December 2020 Network News

December 9, 2020

By Matt Ellsworth

Thoughts from Dawn Wallace

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” 

It once would have been hard to imagine that the opening lines of a Dickens novel from 1859 would be prophetic for the year we have all collectively experienced. But the contradictions in those words from “A Tale of Two Cities” perfectly describe 2020—a year marked by tragedy and paired with delicate moments of compassion. A year in which scientists became superheroes to the masses while valiantly fighting against the villains of ignorance. A year in which an unspeakable act ignited a movement for justice that will reverberate for generations to come. A year in which the human spirit was tested beyond its limits, and still showed its resilience by materially transforming how we work, how we educate our children – and how we live each day. 

Because of the time of year, I’m also reminded of another famous Dickens work—“A Christmas Carol”—a morality tale that preaches the value of society, the importance of giving and the anticipation of better days. In the upcoming year, I hope we continue to honor the fundamental goodness of people—many of whom have sacrificed their own health and welfare to keep us safe. And that the inspiration of everyday heroes continues to drives us to be the better versions of ourselves.

I would be remiss if I did not convey my sincere gratitude to all the Fellows who have been instrumental in helping me to transition into this role over the last nine months. I’ve called on many of you to support our work here—from the recruitment and selection of the 2020 Fellows to assisting in the programming for our CivEx sessions. As we head into 2021, I will continue to ask the Flinn-Brown Network to help us establish local chapters, contribute to podcasts and blogs and most importantly, to provide us with your talents as we showcase the important public policy contributions Fellows are making in the state. 

Fellows in Elected Office

Congratulations to the following Fellows for their successful candidacies for office: Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson (2011), Representative Daniel Hernandez Jr. (2011), Representative Joanne Osborne (2012), Representative Jennifer Pawlik (2018), Representative Aaron Lieberman (2017), Representative Raquel Terán (2018), Tammy Caputi (2019), Becky Daggett (2014), Michelle Hess (2013), and Chip Davis (2012).

Past and Upcoming CivEx Webinars

We are excited to showcase our collaboration with our Flinn Scholars! Please join us on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. for our next CivEx: The Luminosity Lab—Finding Solutions for Now and the Future. 

Finally, we are always more than happy to help promote your work through social media, so please reach out to me if you would like us to publicly recognize a professional accomplishment, event or program with which you are involved.

Fellows Spotlight


If you missed a 2020 Fellows Spotlight, you can view them on the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership website now. Look for more in the Flinn-Brown Network News in 2021!


Fellows


Fellows in the News

Quintin Boyce (Phoenix, 2020) was quoted in a KTAR story regarding Arizona schools and the most recent coronavirus surge.

Blaise Caudill (Phoenix, 2014) was recently quoted in a University of Wisconsin-Platteville Exponent article and an AZ Big Media article regarding supporting LGBTQ+ youth during the global pandemic.

Ian Danley (Phoenix, 2016) was quoted in a recent New York Times article regarding Arizona’s 2020 election results.

Joseph Erceg (Tucson, 2016) is now the membership director at ClubCorp-Arizona Sands inside University of Arizona Stadium.

Coral Evans (Flagstaff, 2011) is now the northern Arizona director for Senator Mark Kelly.

Karen Francis-Begay (Tucson, 2013) led an initiative to create a new exhibit in the Arizona Bookstore at the Student Union Memorial Center featuring the flags of 22 Native Nations in Arizona. The new exhibit was dedicated in November.

Diana Gomez (Yuma, 2016) was interviewed for a KAWC story about the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Yuma County.

Matt Gress (Phoenix, 2015) was quoted in a Mohave Valley Daily News article regarding Arizona’s use of federal COVID-19 funds.

Elyse Guidas (Phoenix, 2019) and Farm Express were highlighted in an ABC15 Arizona news story.

Luis Heredia (Phoenix, 2013) is now the state director for Senator Mark Kelly.

Mignonne Hollis (Sierra Vista, 2013) has been appointed to the International Economic Development Council Board of Directors.

Diane Landis (Litchfield Park, 2011) has been appointed to the Arizona State Retirement System Board of Trustees by Governor Doug Ducey.

Mattie Lord (Phoenix, 2015) is now the substance abuse block grant manager at Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.

Reyna Montoya (Phoenix, 2020) was featured in an AZ Family article about Dreamers’ hopes for the future of DACA.

Stephanie Parra (Phoenix, 2020) was quoted in a Downtown Devil article about the passage of Proposition 208 in November.

Marie Peoples (Flagstaff, 2015) has been appointed city manager by the Webster Groves City Council. She will be leaving her position as deputy county manager of Coconino County in January.

Lea Marquez Peterson (Tucson, 2011) was featured in an ABC15 Arizona news story highlighting Arizonans electing two Latina candidates to statewide office for the first time.

William Ring (Flagstaff, 2011) was quoted in a recent Fox10 Phoenix news story regarding the passage of Proposition 207.

Larry Sandigo (Phoenix, 2018) is now the associate vice president for external relations and community outreach at the Arizona Board of Regents.

Ryan Smith (Gilbert, 2013) was quoted in an AZ Central news article regarding COVID-19 testing at Arizona airports.

Christine Thompson (Phoenix, 2017) was interviewed in a recent KTAR news story regarding the pandemics’ impact on Arizona’s education goals.

Alfred Urbina (Tucson, 2013) was quoted in a KGUN9 Tucson news story regarding the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

Career & Professional Opportunities

First Things First is accepting applications for a community outreach director. Learn morehere.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is accepting applications for clerk of the board. Learn more here.

Cochise County is seeking a public information officer. Learn more here.

The US Department of Homeland Security is hiring a telecommunications specialist in Phoenix or Tucson. Learn more here.

Find other jobs in the public sector with Government Jobs and azstatejobs.

Events and Conferences

Did you miss a previous CivEx? Now you can find webinar recordings on our website. View past events.

Arizona Town Hall is hosting, Learning and Listening About Systemic Racism Virtual Town Hall, on Dec. 9. Learn more here.

On Dec. 9, the Water Resource Research Center at the University of Arizona is hosting a Brown Bag Webinar—Balancing Environmental, Municipal, and Agricultural Needs in the Edwards Aquifer: A Farmer’s Perspective. Learn more here.

The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation continues the Reimagining Today’s Workforce webinar series on Dec. 10 as Trevor Stokes, chief executive officer with the Partnership for Workforce Innovation, discusses comprehensive labor market data, the impact of COVID-19, and the future of Arizona’s workforce. Learn more here.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual legislative forecast luncheon will be Jan. 8, 2021. Learn more here.

The Arizona Commission on the Arts will present four Peer2Peer webinars for BIPOC teaching artists interested in exchanging best practices. The webinars will begin January 2021. Learn more here.

In January and February 2021, Arizona Together for Impact, as part of the newly formed Sustained Collaboration Network, is offering a first-ever online institute for consultants engaged in work supporting greater collaboration among nonprofits—to build consultant capacity, create standards of practice, and facilitating an environment for peer learning and networking opportunities. Learn more here.