Scottsdale Leadership

For 40 years, Scottsdale Leadership has been shaping the future of our community — one leader at a time.

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to inform, inspire, and empower leaders to champion and strengthen the interests of Scottsdale. Since 1986, we have invested in people — cultivating engaged citizens who step forward to serve, lead, and make a lasting difference.

Through our immersive nine-month Core Program, participants don’t just study leadership — they live it. They gain practical skills, build lifelong relationships, and develop a deeper understanding of the issues that define our community. They return to their workplaces stronger, more strategic, and better equipped to lead. They emerge more confident, more connected, and more committed to serving something greater than themselves.

The impact over four decades is extraordinary.

More than 1,400 graduates have gone on to strengthen over 800 civic, business, philanthropic, and cultural organizations. They serve as mayors, city council members, state leaders, nonprofit board members, commissioners, entrepreneurs, and servant leaders who quietly drive meaningful change across our city.

Each year, class members from diverse backgrounds immerse themselves in Scottsdale’s history, infrastructure, and future — learning directly from respected experts in Education, Economic Development, Healthcare, Social Services, Government, Public Safety, Arts and Culture, Technology, Sustainability, and more. The transformation is personal — and the ripple effect is community-wide.

And learning turns into action.

Through Project Lead It Forward (PLIF), class members apply what they have learned to meet real, unmet needs. Since 2008, 78 nonprofit and civic organizations have benefited from sustainable programs and services created by our teams — impacting thousands of lives through partnerships with organizations such as UMOM, Save the Family, YMCA, AZ Child Crisis, Family Promise, Miracle League AZ, and many more.

As we celebrate 40 years of impact, we are not just reflecting on what has been accomplished — we are investing in what comes next.

When you support Scottsdale Leadership, you are fueling the next generation of informed, engaged leaders who will guide our city through the next 40 years and beyond.

We invite you to join fellow donors in this shared commitment. Your tax-deductible gift strengthens our programs today and builds a vibrant, resilient Scottsdale for tomorrow.

Together, we are creating a legacy of leadership that will endure for generations.

Testimonials

"Our 15 class days address many relevant and timely issues of interest to our community For 39 years our alumni have given of their time, knowledge, and expertise by teaching, mentoring, and guiding future leaders. Graduates of Scottsdale Leadership are often asked to serve in various aspects of government service." Lee Ann Witt, Executive Director.

"Scottsdale is a better place today as a result of the impact of Scottsdale Leadership graduates in countless community, civic, cultural, and educational activities and initiatives." Gary Shapiro, Co-Founder.

"Scottsdale Leadership played a huge role in my servant leadership and it connected me with a network of professionals who I will be connected to for life." E. Gerace, Class 33

"Scottsdale Leadership provides a longstanding network of people who are inspired, passionate, motivated, grateful, and open-minded. There is no better group of people I could choose to continue to surround myself to learn and develop both personally and professionally as a leader, and that's invaluable." Sarah Kearney, Class 30

"The Scottsdale Leadership experience is more than the core program; it's a backstage pass to Scottsdale, an opportunity to connect with and learn from alumni that have contributed so much more to our community, and a launchpad for meaningful civic engagement." Michelle Warren, President 2021-2022