Daisy Talavera Joins Valley Leadership
Daisy has lived in Phoenix for over 15 years and considers Arizona her home. She has a Masters in Public Administration from Arizona State University and studied Educational Equity at the University of Colorado. She also has a background in curriculum development, educational program administration, and leadership education from Stanford University and the University of Colorado. She is passionate about education, considers herself a lifelong learner, and loves to hike, learn about local plant life, take food photography, play pickle ball, and travel around the world. In fact, she recently took a solo trip to Southern Spain!
Daisy has worked with several local organizations centered around creating opportunities for Arizonans, including Chicanos Por La Causa, the Arizona Worker Rights Center, TRIO at ASU, and From The Ground Up AZ. Now, Daisy officially joins the Valley Leadership team as our Director of Strategic Learning!
VL: What is a goal you hope to accomplish through your role as Director of Strategic Learning at VL?
DT: I am passionate about creating access to educational experiences that expand our view of what is possible, challenge our thinking, and support us as we grow. I have also gone through my own journey of understanding where my skills and passions fit into the social, cultural, and political movements around me. I believe the suite of programs at VL are innovative, impactful, and represent the leading edge of how communities can build sustainable social movements that enable change. I am committed to witnessing each one of our participants on their personal journey to finding the spaces where they can leverage their talents and passions to have the most impact.
VL: What pressing issue in Arizona are you most excited to address?
DT: We are facing unprecedented challenges both locally and globally where disinformation and ideological divides seem nearly impossible to overcome. In order to address issues like hunger, education, climate, health, and racial justice, we are going to have to shift traditional community problem-solving mindsets and take novel approaches to leadership and teamwork. I’m interested in doing the foundational work of helping people committed to working in community with others to engage in personal exploration and reflection that will help them take thoughtful action rooted in integrity, mindfulness, and accountability.
VL: What Principle of Doing do you resonate with most right now?
DT: Right now, the Principle of Doing that resonates with me the most is “Arizona First”. I believe AZ is uniquely situated to be a national leader in how to build people-centered solutions that enable meaningful change. Having witnessed recent civic, social, and cultural engagement especially in the past few years, it is clear that Arizonans are capable and ready to take action. AZ has a young population, growing tech industry, and robust infrastructure. I’m excited to be a part of solutions that center and uplift our most vulnerable populations as Arizona changes and grows.
VL: What do you love most about living, working and playing in Arizona?
DT: I love the natural beauty of Arizona. Originally, I am from New York City, and have lived in different places across the US. No matter where I’ve been, I’ve felt a connection to the epic desert sunsets, landscapes, and monsoon rains. Though I love to move and travel, the desert will always be my home. I love experiencing the desert through hiking, trail running, and nature photography.
