The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership is now accepting applications for the Fall 2013 session of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy.

Application portfolios are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 3, 2013.

The Academy will run from September to mid-November 2013. 

There is no charge for participation in the Academy. Events take place at the Flinn Foundation in Phoenix. Standard transportation and lodging expenses are covered for Fellows who live outside of Maricopa County.

More than 130 Arizonans have participated in the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy to date and they are showing their commitment to state-level civic leadership in Arizona in many ways. Fellows are running for statewide office, applying for state boards and commissions, and moving on to positions in state agencies. Are you interested in joining this tremendous network, learning more about Arizona’s pressing public-policy issues, and developing your own pathway to state-level civic leadership?

Now recruiting for its sixth session, the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy is looking for a cohort of approximately 25 Arizonans who will continue to represent an array of perspectives, life experiences, leadership roles, employment backgrounds, and Arizona’s urban, rural, and tribal communities.

Fellows are current and up-and-coming leaders from Arizona’s business, industry, nonprofit, education, and public sectors. For many, the Academy provides the support critical to pursuing state-level civic leadership in tandem with established, demanding careers. For others, the Academy is an introduction to state-level service as a full-time occupation or encore career. The program is not intended for those who are already state-level elected officials or paid staff members of a political party.

A brochure with more information about the Academy and application process is available for download by clicking on the image below.

After reading the brochure, you may begin building your application portfolio here.

About the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy

The Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy is the flagship initiative of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership. The Academy was created to help prepare and support future state-level civic leaders who want to serve – whether full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid – as an elected official; a state government executive; a policy advisor; or as a member of a state board, commission, or advisory council. Through the Academy, participants develop a better understanding of Arizona’s public-policy issues, politics, and perspectives.

Academy Components

• A series of 12 daylong seminars over approximately a three-month period. Timely topics, pertinent policy and political analysis, a range of perspectives, and learning from leaders are hallmarks of the Flinn-Brown seminars. Upon completion of the seminars, Fellows have a significantly greater understanding of Arizona’s major public-policy issues; an appreciation of the complexity state policymakers face; greater resources for political analysis; and other critical skills. The Academy includes a small-team project to analyze a public-policy issue and provide recommendations that consider real-world implications.
• Formal advising over a period of about six months. Fellows are matched with an advisor to begin to plan a personal pathway to state-level civic leadership.
• Follow-up support for state-level civic leadership. From continued learning opportunities to networking and special events with state and national leaders, Fellows have ongoing support from the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.

Ideal Candidates

The strongest applicant for the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy…

• Possesses a keen desire to be a state-level civic leader in Arizona.
• Is committed to civic involvement personally and to encouraging civic engagement among Arizonans.
• Has a significant interest in state-level public-policy issues, analysis, and solutions.
• Shows interest in and has the capacity to consider different perspectives and make fact-driven decisions for the common good.
• Exhibits the ability to be an effective leader, as seen in a combination of current or past work experience, business, volunteer, school, or church activities, civic activities, issue advocacy, or local elected office.
• Has taken other preparatory steps to becoming a civic leader, such as participation in a local or regional leadership-training program.
• Models the highest standard of ethical behavior.

Academy Application Process

To be considered for the Academy, you must complete an online application, provide a current resume, and supply letters of endorsement from two Arizonans. The online application asks for examples of your leadership experience and community involvement. It also includes three essay questions. The essays explore leadership experience and Arizona public-policy decisions and issues.

All applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee. The committee will identify a group of candidates to be invited for a personal interview at the Flinn Foundation in early August.

You may click here to begin the application.

Upon submission of your application portfolio, applicants should receive, within 24 hours (during the business week), an email message confirming receipt. Confirmations will not be sent over the weekend.

If you would like more information, have any questions, or do not receive an email confirmation after submitting an application, please contact AzCCL program manager Emily Rajakovich at erajakovich@flinn.org.

A full list of the newest Flinn-Brown Fellows is below.

The nonpartisan Flinn-Brown Academy was created to help prepare and support Arizona’s future state-level civic leaders who wish to serve–whether full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid–as a member of a state board, commission, or advisory council; an elected official; a state government executive; or a policy advisor. The initiative is supported by the Flinn Foundation in Phoenix and the Thomas R. Brown Foundations in Tucson.

During the Academy seminar series beginning in early March, the cohort will focus on Arizona’s role in the global economy, fostering livable communities, the state’s education system, human services, managing Arizona’s natural resources, and other issues vital to Arizona’s long-term success. Public-policy experts, scholars, current and former agency heads, elected officials, and other leaders–drawn from the public and private sectors–share with Fellows not only facts and figures, but also a wide variety of perspectives and leadership skills. Fellows will enhance the seminar content with their own perspectives and life experiences drawn from leadership roles in communities across Arizona and varying professional backgrounds.

Beyond the seminars, the Academy includes advising from private- or public-sector leaders, support developing an individual plan for civic leadership in Arizona, a statewide network, and continued learning opportunities. Fellows begin the Academy with a wide array of state-level civic leadership goals and are expected to use the knowledge and skills developed to take their next steps as civic leaders.

Fellows are selected in a highly competitive process that involves a formal application and in-person interview. The Leadership Council of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership makes the final selection of Fellows.

If you are interested in participating in the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy, subscribe to the free AzCCL e-newsletter at http://azcivicleadership.org/newsletter-signup/ to find out about upcoming classes.

Arlene Alen Dewey-Humboldt Councilmember, Dewey-Humboldt Town Council; CEO, Neighbor to Neighbor; Director of Marketing and Development, Horses with Heart	Catherine Alonzo Phoenix Partner, Javelina
Erin Carr-Jordan, Ph.D. Chandler Academic Department Chair, Kaplan University; Executive Director, Kids Play Safe	Ken Clark Phoenix Real Estate Agent, Homesmart
Anne DeGraw Phoenix Government Affairs Associate, Molera Alvarez	Jaime Dempsey Phoenix Deputy Director, Arizona Commission on the Arts
Tim Elinski Cottonwood Owner, Kohanowicz Restoration; Councilmember, City of Cottonwood	Julie Erfle Phoenix Creator, PoliticsUNCUFFED.com
Dan Fitzgibbon Chandler Rotational Development Professional, Edward Jones	Antonia Franco, Ed.D. Phoenix Vice President and Program Director—Student, Family and Community Initiatives, Helios Education Foundation
Eddie Genna, J.D. Phoenix Professor, Phoenix College	John Glenn Phoenix Project Manager, CCBG Architects
Michelle R. Hess Buckeye Councilmember, Town of Buckeye	Mignonne Hollis Hereford Executive Director, Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation
Misty Klann Chandler Transportation Planner and Tribal Liaison, Arizona Department of Transportation	Jeannette Maré Tucson Executive Director and Founder, Ben’s Bells Project
Juan M. Moran Scottsdale Immigration Service Officer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security	Anton Orlich, Ph.D. Phoenix Lead Portfolio Manager, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System
Nicole Pasteur Scottsdale Director of Communications, Picmonic, LLC	Mark L. Schofield Mesa Managing Director, Strategic Value Wealth Management, LLC
John Sininger Flagstaff Medical Products Division Leader, W.L. Gore and Associates (Retired)	Ryan Smith Gilbert Account Executive, HighGround, Inc.
Jami Snyder Phoenix Operations Administrator, Acute and Long Term Care, AHCCCS	Jane C. Strain Sierra Vista Trustee, Cochise College Governing Board
Pamela K. Sutherland, J.D. Tucson Economic Development Director, Downtown Tucson Partnership	Fred Urbina, J.D. Tucson Chief Prosecutor, Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Brandy Wells Phoenix Manager of Education and Outreach, TGen	Venessa Whitener Queen Creek Member, Higley Unified School District Governing Board
Janelle Wood Phoenix Board Chair and Executive Director, Global Training Institute for Women	Annette Zinky Flagstaff Vice President for Flagstaff, Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

This was the third time since 1990 that leadership has been the topic of an Arizona Town Hall. Nancy Welch, vice president of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation and Town Hall participant, explained that it makes sense to look at the health of civic leadership in Arizona now and again. She notes that public policy changes over time, our environment changes, and our communities change—all warranting a refreshed look at the status of civic leadership in our state. According to Welch, the 101st Arizona Town Hall was an opportunity to reflect on the questions: Do we have the civic leadership we need to position us well in the future? How can we ensure a deep reservoir of talent? How can we ensure civic leadership is well matched to complicated circumstances?

On Dec. 5, Welch and Lisa Atkins, vice president of public policy for Greater Phoenix Leadership, a Central Arizona Project board member, and Town Hall participant, appeared on Channel 8′s Arizona Horizon to talk about their Town Hall experiences and the resulting recommendations.

Check out the video below for their insights.

The Arizona Town Hall’s civic leadership recommendations are available at http://www.aztownhall.org/.

Video from Channel 8.

Stefanie Mach, April 2012.

Mach was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives from District 10 (Tucson) in the November 2012 General Election in her first-ever run for public office.

Mach, a member of the Fall 2011 Flinn-Brown Academy, said the Academy trained her well for the issues she will be facing in the state legislature.

“I believe it will be huge knowing that I have the background from expert sources that Flinn-Brown was able to provide,” Mach said. “I believe I am a step ahead in understanding water, budget, infrastructure, demographic, transportation, and other issues.”

Mach said being able to meet such a diverse group of people from different fields has helped her feel more comfortable in approaching the complex issues.  She added the relationships and networking offered through the Academy will be beneficial in solving the state’s programs as she prepares to work across the aisle at the legislature.

Mach believes there will be more Flinn-Brown Fellows elected to state office —many already hold local offices— and recommends the program to others.

Thea Wilshire, clinical director of the San Carlos Apache Wellness Center and a member of the same Fall 2011 cohort as Mach, praised the network that developed during the sessions.

“While I enjoyed the lectures and discussions, I believe the relationships formed through the Flinn-Brown Academy are even more valuable and foundational to the future leadership roles that Flinn-Brown hopes we will step into,” Wilshire said. “Already these connections have helped me with a number of public policy and applied leadership challenges.”

The Fall 2012 seminar series wrapped up in November, and the selection process has started for the Spring 2013 session that begins in March.

The Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy, sponsored by the Flinn Foundation in Phoenix and the Thomas R. Brown Foundations in Tucson, is a component of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.

Read more about Stefanie Mach here.

The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership is accepting applications for the Spring 2013 session of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy. Application portfolios are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 16, 2012.

The Academy will run from early March to mid-May 2013.

Over 100 Arizonans have participated in the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy to date and they are showing their commitment to civic leadership in Arizona. Fellows are running for statewide office, applying for state boards and commissions, and seeking positions as state agency executives. Are you interested in joining this tremendous network, learning more about Arizona’s most pressing public-policy issues, and developing a pathway to civic leadership?

Now recruiting for its fifth session, the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy is looking for a cohort of approximately 25 Arizonans who will continue to represent an array of perspectives, life experiences, leadership roles, employment backgrounds, and geographic locations. Previous Academy Fellows have come from Kykotsmovi, Flagstaff, Jerome, Cottonwood, Globe, Goodyear, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Vail, Tucson, Safford, and cities and towns in between.

Fellows are also current and up-and-coming leaders in Arizona’s business, industry, nonprofit, education, and public sectors. For many, the Academy provides the support critical to pursuing civic leadership in tandem with established, demanding careers. For others, the Academy is an introduction to state-level service as a full-time occupation or encore career. The program is not intended for those who are already state-level elected officials or paid staff members of a political party.

There is no charge for participation in the Academy. Events take place at the Flinn Foundation in Phoenix. Standard transportation and lodging expenses are covered for Fellows who live outside of Maricopa County.

A brochure with detailed information about the Spring Academy is available for download below.

Please contact AzCCL program manager, Emily Rajakovich,  at erajakovich@flinn.org or 602-744-6828 with any questions.

After reading the brochure, you may begin building your application portfolio here.

About the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy

The Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy is the flagship program of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership. The Academy was created to help prepare and support future state-level civic leaders who want to serve – whether full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid – as an elected official; a state government executive; a policy advisor; or as a member of a state board, commission, or advisory council. Through the Academy, participants develop a better understanding of Arizona’s public-policy issues, politics, and perspectives.

Academy Components

• A series of 12 daylong seminars over approximately a three-month period. Timely topics, pertinent policy and political analysis, a range of perspectives, and learning from leaders are hallmarks of the Flinn-Brown seminars. Upon completion of the seminars, Fellows have a significantly greater understanding of Arizona’s major public-policy issues; an appreciation of the complexity state policymakers face; and greater resources for political analysis and other critical skills. The Academy includes a small-team project to analyze a public-policy issue and provide recommendations that consider real-world implications.
• Development of a personal plan for state-level civic leadership. Fellows are expected to pursue activities which will support achievement of their goals for state-level involvement.
• Formal advising over a period of about six months. Fellows are matched with a public or private-sector advisor to develop, and begin to implement, their individual civic-leadership plan.
• Follow-up support for state-level civic leadership. From further learning about public policy to networking and special events with state and national leaders, Fellows have ongoing support from the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.

Ideal Candidates

The strongest applicant for the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy…

• Possesses a keen desire to be a state-level civic leader in Arizona.
• Is committed to civic involvement personally and to encouraging civic engagement among Arizonans.
• Has a significant interest in state-level public-policy issues, analysis, and solutions.
• Shows interest in and has the capacity to consider different perspectives and make fact-driven decisions for the common good.
• Exhibits the ability to be an effective leader, as seen in a combination of current or past work experience, business, volunteer, school, or church activities, civic activities, issue advocacy, or local elected office.
• Has taken other preparatory steps to becoming a civic leader, such as participation in a local or regional leadership-training program.

Academy Application Process

To be considered for the Academy, you must complete an online application, provide a current resume, and supply letters of endorsement from two Arizonans. The online application asks for examples of your leadership experience and community involvement. It also includes three essay questions. The essays explore leadership experience and Arizona public-policy decisions and issues.

All applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee. The committee will identify a group of candidates to be invited to the Flinn Foundation for a personal interview during the week of January 21.

You may click here to begin the application.

Upon submission of your application portfolio, applicants should receive, within 24 hours (during the business week), an email message confirming receipt. Confirmations will not be sent over the weekend.

If you would like more information, have any questions, or do not receive an email confirmation after submitting an application, please contact AzCCL program manager Emily Rajakovich at erajakovich@flinn.org or 602-744-6828.

The new programs, AZLF Agency Forum and the Collaboration Consulting Corps., support AZ LeaderForce’s existing nine-month leadership program, which develops a network of community leaders—Coaches—and human service partners—Blue Ribbon agencies—that collaborate to take action. Each year, CNC identifies six nonprofit agencies for strategic support. Blue Ribbon agencies are chosen based on their track record for being innovative, community-based, holistic, collaborative, and outcome-focused. Each agency fits into one of six human service categories: child development, youth mentoring, affordable housing, job training, family support, and affordable health care. Over nine months, the Coaches share their expertise with Blue Ribbon agencies to help them build capacity and expand services. Blue Ribbon agencies have included UMOM New Day Centers, Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona, and ChilpHelp. The next AZ LeaderForce group will begin April 2013.

The recently announced AZLF Agency Forum, starting this fall, will provide Blue Ribbon agencies with an additional opportunity to work with Coaches and deepen relationships with fellow Blue Ribbon agencies. Participants will meet in intensive two-hour sessions to share best practices; identify volunteer opportunities; facilitate growth opportunities for agency staff; and discuss potential solutions to agency challenges.

AZ LeaderForce’s second new program, Collaboration Consulting Corps., matches Blue Ribbon agencies with Coaches that provide individual, short-term assistance on a specified project or service area. Upon request, AZ LeaderForce pairs an agency with a volunteer consultant who has the specific expertise needed by the agency. Once matched, the consultant works with the agency to execute a particular project.

Interested in becoming a Blue Ribbon agency? Or do you have a career’s worth of experience and expertise to share as an AZ LeaderForce Coach? Visit http://www.thecollab.org/index.php to get involved.

CNC was formed in 1999 by former Phoenix Suns owner, Jerry Colangelo, and his friend, Dr. Bill Starr, whose concern for the Valley’s poor led them to take action. CNC’s vision is to see business, faith, philanthropy, and government leaders working together to ensure that individuals and families in vulnerable communities have healthy, independent lives.

The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership is pleased to announce the Fall 2012 class of Flinn-Brown Civic
Leadership Academy. This is the fourth class to participate in the Academy, an initiative of the Flinn Foundation in Phoenix and the Thomas R. Brown Foundations in Tucson.

With now over 100 Arizonans participating in the initiative, Flinn-Brown Fellows can be found all over the state, including Kykotsmovi, Flagstaff, Jerome, Cottonwood, Goodyear, Globe, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Vail, Tucson, Safford, and cities and towns in between. Fellows also continue to represent a wide array of perspectives, walks of life, and employment backgrounds. The newest class includes leaders from Arizona’s business, industry, nonprofit, education, and government sectors—including current and former local elected officials.

The Flinn-Brown Academy, the flagship program of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, was created to help prepare and support Arizona’s future state-level civic leaders who wish to serve—whether full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid—as a member of a state board, commission, or advisory council; an elected official; a state government executive; or a policy advisor.

The Academy is comprised of a 12-session seminar series that helps participants develop a better understanding of Arizona’s most pressing public-policy issues, as well as the skills required to take the next steps into state-level civic leadership. Beyond the seminars, the Academy includes advising from a private- or public-sector leader, an individual plan for civic leadership in Arizona, an alumni network, and continued learning opportunities.

The nonpartisan Academy’s content is based on the critical issues facing Arizona. Public-policy experts, scholars, current and former agency heads, elected officials, and other leaders—drawn from the public and private sectors—share with Fellows not only facts and figures, but also a wide variety of perspectives and leadership skills.

The class was selected in a highly competitive process that involved a formal application, along with an in-person interview. The Leadership Council of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership made the final selection of Fellows. The group will begin the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy on September 7.

Interested in participating in the Academy? The Academy seminar series is presented in the fall and spring each year. The application process for the Spring 2013 cohort will open later in September, and the Fall 2013 application process will open next March. See azcivicleadership.org for updates about both upcoming classes and subscribe to the free e-

Kate Ali’varius, Mesa CEO, EduKate Publishing	Jeremy Babendure, Ph.D., Mesa Director, Arizona SciTech Festival
Jennifer Carusetta, Scottsdale Chief Legislative Liaison, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System	Nikki Check, Jerome Mayor, Town of Jerome; Director of Viticulture and Enology, Yavapai College
Paul Corens, Phoenix Senior Investment Portfolio Manager, Public Safety Personnel Retirement, State of Arizona	Toni Eberhardt, Phoenix Senior Manager, Public Affairs, PetSmart
John Fisher, Phoenix Executive Director, Stand for Children	Jenna Goad, Phoenix Intergovernmental Programs Administrator, City of Glendale
Kristina Gomez, Phoenix Deputy Executive Director, Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission	Don Graf, Gilbert Director of Telemedicine, UnitedHealthcare
Eric Gudiño, Phoenix Director of Municipal Government Relations, Arizona State University	Mary Hamway, Paradise Valley Former Vice Mayor, Town of Paradise Valley
Lisa Schnebly Heidinger, Phoenix Author	Diane Joens, Cottonwood Mayor, City of Cottonwood
James LaBar, Phoenix Principal Policy Analyst, Salt River Project	Sheri Lauritano, J.D., Goodyear Councilmember, City of Goodyear; Partner, Bain & Lauritano, PLC
Melissa Lempke, Phoenix Director of Communications,    Banner Health Foundation	Jose Luis Peñalosa, Jr., J.D., Phoenix Attorney,                     Peñalosa & Associates
Christian Price, Maricopa Mayor, City of Maricopa; Managing Partner, Pantheon Investments	Paula Randolph, Scottsdale Project Manager,            Sonoran Institute
Veekas Shrivastava, Tempe Deputy Finance Director, David Schapira for Congress	Brenda Sperduti, Phoenix President, Sperduti NetWorks
Nicky Stevens, Goodyear Housing Program Manager, Arizona Behavioral Health Corp.	Susan Trujillo, J.D., Phoenix Attorney, Quarles & Brady
Julie Walker, Flagstaff Project Manager, Morrison Brothers Windmill Ranch	Fonda Walters, Ed.D., Tempe Senior Research Analyst, American Indian Policy Institute, Arizona State University

The Flinn-Brown Fellows, who devoted 12 daylong sessions to enhancing their civic-leadership capacity and studying key public-policy issues that affect Arizona, are now being matched with advisers who are themselves seasoned leaders. The Fellows will consult with these advisers as they begin to apply the knowledge they gained and consider their next moves as civic leaders.

Tony Gonzales, a Flagstaff attorney, said that participating in the Academy has reinvigorated the desire he had as a young college graduate to pursue direct involvement in civic leadership.

“Ten years later, I was still helping candidates run for office, but I had lost some of my passion,” Gonzales said. “The Academy made me realize that people like me, with children, careers, and other obligations, can become politically active in their communities and across the state. I realized that I am part of a generation that needs to be active in the civic-leadership arena.”

The 26 Flinn-Brown Fellows in the Academy’s Fall class represent many Arizona regions, professional backgrounds, and perspectives. Among them are small-business owners, nonprofit executives, local elected officials, and numerous experts on particular public-policy issues, including economic development, K-12 education, and natural-resources development.

“The Academy convinced me that it is urgent to gather people together to address Arizona’s future,” said Doug Von Gausig, mayor of Clarkdale. “It was clear during our classes that the Fellows of this Academy are exactly the sort who are interested in solving our challenges. Only when more likeminded people begin to serve will we be capable not only of solving our current problems, but advancing with prosperity and dignity into the coming years.”

Each session of the Academy seminar focused on a specific topic, such as the state budget, higher education, human services, and immigration. Dozens of veteran lawmakers, business and nonprofit leaders, state agency heads, and policy experts provided facts, figures, and perspectives on the issues and shared some of the lessons they had learned working at the state level.

“Leaders inspire others to take action and go in a direction they might not otherwise have gone alone,” said Beatriz Rendón, Arizona State University associate vice president and CEO of ASU Preparatory Academy. “Insurmountable challenges seem achievable when you are working alongside others that share your passion and are committed to making a difference.”

Nancy Welch, director of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, which administers the Flinn-Brown Academy, cited the potential for the Flinn-Brown Fellows to become significant contributors to Arizona’s realization of its potential.

“Today we have 51 individuals who have participated in the Academy, learning the essential details of critical issues that confront Arizona, how those issues are intertwined, and what real-world challenges stand in the way of addressing them,” Welch said. “A year from now, we expect to have 100 alumni Fellows who will bring a wide variety of perspectives and experience to state-level public service.”

The Academy is one of three core components of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, created in 2010 by the Flinn Foundation and the Thomas R. Brown Foundations, respectively based in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz. Sponsored by both foundations, the Center is operated by the Flinn Foundation under the guidance of the Center’s Leadership Council.

Other components of the Center include the Arizona Civic Leadership Collaborative, established to leverage and expand the efforts of local civic-leadership programs throughout the state, and a Communication and Outreach program designed to inform organizations and individuals about the importance of civic leadership and increase civic engagement among Arizonans.

The Spring 2012 Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy class will be held beginning in March. The selection process, which began with the submission of formal application portfolios, is now underway.

Flinn Brown Fellows – photos and affiliations

About the Flinn Foundation: The Flinn Foundation is a Phoenix-based, private, nonprofit philanthropic endowment. It was established by Dr. and Mrs. Robert S. Flinn in 1965 with the mission of improving the quality of life in Arizona. The nonprofit philanthropy supports the advancement of Arizona’s bioscience sector, the Flinn Scholars Program, the arts, and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.

About the Thomas R. Brown Foundations: The Thomas R. Brown Foundations are dedicated to raising the quality of life for present and future generations through expanded understanding and application of economic principles in private and public decision making. The Foundations are also dedicated to advancing solutions to community problems through strategic grants, research, and policy analysis.

This group of 24 Arizonans from Safford to Flagstaff is committed to helping address the state’s long-term issues and improving the quality of life for future Arizonans. They recently completed an intensive seminar series, the first component of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy. The Fellows devoted hundreds of hours to learning about policy topics ranging from such issues as the state’s fiscal system to the economy, human services, border issues, and water.

These Arizonans represent a wide range of outlooks, career paths, and urban and rural regions. Among them are leaders in business, education, and health policy, nonprofit executives, local elected officials, policy professionals, attorneys, an army ranger, and an Emmy-winner.

“Like each of our classes so far, this one has terrific people from throughout Arizona from all walks of life and all kinds of perspectives,” said Nancy Welch, vice president of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, which administers the Flinn-Brown Academy. “I know they will make a difference in Arizona.”

While their experiences and views vary, all of the Fellows have shown a strong commitment to serving their communities at the state level and to acquiring the policy and civic leadership skills needed to make a difference.

“In this cohort we have people on the left, people in the center, and people on the right,” said Fellow Russ Yelton, president and chief executive officer of the Flagstaff-based Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. “At the end of every day we dedicated time to sit down and rehash the issues to really try to come to a center conclusion.”

Each daylong seminar included detailed presentations and question-and-answer sessions with state agency heads, veteran lawmakers, business and nonprofit leaders, and policy experts.

“The speakers and presenters bring a terrific range of experience to the Fellows,” said Welch. “Each Academy becomes broader, richer, and deeper as we work through complex issues. Fellows see and discuss the opportunities for solving state-level issues.”

The assistance and commitment of the speakers extends far beyond the seminar, according to Dr. Deborah Gonzalez, a Fellow who serves as chief academic officer of the Arizona State University Preparatory Academy in Phoenix. “The program presenters have made themselves available outside of the Academy. They’ve been more than gracious in reaching out to help and mentor us informally,” said Gonzalez.

As part of the seminar, Fellows also participated in a policymaking exercise. They worked in committees that focused on a tough issue facing Arizona today, such as math readiness for high school, the state’s fiscal system, or road infrastructure and funding. The committees studied the issues and collaborated to create policy recommendations. They presented their findings to high-level civic leaders at the final Academy seminar.

The seminar series is only one element of the multifaceted civic leadership program. Fellows continue to receive guidance and support from an advisor who is an experienced state-level civic leader. “I’m hoping that my advisor will help me think through the logistics of beginning a grassroots effort that has legs,” said Gonzalez, who hopes to implement a community effort that will better support parents and impact the larger communities surrounding schools.

Britann O’Brien, director of the Southern Arizona office of Governor Brewer, is passionate about rural Arizona and the challenges and opportunities presented in border communities. As a Flinn-Brown Fellow, she found the collaboration among civically engaged peers from a range of backgrounds invaluable. “Meeting other future leaders from a huge cross section of people from all over the state has resulted in relationships that I know will continue far into the future,” said O’Brien.

The Flinn-Brown Leadership Academy is geared toward Arizonans who want to be state-level civic leaders as elected officials, members of boards and commissions, policy advisors, or state agency executives. It is one of three core components of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, created in 2010 by the Flinn Foundation and co-sponsored by the Thomas R. Brown Foundations, respectively based in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz. The Center is administered by the Flinn Foundation under the guidance of the Center’s Leadership Council.

Other components of the Center include the Arizona Civic Leadership Collaborative, established to leverage and expand the efforts of local civic-leadership programs throughout the state, and a Communication and Outreach program designed to inform organizations and individuals about the importance of civic leadership and increase civic engagement among Arizonans. The fourth Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy will be held in the fall, beginning in September. The selection process, which began with submission of formal application portfolios, is now underway.

Flinn Brown Fellows – photos and affiliations

About the Flinn Foundation: The Flinn Foundation is a Phoenix-based, private, nonprofit philanthropic endowment. It was established by Dr. and Mrs. Robert S. Flinn in 1965 with the mission of improving the quality of life in Arizona. The nonprofit philanthropy supports the advancement of Arizona’s bioscience sector, the Flinn Scholars Program, the arts, and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.

About the Thomas R. Brown Foundations: The Thomas R. Brown Foundations are dedicated to raising the quality of life for present and future generations through expanded understanding and application of economic principles in private and public decision making. The Foundations are also dedicated to advancing solutions to community problems through strategic grants, research, and policy analysis.

Stefanie Mach speaks at a Flinn-Brown Academy event, May 2012

Though Stefanie Mach is a partner at the nonprofit and political consulting firm CM Concordia and has worked for nonprofit organizations in various capacities, interned at the Embassy of Peru, worked in Senator Russ Feingold’s office, and even had her own weekly radio show on politics, she did not seriously consider running for office before her experience as a Flinn-Brown Academy Fellow in 2011. Currently a candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 10 (Tucson), Mach has been busy going door-to-door talking with her neighbors about their concerns and Arizona’s most pressing issues. We recently caught up with her to find out how she came to the decision to run.

When Stefanie Mach sat down with her Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy cohort last Fall and began listening to seminar presenters, it didn’t take her long to see that she was with an impressive group. “I was in a room full of people who were dynamic, knowledgeable, and accomplished. They were professionals with prestigious titles. They were from every corner of the state and had all types of life experiences,” she said.

Over the course of 12 seminars on issues ranging from K-12 education, the state’s economy, and health care, the 26 Flinn-Brown Fellows were challenged to analyze and discuss public policy choices for Arizona. But clearly 26 Fellows meant 26 ways to think about an issue or solve a problem. “The different perspectives were vital to the conversations,” Mach recounted. “No one person had all the right answers, but we each contributed our own perspectives to get closer to the solutions that we were looking for.” At each seminar session, Mach found that someone would make a point or ask a question that transformed the dialogue. “The most interesting moments came when the conversation turned to what could work to solve a specific issue, rather than focusing on past challenges.”

The Academy seminar series inspired Mach into action. “The Academy motivated me to run for office. I want to be one of the voices asking new questions.” Mach decided that among the possible leadership roles she could engage in, state office makes the most sense for her because she wants to work on a breadth of interrelated issues. “I want to make sure that there is a synergy in policy creation and implementation. Sometimes one policy can’t work without another,” said Mach. “I like putting things together and making sure that on the whole it works.”

And that is how Mach found herself knocking on doors—a lot of doors—talking to her neighbors about issues important to them and Arizona. “As a candidate, I learn a lot by going door-to-door,” Mach says. “It allows me to engage people on the things they want to talk about. I have found, too, that sometimes people tell me very personal things.”

Mach looks forward to more of her Flinn-Brown Academy colleagues pursuing state-level service. “We need a broad spectrum of voices and perspectives to make Arizona a strong and competitive state in its next 100 years. I hope in the future, Academy alumni can further join forces on our way to making Arizona a better place.”

Interested in learning how you, too, can contribute your unique set of experiences to state-level leadership? The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership will begin accepting applications for the Spring 2013 Academy this Fall.

Subscribe to Civic Leadership News to be notified as soon as applications open.