Programs Workforce Programs Workforce Leadership Academy 2025 Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy

2025 Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy

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The Workforce Leadership Academy brings leaders from across the Arizona workforce ecosystem together for a 10-month series of retreats, workshops, and action learning projects. After the academy concludes, we will continue to engage for a year to activate the new strategies and solutions . The Academy provides a forum for local leaders to work collaboratively to identify local and regional systems-based challenges and create shared solutions for economic opportunity for all. Fellows work with leading practitioners throughout the country as they deepen networks; strengthen systems leadership skills; apply race, equity, and systems change frameworks to their work; increase understanding of effective strategies and programs; work collaboratively to identify local and regional systems-based challenges and create shared solutions. Alumni of the Academy become part of the Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunity Fellows Network, joining Fellows from fourteen previous Academies in eleven cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Center for the Future of Arizona and Pima Community College are excited to provide a second Workforce Leadership Academy to workforce development professionals in Southern Arizona. Applications are due by December 6, 2024, and selected Fellows will be notified by December 23, 2024. More detail on the application process, the program experience, and informational webinars are outlined below.

Academy Candidates – Who Should Apply

Learn More at Informational Webinars

Apply Now – Application Process and Deadline

Academy Goals

2025 Academy Schedule Overview

Dates & Times	Activities	Location
February 4 (9:00-10:00 a.m.)	Orientation	Zoom
March 5-6	Opening Retreat (2 days and 1 mandatory overnight)	In-person in Tucson, AZ
March 12 (4:00-5:00 p.m.)	Advisory Council meet-n-greet	Zoom
April 9 (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)	Session 1	Zoom
April 22 (2:00-5:00 p.m.)	CoLab 1	Zoom
May 7 (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)	Session 2	Zoom
May 22 (2:00-5:00 p.m.)	CoLab 2	Zoom
June 11 (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)	Session 3	Zoom
June 17 (1:00-5:00 p.m.)	CoLab 3	Pima Community College –Downtown Campus
August 6 (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)	Session 4	Zoom
August 14 (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)	LPI 360 Feedback Workshop	Zoom
August 19 (1:00-7:00 p.m.)	CoLab 4 (1-4:00 p.m.)	Pima Community College –Downtown Campus
Mid-Academy Networking Event with Advisory Council (5-7:00 p.m.)	Restaurant in Tucson, AZ
September 10 (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)	Session 5	Zoom
September 16 (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)	CoLab 5	Pima Community College –Downtown Campus
October 22-23	Closing Retreat (2 days and 1 mandatory overnight)	Pima Community College –Downtown Campus
November 14 (8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)	CoLab Stakeholder Event (8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)	Pima Community College –Downtown Campus
Fellow Celebration Lunch (1:00-3:00 p.m.)	Restaurant in Tucson, AZ
November 19 (9:00-11:00 a.m.)	Closing Session	Zoom
TBA	ASPEN Alumni Assembly	Zoom
January 9, 2026 (10:00–11:00 a.m.)	CFA WLA Network Assembly	Zoom
Ongoing during Academy Continued learning, application, and collaboration between workshop sessions (self-directed time of up to 2 hours between sessions as well as 9 to 12 hours of collaborative project work across a small team of Fellows over the entirety of the academy)

What Academy Alumni Say About the Professional Development Experience

“ Being involved in the Workforce Leadership Academy provided me insight into the healthcare sector, the business development sector, the startup ecosystem, the academic ecosystem, and gave me a broader view of workforce development. And it empowered me to be a connector across all those sectors. ”
– Karla Morales, Vice President, Arizona Technology Council, 2023 Fellow

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“ The Academy illuminates the fact that you are not alone in your workforce challenges, while highlighting opportunities for improvement and collaboration within and across industries in your communities, as well as within your organization, departments, and teams. Participation in the Academy equips you with additional knowledge and resources, while fostering productive conversations, relationships, and partnerships that will continue to move your region and Arizona forward.”
– Selena McDonald, WFD Administrator, Banner Health Plans, 2021 Fellow

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“ The Academy has been instrumental in forming valuable professional relationships and expanding my network. It provided access to a community of high achievers who are deeply committed to community development and workforce improvement. One particularly impactful connection that comes to mind was with Skylie Estep, Director of HR at South32. We discovered shared passions for community development and discussed collaborative efforts to achieve our mutual goals. These connections not only deepen my understanding of various sectors but also foster partnerships that can drive meaningful change. ”
– Manuel Felix, Founder & CEO, AZ Cyber Initiative

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“ A workforce academy for professionals to acquire and methodically use real case scenarios that is based on equity for everyone.”
– Nubert Boubeka, Founder, Ambivium LLC

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“ I would say as a fellow in the Academy we worked to strengthen leadership and systems change skills to increase our understanding of effective strategies to address workforce challenges and improve job quality in the workplace. ”
– Gladys Walker, VP, Human Services, Leonardo Electroncis Us Inc.

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2025 Southern Arizona Advisory Council

Maria Ahumada — Deputy Administrator, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Workforce Development Administration
Barbra Coffee — Economic Initiatives Director, City of Tucson
Susan Dumon — Executive Vice President, Sun Corridor Inc.
Rob Elias — President & CEO, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Francisco Garcia — Deputy County Deputy County Administrator & Chief Medical Officer, Pima County
Mark Gaspers — Director, Government Operations, Boeing; Chair, Workforce Arizona Council, Arizona@Work
Michael Guymon — President & CEO, Tucson Metro Chamber
Dr. Melissa Hernandez — Associate Vice President, Cradle to Career Partnership, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona
Todd Jaeger — Superintendent, Amphitheater Public Schools
Merrill Kemp-Wilcox — Director of Research & Development, Pima JTED
Greg Madril — Director, Workforce Development, Tribal Nations, Pascua-Yaqui
Ted Maxwell — President & CEO, Southern Arizona Leadership Council
Krista McGarvey — Business Operations Manager, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity
Kathy Prather — Superintendent, Pima JTED
Dr. Ian Roark — Vice Chancellor, Workforce Development & Innovation, Pima Community College
Dr. Kasey Urquidez — Vice President, Enrollment Management & Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Arizona

Academy Contacts

Southern Arizona Site Facilitators

Holly Kurtz
Director, Workforce Development
Center for the Future of Arizona
[email protected]

Amanda Abens, MC
Dean of Workforce Development and Continuing Education
Pima Community College
[email protected]

Tennille Penaloza-Hagen
Project Manager, Workforce Development
Center for the Future of Arizona
[email protected]

Partners