March 2023 Newsletter
Executive Director's Corner
Meet Your Board Member
Jim Kollenda, Class 36
Hello fellow Alumni and Class 37!
If I have not met you yet in person, I’m Jim Kollenda
( of Notorious Class 36).
I serve as 2022-2023 Corporate Outreach Vice Chair. You could say I’m the luckiest person, since Jane Blacker (Class 19) is our Corporate Outreach Chair, and we have SO many amazing alumni that serve on the committee including: Doreen Reinke (Class 17), Sara Kearney (Class 30), Andi Robertson (Class 30), Lee Ann Witt (Class 33) and Lyric Naquin (Class 35)
– say it with me... dream team!
Spring has come in like a lion
with outstanding events!
In Scottsdale Leadership, we celebrate new beginnings, appreciation and never-ending opportunities to connect and further the interests of our community.
Our Family Picnic held February 25th was a rousing success of fellowship and great food. We even had several four-legged friends attend. And we were able to donate 184 pounds of needed food items to Vista del Camino! Thank you to all who contributed.
The Holocaust Event March 8th focused on ethical leadership and lessons learned from the Holocaust. We thank Todd Larson, Class 32, for this highly interactive course and his excellent presentation. This “back by popular demand” course is the second time this year Todd has presented to Scottsdale Leadership.
March 15th is the first of three Applicant Receptions held at DC Ranch Homestead Community Center. Please RSVP and bring your nominee to learn more about Scottsdale Leadership and have them meet our incredible alumni. Did you know that 87% of our applicants come from our alumni making referals?
AZ Gives Day is April 4th so let the Class Challenge begin! The ask is simple…$37 for 37 years of Scottsdale Leadership. If you are feeling some extra love, add your class number to that number for a total amount. Pre-giving begins March 15th and we encourage classes 1- 12 to donate during that timeframe.
The following week we encourage classes 13 - 25 to make a strong showing with the last week (prior to April 4th) for classes 26 -37. We hope to have 300 participating donors to reach our goal of $18,000 to support the cause. April 4th is THE BIG DAY. Class 36 was the champion last year closely followed by by Classes 31, 34, 33 and 24. Who will it be THIS year?!
Let’s celebrate on April 14th at the Special Art Exhibit at Mountain Shadows Resort Gallery, Scottsdale, curated by our own Cece Cole, Class 37.
It will be a great opportunity to meet Class 37 after their Arts & Culture Day, AND a reunion opportunity for all classes! Mountain Shadows is graciously sponsoring the appetizers; a cash bar will be available.
Thank you in advance for answering our quick survey on alumni events that came out last week. We have offered a great variety of events this year and your opinion counts as we plan for next year.
For all those traveling and taking advantage of spring break, safe travels. For all those staying and playing, perhaps at some of our spring training games, have fun!
Lee Ann Witt
Executive Director
SHOUT OUTS !!!
Congratulations Justin Layman, Class 37
Congratulations
to Justin for being
appointed to the
Veterans Advisory
Commission!
Congratulations
Cece Cole, Class 37
Congratulations to Cece, gallery curator at Mountain Shadows Resort.
Her talents will be on front and center for all to enjoy at our April 14th event.
Read her story in this month's
Front Doors Magazine electronic
issue on Pages 17-19!
Congratulations Karolyn Kiburz, Class 23
Karolyn was just awarded the Frank Snell Lifetime Achievement Award by the Fiesta Bowl organization. This award is a distinguished honor reserved for individuals who have served the Fiesta Bowl organization for more than 12 years and is chosen by the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors and Life Directors.
Congratulations Karolyn!
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Liz Kaplan, Class 27
Blast from the Past
We really enjoyed meeting with
Liz Kaplan of Class 27.
She is a delightful and engaging person to speak with. There is a real strength and courage in her as well. Liz really enjoys learning new things, and the adventure associated with taking on new challenges. As with most adventurers though, her career path has been anything but on a straight line. That did not seem to bother Liz too much. We think you will enjoy getting to her know as much as we did.
The 2023
ClassChallenge
for AZ Gives Day
IS ON !!!
Join the classmates in your week-group
and give what you can to help!
We're asking for $37 for our 37 years of
Scottsdale Leadership. If you're feeling
some extra love - add your class number
to that total.
Help us reach our goal of $18,000 to invest in Scottsdale Leadership so we can invest in the
future leaders of our community!
Look for emails to come soon!!
Class 37 Reports on
February Class Days
Economic Development Day
Public Safety – Fire Day
What a fun day! The day opened with a passionate session with Chief Tom Shannon of Scottsdale Fire Department. There was a strong sense of command and passion for the department that was felt throughout the day that displayed how great leadership starts at the top and is evident how that permeates throughout the department. The experience made clear that Scottsdale Fire Department is operating at a high caliber, with the resources they have, and are “Caring” for the community, hearing the mission statement several times throughout the day “We care for You.”
