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Arizona Center for Civic Leadership
Enhancing civic life in Arizona through education, engagement, and leadership programs.
The Center’s cornerstone initiative which includes participation in the Flinn-Brown Academy and Flinn-Brown Network.
Meet the more than 435 Fellows who make up the Flinn-Brown Network through this searchable directory.
Join us for monthly virtual public policy seminars emphasizing learning and discussion.
Serving as a statewide resource for organizations interested and involved in strengthening civic leadership.
A partnership to measure Arizona's progress on civic participation and connected communities—and act.
An annual gathering of Flinn-Brown Fellows to make connections while learning about public service from policy experts and Fellows.
Connect with Arizona Center for Civic Leadership: Stay up to date. Join our email list.
The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership
The nonpartisan Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation enhances civic life in Arizona through civic education, engagement, and leadership-development programs. Flinn Young Leaders emphasizes civic learning and skill-building and helps teens imagine paths to making a difference. CivEx delivers educational programming for the public to become better-informed on Arizona policy and political topics. The Civic Leadership Collaborative and the Arizona Civic Life Partnership convene organizations that strengthen civic participation and connected communities. The Center’s cornerstone, the prestigious Flinn-Brown Fellowship, is an immersive experience for community leaders from diverse backgrounds. Fellows engage in rich discussions with policymakers and political experts; join a robust professional network; and gain understanding of how to address Arizona’s most pressing issues through public service.
Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson joins Leadership Forward podcast
In this seventh episode of the Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona podcast, host Dawn Wallace of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation is joined by Arizona Corporation Commissioner and 2011 Flinn-Brown Fellow Lea Márquez Peterson, the first Latina elected to statewide office in Arizona.
Peterson talks about her early career as an entrepreneur in Tucson and how that led to her leading the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and eventually being appointed, and then elected, to the Arizona Corporation Commission. The conversation also covers energy reliability, Arizona’s energy policy, running for statewide office, her current re-election campaign, and the value of the Flinn-Brown Network. [Listen]
Arizona Civics Bee competition for middle-school students coming to Flinn
The Flinn Foundation and Arizona Center for Civic Leadership will host the Arizona State Competition of the National Civics Bee May 3 as Arizona middle schoolers strive to represent their state at the national competition in Washington, D.C.
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Arizona Chamber Foundation is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Gilbert, Queen Creek, Tucson, and Yuma chambers of commerce to encourage civic knowledge and leadership. The top three finalists from the locally hosted competitions advance to the May 3 live statewide competition with one moving on to the third annual national contest in November. [Read more]
Flinn-Brown Fellow and former Jerome mayor Nikki Check looking to serve her county
Nikki Check is an Arizona native who has spent most of her life in Yavapai County—a county she hopes to serve soon as an elected official. Check, a former mayor of Jerome, is currently running in the primary for Yavapai County Board of Supervisors District 3 with the hope of giving her son’s generation a reason to stay in Arizona.
The 2012 Flinn-Brown Fellow helped found the Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College and later became director of viticulture, helping build the industry she said is special to Arizona’s uniqueness while cultivating sustainable economic opportunities. Check says that one of the lessons she learned throughout her viticultural endeavors melds with a message she took away from her Flinn-Brown experience: If you’re trying to do something all by yourself, you’re not going to get very far. [Read more]
CivEx about Pima County Prosperity Initiative available for viewing
Flinn-Brown Fellows Julie Katsel and Tamara Prime of Tucson hosted a March 27 CivEx webinar featuring panelists Bonnie Bazata, Ending Poverty Now program manager for Pima County; Tisha Tallman, CEO, Primavera Foundation; Pima County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair, the Honorable Rex Scott; Liz Morales, assistant city manager, city of Tucson; and Flinn-Brown Fellow Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, economic development director, Pima County.
Katsel, assistant vice president, community relations at the University of Arizona, and Prime, COO of Primavera Foundation, led the conversation on the Pima County Prosperity Initiative, a partnership between Pima County and the city of Tucson to reduce generational poverty and increase opportunity and assets for low-income families. [Watch]
Center releases sixth Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona podcast
In this sixth episode of the Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona podcast, host Dawn Wallace of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation is joined by 2023 Flinn-Brown Fellow Adam Goodman, a business and community leader and CEO of Goodmans.
In this wide-ranging interview, Goodman discusses shaping his third-generation furniture business to impact and better the community, and offers his perspective on print journalism, capitalism, community service, Flinn-Brown, and the open primaries initiative. The podcast is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. [Listen]
Flinn-Brown Fellow David Garcia a believer in impacting education policy
David Garcia is an associate professor at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College in the division of educational leadership and innovation, and director of the Arizona Education Policy Initiative at ASU. The former political candidate utilizes his expertise in research through writing and his teachings.
The Flinn-Brown Fellow in 2022 published his book, “Teach Truth to Power; How to Engage in Education Policy,” which serves to better the public’s understanding on how to utilize research and academics to influence policy. He also enjoys the growth and excitement he gets to witness as an educator. [Read more]
News and Updates
Civic Leadership
Recognizing Flinn-Brown Fellows running for office in 2024
For more than a decade, the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation has offered the Flinn-Brown Fellowship: the premier statewide civic-leadership program for experienced Arizona leaders to expand their knowledge, put their connections to use, and make a difference in their communities by expanding their public service with destinations that include state and local elected office.
Civic Leadership
Flinn to host Arizona Civics Bee competition for middle-school students
The Flinn Foundation will host the Arizona State Competition of the National Civics Bee May 3 as Arizona middle schoolers strive to represent their state at the national competition in Washington, D.C. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Arizona Chamber Foundation is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the […]
Civic Leadership
March 2024 Network News
Throughout history, women have stood as pillars of resilience and ingenuity, shaping human civilization through remarkable acts of courage. From impressive leadership in political and civic life to groundbreaking invention, women have continuously defied societal constraints and become trailblazers in various areas including scientific discovery, governance, business, arts and culture, law, and academia. Beyond the well-known figures, countless others have made significant contributions, fundamentally altering the lives of those around them.
Civic Leadership
Flinn-Brown Fellow and former Jerome mayor Nikki Check looking to serve her county
Nikki Check is an Arizona native who has spent most of her life in Yavapai County—a county she hopes to serve soon as an elected official. Check, a former mayor of Jerome, is currently running in the primary for Yavapai County Board of Supervisors District 3 with the hope of giving her son’s generation a reason to stay in Arizona. The 2012 Flinn-Brown Fellow previously helped found the Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College and later became director of viticulture, helping build the industry she said is special to Arizona’s uniqueness while cultivating sustainable economic opportunities.
For information about Civic Leadership, please contact:
civicleadership@flinn.org or (602) 744-6832
Dawn Wallace
Vice President, Civic Leadership
Jennifer Papworth
Program Manager, Arizona Center for Civic Leadership
Danielle Underwood
Program Coordinator, Arizona Center for Civic Leadership
Anna McClure
Intern, Arizona Center for Civic Leadership