Leah Powell has been the Neighborhood Resources Director for Chandler since 2017, overseeing Neighborhood Preservation, Community Development, Resources, and Chandler’s Public Housing Authority. With 28 years of her 40-year municipal career dedicated to Chandler, she's held seven roles including Assistant to the City Manager and Diversity Administrator. Leah has been pivotal in fostering partnerships between nonprofits, faith-based groups, and businesses, exemplified by her creation of For Our City Chandler under Care Inc. This collaborative model advances community connectedness and is replicated statewide.
As Chandler's first Diversity Administrator, Leah promoted community understanding and unity, notably advancing Holocaust education in local schools and pioneering groundbreaking exhibits. She has also led several Chandler nonprofits and currently chairs the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Leah Powell is honored with the Community Builder Award for her transformative leadership in Chandler.
Ryan Judy , Deputy Town Manager of Prescott Valley since 2004, recently marked his 20th year with the Town. He holds a degree in Political Science/International Relations from Utah State University and an MPA from BYU (1998). Ryan has dedicated two decades to enhancing Prescott Valley residents' lives through education and infrastructure development.
Under his leadership, Ryan initiated the Prescott Valley Citizen's Academy, hosting 32 sessions engaging over 800 residents. Many graduates have since served on the Prescott Valley Town Council and Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. He has secured grants for new parks, park amenities, and sidewalk expansions in underserved areas.
Ryan is deeply involved in community initiatives honoring 9/11 victims through the Prescott Valley Healing Field of Northern Arizona, a display of 3,000 American flags with personalized tags he created. He also organized a decade-long annual flag tribute to the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
Beyond his role, Ryan shares his service values with his children, participating in humanitarian trips together to build schools in Ghana, the Philippines, and India. His passion for local government stems from the opportunity to enact lasting positive changes for residents.
In recognition of his outstanding service, Ryan Judy is honored with the Community Builder Award for a Small Community.
Jared Beard began his public service in 2015 at Washington State's Department of Social and Health Services, where he managed financial services and oversaw programs such as TANF. Moving to Arizona in 2019, he continued his career at the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, overseeing crucial EBT nutrition programs benefiting children from 22 tribes statewide.
In 2022, Jared joined Maricopa County, quickly advancing from Client Services Program Supervisor to Assistant Director of the Workforce Development Division. Under his leadership, Maricopa County has become a standout among Arizona's local workforce areas. He has enhanced services for job seekers and foster care youth by collaborating with 30 organizations, personally engaging in meetings and delivering presentations on workforce services.
Jared initiated a pilot program for a new four-day, ten-hour work shift to improve scheduling flexibility for staff and accommodate job seekers' needs beyond traditional hours. His innovative approach and collaborative efforts earned him the Emerging Leader Award for catalyzing impactful change in Arizona's public sector.
Scott Hall brings over 15 years of experience in behavioral health and homelessness services, currently serving as Deputy Director for the City of Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions. His leadership has pioneered crisis response services, programs for homeless veterans, and community court, yielding positive outcomes for those experiencing homelessness.
Scott advocates for hiring individuals with lived experience, significantly enhancing program effectiveness and trust-building with the homeless community. Under his guidance, Phoenix has shifted to direct service delivery, managing city-owned shelters and permanent supportive housing. Scott ensures contracted partners meet rigorous performance measures, enhancing service quality and impact.
Despite relentless challenges, Scott remains resolute in his mission to improve lives. His compassionate leadership and dedication to ending homelessness make him a deserving recipient of the Civic Leader Award.