107 Arizonans Selected for Catalyze Class 2

August 29, 2022
News and AnnouncementsPrograms

Valley Leadership has selected 107 Arizonans to participate in the second Catalyze class. This virtual program is designed to set participants up to take action on Arizona’s most pressing issues. The cohort represents a diverse cross-section of sectors, industries and experience.

“Catalyze has given me a greater understanding on those crucial issues impacting Arizona, while connecting me to like minded leaders who want to make an impact. The knowledge I have obtained from Catalyze will allow me to expand my reach, strengthen my leadership skills and empower me to work towards change while hearing all perspectives.”

– Kristina Sabetta, Catalyze Class 1 Graduate & Impact Maker Volunteer

During the 6-month program, participants grow their connections to the people and issues that impact Arizona, while gaining new skills and experiences. By the end of the program, each participant leaves with a commitment and a plan for how to get more engaged in the community.

36% of the Catalyze Class 1 graduates chose to get involved with Impact Maker, a collaborative community venture housed at Valley Leadership that mobilizes Arizonans to create long-term change on the issues of the day. 

“At Valley Leadership, our goal is to empower participants to be impactful leaders in the Arizona community. As a graduate of Catalyze Class 1, I’ve seen first-hand how intentional and valuable the programming is in preparing our state’s leaders to take action and strengthen our community.”

– Paul Komadina, VL Board President & Catalyze Class 1 Alumni

Meet the Class

LeoAndersonDirectorFOX
SamanthaAndersonGrant ManagerArizona Humanities
AlexisApodacaGovernment Relations CoordinatorCity of Chandler
FarhanBabur
MurphyBannermanGovernment Affairs ManagerWestern Resource Advocates
AJBarnett
JohanaBautistaSpanish TeacherHispalia Language Center
LeslieBeattyProgram Manager, Strategic ImplementationCigna
VirginiaBezerra de MenezesProgram Manager of Learning and EvaluationVitalyst Health Foundation
KorinBlairAttorneyMaricopa County
TreenaBradleyDirector of FinanceRoosevelt Elementary School District
JennyBrundageSales
KimBuiSr. Director, Product and Audience InnovationArizona Republic
JessieBustamanteChief Advancement OfficerACCEL
MichelleButlerClaims Team ManagerState Farm Insurance
VannaCampionChief Medical OfficerTerros Health
TomCarlsonPublic Finance Investment BankerRBC Capital Markets
KatieCarpenterDirector of Corporate EngagementYear Up
JustinChasePresident/CEOSolari Crisis & Human Services
DanyelChleboradAssistant Project DirectorArizona State University Foundation for a New American University
ChrissieCooperPresident, Government ProgramsOptumRx
AmberCordobaDirector of Business Education and Consulting ServicesChicanos por la Causa, Inc – Prestamos CDFI
NickCzuprynSenior ConsultantDeloitte
LynnDanielTeacherTolleson Union High School District
PattiDeckardBusiness Development ExecutiveBlue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
AshelyDickersonSenior Program ManagerNational Center for Youth Law, FosterEd Arizona
LindsayDietzDIRECTOR OF PROGRAM SERVICES-HCCN DIRECTORArizona Alliance for Community Health Centers
RodrigoDorador MadrigalDevelopment AssociateDominium
JamieDuncanHCCN Project CoachArizona Alliance for Community Health Centers
RachelDunnMedical StudentMedical Student
RickyDuranData & Innovation ManagerCity of Phoenix, Office of Innovation
CandaceEldridgeRealtor / Realtist and Business Analytics ManagerExit Realty Sun City and CVS Health
PatrickEpumDirector & Team Lead Commercial BankingBMO Harris Bank
KristiEstradaExecutive Clinical DirectorAlliance Coaching and Counseling Group
LinéeFergusonSenior HR ConsultantSelf Employed, Master the Workplace LLC
Diana BejaranoFigueroaSVP, Marketing, Communications and Strategic InitiativesEducation Forward Arizona
McCadyFindleySenior Sustainability ManagerFusebox LLC
KevinFlaaenAVP Relationship ManagerFineMark National Bank & Trust
DanaFlannerySenior Policy AdvisorState of Arizona
MayaGalvanHunger Programs SpecialistUnited Food Bank
BrianGarciaLaw GraduateFlorence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
ShannonGnamDirector of Business DevelopmentHustle PHX
ChrisGravesPresidentSelf-Employed
StephanieGravesPresidentClarksburg Chamber of Commerce
JulieHeinekingClient EngagementHuman Services Campus
bradherron-valenzuelaManaging Director, First Place Transition Academy Director, First Place Center for Education, Training & EmploymentFirst Place AZ
ElizabethHowardDirector of Supportive ServicesUMOM New Day Centers
AliciaIniguez MonzonDirector of Continuing Education and PartnershipsCummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies
JeanineInmanDeputy Director, Government Transformation Office (GTO)State of Arizona
MakaylaJacksonAssistant Principal in ResidencePhoenix Union High School District
ArmoneeJacksonLocal Coalition CoordinatorFuture Coalition
HectorJaramillo
EboneJohnsonSenior Director of Grants, Contracts, and ComplianceArizona Alliance for Community Health Centers
MargaretKleverExecutive AdministratorCBRE
EmilyLangowitzJewish Engagement and Learning ManagerUnion for Reform Judaism
JeffLeteySafety ManagerTruesdell Corporation
HelainLewisDevelopment OfficerTeen Lifeline
NickLoperLobbyistPublic Policy Partners
DenieceLopezConstituent Services RepresentativeU.S. Senate
JoshuaLoughmanSenior Strategic Planning AnalystSalt River Project
PatriciaMaciasOffice ManagerArizona Alliance For Community Health Centers
RhianMadridDirector of SalesBanner|Aetna
JessicaManosCEOSelf-Employed
JosephMartinezOwnerArizona Microgreens
MelissaMcGinnisTalent SourcerOneAZ Credit Union
PaulMcIlroyDirector, Business DevelopmentTransperfect
LeahMcKiernanPrincipalPhoenix Union High School District
MichaelMetzgerVice President StrategyTeach For America
MeganMeyersCommercial Loan CoordinatorBell Bank
ErinMowadDevelopment DirectorLive & Learn
OraNapoleonIntel Federal Enterprise System Project ManagerIntel Federal
KaneNixonDeputy ChiefArizona Fire & Medical Authority
GracielaNoblesProgram Manager of Community InitiativesEducation Forward Arizona
TracyOlsonAssociate AttorneySnell & Wilmer, LLP
LauraOrySenior Director of Marketing and CommunicationsEducation Forward Arizona
CharliePalumboCEO and FounderIntentional Leaders LLC
JoshPattersonNational Sales DirectorPetPlate
LauraPearlExecutive DirectorTides Advocacy – Flip the Vote
JocelynPhokDirector of OperationsEducational Services, LLC (ESI)
MelaniePshaenichCoordinator SeniorArizona State University
LorraineRamirezProgram Manager: Rural Women’s Health & Oral HealthArizona Alliance for Community Health Centers
MichelovRhauCHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICERSun Life Health
FaithRitchieSmall Business Programs ManagerArizona Commerce Authority
MartinRodriguez NuñezAdvisorRamirez Advisors Inter-National
KhalilRushdanOrganizing DirectorACLU of Arizona
IdennaRussellAssistant PrincipalDesert Edge High School
SashaSimmonsProfessional SpeakerAxon
ZulelaSmaakDirector, Development & Finance, TFA Phoenix Regional TeamTeach For America
MyleshiaSmithAssistant Property ManagerDunlap & Magee
LaurenSmithCorporate and Foundation Relations ManagerSouthwest Autism Research & Resource Center
ApichaiSotiwongIT Support SpecialistCSP Technologies
AndreaSwansonBankerJPMorgan
SimoneTavassoliTraining CoordinatorPrevent Child Abuse Arizona
IvanaTempleBranch Director & TrainerBoys & Girls Clubs of the Valley
KaitlynTveit LynnDevelopment AssociateDominium
RichardVerduzcoAssistant PrincipalPhoenix Union High School District
RyanWamplerAML InvestigatorPricewaterhouse Cooper (PwC)
DionneWashingtonFriends of the Farm CoordinatorArizona Food Bank Network
CarrieWattersCity/ Maricopa County editorThe Arizona Republic | azcentral.com
KatieWeberAssistant Vice President, Senior CounselJPMorgan Chase Bank
HayleyWinterbergExecutive DirectorArizona Peer and Family Career Academy
QuinWorksDirector of DevelopmentLocal First Arizona
CaraWrightProgram ManagerPhoenix Union High School District
JennyWynnMinisterFirst Christian Church Scottsdale
KathyYeagerAssociate Vice Provost, Business & Educational PartnershipsNorthern Arizona University

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Apply Today: Explore Class 4

Applications for Explore Class 4 are now open! If you’re a VL alumni who is ready to step out of your comfort zone and travel to different communities across Arizona, we encourage you to apply today!