The gathering began on Thursday evening, April 23, with a relaxed dinner at Merkin Vineyard Hilltop Trattoria. Friday morning opened with Yavapai County Superintendent Steve King (Camp Verde, 2014) who greeted the group with genuine warmth and offered an inside look at local schools, highlighting both the challenges and the deep pride that shape education in the region. Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes followed with an honest, grounded discussion about what law enforcement truly looks like in Yavapai County. Over lunch, Tim and Ruth Ellen Elinski (Cottonwood, 2013) and (Cottonwood, 2014) sparked a thoughtful conversation about the realities and possibilities of rural economic development. The afternoon continued with Yavapai County Commissioner Nikki Check (Jerome, 2012), who opened her doors and expertise to talk about water, agriculture, and county operations in a way that felt both accessible and deeply rooted in place. The day closed with Rebecca Serratos (Prescott, 2025) leading an engaging and heartfelt conversation on the food systems that sustain the region. By 3 p.m., the group headed home with full minds, full hearts, and a richer sense of the people, stories, and shared purpose that define Yavapai County.
Top Right, left to right: Christina Spicer (Phoenix, 2013), Kimulet Winzer, J.D. (Phoenix, 2011), Molly Edwards, Ph.D. (Phoenix, 2011), the Honorable Chris Glover (Mesa, 2016), Sarah Rose Webber (Prescott Valley, 2017), the Honorable Cecilia McCollough (Wellton, 2018), the Honorable Ruth Ellen Elinski (Cottonwood, 2014), the Honorable Laura Dorrell (Clifton, 2017), Mark Sanders (Phoenix, 2018), Pele Peacock Fischer, J.D. (Phoenix, 2013), Jeremy Babendure, Ph.D. (Chandler, 2012), and the Honorable Steve King (Camp Verde, 2024).
Fellows Field Trips
Palo Verde Generating Station Tour
Katie Hurst (Phoenix, 2025) has organized a Fellows Field Trip to the Palo Verde Generating Station from 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, June 30. The event includes a tour, lunch, and a Q&A session. There is limited capacity, so registration is capped at 20 Fellows.
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.
Fellows Directory Updates
Help us keep our Fellows Directory accurate and up-to-date! Please make sure your information is accurate and current by scanning the QR code or following this link to complete the survey. 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
The Honorable Chris Glover (Mesa, 2016), manager of internships, career-applied learning, and community partnerships at Arizona State University’s School of Applied Professional Studies, is inviting Flinn-Brown Fellows to partner on real-world projects that create tangible value for their organizations while developing Arizona’s future workforce.
Through career-integrated courses, students work directly with partners to plan, coordinate, and deliver structured, outcome-focused work, including project plans, logistics strategies, and implementation-ready recommendations, all on real timelines with real deliverables. A faculty instructor supports each partnership in defining scope, ensuring quality, and serving as your primary point of contact.
Fellows can propose a project aligned with their organization’s goals or offer internship opportunities across a range of applied programs. It’s a practical way to advance your work and mentor the next generation of Arizona leaders. Reach out to Chris directly at [email protected] to learn more or get involved.
Fellows Meet Fellows
Mignonne Hollis (Hereford, 2013) and Gail Jackson (Flagstaff, 2023) at Arizona Commerce Authority Select USA.
Mignonne Hollis (Hereford, 2013) and Gail Jackson (Flagstaff, 2023) at Arizona Commerce Authority Select USA.
Carlos Alfaro (Scottsdale, 2024), Bridget Fitzgibbons, N.M.D. (Mesa, 2024), and Paul Brierley (Phoenix, 2011) at an Arizona Talks event focused on AI and the public good.
The Honorable Kevin Hartke (Chandler, 2014), Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo, Ed.D. (Mesa, 2014), the Honorable Matthew Gress (Phoenix, 2015), and Derrik Rochwalik (Phoenix, 2018).
The Honorable Juan Ciscomani (Tucson, 2011) and Dana Kennedy (Phoenix, 2016) represent Fellows in Washington, D.C.
The Honorable Daniel Hernandez, Jr. (Tucson, 2011), the Honorable Sarah Benatar (Flagstaff, 2015), and David Martinez III (Phoenix, 2011) at the Mechanics of Democracy Summit in Flagstaff.
Drew Trojanowski (Phoenix, 2013) and the Honorable Kevin Hartke (Chandler, 2014) bumped into Flinn Foundation President and CEO Tammy McLeod, Ph.D., in Washington, D.C.
Teresa Bravo (Tucson, 2023) and the Honorable Alexa Lucchese (Tucson, 2024) at the Hispanic Chamber Black and White Ball.
The Honorable Bill Regner (Clarkdale, 2018), the Honorable Janet Regner (Clarkdale, 2017), the Honorable Ruth Ellen Elinski (Cottonwood, 2014), and the Honorable Timothy Elinski (Cottonwood, 2013) celebrated Pindrop Travel Trailers at the Verde Valley Wine Festival.
Fellows came out in force for the Arizona Civic Health Progress Meters Listening Sessions!
Joshua Munoz (Tempe, 2025), Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo, Ed.D. (Mesa, 2014), Thomas Collins, J.D. (Tempe, 2025), the Honorable Laura Terech (Phoenix, 2025), Cassie Hilpman-Breecher (Phoenix, 2011), Amanda Burke, Ed.D.(Phoenix, 2022), and Rachel Yanof (Tempe, 2018) at the Phoenix session (photo on the left).
Amanda Burke, Ed.D. (Phoenix, 2022), Julie Euber (Tucson, 2022), Sara Torres (Tucson, 2025), John Winchester(Tucson, 2018), Erica Yngve (Tucson, 2024), the Honorable Alexa Lucchese (Tucson, 2024), Matthew Walsh (Sierra Vista, 2013), Teresa Bravo (Tucson, 2023), Tamara Prime (Tucson, 2014), the Honorable Nicole Barraza, Ph.D.(Tucson, 2020), and Rachel Yanof (Tempe, 2018) at the Tucson session (photo on the right).
Fellows Celebrating Birthdays
We want to wish a happy birthday to all the Fellows celebrating in June!
- Jodi Bain, J.D. (Tucson, 2011)
- Paul Brierley (Phoenix, 2011)
- Lisa Schnebly Heidinger (Phoenix, 2012)
- Megan Casey (Phoenix, 2013)
- Annette Zinky (Phoenix, 2013)
- Jonathon Bates (Tempe, 2014)
- Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo, Ed.D. (Mesa, 2014)
- Lela Wendell (Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2014)
- Michael Zervas (Timnath, Colorado, 2014)
- Mark Davis (Phoenix, 2017)
- Blake Sacha (Gilbert, 2017)
- Trista Guzman Glover (Mesa, 2019)
- Bradley Williams (Alexandria, Virginia, 2019)
- Carla Berg (Tempe, 2020)
- Stefanie Murphy (Tucson, 2020)
- Sophie Allen-Etchart (Phoenix, 2022)
- Amanda Burke, Ed.D. (Phoenix, 2022)
- Julie Euber (Tucson, 2022)
- Darcy Mentone (Tucson, 2022)
- April Rhodes (Phoenix, 2022)
- Shamia Lodge (Surprise, 2023)
- Heath Vescovi-Chiordi (Tucson, 2023)
- Vanessa Ruiz (Phoenix, 2024)
- Clay Robinson (Queen Creek, 2026)
- Kado Stewart (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.
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 Daryl Melvin (Flagstaff, 2017).
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuer
As Americans, we are educated to believe there is one point of view in American history. It’s important that we hear and learn other stories and differing points of view on the same historical events. This book challenges the false narrative that Indigenous history ended at Wounded Knee in 1890. Instead, it highlights the resilience, adaptation, and continued contributions of Native communities into the present day.
Fellows Lists
Each month, we feature a Fellows list in a specific employment sector, public policy area, affinity group, or region. This month, we focus on Fellows in Higher Education.
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.
Catherine Alonzo (Phoenix, 2013) and Adam Goodman (Paradise Valley, 2023) co-authored an opinion piece in the Phoenix Business Journal arguing that Arizona business leaders can no longer afford to stay silent on sensitive workforce issues, particularly immigration enforcement and its economic impact.
Paul Brierley (Phoenix, 2011) appeared in a Journal Star article about Arizona exploring agave as a water-saving crop.
Zach Brooks, Ph.D. (Green Valley, 2017) authored a letter to the editor in the Arizona Daily Star calling on the U.S. Senate to act on the CLARITY Act. The letter advocates for legislation to support Arizona entrepreneurs working in cryptocurrency and blockchain.
The Honorable Becky Daggett (Flagstaff, 2014) wrote an op-ed in Flagstaff Business News addressing forest health, watershed protection, homeowners insurance, and federal funding. The piece focused on reducing the threat of catastrophic wildland fire as a top priority for Flagstaff city leadership.
The Honorable Reetika Dhawan, Ed.D. (Yuma, 2022) spoke at the ribbon-cutting for the Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Wellton, a new 5,600-square-foot hands-on training facility for high-demand industries that Arizona Western College opened in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority and Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Greg Esser, J.D. (Phoenix, 2016) was interviewed by KJZZ for a story on the history and future of First Friday in downtown Phoenix, amid a recent decision from the Community Development Corporation to stop street closures.
Adriana Garcia Maximiliano (Phoenix, 2019) participated as a panelist at the 122° Conference where she and fellow panelists answered questions about extreme heat challenges facing Arizona.
The Honorable Kevin Hartke (Chandler, 2014) was the subject of an Arizona Republic profile on his tenure as Chandler’s mayor, noting he was first elected in 2018 and is now serving his second and final term leading Arizona’s fourth-largest city.
Gabriel Jaramillo (Phoenix, 2022) was quoted in a Big News Network article on Arizona’s housing affordability crisis, highlighting co-location of affordable housing within underutilized public facilities as a promising strategy to address the state’s shortage.
Melissa Kotrys (Phoenix, 2023) was interviewed by Healthcare IT News on how Contexture’s clinical data exchange with Arizona and Colorado Medicaid agencies is helping streamline eligibility determinations.
Josue Macias (Phoenix, 2019) is now the Senior Executive Consultant for HR1 Implementation at the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
Rebecca McKay (2024) is now the Director of Data & Technology at the ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence.
Reyna Montoya (Gilbert, 2019) was featured in a 12News report on the challenges facing Arizona’s roughly 20,000 DACA recipients, speaking about mounting renewal delays and growing deportation fears.
The Honorable Kristen Randall (Arivaca, 2025) is now the Senior Policy Advisor for Supervisor Matt Heinz at Pima County.
The Honorable Bill Regner (Clarkdale, 2018) was appointed to the Arizona Community Foundation Sedona/Verde Valley Advisory Board.
Aaron Rottenstein (Tucson, 2018) was recognized on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams list, with his Cadence Wealth Management team ranking No. 11 in Arizona.
Lisa Schnebly Heidinger (Phoenix, 2012) was featured as a speaker for a University Women of Sedona meeting, where she presented on her work as an Arizona author.
Sue Sisley, M.D. (Scottsdale, 2011) was featured in an InvestigateTV story on Arizona’s psilocybin trial for first responders with PTSD, highlighting her work on the clinical research program.
Alec Thomson (Phoenix, 2019) authored a thought leadership piece for the Arizona Lottery, making the case that global collaboration and a commitment to continuous learning are key drivers of the agency’s growth and long-term success.
Drew Trojanowski (Phoenix, 2013) was quoted in coverage of the inaugural Arizona Tech Week, which drew 18,000 attendees across 419 statewide events.
Heath Vescovi-Chiordi (Tucson, 2023) provided closing remarks at the Arizona Association for Economic Development Spring Conference in Oro Valley.
The Honorable Kevin Volk (Tucson, 2022) authored an op-ed in the Arizona Daily Star arguing that the Republican state budget disproportionately burdens Southern Arizona.
Rosalva Zimmerman (Goodyear, 2018) is now the Assistant to the Mayor at the city of Goodyear.
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
The Flinn Foundation is accepting applications for a Program Manager, Bioscience Roadmap and Research to support the Foundation’s bioscience grantmaking and steward the ongoing implementation of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap.
Pima County is seeking a Deputy Director, Transportation to plan, organize, and direct certain assigned functions and activities of the transportation department.
Maricopa Community Colleges is hiring a Chief Technology Officer to serve as a strategic technical leader within the Maricopa County Community College District’s Information Technology Services (ITS) division.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is seeking an Associate Director of Academic Programs for the Taliesin Institute.
The University of Arizona Foundation is accepting applications for Director of Development, Foundation Relations.
The city of Surprise is hiring a Community Engagement Partner to promote community vitality.
Arizona SciTech Institute is seeking a Development Manager to advance its fundraising efforts related to individual and corporate giving.
Events & Conferences
The 52nd Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference will be held June 2-3 at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff.
Registration is open for the 2026 Native Power Building Summit, Still We Rise: Joy, Justice, & the Fight for Indigenous Futures, which will be held Thursday, July 16 in Scottsdale.
Arizona Town Hall will hold the 2026 Annual Meeting and Summit on Wednesday, June 17 at Rio Salado College in Tempe.
The 6th Annual Empow[her] Conference is Saturday, June 27, in Tempe.
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 will open soon for the 2026 League Annual Conference, Aug.18-21 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.