News & Events Newsletter Archive Newsletter January 2025

January 2025

2024 in Review: Transforming Vision Into Action Through Impact Initiatives

Moments from 2024: Arizona Civic Life Partnership Convening; School Participatory Budgeting Vote Day; Statewide Healthcare Workforce Summit; Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards; Arizona Talks: Childcare Event

As we welcomed 2025, we took a moment to reflect on our impact initiatives in education, workforce, and civic health, which drove remarkable progress toward The Arizona We Want over the past year. In 2024, CFA worked with partners across Arizona to create meaningful change — ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive, addressing workforce needs, and strengthening civic education and leadership. These efforts brought us closer to a future where every Arizonan thrives.

Together, we’ve laid the foundation for an even brighter year ahead. Explore the recent stories & milestones.

Education

Civic Health

Workforce

19 Fellows Join Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy to Address Region’s Workforce Development Needs

We’re excited to welcome 19 Fellows to the 2025 Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy, a partnership with Pima Community College and the Aspen Institute. This talented group of workforce development professionals will spend 10 months addressing workforce challenges with innovative solutions and developing local strategies that will strengthen Southern Arizona’s economy for years to come.

Meet the Fellows

The Academy is an immersive and engaging experience made possible in part by the visionary support of the Thomas R. Brown Family Private Foundation.

CFA Data Provides Context and Insight for Mighty Change

CFA’s Chair, President & CEO Dr. Sybil Francis poses alongside fellow presenters at the MC2026 Scorecard event on Jan. 13 in Phoenix.

Photo Credit: Valley of the Sun United Way

Earlier this month, local leaders, organizations, and agencies gathered at the Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) Mighty Change 2026 (MC2026) Scorecard convening to reflect on progress made in 2024 to improve the lives of Maricopa County residents. Launched in 2021, the MC2026 plan focuses on education, housing, health, and workforce development, with an annual update on goals and data. CFA’s Chair, President & CEO Dr. Sybil Francis was a featured speaker, presenting CFA’s Arizona Progress Meter data and takeaways from the Gallup Arizona Survey. She reminded attendees that The Arizona We Want is made possible by working together, which VSUW masterfully facilitates.

Supporting Southern Ariz. Educators Empowering Student Voices

Educators gather at the Yuma County Public Library to attend the Student Voice Institute, which included a simulation of the SPB process.

CFA is empowering Yuma educators to elevate student leadership. At the January Student Voice Institute, middle and high school educators learned how to incorporate School Participatory Budgeting (SPB) into their curriculum. This hands-on process equips students with leadership skills like collaboration, decision-making, and public speaking. Students learn how to lead meaningful change in their schools, sparking a lifetime of civic leadership and engagement. Attendees left with clear, actionable steps to help their students take charge and lead with confidence.

“It's so important that students have a voice. It gives them a purpose and makes them want to come to school." - Cindy Morago, Data Interventionist at Gila Vista Jr. High School”

Bring SPB to your school

Giving With Heart & Encouraging Others to Do the Same: Sharon Dupont McCord

Sharon Dupont McCord with Dr. Sybil Francis

Sharon Dupont McCord poses with CFA's Chair, President & CEO Dr. Sybil Francis at CFA's 20th Anniversary Celebration.

Big goals require visionary leaders. Sharon Dupont McCord is an Arizonan whose philanthropic commitment to the Grand Canyon state has made a tangible impact toward The Arizona We Want.

Dupont McCord believes in creating a state where all Arizonans can thrive and has matched that belief with a tremendous lifetime of giving toward organizations such as Arizona State University, St. Vincent de Paul, and Mayo Clinic.

She is a proud supporter of CFA, investing in several initiatives, including the 20th Anniversary Celebration and Building Arizona’s Bright Future Together.

As a key champion of The Arizona We Want, she shares our mission and Arizonans’ Shared Public Values with others. Her core belief that Arizonans agree more than they disagree fuels her passion for spreading the message of CFA.

Dupont McCord not only believes in the potential of Arizonans but inspires others to share that belief and act on it.

“The Arizona We Want is a vision I am proud to support, and I believe that together, we can make this vision a reality. When I share the message that Arizonans actually agree on a host of critical issues, I see friends and colleagues light up with hope.” - Sharon Dupont McCord

CFA Welcomes New Board Member Kate Baker

Kate Baker, Vice President and Treasurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (retired)

CFA welcomes Kate Baker to our Board of Directors. Baker brings a wealth of knowledge as a dedicated community leader committed to Arizona’s success. Her deep understanding of the state, combined with her leadership and passion for collaboration, will be a valuable asset to our distinguished board.

"I am honored to join Center for the Future of Arizona’s Board of Directors. I believe deeply in the power of collaboration to create meaningful, lasting change. I look forward to working alongside such a distinguished group of leaders to help shape a brighter future for all Arizonans.” - Kate Baker, Vice President and Treasurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (retired)

Meet our newest Board Member

Now Hiring: Project Manager, Media Projects & Communications

CFA is hiring! We’re looking for a dynamic Project Manager, Media Projects & Communications for a brand-new initiative to support local media across Arizona. Ready to make an impact? Apply by February 3 at 11:59 P.M. EST!

Learn more & apply

From AZ Town Hall: Voting & Elections in Arizona

Feb. 13 | 8:30 A.M. | In Phoenix & Virtual

In 2024, Arizona Town Hall hosted a variety of events with communities across Arizona about civics, elections, and government to foster collaborative conversations.

Photo Credit: Arizona Town Hall

Together, we can continue to grow civic participation and civic health across Arizona — even in a non-election year. AZ Town Hall’s event will include a retrospective of the 2024 elections and opportunities for civic improvement in 2025. An expert panel of local civic leaders and public policy experts, including CFA’s own Evelyn Casuga and Kristi Tate, will discuss where we are and how we move forward with analysis from recent data and the impact of Arizona Town Hall’s programming in 2024.

Learn more & register

Dr. Francis Joins CFA Senior Fellow Steve Goldstein on the Mike Broomhead Show

Goldstein and Dr. Francis discussed The Arizona We Want and her recent op-ed bringing awareness to civic health – a reflection of how Arizonans work together and solve public problems.

From KTAR

AZ Environmental Advocates Say Water Regulation is Their Top Priority in 2025

“A strong majority of Arizonans believe groundwater is essential for communities, farming, industry, and way of life. [Arizonans] support more protections to secure long-term water supplies in the state, according to Center for the Future of Arizona.”

From Public News Service

Photos: Student Voices

View pictures and takeaways from CFA’s Yuma Student Voice Institute, a professional development opportunity for educators and staff to learn about the impact and potential of School Participatory Budgeting, a high-impact civic education initiative.

From Yuma Daily Sun

Arizonans Create State Logo for America250

What makes Arizona special to you? Is it the people, the weather, the iconic saguaro cactus, the ponderosa pine, the Grand Canyon, our copper roots?

Arizonans recently showcased their creativity around this question in a contest to design Arizona’s logo for the America250 celebration, marking America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

The winning design, “Arizona the Land of Dreams,” created by Phoenician Riley Hammett, was selected by popular vote. We look forward to seeing the logo shine during the anniversary celebrations!

Center for the Future of Arizona brings Arizonans together
to create a stronger and brighter future for our state.

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