October 2026 Network News

Thoughts from Dawn Wallace

Why a Children’s Book?

Of all the ways we could have celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, I suspect a children’s book was not the most obvious choice.

But it was something I felt strongly about.

I’m at a point in my life where I find myself looking backward as much as forward. Maybe that’s what happens when your only child leaves for college, or when you’ve lived long enough to appreciate that some of the most important turns in your life were ones you never saw coming.

My own journey has not always been easy. Many circumstances I couldn’t control. Opportunities I didn’t know existed. There were plenty of times when I just had no choice but to figure things out as I went. I think that is partly why I care so much about what children are exposed to when they are young. Sometimes you simply do not know what is possible because no one has ever shown you.

All of that is what brings me to reading.

I have always thought of reading as an art form, although we do not often talk about it that way. We celebrate the imagination of writers and the creativity of illustrators, but there’s something pretty remarkable happening on the other side of the page, too. A child takes a collection of words and pictures and creates something in their own mind. And no two children will experience the same book in quite the same way.

As much as I love that about reading, I think what comes next is even more important. There’s something wonderful about a child realizing they can learn something on their own. They can follow their curiosity, discover things they might never have known about, and even begin to question what they’ve always been told. And the best part is that reading gives them the ability to keep learning throughout their lives.

That brings me back to “Arizona’s Everyday Heroes.”

Through our partnership with Art State Arizona, we created a children’s book and accompanying art exhibit featuring 15 Flinn-Brown Fellows. I love that we can introduce young readers to real Arizonans whose lives have taken very different paths, and that artists and writers have helped us tell their stories.

I hope children enjoy the book. I hope they ask questions about the people they meet in its pages. Most of all, I hope it encourages them to pick up another book, and then another.

I cannot think of a better outcome for our 15th anniversary celebration.

SPEAKING OF THE POWER OF WORDS

Is there a better way to celebrate the power of words than with two of Arizona’s most accomplished poets? I hope you will join us at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at the Flinn Foundation for A Celebration of Arizona’s Poets Laureate: Past and Present. In partnership with the Arizona Commission on the Arts, we will welcome Arizona’s newest poet laureate, Laura Tohe, Ph.D., an award-winning writer, former Navajo Nation poet laureate, and longtime Arizona State University professor. She’ll be joined by Arizona’s inaugural poet laureate, Alberto Álvaro Ríos, for a conversation about poetry, storytelling, and the voices that help tell Arizona’s story.

Best, Dawn

Fellows Salons

We are excited to launch another year of Flinn-Brown Fellows Salons—a chance to get out into Arizona, learn alongside fellow Fellows, and build deeper connections across the Network. Led by Christina Spicer (Phoenix, 2013) and Sarah Rose Webber (Prescott Valley, 2017), the 2026–2027 Salons will continue the Exploring Rural Arizona journey begun last year, with a new cohort and new communities to discover. Participants will receive a travel stipend to help offset program costs. All Fellows from each class are encouraged to join.

Watch the orientation video here!

Save these dates:

• Oct. 19 – Nov. 6 – Application Period
• Friday, Nov. 13 – Orientation (Phoenix Area)
• Jan. 28 – 29 – Yuma
• April 8 – 9 – Winslow
• Early August – Rural Policy Forum
• Friday, Aug. 13 – 2027 Flinn-Brown Convention share-out

Whether you’re interested in joining the cohort or have a community, organization, or experience you think Fellows should explore, we’d love to hear from you.

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FELLOW SPOTLIGHT

Jerry McPherson 

(Phoenix, 2022)
Executive Director
Governor’s Office of African-American Affairs

LinkedIn

Jerry McPherson has lived what he describes as “many lives.” Soldier, entrepreneur, corporate auditor, nonprofit leader, and now state agency executive, his career has taken a few unexpected turns. Each has shaped how he approaches leadership and public service.

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, to a Puerto Rican mother and Black father, Jerry credits his upbringing with teaching him grit, ingenuity, and an appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Jerry earned an accounting degree from Virginia State University and served in the Army National Guard. After pursuing several business ventures in Atlanta, he became a CPA and moved to Phoenix to work for Avnet.

It was in Arizona that Jerry found his calling in public service. His involvement with the Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals and a conversation with then-President George Dean introduced him to the possibility of making community service his career.

Today, as executive director of the Governor’s Office of African-American Affairs, Jerry works to connect Arizona’s African American communities with government and ensure their perspectives are represented in public policy discussions. His office addresses issues ranging from education and economic development to housing, health, and justice.

For Jerry, making government more accessible means creating opportunities for residents to engage directly with decision-makers and encouraging more people to pursue positions on public boards and commissions. He believes personal experience is a valuable form of expertise that deserves a place in policy conversations.

The Flinn-Brown Fellows Network has helped Jerry build relationships outside the communities and organizations where much of his career has been focused. Those connections have introduced him to new perspectives and opportunities to serve. One example is his involvement on the board of Read Better Be Better, where a connection with another Fellow led to an opportunity to support children’s literacy.

“The Network has expanded both who I know and how I see Arizona,” said Jerry. “Those relationships help me ask better questions, understand different experiences, and find common ground.”

Looking ahead, he sees opportunities to strengthen Arizona’s civic health by engaging young people earlier and giving them the skills and confidence to participate in public life. He would like to see debate and logical reasoning taught in schools, with students learning to research issues, evaluate arguments, and consider positions they may not personally support.

Jerry’s own experiences have reinforced the importance of accountability and learning from setbacks. One of his favorite quotes, attributed to Napoleon Hill, is “Success requires no apologies, failure permits no alibis.”

It’s a philosophy that has stayed with him through the successes, failures, and changes of a varied career.

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FLINN-BROWN AT 15:
CELEBRATING ARIZONA’S EVERYDAY HEROES

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Flinn Foundation on Monday, Oct. 12, to celebrate 15 years of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership and to launch “Arizona’s Everyday Heroes.”

Special thanks to Amanda Staples, director of programs, and the entire Art State Arizona team for coordinating the artwork. We are grateful to author Kim Bussing and to the artists, Jonnie Allan, Sam Ignat, Pen Macias, and Eliza Plumlee, who brought the Fellows’ stories to life. A special thanks to guitarist Anthony Mendez, who set the ambiance with his live music.

“Arizona’s Everyday Heroes” will be available soon! Watch for more information in Network News.

And a special thank you to the Fellows featured in the book for sharing your stories and for putting civic leadership into practice every day.

The Honorable Mila Besich (Superior, 2019), Teresa Bravo (Tucson, 2023), Vance Bryce (Safford, 2024), Elvia Bustamante (Tucson, 2016), The Honorable Coral Evans, Ph.D. (Flagstaff, 2011), Buna George (Yuma, 2023), Elaine Kessler (Gilbert, 2018), Audra Koester Thomas (Fountain Hills, 2011), Daryl Melvin (Flagstaff, 2017), Reyna Montoya (Gilbert, 2020), The Honorable Cameron Moses (Lake Havasu City, 2024), The Honorable Joanne Osborne (Goodyear, 2012), Alanna Riggs (McNeal, 2022), Lisa Schnebly Heidinger (Phoenix, 2012), The Honorable Thea Wilshire, Ph.D. (Globe, 2011).

 FELLOWS FIELD TRIPS

SAVE THE DATE: Southern Arizona Fellows holiday get-together.

Join us for a holiday gathering with Southern Arizona Fellows! Sarah Brown Smallhouse has graciously offered to host Southern Arizona Fellows at her home in Tucson at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10.

Watch your email for registration and event details soon!

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 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. 

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THROW AND RECEIVE BOARD

The Throw and Receive board we introduced at Convention is a great way to connect with your fellow Fellows and find ways to utilize the Network to solve Arizona’s greatest challenges. Use the board to offer your expertise on a topic, or to get assistance with a project or problem you are trying to solve. Remember to check it often for replies to your posts!

If you were at the Convention, please take a few minutes to look through the Living Network Cards spreadsheet, find your name, and see with whom you were connected.

 FELLOWS MEET FELLOWS

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Fellow’s Birthdays

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

• Audra Koester Thomas (Fountain Hills, 2011)
• Christopher Nagata (New York, New York, 2012)
• Catherine Alonzo (Phoenix, 2013)
• Sean Berens, J.D. (Phoenix, 2016)
• Adam Weinstein (Tucson, 2016)
• John Barwell, J.D. (Tucson, 2017)
• The Honorable Raquel Terán (Phoenix, 2018)
• Tony Boone (Sierra Vista, 2019)
• The Honorable Tammy Caputi (Scottsdale, 2019)
• Shane Leonard (Gilbert, 2019)
• Reyna Montoya (Gilbert, 2020)
• Dajana Zlaticanin (Phoenix, 2020)
• Amy Cislak, Ed.D. (Tucson, 2022)
• The Honorable Andrew Hettinger, J.D. (Page, 2022)
• Edgar Soto (Tucson, 2022)
• Evelyn Burrell, Psy.D. (Phoenix, 2023)
• Peter Kim (Scottsdale, 2023)
• Claire Louge (Phoenix, 2023)
• The Honorable Steven King (Camp Verde, 2024)
• The Honorable Lori Matthews (Flagstaff, 2024)
• Joshua Munoz (Tempe, 2025)

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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FELLOWS BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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 Jerry McPherson (Phoenix, 2022):

I would recommend “Notes on Being a Man” by Scott Galloway. It raises questions about purpose, responsibility, and where boys and men fit in a changing world. Strengthening our communities includes making sure that boys and men have the support, opportunities, and accountability to become people others can depend on.

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FELLOWS LISTS

Each month, we feature a Fellows list in a specific employment sector, public policy area, affinity group, or region. In honor of Veterans Day in November, we recognize our Fellows who are Military Affiliated, Veterans, and Support Services.

You can find additional lists here. If there is a new list you would like to see compiled, please let us know.

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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.

The Honorable Sarah Benatar (Flagstaff, 2015) was featured in a Smart Cities Dive article about state and county financial leaders calling for more federal support to address the affordable housing crisis.

Erin Carr-Jordan, Ph.D. (Chandler, 2013) was named to the Top Women Leaders of Phoenix for 2026 list.

The Honorable Nikki Check (Jerome, 2012) was quoted in a Journal AZ article about the Cottonwood slag pile cleanup and an upcoming Yavapai County town hall that will offer residents free testing for heavy metals.

The Honorable Juan Ciscomani (Tucson, 2011) was featured on KTAR’s “The Mike Broomhead Show” to discuss the passage of the Chiricahua National Park bill.

Thomas Collins, J.D. (Tempe, 2025) was featured on a panel, “Prop 144: Myths, Facts and Implications,” hosted by the ASU Mechanics of Democracy Lab.

The Honorable Reetika Dhawan, Ed.D. (Yuma, 2022) was quoted in an AZFamily news story about Arizona Western College’s new program offering associate degrees to incarcerated individuals.

The Honorable Brian Garcia, J.D. (Tempe, 2018) was highlighted in a Cronkite News article about a Sierra Club town hall where he and U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari discussed climate change, water levels, and rising utility costs with Phoenix residents.

Adam Goodman (Paradise Valley, 2023) was among the business leaders featured in two Arizona.Vote public service announcements, produced by Leadership Now Arizona and the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

Mignonne Hollis (Hereford, 2013) was featured in a Herald/Review article about promoting rural Arizona’s economic interests in New York City and Washington, D.C., during a Chamber of Southern Arizona trip. She and Jason Zibart (Benson, 2024) were also recognized as 2026 Cochise County Heroes.

The Honorable Candida Hunter-Querta (Kingman, 2017) spoke at the 13th annual Tribal Summit about how First Things First honors tribal sovereignty and partners with tribal communities to improve early childhood outcomes.

Aaron Knudson, D.O. (Page, 2026) is now on the board of directors for the Arizona Rural Health Association.

Reyna Montoya (Gilbert, 2020) was featured on Arizona PBS’s “Horizonte” to discuss how delays in DACA renewals are affecting Dreamers and their families.

Mitchell Moore (Phoenix, 2014) authored a LinkedIn article about how finance serves as a tool for community impact, drawing on his work as chief financial officer of Friendly House and its Community Hub.

The Honorable Marie Peoples, Ph.D. (St. Louis, Missouri, 2015) was appointed as the next city manager for Killeen, Texas.

Paul Perrault, J.D., Ph.D. (Phoenix, 2016) was featured in a 12 News story about “Billions in the Balance”, a new Helios Education Foundation report estimating Arizona could gain $11.1 billion if more students in the class of 2026 earn a postsecondary degree or credential.

Kathryn Ptak, J.D. (Phoenix, 2015) authored an op-ed in the Arizona Republic about treating maternal mental health as a community responsibility and building stronger support networks for new parents.

The Honorable Samuel Richard (Phoenix, 2017) was featured on a recent episode of KJZZ’s “Friday NewsCap” to discuss early voting, the governor’s race, and the 1st Congressional District race.

Gina Roberts (Scottsdale, 2019) joined KJZZ’s “The Show” to discuss what Arizona voters want to hear from candidates this election season, drawing on new survey findings from the Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

Vanessa Ruiz (Phoenix, 2024) joined the “Valley 101” podcast to discuss what it’s like to be a well-known Hispanic figure in the Valley amid the current political and social climate.

Benjamin Taylor, J.D. (Phoenix, 2019) was featured in a FOX 10 Phoenix article about the latest court developments in the Preston Lord case, where he weighed in as an outside legal expert.

The Honorable Raquel Terán (Phoenix, 2018) was quoted in a KTAR News article about the arguments for and against Proposition 317, which would designate drug cartels as terrorist groups.

Alec Thomson (Phoenix, 2019) joined lottery leaders from across the country on a Global Gaming Expo panel about how state lotteries can stay relevant to younger players in a changing gaming market.

Rosalva Zimmerman (Goodyear, 2018) now serves as intergovernmental program manager for the city of Glendale.

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BOARD AND 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 AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Valley Metro is hiring a Manager, Executive Projects and Strategy to advance organizational priorities, support key executive initiatives, and monitor implementation of the Strategic Plan.

Arizona State University Office of Government and Community Engagement is seeking a Director of State Relations to represent ASU before elected officials and policymakers at the State Capitol.

The city of Scottsdale is hiring a Deputy Director, Human Services to provide strategic leadership and oversight for the department.

The city of Mesa is accepting applications for an Economic Development Project Manager to plan, organize, monitor, and evaluate economic development activities.

Maricopa Association of Governments is seeking a Governmental Relations Administrator to lead intergovernmental relations efforts with member agencies.

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.

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EVENTS AND CONFERENCES

Local First Arizona will host Arizona Fall Fest on Nov. 7 at Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix.

The 2026 ATRA Outlook Conference will be Nov. 13 at the Embassy Suites in Scottsdale.

AZBio’s annual Trailblazers Luncheon will be Dec. 10 at the Phoenix Country Club.

The ninth annual Reimagine Health Research Symposium will be Feb. 10, 2027, at the U of A College of Medicine in Phoenix.

TENWEST Connects, the Southwest’s largest festival for entrepreneurs and creators, is planned for March 20 through April 2, 2027, in Phoenix.

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