Staff Reports | Community Updates
Scottsdale Leadership is announcing its 40th Leadership Class.
Chosen from a wide field of highly qualified applicants, the 46 new class members represent a strong cross section of our community.
Selected class members are embarking on a nine-month leadership development journey focused on the interconnections of community as explored through topics such as Scottsdale history, education and government, public safety, sustainable initiatives, human services, bias and boundaries, economic development, technology, health and vitality, and arts and culture.
In addition, each class of graduates participates in delivering impactful, sustainable projects through its Project Lead It Forward program. These community-based projects allow established and emerging leaders to apply classroom learning to real-time projects that will provide lasting impact to partnering organizations.
“We are committed to providing high-quality leadership training designed to cultivate leadership skills, build empathy, and encourage civil dialogue during this challenging time. We are also looking forward to creating a lasting and significant impact on our community with service projects,” said Assistant Director Dana Close, in a prepared statement.
The Scottsdale Leadership 2025-2026 class participants are:
- Bill Abad, Vanguard Group, Director of Fund Policy
- Patricia Barney, HonorHealth Foundation, Associate Vice President
- Courtney Beyer, Nautilus Insurance Group, VP-Human Resources
- Keith Bowers, Bowers AI, President
- Melinda Browning, Civic Center Pharmacy, Chief Customer Experience Officer
- Cresencio Celaya, APS, Leader of Strategy and Planning
- Angela Clervoix, Stingley Management-McDonalds’s, Business Manager/Next Gen
- Angelina Cooper, HonorHealth Research Institute, Director-Strategic Research Business & Trauma Research
- Lauren Crider, Renaissance Personnel Group, Executive Vice President
- Sarah Dalton, HonorHealth, Service Line Program Manager
- Lauren Daniels, Happily Ever After League, Founder, Executive Director
- Samantha DeMoss, Rose Law Group, Land Use and Zoning Attorney
- Kathryn Dwyer, Dwyer & Associates, President, NPO Consultant, Publicist
- James Garman, Suzi Glover State Farm, Business Development/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/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 Architectural Residential Sales
- Lea Mitchell, Scottsdale Unified School District, Assistant Superintendent
- Greg Muir, AZ School of Real Estate and Business, Vice President and General Manager
- Kim Novenski, CardioVascular Institute of Scottsdale, Cardiology Nurse Practioner
- Whitney Pitt, City of Scottsdale, Business Services Director
- Dr. Skip Powerll, Phoenix ER and Hospital, Emergency Physician
- Steven Rajakovich, UMOM New Day Centers, Corporate Partnerships Officer
- Jessica Rapp, City of Scottsdale, Human Services Manager
- Crissy Seals, Nationwide Insurance, Associate Vice President
- Shelley Seaver, HonorHealth Research Institute, Manager 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 & 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, Recruitment Communication
- 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
