News Release
August 28, 2025
Scottsdale Leadership Announces Class 40 Participants!
Scottsdale, AZ – Scottsdale Leadership, is proud to announce its 40th Leadership Class. Chosen from a wide field of highly qualified applicants, the 46 new class members represent a strong cross section of our community.
Selected class members are embarking on a nine-month leadership development journey focused on the interconnections of community as explored through topics such as Scottsdale History, Education and Government, Public Safety, Sustainable Initiatives, Human Services, Bias and Boundaries, Economic Development, Technology, Health and Vitality, and Arts and Culture. In addition, each class of graduates participates in delivering impactful, sustainable projects through its Project Lead It Forward program. These community-based projects allow established and emerging leaders to apply classroom learning to real-time projects that will provide lasting impact to partnering organizations.
“We are committed to providing high-quality leadership training designed to cultivate leadership skills, build empathy, and encourage civil dialogue during this challenging time. We are also looking forward to creating a lasting and significant impact on our community with service projects,” stated Assistant Director, Dana Close.
The Scottsdale Leadership 2025-2026 Class Participants are:
Bill Abad, Vanguard Group, Director of Fund Policy
Patricia Barney, HonorHealth Foundation, Associate Vice President
Courtney Beyer, Nautilus Insurance Group, VP-Human Resources
Keith Bowers, Bowers AI, President
Melinda Browning, Civic Center Pharmacy, Chief Customer Experience Officer
Cresencio Celaya, APS, Leader of Strategy and Planning
Angela Clervoix, Stingley Management-McDonalds’s, Business Manager/Next Gen
Angelina Cooper, HonorHealth Research Institute, Director-Strategic Research Business & Trauma Research
Lauren Crider, Renaissance Personnel Group, Executive Vice President
Sarah Dalton, HonorHealth, Service Line Program Manager
Lauren Daniels, Happily Ever After League, Founder, Executive Director
Samantha DeMoss, Rose Law Group, Land Use and Zoning Attorney
Kathryn Dwyer, Dwyer & Associates, President, NPO Consultant, Publicist
James Garman, Suzi Glover State Farm, Business Development/Office Manager
Marisha Geraghty, Paradise Valley Unified School District, Volunteer Administrator
Peg Ghering, St. Vincent De Paul, Vice President
Dr. Freda Hartman, Norwich University, Graduate Faculty
Chris Henderson, Gartner, Client Executive
Sean La Rue, Luminate Bank, Branch Manager
Jessica Linzey, Nationwide Insurance, Claim Manager/Program Manager
Sherry Jane Love, SJAL Enterprises, LLC, President
Patrick McCartney, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Financial Advisor
Beth McRae, The McRae Agency, CEO and Founder
James Meyer, Illumination Systems, Manager Architectural Residential Sales
Lea Mitchell, Scottsdale Unified School District, Assistant Superintendent
Greg Muir, AZ School of Real Estate and Business, Vice President and General Manager
Kim Novenski, CardioVascular Institute of Scottsdale, Cardiology Nurse Practioner
Whitney Pitt, City of Scottsdale, Business Services Director
Dr. Skip Powerll, Phoenix ER and Hospital, Emergency Physician
Steven Rajakovich, UMOM New Day Centers, Corporate Partnerships Officer
Jessica Rapp, City of Scottsdale, Human Services Manager
Crissy Seals, Nationwide Insurance, Associate Vice President
Shelley Seaver, HonorHealth Research Institute, Manager Business Operations
Jessica Sharkey, Gemsight College & Career Planners, College Essay Editor
Amanda Siegal, Valley of the Sun YMCA, Executive Director
Kimberly Smith, Banner Health, Practice Manager
Jennifer Spiegel Welch, Nationwide Insurance, Senior Consultant
Clint Steeves, Scottsdale Fire Department, Assistant Fire Chief
Karen Sutherland, Scottsdale Police Department, Support Services Director
Dr. Erica Tatum-Sheade, Integrated Mental Health, Owner & Child and Adolescent Clinician
Aaron Torres, Scottsdale Community College, Student Services Manager
Jimmy Vo, MidFirst Private Bank, Portfolio Manager
Laura Vreeland, Arizona State University, Senior Director, Recruitment Communications
Bruce Wall, City of Scottsdale, Citizen Advisor
Lynette Whitener, DC Ranch Community Council, Community Engagement Coordinator
Christopher Wurpts, North Scottsdale United Methodist Church, Lead Pastor
