Program Details
Catalyze sets up Arizonans to take action in the community. If you’re ready to make a difference or grow your impact, start your VL journey with Catalyze. With a format that includes virtual learning sessions and in-person events, you’ll be able to engage when and where it works best for you.
Pricing
Tuition is based on a sliding scale, from $200-$850.
Program Dates
Class 5 runs from August 2025 to February 2026. Designed with time in mind, participants will select one of two virtual session times.
Applications
Applications are now open! Deadline to apply is May 31, 2025. Register for an information session to learn more.
About Catalyze
Catalyze is for any Arizonan who is ready to lead and be guided by Valley Leadership’s Principles of Doing. While eleven program sessions will be held virtually, there are three in-person sessions and an optional in-person social during the program. Participants can expect to:
- Connect with fellow Arizonans who are passionate about the community.
- Expand your knowledge and perspectives of the issues facing Arizona – and explore them with the people working on them each day.
- Participate in unique experiences to help you to navigate challenges in your personal, professional and community life.
- Engage in personal reflection and development activities to help you understand yourself in context of what you can do for Arizona.
- Make a plan for how you'll make a difference going forward – personally, professionally and as part of our Impact Maker work.
We are committed to empowering a broad spectrum of Arizonans to lead. It is with that commitment that we are working to strengthen and build partnerships to connect more Arizonans to our training and development opportunities.
Catalyze graduates will also be eligible for up to $15,000 in scholarships at the W.P. Carey School of Business. Learn more about the opportunity here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our criterion to participate in Catalyze is simple: Are you ready to act – or do more – to strengthen Arizona?
What does that mean? You may be new to the community and want to get a better understanding of your new home; looking to grow; or want to find a way to get more engaged in the community.
Individuals who will be 15 or older by September of 2025 from across Arizona are encouraged to apply.
The program was built with consideration of the economic circumstances of individuals and their families in mind. Tuition for Catalyze is based on a sliding scale:
- $200 for individuals with an income of $26,500 or less, or families with an income of $53,000 or less.
- $300 for individuals with an income of $26,501-$53,000 or families with an income of $53,001-$106,000.
- $600 for individuals with an income of $53,001-$159,000 or families with an income of $106,001-$318,000.
- $850 for individuals with an income of $159,000+ or family households with an income of $318,000+.
While we ask participants to commit to investing time, we never want cost to be a barrier. Scholarships and/or wage replacement may be available, and you can make that request as part of your application.
Catalyze will run from August to February. Program sessions will run for 3 hours every other week and will be offered at least twice during that week with one daytime session and one nighttime session. Times will be decided by polling of the cohort.
Below is the tentative schedule for Catalyze Class 5. Specific class days and times will be selected by the program participants.
- Kickoff Event | In-Person – Wednesday, August 27th, 5-7:30pm
- Session 1 – Week of September 8th
- Session 2 – Week of September 22nd
- Session 3 – Week of October 6th
- Session 4 – Path to Impact | In-Person – Wednesday, October 15th
- Session 5 – Week of October 20th
- Session 6 – Week of November 3rd
- Session 7 – Week of November 17th
- Session 8 – Week of December 1st
- Optional Social | In-Person – Week of December 8th
- Session 9 – Week of December 15th
- Session 10 – Week of January 12th
- Session 11 – Week of January 25th
- Session 12 – Week of February 9th
- Graduation | In-Person – Week of February 23rd, 5-7:30pm
Catalyze is a six-month learning experience designed to introduce Arizonans to the most pressing issues across the state and prepare them to take action. The program consists of virtual learning sessions and in-person events. This includes:
- In-person kickoff event
- Virtual interactive sessions on Zoom every other week
- In-person mid-program session
- In-person graduation event at the end of the program
Click here to see a sample agenda. Between sessions, there will be up to 90 minutes of preparation.
The interactive sessions every other week are dynamic and include small-group activities to help build relationships with fellow participants.
We understand you’ve got a lot going on, and we’ve designed Catalyze for busy schedules! Here’s the time commitment you can expect:
- In-person kickoff event (3 hours)
- Interactive sessions on Zoom every other week (3 hours per session)
- Pre-work materials (1-2 hours between each session)
- In-person mid-program session (2 hours)
- In-person graduation event at the end of the program (3 hours)
Click here to start your application. Deadline to apply is May 31st, 2025.
Valley Leadership offers an opportunity for you to have new experiences and make new connections that help you grow. Increased self-awareness, perspective and community knowledge and connections are invaluable in any workplace. As you’re getting ready to ask your employer about a VL opportunity, be sure share with them how you’ll use these additional skills to support your organization.
Our programs vary in their time commitment – and Catalyze will be offered at a variety of times, including outside normal business hours, giving you the opportunity to continue your learning when it’s most convenient for you and your schedule.
Acceptance emails will be sent on Monday, June 16, 2025. Upon acceptance to Catalyze, you will receive further information regarding tuition payment, scholarship information and class expectations.
