Greater Phoenix Workforce Leadership Academy

Why it matters

The Greater Phoenix Workforce Leadership Academy is a fellowship program for workforce development professionals in the Greater Phoenix area. In partnership between the Center for the Future of Arizona and the Aspen Institute, the Academy provides training and networking opportunities for workforce development professionals to learn new tools and collaboratively address common challenges. The Academy is supported by an Advisory Council of senior leaders from across the Greater Phoenix area representing organizations engaged in workforce development.

How it works

The ten-month Academy will run from May 2021 to February 2022 and is designed to strengthen the leadership pipeline and deepen collaborative relationships within local site areas so that Fellows and the organizations they represent are better able to advance the economic well-being of the people they serve. The twenty-four Academy Fellows will have the opportunity to work with leading practitioners from around the country, engage in leadership development activities, and use practical planning tools to develop effective workforce strategies and programs that build their local workforce system.

Our Partners

Academy Fellows

Audrey Bell-Jenkins— Workforce Development Manager, UMOM New Day Centers, Phoenix, Arizona
Katie Belous— Research Analyst, Pipeline AZ, Phoenix, Arizona
Colleen Bivona— Associate Director/Grants Manager, Grants Development and Management, Maricopa Community Colleges, Phoenix, Arizona
Miguel Fernandez— Professor, Chandler Gilbert Community College, Phoenix, Arizona
Eileana Gudiño— Community Development Director, Valley of the Sun United Way, Phoenix, Arizona
Kimberly Hanes— Regional Manager, Maricopa County, University of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
Jennifer McChristian— Site Director, YearUp - Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
Jerry McPherson— Director of Economic Empowerment, Greater Phoenix Urban League, Phoenix, Arizona
James Montoya— Workforce Project Manager, City of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona
Steve Navis— On-The-Job Training Supportive Services / Workforce Development Program Manager, ADOT Arizona Department Of Transportation, Phoenix, Arizona
Christine Niven— Director - Adult Education and Family Literacy Programs, Mesa Unified School District, Phoenix, Arizona
Leah Palmer— Executive Director, Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AzAMI), Mesa Community College, Phoenix, Arizona
Jose Patiño— Director, Education & External Affairs, Aliento Education Fund, Phoenix, Arizona
Terence "Dee" Pinkston— Deputy Director of Workforce Solutions, Chicanos Por La Causa, Phoenix, Arizona
Alison J. Rapping— CEO, Arouet Foundation, Phoenix, Arizona
Nathan Smith— Chief Program Officer, Phoenix Rescue Mission, Phoenix, Arizona
Mariana Torress— Assistant Program Officer, LISC, Phoenix, Arizona
Cathy Turley— Department Manager - Adult Education, Friendly House, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona
Terell Welch— Employment Coordinator, Arizona Department of Economic Security/EEA, Phoenix, Arizona
Andre Whittington— CEO & Principal Consultant, Opemia Consulting, Phoenix, Arizona
Ashley Wilhelm— Workforce Arizona Council Manager, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, Arizona Commerce Authority, Phoenix, Arizona
Richard Wilkie— Economic Development Director Pinal County Local Workforce Board Member, City of Casa Grande, Phoenix, Arizona
Steven Zylstra— President & CEO, Arizona Technology Council, Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona Advisory Council

Daniel Barajas— Associate Vice Chancellor, Workforce Development, Maricopa Community Colleges
Heather Carter— Executive Vice President, Greater Phoenix Leadership
Elizabeth Cole— Director of Outreach and Community Partnerships, Rio Salado College and [email protected] Maricopa County Workforce Board Member
Victor Contreras— Director, Workforce Solutions, Chicanos Por La Causa
Kristin Ferguson— Professor & Director, Center for Human Capital & Youth Development, Arizona State University
Jesus Love— Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of America and [email protected] City of Phoenix Workforce Board Member
Jennifer Mellor— Chief Innovation Officer, Greater Phoenix Chamber
Liza Noland— Director of Rural Programs, Local First Arizona
Rob Stenson— Manager, [email protected] City of Phoenix
Katrina Thurman— Vice President, Mission Development, Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona
Chevera Trillo— Administrator, Workforce Development, Arizona Department of Economic Security
Tina Wadham— [email protected], Manager, [email protected] Maricopa County
Kweilin Waller— Deputy Director, Human Services, City of Phoenix
Kolu Wilson— Arizona Workforce Administrator, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity