January 2026
President Elect's Corner
Jim Kollenda
President Elect
Happy New Year SL Alumni !
It was wonderful seeing so many of you at the Spirit of Community Awards in December at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. I enjoyed reconnecting, having great conversations, and celebrating four remarkable individuals: Denny Brown, Jackie Parks, Karina Koppikar, and Kathy Wills who continually dedicate their time and talents to the greater Scottsdale community. We also recognized Nationwide for their ongoing corporate support through financial grants and volunteer efforts. Congratulations again to each honoree!
As Board President-Elect, I have the privilege of inviting you to potentially serve on Scottsdale Leadership’s Board of Directors for the upcoming fiscal year (July 2026 through June 2027). The SL Board Development Committee is asking alumni to consider joining the Board for the upcoming fiscal year. Serving on our working Board requires about three hours a month, depending on your committee role and activities. Here are some things to consider:
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Did you enjoy spending time with your classmates and participating in leadership sessions?
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Do you want to help preserve Scottsdale’s history and ensure its stories are shared with future generations?
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Are you interested in shaping our future with events, meaningful connections, and relevant topics?
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Would you like to work collaboratively to strengthen and sustain SL’s success?
If any of these ideas resonate with you, or if you feel inspired to contribute your energy and passion, please submit your name and application for a 2026-2027 Board role to the Board Development Committee. Apply HERE.
On behalf of myself and the Board Development Committee,
thank you for your dedication to SL!
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2026!
Your Scottsdale Leadership Board Development Committee
Jim Kollenda, Class36
Dan Newhart, Class 38
David Wilson, Class 28
Katie Pushor, Class 36
Linda Milhaven, Class 8
Mark Your
Calendar
Thursday, January 22nd 4:45 pm
Phoenix Suns Behind-the-Scenes Tour!
Alumni Donors Only
You still have time to become a donor!
Become a donor here.
Blast from the Past
Kate Birchler, Class 26
Written by: Craig Miller, Class 7 and Dr. Frances Mills-Yerger, Class 16
It is always a pleasure to sit down with someone who genuinely values meaningful conversation, authentic connection, and the time it takes to cultivate both. This was immediately evident during our interview with Kate Birchler of Class 26. She is an individual who is remarkably approachable, energetic, and deeply passionate about the city she has chosen to call home for nearly three decades. Kate speaks with ease and enthusiasm about Scottsdale, whether discussing how to experience it as a visitor, contribute to it as a civic leader, or embrace it as a resident. Her long-standing commitment to the community and belief in giving back for the greater good are precisely why she was recently inducted into the Scottsdale History Hall of Fame!
Alumni Join Class 40 Touring the Amazing Scottsdale Water Treatment Facility
Thank you Scottsdale Water!
Education Day
Class 40 Blog
Education Day
by Dr. Freda Hartman, Class 40
Today was all about education at the elementary, high school, and college levels in Scottsdale.
Our first stop was Pueblo Elementary where we were greeted by a wonderful group of students gathered on the lawn singing a welcome song to us! We felt very special and their enthusiasm inspired us to join in clapping along with their song! School Principal Shelley Hummon (Class 33) was one of our Day Chairs and explained about the unique features of the school, among them being that the children learned in both Spanish and English. We toured some of the classes and saw the dedicated teachers engaging with the students in learning and having fun along the way!
Our next stop was Saguaro High School. We toured part of the building and then visited the Innovation Center which had a 3-D printer and robotic equipment that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students use in their learning. Saguaro is noted for its curriculum in STEM, technology and innovation. Two students briefed us on the Innovation Center, their experiences at Saguaro, and the learning opportunities available to them. For example, one student shared she worked on a NASA-sponsored project at ASU which involved designing a lunar robot rover which could navigate the surface of the moon with its rocks and surface chemical content which made travel on the moon’s surface difficult. Sounded like a great opportunity and a very high level project to challenge learning! Amazing!!!
Returning to our SCC classroom, we had a series of presentations and two panel discussions about the world of education in Scottsdale and Arizona. Peter Boyle from the Center for the Future of Arizona and Dr. Donna Lewis, current School Board President and former principal and superintendent, talked about the landscape of education in Arizona, leadership lessons from their experiences, and some of the challenges they must deal with, such as school consolidation, retention of educaters, and others.
We heard from two panels (one with SUSD administrators and one with school principals) drilling deeper into educational issues and possible approaches to addressing them. (Big shout out to our own Lea Mitchell for her role as a presenter and panelist!) There was agreement that leadership now requires civility, deep listening, empathy, and the ability to suspend personal bias for the greater good. It was suggested that public support, coalition building, and effective advocacy were needed to bridge the divide in our communities. It was noted that student resilience during change is higher than we might think.
An exercise in class: “A Day in the Life of a Principal” demonstrated to the class the types of situations encountered by principals and how management works in education. Each panelist shared their insights and thinking about how problems get prioritized and handled effectively. It was a fun way to cap the session!
Class 40 Leaders gained great incite into – learning more about Arizona's educational systems, viewing change as an opportunity for growth and improvement, creative problem-solving, ways in which we can contribute constructively, and so much more.
It was a great day of learning about education in Scottsdale and Arizona!
Thank you to our fabulous Education Day Chairs !
Jennifer Waldron, Class 39 | Bronwyn Maxwell, Class 34 | Shelley Hummon, Class 33
Congratulations
to Kelly Morin, Class 39 and her husband Steve
who welcomed baby Crosby Morin into the world on December 30th, 2025 !
