The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership is pleased to introduce the 25 Arizonans who have been selected as the third class of Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Fellows. Coming from many cities and towns, a broad spectrum of professions, and many walks of life, the group will begin the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy on March 9.

The Flinn-Brown Academy, one of three core components of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, is anchored by a 12-session seminar series that emphasizes the skills and knowledge that help leaders resolve state-level challenges. The Academy seminar series is presented in the fall and spring each year.

The nonpartisan Academy’s content is based on the critical issues facing Arizona today and in the coming years. Current and former public-policy experts, scholars, 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.

Beyond the seminars, the Academy includes advising from a private- or public-sector leader, an individual plan for civic leadership, and an alumni network.

The 25 Flinn-Brown Fellows were selected in a highly competitive process that involved formal applications and endorsements, along with an in-person interview. The Leadership Council of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership made the final selection of Fellows.

Interested in participating in the Academy? The Fall 2012 class of the Academy will begin in September. Information about becoming a member of the fourth Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy will be available on the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership’s website in mid-March.

Spring 2012 Flinn-Brown Fellows

Talonya Adams, J.D., Gilbert Of Counsel, Arizona Care Group LLC	Paul Allvin, Phoenix Vice President of Brand Advancement, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
Elaine M. Armfield, Tempe Development Officer, W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU	Gwen Calhoun, Sierra Vista Councilmember, City of Sierra Vista
Patrick Camuñez, J.D., Queen Creek Attorney-Advisor, Arizona National Guard	Chip Davis, Prescott Supervisor, Yavapai County Government
Joe Fu, Mesa Strategic Information Officer, U.S. Department of State	John Garcia, Phoenix Director, Arizona College Access Network
Chris Gibbs, Safford Mayor, City of Safford	Deborah Gonzalez, Ed.D., Phoenix Chief Academic Officer, ASU Preparatory Academy
Pete Griffin, Phoenix President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona	David Longoria, Tucson Executive Assistant to the County Administrator, Pima County
Sylvia Mejia, Scottsdale  Program Administrator, Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona	John W. Molina, M.D., J.D., Guadalupe CEO, Phoenix Indian Medical Center
Christopher M. Nagata, Tucson Graduate Student, Zuckerman College of Public Health, Eller College of Management	Britann O’Brien, Vail Director, Governor’s Southern Arizona Office, State of Arizona
Joanne Osborne, Goodyear Vice Mayor, City of Goodyear; Owner, Osborne Jewelers	Stephen Pawlowski, Phoenix Senior Consultant, Burns & Associates, Inc.
Stacy Reinstein, Phoenix Senior Policy Manager, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Children, Youth and Families	Gabrielle (Gaby) Silva, Tempe Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, Arizona-Mexico Commission, Office of the Governor
Frances Sjoberg, J.D., Phoenix Law Clerk to Justice John Pelander, Arizona Supreme Court	Bonnie Sneed, Scottsdale Governing Board President, Scottsdale Unified School District
John Sundt, J.D., Tucson Partner, Rusing, Lopez, Lizardi PLLC	Russ Yelton, Flagstaff President and CEO, Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology
Carl Zaragoza, Phoenix Director of Field Engagement, Leadership for Educational Equity

The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership is pleased to introduce the 26 Arizonans who have been selected as the second class of Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Fellows. Coming from many cities and towns, a broad spectrum of professions, and many walks of life, the group will begin the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy on September 9.

The Flinn-Brown Academy, one of three core components of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, is anchored by a 12-session seminar series that emphasizes the skills and knowledge necessary to become state leaders and resolve state-level challenges. The Academy is presented in the fall and spring each year.

The nonpartisan Academy’s content is based on the critical issues facing Arizona today and in the coming years. Current and former public-policy experts, scholars, and 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.

Beyond the seminars, the Academy includes mentoring, an individual plan for civic leadership, and an alumni network.

The 26 Flinn-Brown Fellows were selected in a highly competitive process that involved formal nominations, a written application, and an in-person interview. The Leadership Council of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership made the final selection of Fellows.

The Spring 2012 class of the Academy will begin in March. Information about becoming a member of the third Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy will be available on the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership’s website by September 1.

Fall 2011 Flinn-Brown Fellows

Jodi Bain, J.D., Tucson Attorney, Munger Chadwick PLC	Magdalena (Malena) Barajas, Tucson Advisor, Pima County Board of Supervisors
Terry Benelli, Mesa Executive Director, Neighborhood Economic Development Corp.	Stacey Button, Flagstaff Economic Vitality Director, City of Flagstaff
Molly Edwards, Scottsdale Marketing Manager, Polsinelli Shughart PC	Tony Gonzales, J.D., Flagstaff Attorney, private practice
Stephanie Healy, Tucson President, Hospital Council of Southern Arizona	Daniel Hernandez, Jr., Tucson Intern, Office of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords
Cassandra (Cassie) Hilpman, Phoenix Director of Alumni Affairs, Teach For America-Phoenix	Norman Honie, Kykotsmovi Director, Office of Mining & Mineral Resources, The Hopi Tribe
Brandi Hunt, Scottsdale President and CEO, Gauge Construction Corp.	Justin Johnson, Phoenix CEO, Old World Communities LLC
Diane Landis, C.P.A., Litchfield Park Councilmember, City of Litchfield Park	Stefanie Mach, Tucson CEO, CM Concordia Consulting LLC
Christopher H. Mathis, J.D., Tucson Attorney, Law Office of Christopher H. Mathis PLC	Lea Marquez Peterson, Tucson President and CEO, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Beatriz Elisabeth Rendón, J.D., Tempe Associate Vice President for Educational Outreach, Arizona State University	Brett Rustand, Tucson Vice President, Crest Insurance Group
Jay Schlum, Fountain Hills Mayor, Town of Fountain Hills; Cloud Communications, Telesphere Networks Ltd.	Suzanne Sisley, M.D., Phoenix Clinical Faculty, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Arizona Telemedicine Program
Audra Koester Thomas, Fountain Hills Senior Associate, Partners for Strategic Action Inc.	Douglas Von Gausig, Clarkdale Mayor, Town of Clarkdale
Brad Vynalek, J.D., Phoenix Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP	Tonya Watson, Ph.D., Flagstaff President and CEO, Senior Services Inc.
Thea Wilshire, Ph.D., Globe Vice Mayor, City of Globe; Clinical Director, San Carlos Apache Wellness Center	Kimulet (Kim) Winzer, J.D., Phoenix Director of Compliance – West Region, UnitedHealthcare Arizona Physicians IPA

Four other Arizonans have been tapped for the Spring 2012 Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy. These include:

• Carl Zaragoza, Advocacy Director, Stand for Children;
• Talonya Adams, Attorney, People Caring for People;
• Stacy Reinstein, Senior Projects Manager-Policy, Program and Process Improvement, Division of Children, Youth and Families, Arizona Department of Economic Security;
• Deborah Gonzalez, Chief Academic Officer, ASU/University Public Schools.

PHOENIX—An ambitious new initiative to expand Arizona’s cadre of future state-level civic leaders reached an important milestone on May 20 with a celebration of the inaugural class of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy. The first 25 Flinn-Brown Fellows were recognized as they concluded an intensive 10-week seminar to enhance their civic-leadership capacity and knowledge of key public-policy issues that impact Arizona.

Now the Flinn-Brown Fellows will begin developing individual civic-leadership plans, drawing on their previous experience and newly refined skills. Some may wish to pursue a new role in the future as a policy advisor, state agency official, or member of a state commission. Other Fellows may choose to run for elective office.

“Participating in the Academy reinforced the accountability and responsibility we all have to help shape the future of our state,” said Fernando Shipley, a Flinn-Brown Fellow who currently serves as mayor of the City of Globe. “Looking toward the future, I am committed to working towards common ground.”

The Fellows will receive support from the Academy well beyond the seminar’s conclusion. Particularly strong guidance will come from the Fellows’ mentors—established civic leaders who have committed to aiding the Fellows as they further develop and implement their individual civic-leadership plans. Continue reading →