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This was the first Explore cohort to visit the Gila River Indian Community. The day offered a powerful experience of cultural learning, environmental innovation, and deep connection. From the Solar Over Canal project to the Huhugam Heritage Center, each moment highlighted leadership rooted in tradition, resilience, and stewardship.
Explore Class 4 spent the day in Downtown Mesa learning how local leaders are honoring the city’s history while building a more inclusive, creative, and equitable future. From community-led development to arts-driven revitalization, each stop showcased the power of place-based leadership and innovation.
Explore Class 4 visited Buckeye to learn how the city is navigating rapid growth while striving to preserve its heritage and community values. From historical insights to planning for future infrastructure and sustainability, the day highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of intentional development.
Explore Class 4 participants spent the day immersed in the resilience and rich leadership of South Phoenix, learning from local leaders shaping their community. From food justice to cultural preservation, each stop highlighted the power of grassroots leadership and collective action.
Learn about Explore Class 4’s journey to Nogales, AZ & Sonora, discovering cross-border collaboration, cultural richness, economic insights, and humanitarian realities that exemplify equity, adaptability, and interconnectedness.
Explore Class 4’s first trip was to Yuma and San Luis, an area known as the “Winter Salad Bowl Capital.” This trip was such an incredible way to start the program, as our partners are consistently supportive and the experience runs smoothly while being informative and fun! Learn more about all the places we stopped in our latest blog post.
Valley Leadership is excited to announce that graduates from VL programs are now eligible for exclusive scholarships up to $40,000 graduate programs at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Learn more about this great opportunity.
The first Explore program day is always a joyful and fun experience, bringing together the cohort for the first time, learning about Arizona’s history and water, and engaging in some nontraditional team-building experiences while learning more details about what to expect throughout the program. Read more about Class 4.
12 Arizonans have been selected to be part of the fourth class who will travel over 1,850 miles together including to one new community. OneAZ Credit Union has also awarded a three-year grant to support the Explore program. Read more about the exciting updates for Explore Class 4.
In this inspiring interview, Tony Skrelunas, Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Division of Development and CEO of Tribe Awaken, discusses how Native communities are embracing sustainable economic solutions. Learn about the shift from extractive industries to culturally rooted practices, the mission behind Tribe Awaken, and how individuals can support Native entrepreneurship. Discover how Native communities are creating a sustainable, culturally connected future.
To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked VL alumni to share how their Hispanic heritage impacts their approach to leadership. Keep reading to hear from four of our VL leaders about their unique experiences and advice for other leaders.
Valley Leadership is excited to welcome Briana Clark as our new Director of Strategic Initiatives! A passionate Arizona native with a strong background in education and nonprofit work, Briana is dedicated to addressing challenges in education and child well-being across the state. With her leadership, we look forward to empowering communities and advancing equal opportunities for Arizona students.
