October 2024
Executive Director's Corner
Lee Ann Witt
Fall is in the air,
and I can almost feel it !
I look forward to the cooler weather, fall festivals, and Halloween fun. Scottsdale Leadership has already started the “fun” part, and we are looking forward to many “cool” events coming up. I hope you will join in the fun!
Class 38 invites you join their “Level Up Your Executive Presence” featuring DeAnna DuPree, Scottsdale’s Image Coach on October 17th at the Scottsdale Wine Club. Learn how to build an executive presence that commands attention, builds credibility, and influences key stakeholders by developing a strong personal brand that sets you apart. This promises to be a fun and educational evening!
We still have a few spaces left for our NEW 1-day retreat called the Values Gap Workshop on October18th . This is the most timely, relevant, powerful, and game-changing training event you will participate in this year. Led by Kristi Staab, Retreat Facilitator, “it is imperative for leaders to shift how they think, act, and behave to provide the leadership necessary to create unity, trust, and mutual respect in our businesses, communities, and families…even when we have significant differences in our beliefs.” We are offering $100 off the cost for all Active Alumni Donors; fee includes materials, lunch, and snacks. There is still time to activate your alumni dues.
Scottsdale Professionals Converge on November 12th at VIP Lounge at Canal Convergence. JoinScottsdale Leadership, Scottsdale Rising Young Professionals, and NextGen@Scottsdale Arts for a nightof connection along the Scottsdale Waterfront and an opportunity to build your network of contacts and mentors while engaging with amazing interactive works of art. We have limited capacity so reserve your spot today! Thank you, Randy Nussbaum and Sacks Tierney, for sponsoring this spectacular event!
Attending an event? Be sure to check out our online LeaderSHOP and purchase some cool ScottsdaleLeadership apparel – you will be fashionably dressed for success!
Did you know that you can support Scottsdale Leadership in many ways and that your support is invaluable, both financially and with your involvement? I encourage you to become an Active Alumni Donor today and take advantage of the benefits we offer. Your support allows us to forge new events and programs, offering all alumni a complete menu of engagement opportunities.
Breaking news…we are thrilled to announce our Spirit of Community Award Winners that will be celebrated at our 24th Annual Spirit of Community Awards Luncheon on December 13th at The Scottsdale Resort on McCormick Parkway. Earlybird tickets are now on sale until November 20th . This is our signature event that you will not want to miss. Who are those winners? Just scroll on down.
I wish you a “Happy Fall, Y’all” and look forwardf
to seeing you at our upcoming events.
Scottsdale Leadership Proudly Announces
the 2024 Spirit of Community Award Winners !
Congratulations to this years distinguished award winners:
Brian Bednar, Peter Rusin, Brick Shultz, and Erica Tatum-Sheade
Read the details in our Press Release here.
Hodges Alumni Achievement
Award Winner
Brian Bednar
Drinkwater Community Leadership
Award Winner
Peter Rusin
Frances Young Trailblazer
Award Winner
Jenkins Youth Leadership
Award Winner
Brick Shultz
Erica Tatum-Sheade
Congratulations 2024 Award Winners !
Blast From the Past
On more than one occasion during our free flowing, fun conversation with Jona Davis of Class 30, she mentioned getting an inspiration for something new and quickly writing it down on a napkin with her friends or colleagues during conversation. These ideas were not always about some new and revolutionary things, sometimes it was about doing her job better. In reality, we think she is just a great student of people and instinctively knows how to bring out the best in the people she works with. We are so fortunate to have her as a member of the Scottsdale Leadership family. We know you will enjoy getting to know her just as much as we did.
Jona Davis, Class 30
Class 39 Classmates Show Up in Support of the
Ronald McDonald House Charities Gala
Left to Right: Matt Salata, Jeremy Schlosser, Riczer Desvaristes and Charlie Renfro
Alumni Make Valuable Connections at Leadership Networking Event
Scottsdale Leadership members take advantage of powerful networking opportunities from our resource-rich Alumni group
Alumni Show Up to Give Blood !
Anna Oliver, Class 38 and Larry Hewitt Class 36 giving their all.
It Was a Slam Dunk for the Alumni Who Helped Out
Scottsdale Boys and Girls Clubs
These SL Alumni brought the heat at the Scottsdale Boys and Girls Clubs
Charity Basketball Tournament on September 28th!
Our Amazing Day Chairs Bring It All Together for Scottsdale Leadership Class Days
Thank you!
to our 2024 History Class Day Chairs
Our History Class Day Chairs: Jona Davis Class 30, Stephanie Tippett Class 36, Joan Fudala, Class 9
Thank you!
to our 2024 City Government Class Day Chairs
Our Government Class Day Chairs: Kevin McKee, Class 37; Linda Milhaven, Class 8; Kira Peters, Class 29; Sam Campana, Co-Founder.
Class Day Journals
City Government Day
Submitted by Ryan Hilbun
Our day kicked off with a warm welcome and introduction for Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega from Kevin McKee, Parks & Recreation Manager, and Kira Peters, Human Services Director for the City of Scottsdale. Mayor Ortega set the tone for the day, sharing his insights on working across federal, state, and local levels of government. He also highlighted a deeply impactful social initiative—a domestic violence shelter project he had been involved with—that brought home the importance of community-driven efforts.
History Day
Submitted by Lori Schneider
They say history repeats itself. Here in Scottsdale, we can only hope it does.
On October 12, 2024, Scottsdale Leadership Class 39 set off on History Day. Led by Day Chairs Jona Davis (Class 30), Stephanie Tippett (Class 36), and Joan Fudala (Class 9), a full and informative day was had by all.
The theme of the day seemed to be the engagement, forethought, and persistence of Scottsdale citizens to improve the city for generations to come. Decisions made today must be good ones, not just for now, but for the future.
The morning began with an informative presentation of the history of Scottsdale by Historian, Author and Historic Consultant, Joan Fudala. Joan described the earliest residents of the area. As we came to realize, Joan is a priceless wealth of information on the area, and a lovely conversationalist as well. We were lucky to have her with us all day!!
