BLOG
Leslie Motter and Terry Goddard have been named the 76th Arizona Leaders of the Year, formerly known as Man & Woman of the Year. Honored for their dedication to tackling Arizona’s most pressing challenges, deep record of community engagement, and embodiment of Valley Leadership’s Principles of Doing, Motter and Goddard exemplify the spirit of servant leadership driving positive change across the state.
We’re incredibly excited to announce our largest leadership cohort to date. This milestone year for the program reflects Valley Leadership’s commitment to expanding access to leadership development opportunities for individuals across the state who are ready to take action on Arizona’s most pressing issues. Learn more about our newest cohort.
Meet Kate, Valley Leadership’s new Director, Business Engagement & Wellbeing. A Phoenix native with 15+ years in HR leadership, she’s passionate about helping Arizona employers create stigma-free workplaces through the OUD Business Toolkit. Read our interview to learn more about her background and vision for this work.
Valley Leadership’s 2024–2025 Impact Report highlights a year of growth and action through the Catalyze and Explore programs, engaging leaders across Arizona. From launching tools like the Mia and Opioid Toolkit chatbots to hosting community events and expanding Impact Teams, VL continues to drive meaningful change statewide.
We are very excited to welcome Stephen Flaaen to the VL team as our new Director, Tech-Based Initiatives. A longtime Impact Maker volunteer, VL alum, and our 2025 Impact Maker of the Year, Stephen brings a deep commitment to service and systems-level change across Arizona.
Explore Class 4 wrapped up their statewide leadership journey with a day of deep reflection, creative expression through zine-making, and a celebration of connection, growth, and purpose-driven leadership across Arizona. Read more about their final Reflection Day and graduation celebration.
Explore Class 4 embarked on a transformative three-day journey through the Navajo Nation, learning from Indigenous leaders driving cultural preservation, economic sovereignty, and environmental justice. From off-grid education at the STAR School to groundbreaking initiatives like Light Up Navajo, the experience highlighted the power of leadership rooted in tradition, resilience, and innovation.
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.