Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona

Latest Episodes:

Christopher Glover and Patrick Tighe: Episode 16 Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Flinn-Brown Fellows Christopher Glover and Patrick Tighe discuss their roles as board members for Keys to Change, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County, in this 16th episode of the Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona podcast by Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation.

Glover, a 2016 Fellow and former Mesa City Councilman, and Tighe, a 2019 Fellow from Phoenix and attorney with Snell & Wilmer, also share how their broader civic engagement in Arizona—and their experiences with Flinn-Brown Fellows—have shaped them into leaders driving effective community transformation.

Sarah Rose Webber: 15 Mar 20, 2025

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Sarah Rose Webber is deputy director of Arizona State Parks and Trails, where the 2017 Flinn-Brown Fellow applies her passion for preserving Arizona's natural and cultural heritage.

In this 15th episode of the Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona podcast by Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation, Webber discusses her leadership in expanding public access to outdoor spaces, her deep appreciation for art and its connection to nature, and how both shape her approach to civic engagement.

Alfred Urbina: Episode 14 Jan 16, 2025

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Alfred Urbina describes himself as a husband, father, and grandfather from South Tucson. He's also a 2013 Flinn-Brown Fellow who started as a paperboy and busboy and went on to serve in the military, as a police officer, and later a prosecutor, Attorney General, and judge for Arizona tribal communities.

In this 14th episode of the Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona podcast, hosted by Dawn Wallace with the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation, Urbina talks about his Flinn-Brown experience, tribal government, his optimism for greater inclusion of tribal leaders, and his hope for integrating Native American history into Arizona history and requiring it be taught in schools.

Lisa Schnebly Heidinger: Episode 13 Dec 13, 2024

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Flinn-Brown Fellow Lisa Schnebly Heidinger, a renowned author, journalist, and historian, shares her stories of Arizona and future plan to promote teachers with Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona host Dawn Wallace of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation.

Schnebly Heidinger, a 2012 Flinn-Brown Fellow and third generation Arizonan, has worked in print, radio and television journalism and written books, including "Sedona Schnebly" about her great-grandmother and namesake of Sedona. In this 13th episode of the podcast, learn about her interviews with Arizona icons Barry Goldwater and Sandra Day O'Connor and the real story of the miner on the Arizona State Seal.

Thea Wilshire: Episode 12 Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Flinn-Brown Fellow Thea Wilshire tells her story of how she unexpectedly moved from Southern California to Globe to work as a child psychologist on the San Carlos Apache Reservation three decades ago—and how Arizona became her home.

In this 12th episode of the Leadership for a Better Arizona podcast, hosted by Dawn Wallace with the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation, the 2011 Flinn-Brown Fellow and former vice mayor of Globe talks about her work with the tribe; her dedication to public art, places and service; her book; faith; and love of community.

Tony Cani and Daniel Scarpinato: Episode 11 Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

In this 11th episode of the Leadership for a Better Arizona podcast, hosted by Dawn Wallace with the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation, Flinn-Brown Fellow Tony Cani, founder of Slingshot Campaigns, and Daniel Scarpinato, president of Winged Victory Agency, discuss the issues that are top of mind for Arizona voters in the upcoming general election.

The political strategists talk about the party breakdown of Arizona voters, expected turnout, the realignment of the parties, the impact of debates, statewide propositions and how the size of the Maricopa County ballot may influence outcomes.

Elyse Guidas: Episode 10 Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Flinn-Brown Fellow Elyse Guidas talks about her dedication to providing access to food for Arizonans during this 10th episode of the Leadership for a Better Arizona podcast, hosted by Dawn Wallace with the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation.

Guidas, a 2019 Fellow and executive director of Activate Food Arizona, shares stories about growing up in Phoenix and her family's food insecurity which sparked her passion to eliminate those barriers for others.

Gina Roberts: Episode 9 Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

In our ninth episode of the Leadership for a Better Arizona podcast, Gina Roberts (Scottsdale, 2019) chronicles her public service journey from local government to leading the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

She discusses the importance of voter education and how that led to an unprecedented partnership this year with the Arizona Media Association to stream candidate debates to every corner of the state. Bonus: Learn which Hogwarts house she'd most like to be assigned to.

Dr. Nick Vasquez: Episode 8 Jun 08, 2024

Show notes

In this eighth episode of the Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona podcast, host Dawn Wallace of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation is joined by East Valley emergency physician and 2016 Flinn-Brown Fellow Dr. Nick Vasquez.

Vasquez, who serves as a Vitalyst Health Foundation trustee among other community service roles, talks about his experiences in the emergency department and how it is representative of the community and public policy, diversity and equity in health care, reading as an indicator of future health behaviors, changes in physician recruitment strategies, and his love of chess.

Lea Marquez Peterson: Episode 7 Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

In this seventh episode of the Leadership Forward for a Better Arizona podcast, host Dawn Wallace of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation is joined by Arizona Corporation Commissioner and 2011 Flinn-Brown Fellow Lea Márquez Peterson.

Peterson talks about her early career as an entrepreneur in Tucson and how that led to her leading the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and eventually being appointed, and then elected, to the Arizona Corporation Commission. The conversation also covers energy policy, running for statewide office, and the value of the Flinn-Brown Network.

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