Civic Leadership
Strengthening civic leadership statewide through the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.
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The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership
The nonpartisan Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation enhances civic life in Arizona through civic education, leadership, and engagement programs. The prestigious Flinn-Brown Fellowship fosters civic leaders in Arizona by building knowledge, skills, and a robust network to find solutions for Arizona’s long-term issues. The Arizona Civic Exchange—CivEx—creates opportunities for the public to become better informed and educated on political and policy topics impacting their communities. The Center promotes civic engagement through the Civic Leadership Collaborative by convening Arizona’s leadership-development organizations to advance the goal of building strong leaders in every community in the state.
Learn about Arizona rural economic development during Sept. 29 CivEx
The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership will host a continuation of the CivEx series on rural Arizona economic development with a virtual event starting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29.
Join Flinn-Brown Fellows Mignonne Hollis, executive director, Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, and Russ Yelton, president, Yelton & Associates, for several special announcements about new Arizona rural economic development projects launched during the pandemic, and learn how rural development is often challenged by demographics, access to capital, health care, and a skilled workforce. [Register]
Flinn-Brown Fellow Kathryn Leonard works to conserve and enhance Arizona’s rich heritage
Kathryn Leonard was appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey in September 2016 to the role of state historic preservation officer, where Leonard administers the State Historic Register and the State Historic Preservation Act and works with both state and federal agencies to help conserve and enhance Arizona’s rich heritage.
Leonard, a 2016 Flinn-Brown Fellow, has found that most people agree that we have a beautiful state with rich history that is worthy of preservation. She believes historic preservation projects and initiatives provide the perfect backdrop for civic engagement as the very enterprise of preservation is to make the past relevant for the future. [Read more]
CivEx webinar focuses on gaming expansion in Arizona
The Aug. 25 CivEx conversation about recent state actions to expand gaming in Arizona highlighted key components of the amended state gaming compact and associated law changes enacted by the Legislature earlier this year, which allows sports betting under licenses issued to tribes and pro sports teams.
Kirk Adams, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, hosted the conversation with panelists: Anni Foster, general counsel, Office of the Arizona Governor; Governor Stephen Lewis, Gila River Indian Community; State Representative Jeff Weninger; State Senator Rebecca Rios; and Amilyn Pierce, vice president of government affairs, Arizona Diamondbacks. [View the webinar]
Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar plays key role in fiscal health of schools, hospitals, public safety
Sarah Benatar, a 2015 Flinn-Brown Fellow, was elected as Coconino County Treasurer in 2016 and again in 2020. Benatar says serving in elected office has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life, and all Flinn-Brown Fellows running for office should remember the passion and values that drive them.
Benatar’s office collects property tax, manages investment portfolios, and serves as the custodian of public monies for all taxing entities located within Coconino County, impacting the overall fiscal health of its schools, public safety, hospitals, and water and fire districts. [Read more]
News and Updates
Civic Leadership
Flinn-Brown Fellow Kathryn Leonard works to conserve and enhance Arizona’s rich heritage
Kathryn Leonard State Historic Preservation Officer, Arizona State Parks LinkedIn 1. Can you please describe your work and how public policy impacts how you manage your organization? I currently serve as the State Historic Preservation Officer, appointed by Governor Ducey in September 2016. The State Historic Preservation Officer is a bit of a unicorn position […]
Civic Leadership
August 2021 Network News
Thoughts from Dawn Wallace One of the most awe-inspiring moments of every Olympic Games is the Athletes Parade. Watching each athlete march into Olympic Stadium under the cover of their country’s flag—I’m always struck by the joy and exhilaration on their faces and how powerfully their emotions exude from the screen. The remarkable history of […]
Civic Leadership
Phoenix artist Ann Morton creates a ‘Violet Protest’ with latest collaborative project
By Julie AndersonFlinn Foundation Ann Morton is a fabric artist by trade, weaving and sewing textiles to translate her vision through her work. With her latest project, “The Violet Protest,” she has woven a new thread into her repertoire: a community of thousands interested in changing the tone of political values. With the project name […]
Civic Leadership
Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar plays key role in fiscal health of schools, hospitals, public safety
Sarah Benatar (Flagstaff, 2015) Coconino County Treasurer Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook 1. Can you please describe your work and how public policy impacts how you manage your organization? I often am asked this question as county treasurer. It is a unique and interesting public office. Although we are most known as property tax collectors, county treasurers also serve […]
For information about Civic Leadership, please contact:
civicleadership@flinn.org or (602) 744-6832
Dawn Wallace
Vice President, Civic Leadership
Sara Larsen
Program Manager, Arizona Center for Civic Leadership
Danielle Underwood
Program Coordinator, Arizona Center for Civic Leadership