Valley Leadership is rolling out new initiatives this year aimed at strengthening Arizona schools and expanding access to leadership development, including the launch of a literacy-focused volunteer program and the organization’s largest-ever Catalyze class.

Leaders for Literacy: Volunteers support Arizona classrooms

The nonprofit recently introduced Leaders for Literacy, a program designed by Valley Leadership’s Early Literacy Impact Maker Team that mobilizes alumni and community members to serve as substitute teachers. The effort allows classroom educators to attend professional training in reading instruction without losing valuable time with their students.

The pilot program began this spring in partnership with Mesa Public Schools, where nine Valley Leadership alumni — including business professionals, attorneys, and nonprofit executives — stepped into classrooms to cover for seven teachers. Educators used the time to complete Science of Reading training, which focuses on evidence-based methods for teaching foundational skills such as phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

“I give my time to Leaders for Literacy because strong readers become strong leaders,” said David Scott, Early Literacy Impact Maker Team lead and program volunteer. “If we want a thriving Arizona, it starts with making sure every child can read.”

Mesa Public Schools leaders said the partnership helps strengthen literacy instruction districtwide. “This collaboration empowers teachers with the knowledge and skills to bring effective instructional practices back to their classrooms,” said Jessica Hammon, the district’s elementary ELA content specialist.

The program will expand this fall to Phoenix Elementary and Roosevelt school districts. Valley Leadership is recruiting more volunteers for the next cohort, with substitute certification fees covered and a time commitment of one day a month for four months.

Catalyze Class 5: Record-breaking leadership cohort

Alongside the literacy push, Valley Leadership announced the largest class yet for Catalyze, its flagship six-month leadership program. A record 150 Arizonans were selected for Catalyze Class 5, which begins this fall. Participants include high school students, business leaders, nonprofit professionals, and public sector employees from across the state.

Now in its fifth year, Catalyze helps participants deepen their understanding of statewide challenges while building the skills and networks needed to drive change. “Catalyze is more than a leadership program, it’s a launchpad for action,” said Carrie Larson, program manager for Catalyze.

The record-breaking class highlights Valley Leadership’s focus on diversity and accessibility in leadership training. Alumni say the program has lasting impact both personally and professionally. “The relationships I built continue to shape my work and the community where my family is growing,” said Alyssa Prewitt, a graduate of Class 4.

Founded more than 45 years ago, Valley Leadership develops leaders through training programs and mobilizes them through its Impact Maker initiatives, which target pressing statewide challenges.

More information about Leaders for Literacy and Catalyze Class 5 is available at valleyleadership.org.

Leaders for Literacy volunteers

Eve Adams; Sara Anderson; Jane Anderson; Cecilia Boyed; Dave Brown; Briana Clark; Stephen Flaan; Andi Fourlis; Mark Garica; Tom Hartley; Adrienne Henderson Cole; Darlene Jackson; Anne Johanes; Thomas Kelly; Isaiah Lopez; Kelly Paisley; Karen Quick; Eric Rodriguez; Alejandra Ruiz; Deanna Schantel; David Scott; Jen Scrivner; Melissa Steimer; Amanda Straight; Chiko Swiney; Jenny Tetreault; Tawhsa Trahan; Julie Trujillo.

Catalyze Class 5 participants

Abbey Mathew, Kids Dental Brands; Abril Valenzuela, Aliento; Adrienne Henderson-Cole, ASU Preparatory Academy; Alex Delgadillo, Morgan Stanley; Alex Feldman, Liftoff Certifications; Alicia Chandler, Frontdoors Media & The Red Book; Alyssa Crijns, Local First Arizona; Anaid Moreno, Tucson Unified School District; Andrea Clinton, Enovence; Andrew Simek, Office of Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03); Angelique M. Yescas, PXU CITY; Anuj Mathur, Wells Fargo; Arya Krishnamoorthy, ASU Next Generation Service Corps; Austin Bates, First Things First; Austin VanDerHeyden, Dominium; Bethaney Allison, Arizona Department of Education; Brandi Anderson; Brittany Moore, Greater Phoenix Chamber; Callie Unruh, Root + Restore Collective; Carmen Orozco, TNTP, Inc.; Caronwyn Wester, Dignity Health/CommonSpirit; Chance Stribling, Arizona Educational Foundation; Charla Carrano, LumenusWorks Consulting Firm; Charles Catalano, Charles Catalano Company; Chas Damo; Christi Andrews, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; Christina Hill, Geaux Getter Enterprises; Christopher Thompson, Welcome to America Project – AmeriCorps; Cindy Quintero, AllThrive365; Clayton Bonaguidi, Discover Strength; Constance Capiotis, Digital Bridges International; Corbin Wright, Arizona DES; Courtney Denevi, Lexington Behavioral Health Services; Crystal M. Morehouse, Scottsdale Community College; Dahlylah N. Dye Valdez, PXU CITY; Dave Barnes, Probe Test Solutions Ltd; David Perez, Cresa; David Weide, New Freedom; Dr. Benjamin Roat, Roosevelt School District; Dr. Bridget Fitzgibbons, Modern Medicine; Dr. Dawn Grittmann, Banner Health; Dr. Michelle Gross-Panico, Dignity Health; Dr. Stephen Neal Jr., Dr. Stephen Neal LLC; Eileana Felix Gudiño, Valley of the Sun United Way; EJ Hughes, Child Crisis Arizona; Emmitt Phok, Imagine Schools; Erika Graves, Family and Community Engagement Specialist; Esmeralda, Office of Accountability and Transparency; Fabiola Miranda Bedoya, Moms Clean Air Force; Frances Dent, Barrett, The Honors College; Gabriella Titolo, Ballet Arizona; George Nolan, New Freedom; Gloria Gonzalez, Nutritional Glo; Griffin Gosnell, Thunderbird School of Global Management (ASU Foundation); Guadalupe Reynoso Jiménez; Hailey Shuster, ASU Enterprise Partners; Hunter Franklin, Human Services Intern; Isabel Campaña, Unlimited Potential; Isabel Hoggatt, Arizona Food Bank Network; Jack Pothast, Renaissance Financial; Jacob Rundall, Jus Lee Counseling Group; Jeff Buda, Connect to Care LLC; Jenna Ghisolfo, Housing Consultants of America; Jennifer Farrar, Optum; Jennifer Johnson, SRP; Jennifer K. Tweedy, ASU Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering; Jennifer W. Sanchez, Public Affairs/ESG & Communications; Jessica Stuart, Academic Opportunity of Arizona; Joey Felipe, Phoenix Fire Department; Joseph Tanori, HonorHealth; Julia Karl, Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona; Julie Koo, SRP; Justine Bibb, Local First Arizona; Karlei Beck, Arizona State University; Kate Glantz, Move Over Bob; Kate Kucharski, Valley Leadership; Kate Mayeski, Maverick May Solutions; Kathleen Miller Liu, SpectraVerify; Katie Kiefer, Keen Strategies; Kenady Jobe, NextGen Advisors; Kent Jason Forde, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Kevin Whitney Russell, Totem Concepts; Khamylah Y. Gonzalez Ramirez, PXU CITY; Khloe Martinez, State Farm Insurance; Kim Graham, Arizona Educational Foundation; Kim Heredia, Office of U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly; Kimberly Bailey, North Peoria Lifestyle; Kimberly Rife, CVS Health; Krashanda Cleveland, St. Vincent de Paul; La Monique Wade, TLM Agency; Lauri Valerio, Lauri Valerio Consulting; Leslie Harris, Citigroup; Lily Cole, Grand Canyon Education; Lisa Gialanella, SEI; Liz Hewat, Downtown Mesa Association; Logan Harold Walton, Empire Scottsdale; Luis Raygoza, Chicanos Por La Causa; Maddison Hughes, First Place AZ; Mareli Aguiñiga.