Catalyze sets up Arizonans to take action in the community. If you’re ready to make a difference or grow your impact, you’ll start your journey with VL here. With a virtual format and multiple session dates, you’ll be able to engage when and where it works best for you.

Applications for Catalyze Class 3 have closed.

About Catalyze:

  • 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.

Catalyze is for any Arizonan who is ready to lead and be guided by Valley Leadership’s Principles of Doing. While all program sessions will be virtual, optional small group, in-person and virtual social activities and experiences will be offered.

We are committed to empowering a broad spectrum of Arizonans to lead. With every class, inclusion and increasing representation among people who may have traditionally been overlooked for leadership roles is our priority. It is with that commitment that we are working to strengthen and build partnerships to connect more Arizonans to our training and development opportunities. 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.  

A note on coronavirus and programming: While all program dates will occur virtually, any in-person opportunities will be held in accordance with CDC, state and local guidelines and regulations.  

Program Info

Program Dates

September 2023 to February 2024.
Designed with time in mind, sessions will be offered twice virtually. Class 3 dates to be released in Summer 2023.

Pricing

Tuition is based on a sliding scale, from $200-$850. 

Applications

Applications for Catalyze Class 3 have closed.

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.  

The program was built with consideration of the current 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 September to February. Program sessions will run for 3 hours every other week and will be offered at least twice during that week, once in the morning and once in the evening. Times will be decided by polling of the cohort.

Class 3 Sessions will be held during the following weeks:

  • Session 1 – Week of September 4th
  • Session 2 – Week of September 18th
  • Session 3 – Week of October 2nd
  • Session 4 – Week of October 16th
  • Session 5 – Week of October 30th
  • Session 6 – Week of November 13th
  • Session 7 – Week of November 27th
  • Session 8 – Week of December 11th
  • Session 9 – Week of January 8th
  • Session 10 – Week of January 22rd
  • Session 11 – Week of February 5th
  • Session 12 – Week of February 19th

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. It is a hybrid virtual and in-person experience, with weekly interactive sessions on Zoom and optional in-person social events throughout the program.

Click here to see a sample agenda. Between sessions, there will be up to 90 minutes of preparation.

The weekly interactive sessions are dynamic and include small-group activities to help build relationships with fellow participants.

Applications for Catalyze Class 3 have closed.

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 12, 2023. Upon acceptance to Catalyze, you will receive further information regarding tuition payment, scholarship information and class expectations.

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Apply Today: Explore Class 3

Applications for Explore Class 3 are now open! If you or someone you know is interested in getting out of your comfort zone to explore the great diversity of Arizona, we encourage you to apply today!