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In honor of Women’s History Month, we sit down with Stephanie Bermudez, founder of Startup Unidos, to explore how she’s building cross-border innovation ecosystems and expanding opportunity for women entrepreneurs. Hear how her leadership journey is shaping what’s possible along the borderlands.
As Explore enters its fifth year, a new cohort of leaders begins a statewide journey rooted in listening, connection, and community learning. Meet Explore Class 5 and the communities shaping their experience. Learn more about the newest cohort of leaders and this year’s program.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a look at Change Labs’s Pitch Your Hustle competition and the Native entrepreneurs driving impact across Arizona. Learn more about how our Explore alumni were able to support this important community event.
Watch our conversation with Sam Gomez, Executive Director of The Sagrado Galleria, as part of VL’s National Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight. Sam shares the inspiration behind The Sagrado, the only community arts organization and gallery in South Phoenix, and how art and design serve as tools for cultural identity, equity, and community resilience.
Strong communities don’t just happen, they’re built by leaders who are willing to step up, work together, and drive meaningful change. Participating in a leadership program is more than a professional development opportunity; it’s a pathway to making a lasting difference in Arizona. Learn how you can take action today.
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.