News
Valley Leadership’s latest Dinner & Dialogue series brought Arizonans together across lines of difference to address the state’s housing and homelessness challenges. Discover the critical community takeaways from these conversations, including how we can balance immediate short-term relief with long-term systemic change.
Extreme heat can be a life-threatening hazard in Arizona, especially to the unhoused and the elderly. Just Ask Mia is working with partners across the state to serve up access to Heat Relief locations to keep Arizonans cool and hydrated during the summer months.
How do you bridge the gap between a bold vision and the technical skills needed to make it real? Discover how Impact Maker AZ is bypassing traditional institutional silos to tap directly into Arizona’s emerging talent, accelerating progress on our state’s most pressing challenges through a new model of “just-in-time” collaboration.
Meet the 54 new leaders joining Impact Maker teams to take action on Arizona’s most pressing issues, working collaboratively to advance community-driven solutions across education, workforce development, health, and civic engagement statewide. This group of leaders includes alumni and community partners who are Driven to Do.
Just Ask Mia® empowers all Arizonans to help connect those in need to the resources that can most make a different in their lives. This free, 24/7 tool allows anyone to easily find necessities like housing, food, and clothing right in their own zip code. Our Child Well-Being Team is working to ensure no Arizonan has to navigate a crisis alone.
David Scott has been named one of Valley Leadership’s 2026 Impact Makers of the Year for his leadership of the Early Literacy Impact Team and his role in launching the Leaders for Literacy program. Through strategic vision and hands-on action, David has removed barriers for educators, strengthened cross-sector partnerships, and advanced long-term solutions to improve student outcomes in Arizona.
Jane Andersen has been named one of Valley Leadership’s 2026 Impact Makers of the Year for her leadership in launching and guiding the Civic Engagement Impact Team. Through initiatives like Dinner & Dialogue, Jane is helping create spaces for respectful civic dialogue, strengthen trust, and empower Arizonans to engage thoughtfully across lines of difference.
Through Leaders for Literacy, Valley Leadership alumni step into classrooms as substitute teachers, creating time for educators to engage in Science of Reading training. In the process, leaders gain firsthand insight into the realities of Arizona’s schools and the systems shaping literacy outcomes. Read more about the lessons we’ve learned from the front of the classroom.
Valley Leadership and Hustle PHX are launching a partnership to expand opportunity for justice-impacted youth in Arizona. Through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and Catalyze-based leadership sessions, the 14-week program invests in pathways that reduce barriers and build economic mobility.
In January, Valley Leadership attended the Cardinals Civics Matters Summit. Students and educators interacted for the first time with The Civic Shift, a new statewide effort coordinated with Valley Leadership, PXU City, and the Institute of Citizens and Scholars, designed to help young people discover, navigate, and grow their civic learning beyond the classroom. Read more about the new program and this exciting event.
This past fall, we expanded the Dinner & Dialogue to now host two types of dinners: initial dinners focused on the Civic Engagement theme, followed by topic-themed dinners. The topic-themed dinners are available only to those who have previously attended a Dinner & Dialogue event. Learn more in our latest blog post.
Valley Leadership’s Opioid Stigma Reduction Impact Team has been awarded a $350,000 grant from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to expand its Opioid Business Toolkit, a free, evidence-informed platform designed to help Arizona employers create stigma-free, recovery-ready workplaces.