November 2025
Executive Director's Corner
Lee Ann Witt
Executive Director
Class 40 Has
Hit the Ground Running!
... diving headfirst into the topics that shape our city, from City Government and History to Sustainability and Education. Watching this group engage with curiosity, connect with one another, and grow as leaders reminds me every day why we do what we do. Our mission to inform, inspire, and empower leaders isn’t just words on a page, it’s alive and thriving in every conversation, every class day, and every new connection being made.
This month, as we celebrated Veterans Day, we are reminded of the pride we have for our Scottsdale Leadership veterans: Jim Bruner, Joan Fudala, Neil Sutton, Chad Arruda, Justin Layman, Donna Tew, Denise Pulk, Nick Alamshaw, Dave Masters, Richard Krauss, Jordan Richbourg, Stacey Gross, Bill Abad, and Christian Sprinkle. Their service and continued leadership exemplify courage and commitment both in and beyond our community. If we missed anyone, we want to include you, please click the button below so we can recognize all who have served.
Each year at this time, we honor our co-founder and visionary, Dr. Art DeCabooter, whose leadership and commitment to community helped shape the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the spirit of Scottsdale itself. Every Giving Tuesday, this year on December 2nd, we dedicate all contributions to the Dr. Art DeCabooter Scholarship, which provides deserving future leaders with the opportunity to experience the full impact of Scottsdale Leadership.
We’re proud to introduce our fourth scholarship recipient, Lauren Daniels, whose passion for service and leadership continues Dr. DeCabooter’s legacy of impact. Please join us on this Global Day of Generosity as we come together to honor the past, invest in future leaders, and keep his vision alive for generations to come.
This year is extra special as we celebrate 40 amazing years of Scottsdale Leadership! Since 1986, more than 1,400 graduates have stepped up to serve as board members, executives, and community changemakers. Their passion and purpose keep Scottsdale’s spirit strong, connected, and thriving. Here’s to 40 years of leadership, laughter, and lasting impact — and the exciting future ahead!
I can’t wait to see everyone at our 25th Annual Spirit of Community Leadership Awards Luncheon on December 12th as we honor our incredible Drinkwater, Hodges, Jenkins, and Frances Young Trailblazer Award Winners! The holiday spirit will be alive at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess for a celebration you won't want to miss. We’re thrilled to welcome our dynamic Emcee, Cameron Cox from KPNX-TV - 12 News, and our Auctioneer Extraordinaire, Letitia Frye, who is known for bringing great energy and fun!
And of course, it wouldn’t be the season without our “12 Days of Christmas Silent Auction,” opening December 1st — perfect for shopping and supporting Scottsdale Leadership.
As we step into November, my heart is full of gratitude. To our alumni, sponsors, and friends — thank you. Your support and enthusiasm make everything we do possible. Here’s to celebrating leadership, community, and connection, and to the next 40 years of making a difference together!
Mark Your
Calendar
Thursday, November 13th, 5:30 pm
Monday, January 12th 5:30 -7:00 pm
Anti
Human Trafficking
Training
Every voice matters in the fight against human trafficking. Join Scottsdale Leadership as we bring back this highly popular event – learning from the experts, and taking meaningful steps toward prevention, protection, and hope.
Mark Your Calendar - More Details Coming Soon
Thursday, January 22nd
Phoenix Suns
Behind-the-Scenes
Tour
Class 17's Dan Costelleo, Phoenix Suns Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer will lead an insider's behind-the scenes Arena Tour for this do-not-miss special event!
Mark Your Calendar - More Details Coming Soon
Blast from the Past
Suzanne Walden-Wells, Class 16
Written by: Craig Miller, Class 7 and Dr. Frances Mills-Yerger, Class 16
What a great conversation we had recently with Suzanne Walden-Wells of Class 16. She is a person who has come from the humblest of beginnings to do extraordinary things for so many people. It seems to us that Suzanne’s experiences make her a truly valuable person to everyone she meets. She reminded us that a career is a series of stepping stones that we all have in front of us. How you manage that process makes a huge difference in a person’s quality of life. It was fascinating for us to hear how she managed that process herself. We are very happy to have her as part of our Scottsdale Leadership family. We know you will enjoy getting to know her better, just as we did.
Mentoring Event
It was a match-making success when mentors and mentees met each other for the first time, and connections were sparked !
The team that makes the Mentoring Magic happen (Our Mentoring Committee):
Brian Bednar ,Class 20 / Zoe Severyn, Class 34 / Brian Brookman, Class 31 / Jolynn Clarke, Class 10 / Bill Scarbrough, Class 31
Partners for Paiute
As proud Scottsdale Leadership alumni, we know the power of service and connection in strengthening our community. With 9 of 16 board members being Scottsdale Leadership graduates, Partners for Paiute is deeply rooted in this shared commitment. We invite you to stay engaged, give back, and join us in driving meaningful community impact through our work at the Paiute Neighborhood Center. Together, we can continue leading with purpose and creating lasting change in Scottsdale. Visit us at https://www.partnersforpaiute.org/engage.
PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT:
Raoul Zubia, Class 22; Roger Lurie, Class 39; Aaron Glaspie, Class 39; Veronica Corral Class 39; Kevin Stone, Class 39; Mary Jung, Class 37; Ashley Adams, Class 37; Charles Silver, Class 33
MEET
YOUR
BOARD
MEMBER
Rose Meyer, Class 39
Vice Chair, Community Events
Rose is working hard at the helm of planning this year's
25th Annual
Spirit of Community
Awards Luncheon.
We know it will be an amazing event.
Thank you for all your hard work, Rose!
Giving Tuesday is Just Around the Corner!
Giving Tuesday, the day of generosity, is on December 2nd.
At Scottsdale Leadership we dedicate all funds raised on this day to our
Dr. Art DeCabooter Scholarship which we offer to extraordinary community servants.
But, you don't need to wait until December 2nd to contribute to this worthy cause.
By clicking the button below an supporting this scholarship to the Scottsdale Leadership Program you are investing in a future leader that will make a difference in our community.
PHOTO LEFT: Dr. Art DeCabooter, Scottsdale Leadership Co-Founder
PHOTO RIGHT: David DeCabooter holding Little Arthur DeCabooter; Lauren Daniels, 2025 Scholarship Recipient, ShaRon Rea, 2023 Scholarship Recipient; Roger Lurie, 2024 Scholarship Recipient, Gary Shapiro, Co-Founder; Mary DeCabooter; Don Ruff, Co-Founder
Economic Development Day
History Day
Class 40 Class Day Blogs
Economic Development Day
by Dana Close
Another interesting and enlightening Economic Development Day is in the books! Our gratitude to our outstanding Day Chairs: Brian Bednar, Ryan Rybarczyk and Sam Campana.
A special ShoutOUT to Vanguard for their outstanding hospitality. It was a beautiful venue, and the security staff and technical staff were there for every need! Thank you, Vanguard!
We started out the day hearing from Andy Greenwood (Class 34) who is the VP of Development at Macerich (Scottsdale Fashion Square). It was enlightening to hear how much of our tax base is generated from Scottsdale Fashion Square and how forward thinking they are, especially when malls all around the country have gone under! We are in good hands with Scottsdale Fashion Square and appreciate all they do to stay ahead of the game.
Next up was Rachel Sacco, President and CEO of Experience who told us about all the work that they do…that WE never see. That is because they are hard at work attracting visitors from around the country, and the world. Some of that highly researched and focused campaigns go to Chicago or New York or Canada and beyond. Imagine walking in the freezing cold and stopping into a “Sun Globe” with the bright light and warm air and the smell of creosote and prickly pear tea! All their efforts are worth it because for every dollar they spend on advertising, it generates $116 in visitor spending! Thank you, Experience Scottsdale!
We also had the privilege of hearing about Economic Development from the perspective of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce with the President of their board, Mr. Eric Luoma (Class 9). Josh Utterback, who is the Interim Director for Economic Development at the City of Scottsdale, shared how they work together to support our thriving economy.
After lunch we dove into two local development plans that are before our city council and planning departments: Banner Health and Axon. Our thanks to Mark Barkenbush, VP of Facilities Services at Banner Health, and Chris Camacho of Axon for sharing from their point of view and allowing us to ask questions.
After those dynamic speakers, we brought it back to Leadership with a discussion with Brighton Leadership and Scott Beilke (Class 37) and Donna Brighton. Thank you to Brighton Leadership for sharing Leadership lessons with us throughout the year!
History Day
by Laura Vreeland
October 24, 2025, was History Day for Class 40. After getting rain the last two class sessions, this Friday gave us perfect sunny Scottsdale weather. We started the day at Civic Center Library in our red shirts and walking shoes, ready to learn. We kicked things off with an introduction from Jona Davis (Class 30), who set the stage by saying the day would be all about exploring Scottsdale’s story through the lens of leadership.
Then we met Scottsdale native Stephanie Tippett (Class 36), who introduced Scottsdale legend Joan Fudala (Class 9). Joan gave a detailed and engaging overview of Scottsdale’s history, starting with the Hohokam tribe, who dug the canals 8,000 years ago. She challenged us to think about how the Hohokam considered the impact of their decisions on seven generations in the past and future. We learned about Fort McDowell, early settlers, and how Scottsdale evolved through the late 1800s — building its first schools, inns and guest houses. Joan took us through the 1930s and the Great Depression, into World War II, and onward to Scottsdale’s incorporation as a town in 1951. From there, we heard about Motorola’s arrival, the first hospital, and the city’s growth boom from the 1980s onward.
Next, we met Holly Peralta (Class 31), City of Scottsdale Public Affairs Supervisor, who talked about Scottsdale’s 75th anniversary planning. Holly encouraged everyone to share memories of growing up, living or working in Scottsdale at scottsdale75.com.
We then walked through Civic Center Park to the Little Red Schoolhouse, stopping for group photos in front of the LOVE sign and the beautiful Dia de los Muertos art installations. At the schoolhouse, we learned from Cindy Eberhardt, Class 23 about its history and got to tour the space and sample Terry Erickson's (Class 11) homemade cookies. Mark your calendars now for the Little Red Schoolhouse Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, November 22nd, from 9:00 to 10:30 am.
After that, we loaded the buses and headed to Cattle Track for a presentation from the incomparable Janie Ellis. We were blown away by Janie’s stories about growing up in Scottsdale, from the days when she could ride her horse to Bell Road without seeing another person to today’s thriving city. With Sam Campana and John Flicker we learned about Cattle Track’s mission to foster creative expression and enhance art forms and their transition to a nonprofit.
From there, we headed to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park for lunch. Stephanie Tippett led us on a tour that included a train ride, more photos, a look at the awesome new roundhouse building and a lesson on the McCormick family’s legacy in gifting the land for the park.
After a brief glitch involving a locked bus door, we made our way to Scottsdale Airport for a tarmac tour. Riding the bus right onto the runway was a special highlight of the day. Brian Barr, Airport Operations Supervisor, pointed out a few celebrity hangars and shared how the airpark contributes to Scottsdale’s economy.
Our final stop was WestWorld, where Rebecca Kurth (Class 39) and Austin Unger showed us around while explaining the impact of events like Barrett-Jackson and the Arabian Horse Show. Fun fact: If you have family visiting for the holidays, they can stay in one of the 400 RV stalls at WestWorld.
We wrapped up the day with a reflection session led by Jona, thinking about the brave leadership and thoughtful risk-taking that shaped Scottsdale. Then it was on to a well-earned happy hour at Los Olivos.
It was a long, fulfilling day — and we left feeling proud of our city and even prouder to be part of Scottsdale Leadership. History Day reminded us that leadership isn’t just about decision-making for today — it’s about foresight, stewardship and community impact for the future.
