April 2025
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S CORNER
Lee Ann Witt
Executive Director
"Together we are shaping a stronger, more compassionate Scottsdale"
Greetings Alumni!
Lately, I’ve found myself feeling incredibly grateful—for the people, the energy, and the heart that make Scottsdale Leadership what it is. At the core of everything we do are our volunteer leaders. You are the ones who show up, step in, and give so generously of your time, talents, and spirit.
Whether you’re mentoring future leaders, organizing class days, speaking, advising, or helping out behind the scenes—please know how much it means. Volunteering here is more than checking a box; it’s about growing, connecting, and being part of something that truly matters. One of our volunteer leaders recently shared “I came to serve my community and left with a family.” I can’t think of a better way to describe this experience.
To our Board of Directors, Day Chairs, Speakers, Committee Members, PLIF Advisors, Mentors, Small Group Retreat Advisors and those that volunteer in other ways—thank you. You bring so much wisdom, heart, and leadership to this program, and you make it feel less like an organization and more like a community. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more compassionate Scottsdale.
A special thank you to everyone who participated in our AZ Gives Day Class Challenge! Your generosity and support truly lifted us up and reminded us of what we can do when we come together with purpose. Congratulations to Class 36 for raising the most money and to Class 39 with the most class participation!
I want to personally invite you to join us on April 24th for a very special event: Some Were There: Lessons in Leadership, held in honor of National Holocaust Remembrance Day. It will be a powerful opportunity to reflect, learn, and explore what courageous leadership really means. I hope you’ll join us. You can sign up for this event here.
And last but not least - we’re so excited to celebrate the Graduation of Class 39 on May 9th! This class has poured their hearts into this journey, and we’d love for you to join us and see the impact they’ve made through their PLIF presentations. Their ideas, passion, and leadership are truly inspiring. You won’t want to miss this special event.
Thank you for being such an important part of this journey.
We’re better—and stronger—because of you.
Blast from the Past
Carol Damaso, Class 21
Written by: Craig Miller, Class 7 and
Dr. Frances Mills-Yerger, Class 16
Well we certainly did not use our quiet, library voices when we sat down recently with Class 21 graduate and former Scottsdale Library Director Carol Damaso. We had a great time together. She is much more of a storyteller than a person shelving books in the stacks. We were fascinated as she told how she used innovation and inventiveness to successfully get her points across to her library patrons and library staff during her long career. None of this came easy though, she worked hard at school, and in her career to move up the ladder. Carol also learned how to do the tough jobs that other people did not want to do. That really set her apart from the crowd. We have known and worked with Carol before on various civic projects, but we really enjoyed getting to know her better!
Congratulations to Us!
Scottsdale Leadership has been honored by the
Friends of Scottsdale Public Library with the
Spirit of Literacy Award
Thank you for this wonderful honor!
Friends of Scottsdale Public Library Spirit of Literacy Award winners
Scottsdale Leadership Alumni Supporting Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library
Congratulations
Anna Mineer, Class 29
for being named
Chair,
Scottsdale Tourism Development Commission
This will be Anna's 6th year serving on the commission!
Well done, Anna!
Mark Your
Calendar
Thursday, April 24th
This Moving and Informative Event
is Back with New Curriculum!
Some Were Neighbors: Lessons from the Holocaust
Join us on Holocaust Remembrance Day:
Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Hosted by the Honor Health Military Partnership
7301 East 4th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85151
Presentation and light dinner provided by ~ What You Do Matters
Only 40 seats available so RSVP today!
Friday, May 9th
Class 39
PLIF Presentations and Graduation
We're Putting On the Ritz!
Join us at the Homestead at DC Ranch as
Class 39 showcases their Project Lead It Forward presentations beginning at 2:30 pm.
Graduation and celebration begins at 6:00 pm
PLIF Showcase Presentation: Free of Charge
Graduation and Party: $25.00
(Free for Champion and Visionary Donors)
Here are ways you can help the PLIF teams
make a difference in our community !
Team Happily Ever After League
The Happily Ever After League (HEAL) supports mothers recovering from cancer with at least one dependent child living at home
Team Happily Ever After League is fundraising to enhance the organizations "Healing Farm" experience by expanding expanding space for families and adding new features to improve visitor comfort
We Need Your Support!
Please consider donating to help us provide more resources and a heeling environment for mothers recovering from cancer.
Our Fundraising Goal
$25,000
Every donation will make a difference to a mother's healing journey!
Team Playground Pals
Questions?
Contact Team Member
Lori Schneider
Lori@LoriSchneider.com
Team Playground Pals, in conjunction with Scottsdale Police Department, is updating two SUSD playgrounds in south Scottsdale. Our goal, through students and police playing Four Square together, is to promote mutual respect and understanding, encouraging students to see police officers as approachable role models while giving officers deeper insight into the needs and experiences of our community’s youth.
We Are Fundraising to Help Pay For:
Sports Equipmentand Supplies: Basketballs, soccer balls, uniforms, tournament signage, and other essentials for the events.
Student Four Square Tournament Costs: Ensuring equitable access for all participants regardless of socioeconomic status and tournament day costs.
Program Promotion: Raising awareness about PALS through marketing materials and outreach campaigns.
How You Can Donate
We are utilizing the Scottsdale Police Foundation EIN: 92-2262464 to build an ongoing endowment for this program. Please visit https://scottsdalepolicefoundation.kindful.com and choose “Scottsdale Leadership PALS” to select the campaign.
Team HELP
Help Team HELP build a stronger foundation for Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership or HELP - as they create a new Storage Solution so HELP can save on costly rental space!
More than 9,000 children in Arizona are homeless and HELP is on a mission to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness for children, teens, and families.
We need your support to fund existing programs and chart a pathway to helping more of our community’s youth experiencing homelessness, by fulfilling existing operational needs, and beyond.
Your support changes lives—
every dollar matters!
Team Miracle League
Team Miracle League needs your help to attract new audience, volunteers and supporters to this wonderful program that provides a safe and successful baseball experience to children, teens and adults with disabilities or special healthcare needs.
Your support will help us build a great communications program including a brand new website to get the word out about this great organization. But our work doesn't stop there. We are also helping to build a new press box as well as helping provide the players with new equipment and supplies.
Miracle League of Arizona breaks barriers and fosters a strong community through baseball giving players and their families the chance to experience miracles!
Please help us out and be an important part of the fun!
The New LeaderSHOP is Here!
We have great new merchandise in our LeaderSHOP! Check it out. You can even pick items that can be customized with your class number. AND, if you take a photo of yourself in your new swag and send it to Dana Close you can be in our new promotional video!
