Staff Reports | Community Updates
Scottsdale Leadership announced the graduation of Class 40, a group of 46 community leaders, following a ceremony May 8, 2026, in Scottsdale.
The ceremony marked the completion of a year focused on professional development, civic involvement and leadership training, according to a press release.
As part of the program, Class 40 completed four “Project Lead It Forward” initiatives aimed at supporting local organizations and addressing community needs. The projects are part of Scottsdale Leadership’s service-learning component. For the first time, the 2026 projects included participation from Scottsdale Leadership alumni.
In total, participants contributed 3,020 volunteer hours, secured $136,750 in in-kind donations and raised $100,121, with projects estimated to impact about 5,280 people.
This year’s projects partnered with several nonprofit organizations:
Cattle Track Arts Compound:
The team developed a marketing campaign and community event for Cattle Track Arts Compound, a historic arts community in Scottsdale. The event drew more than 1,200 guests over two days, and the team created a business guide outlining strategies for hosting future events.
The Walter Hive:
The team created a digital design lab to provide youth with access to technology and hands-on workshops. The lab is intended to support learning opportunities and introduce potential career pathways.
Scottsdale Family Resource Center:
The team converted an outdoor area into an enclosed play space designed for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The project supports the organization’s goal of providing a safe, accessible environment for families with young children.
Horses Help:
The team developed an outdoor space designed for program participants, including a patio with repurposed brick, seating and a fountain. The space also can be used for future fundraising events.
Lexie’s Ranch (alumni project):
Scottsdale Leadership alumni created a community garden featuring sensory-friendly elements designed for families raising children with special needs.
“These projects reflect the heart of Scottsdale Leadership’s mission,” Executive Director Lee Ann Witt said. “Class 40 not only learned about the challenges our community faces—they took action. Each PLIF project demonstrates the power of collaborative leadership, and the difference passionate individuals can make.”
Since its founding in 1986, Scottsdale Leadership has graduated more than 1,400 alumni who serve in civic, business and nonprofit roles. Class 40 joins that network as program alumni.
Class 40 graduates include:
Bill Abad, Vanguard Group, director of fund policy
Patricia Barney, HonorHealth Foundation, associate vice president
Courtney Beyer, Nautilus Insurance Group, vice president of human resources
Keith Bowers, Bowers AI, president
Melinda Browning, Civic Center Pharmacy, chief customer experience officer
Cresencio Celaya, DataShift, senior strategy, delivery and business development consultant
Angela Clervoix, Stingley Management-McDonald’s, business manager/Next Gen
Angelina Cooper, HonorHealth Research Institute, director of strategic research business and trauma research
Lauren Crider, Renaissance Personnel Group, executive vice president
Sarah Dalton, HonorHealth, service line program manager
Lauren Daniels, Happily Ever After League, founder and executive director
Samantha DeMoss, Rose Law Group, land use and zoning attorney
Kathryn Dwyer, Dwyer & Associates, president, nonprofit consultant and publicist
James Garman, Suzi Glover State Farm, business development and office manager
Marisha Geraghty, Paradise Valley Unified School District, volunteer administrator
Peg Ghering, St. Vincent de Paul, vice president
Dr. Freda Hartman, Norwich University, graduate faculty
Chris Henderson, Gartner, client executive
Sean La Rue, Luminate Bank, branch manager
Jessica Linzey, Nationwide Insurance, claim manager and program manager
Sherry Jane Love, SJAL Enterprises LLC, president
Patrick McCartney, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, financial advisor
Beth McRae, The McRae Agency, CEO and founder
James Meyer, Illumination Systems, manager of architectural residential sales
Lea Mitchell, Scottsdale Unified School District, assistant superintendent
Greg Muir, Arizona School of Real Estate and Business, vice president and general manager
Kim Novenski, CardioVascular Institute of Scottsdale, cardiology nurse practitioner
Whitney Pitt, City of Scottsdale, business services director
Dr. Skip Powerll, Phoenix ER and Hospital, emergency physician
Steven Rajakovich, Hope & A Future, chief development officer
Jessica Rapp, City of Scottsdale, human services manager
Crissy Seals, Nationwide Insurance, associate vice president
Shelley Seaver, HonorHealth Research Institute, manager of business operations
Jessica Sharkey, Gemsight College & Career Planners, college essay editor
Amanda Siegal, Valley of the Sun YMCA, executive director
Kimberly Smith, Banner Health, practice manager
Jennifer Spiegel Welch, Nationwide Insurance, senior consultant
Clint Steeves, Scottsdale Fire Department, assistant fire chief
Karen Sutherland, Scottsdale Police Department, support services director
Dr. Erica Tatum-Sheade, Integrated Mental Health, owner and child and adolescent clinician
Aaron Torres, Scottsdale Community College, student services manager
Jimmy Vo, MidFirst Private Bank, portfolio manager
Laura Vreeland, Arizona State University, senior director of recruitment communications
Bruce Wall, City of Scottsdale, citizen advisor
Lynette Whitener, DC Ranch Community Council, community engagement director
Christopher Wurpts, North Scottsdale United Methodist Church, lead pastor
