Jolyana Begay-Kroupa brings a deep commitment to community, culture, and education to her role as CEO of the Phoenix Indian Center, one of the nation’s oldest and most established Urban American Indian nonprofit organizations. Drawing on her roots as a Diné woman from Fort Defiance, Arizona, and her background in American Indian educational policy, she leads the organization with a focus on cultural integrity, sustainability, and community well-being. Under her leadership, the Center has expanded its programs in workforce development, language and culture, and youth and family services—ensuring that Urban Indigenous peoples have access to opportunities and support systems that honor their identities and strengthen their futures. Guided by the teachings of her people, Begay-Kroupa works to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are interwoven into all areas of the organization’s work, advancing a vision of empowerment, connection, and cultural revitalization for the community she serves. 

As a Piper Fellow, her goal is to strengthen her leadership and ensure that the Phoenix Indian Center continues to grow sustainably, with innovation and cultural integrity. Begay-Kroupa plans to visit and learn from Indigenous and culturally specific organizations across the country that are successfully serving Urban Native communities. Through these visits, she hopes to better understand how they sustain growth, support staff and community wellness, and embed cultural values into their leadership and programming. Her Fellowship journey will focus on exploring Indigenous approaches to leadership and organizational development that honor balance, care, and community connection. The insights gained will directly inform how Begay-Kroupa guides her team, nurtures emerging leaders within the organization, and designs programming that supports long-term wellness and resilience for Urban Indigenous relatives.

As the Founder & CEO of The Joy Bus, Jennifer Caraway is dedicated to building a hybrid organization that seamlessly blends hospitality and philanthropy in service to those most in need. Under The Joy Bus umbrella, Caraway established The Joy Bus Diner, a breakfast and lunch hotspot where every meal has meaning. With every cheeseburger, cup of coffee, or stack of pancakes purchased, 100 percent of the proceeds go directly toward feeding homebound individuals battling cancer. A proud member of the Food is Medicine Coalition, Caraway is a tireless advocate for integrating nutrition and compassion into healthcare. In partnership with the University of Arizona, she helped launch a Culinary Medicine curriculum in 2022, blending culinary skill with medical insight to improve patient outcomes. Caraway’s work has earned widespread recognition, including honors such as the H.O.P.E. Award from Mass General Cancer Center, ATHENA Business Woman of the Year, and the title of Food Network Chopped Champion. Caraway is more than an advocate for the Food is Medicine movement; she is one of its leading forces. Her journey from restaurateur to social innovator reflects her unwavering belief in the power of food, compassion, and community to heal. 

Caraway’s Piper Fellowship will center on personal growth, strategic leadership, and the long-term sustainability of The Joy Bus mission. She plans to attend the Stanford Graduate School of Business Nonprofit Executive Program focusing on strategies to scale effectively. She will also strengthen skills in public advocacy to further advance her leadership as an effective steward for the Food is Medicine cause and the power of real food to heal. In alignment with her focus on the Food is Medicine movement, Caraway intends to visit a Food is Medicine Coalition affiliate to learn best practices for meal distribution and operational efficiency. She will also enhance her culinary expertise through a Mediterranean Boot Camp at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia, deepening her understanding of healthy, healing food preparation. For Caraway, this Fellowship represents not just growth for her, but for the entire Joy Bus family.

For the past 17 years, Debbie Castaldo has led the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation with purpose, passion, and an unwavering commitment to community impact. Under her leadership—and with the guidance of Derrick Hall and Ken Kendrick—the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation has grown into one of Major League Baseball’s most respected charitable organizations, investing more than $100 million in charitable donations across Arizona. In her role, Castaldo has created and championed initiatives that uplift children, families, and veterans; expand access to education and healthcare; and strengthen communities statewide. Her leadership has guided signature efforts such as the D-backs Give Back Youth Jersey Program, D-backs Scholars, and the D-backs Nike RBI Program, which proudly captured the 2025 RBI World Series Championship and continues to inspire young athletes on and off the field. Castaldo has also developed powerful programs that unite business and community for lasting impact. Inspired by the leadership of Hall and Kendrick, and fueled by her own belief in the power of a team, she has helped make giving back a cornerstone of the D-backs’ identity by engaging the entire organization—including players, employees, partners, and fans.

Through her Piper Fellowship, Castaldo is stepping up to the plate with the same focus and excitement she has experienced on the baseball field. She plans to attend the Harvard Executive Program and visit high-performing nonprofit organizations and professional sports teams that operate with clear, measurable strategies—learning how the best in the game align vision, teamwork, and execution. Her goal is to expand her perspective and perfect tools that measure the impact of the Foundation’s giving, ensuring every investment delivers meaningful results. She is also seeking inspiration and innovative approaches that will guide the Foundation’s next $100 million in giving, helping anticipate and meet the evolving community. She sees the Fellowship as an opportunity to combine strategy, creativity, and collaboration to strengthen the Foundation’s mission and elevate the impact of its team-driven approach.

Richard Crews serves as the Director of Strategic Impact at Keys to Change, a critical agency working collaboratively to end homelessness for single adults across Maricopa County. In this role, he oversees large-scale strategic initiatives that collaborate across communities and sectors to create solutions to end homelessness for thousands of people each year. Under his leadership, Keys to Change has grown programmatically, broadening its impact through expanded bridge housing, 24-hour campus access, flexible funding programs, regional outreach, safe outdoor spaces, and convening leaders across organizations to center impact over ego to get the work done. Rooted in a career that began with community transformation work in South Phoenix, Crews brings more than two decades of experience bridging grassroots action with systems-level change. His work is grounded in the values of results, equity, co-creation, and healing, reflecting a deep commitment to transforming how institutions respond to injustice. His insights have been featured in The Arizona Republic, Living Cities, and Stanford Social Innovation Review, and he is a sought-after national facilitator on institutional oppression, education, and housing innovation. Above every title or credential, his most meaningful role is being “Daddy” to his three sons. 

Crews’ Fellowship is grounded in systems leadership, adaptive strategy, and equity-centered transformation. His plan includes training at Harvard Kennedy School and the Waters Center for Systems Thinking, certification in change management through Prosci, and intensive capacity-building at the Center for Creative Leadership. He will also engage in strategic site visits across six U.S. cities—from Skid Row in Los Angeles to Policy Link in Oakland—to study scalable, equity-driven responses to homelessness and systems change. With this Fellowship, he plans to build capacity for change and systems leadership within Keys to Change and with partners positioned to impact ending homelessness.

Latrice Hickman is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, raised in South Phoenix. She proudly serves as the Chief Risk & Compliance Officer for Copa Health, Inc., one of Maricopa County’s largest and most respected providers of integrated health and human services. In this role, Hickman leads a talented team dedicated to ensuring organizational excellence, regulatory compliance, and high-quality care across a broad continuum of services. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in local and national human service organizations, Hickman has demonstrated expertise in program development, operations management, and quality improvement. Her previous executive roles, including Chief Program Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Quality Improvement and Compliance Officer, reflect her comprehensive understanding of organizational systems and performance outcomes. A passionate advocate for underserved communities, Hickman is committed to advancing equitable systems that improve quality of life and expand access to care. She has led numerous community initiatives focused on social impact and empowerment. In recognition of her leadership and service, she was honored as one of Arizona Business Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Arizona in 2024. 

Hickman’s Fellowship will encompass a comprehensive blend of structured executive education and individualized leadership development. As part of this experience, she will attend the Kellogg Emerging C-Suite Leaders Program at Northwestern University, an intensive curriculum designed to strengthen strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, and organizational transformation capabilities. 

In addition to formal coursework, Hickman will engage with an executive coach who will serve as a strategic thought partner. This partnership will focus on enhancing her leadership agility, executive presence, and ability to drive complex, mission-aligned initiatives across diverse stakeholders. Her Fellowship experience is designed not only to elevate Hickman’s individual leadership effectiveness but also to extend her impact across sectors. Lessons learned will inform the cultivation of a high-performing professional network committed to leadership development, mentorship, and sustainable capacity building. These efforts will specifically advance cross-sector partnerships that integrate Copa Health, Inc.’s Housing Is Healthcare initiatives, reinforcing the principle that stable housing is foundational to improved health outcomes and community well-being.

Lloyd Hopkins is the Founder of the Million Dollar Teacher Project (MDTP) that he established to strengthen education by focusing on the professionals at its heart—teachers. Under his leadership, MDTP has become a driving force in teacher recognition, compensation, and support through initiatives like the One in a Million recognition program, the Teacher Appreciation Package (T.A.P.), and Classroom Support Teams. A former educator himself, Hopkins’s journey from student to advocate was shaped by his experiences growing up on the west side of Phoenix, in Maryvale, where he witnessed firsthand the impact of under-resourced schools and undervalued teachers. His lifelong mission is to ensure that every student has access to a highly trained, well-supported, and empowered educator. 

Hopkins designed his Fellowship around strengthening his executive leadership and fundraising acumen. His Fellowship plan includes advanced training at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the Disney Institute’s Leadership Excellence Program, and Stanford University’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program. He will also engage in field visits with leading education and philanthropic organizations in Washington, D.C., and Chicago to study large-scale fundraising and endowment strategies. The Fellowship will culminate in a reflective leadership retreat at Lake Geneva, where Hopkins will synthesize his learnings into MDTP’s next five-year strategic plan and a national expansion framework. This experience will empower him to position MDTP as a sustainable, scalable model for teacher support and educational transformation nationwide.

With more than 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, and community engagement, Shonna James has built a career defined by leadership, innovation, and public service. Under her leadership as President & Executive Director of the Shemer Art Center, Shemer has experienced significant growth in its financial stability, branding, fundraising, and visibility across the business, media, and arts communities. Prior to joining Shemer, James was President of Shonna James Communications, a marketing and communications agency she founded and operated for 18 years. She began her career with Del Webb Corporation, gaining valuable experience in real estate, public relations, and national crisis communications. Deeply committed to community service, James has collaborated with numerous nonprofits and foundations, coordinating high-profile fundraising campaigns and civic initiatives throughout Scottsdale and Phoenix. Her work has included projects such as the Presidential Portrait Collection donation to the City of Phoenix and opening Sunrise of Scottsdale with Carol Channing and Sunrise of Chandler with Mickey Rooney. Appointed to the City of Phoenix’s Senior Services Advisory Committee in 1987, James served for a decade and later contributed to the Human Services Commission. She is also a Life Member and 32-year volunteer with the Fiesta Bowl Committee.

James will utilize this Fellowship opportunity to meet with local and national arts and nonprofit leaders, participate in higher education programs through the Center for Creative Leadership and Stanford Graduate School of Business. She will identify resources and connections for board and staff development, and personally visit select community-centered visual art destinations. This journey will lead to knowledge, resources, and connections, as well as operational, leadership, programming insights, and strategies that will help with the long-term strategic planning, future growth, and community impact of the Shemer Art Center.

Tracy Leonard-Warner is the Executive Director of Ryan House, a nonprofit healthcare facility providing respite and end-of-life care for children with complex medical needs. Before joining Ryan House, she led an interdisciplinary healthcare team at Hospice of the Valley and spent 16 years at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, where she established the hospital’s music therapy program. A respected leader in her field, Leonard-Warner has held several key positions in the music therapy profession, including Chair of the Certification Board for Music Therapists, President of the Western Regional Chapter of the American Music Therapy Association, and a member of the Arizona Music Therapy State Recognition Task Force. She also helped found the Arizona Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition. Leonard-Warner holds a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and a master’s degree in healthcare innovation from Arizona State University. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards and has volunteered for more than 30 years with Phoenix Children’s Camp Rainbow, an overnight camp for children with cancer. Throughout her career, she has been guided by one central question: How can we improve the lives of patients and their families?—a question that continues to inspire her work every day.

Leonard-Warner’s Fellowship will focus on financial sustainability and strategic resource development. Her plans include participating in sessions through the Kellogg Executive Education Program’s Center for Nonprofit Management, attending the Aspen Ideas: Health convening to connect with leaders driving innovation in healthcare, and engaging with peers at both the National Alliance for Care at Home Annual Meeting and Exposition and the Association for Fundraising Professionals ICON Conference. She also hopes to gain valuable insights through learning calls with children’s respite homes in the U.K., where the Ryan House model first originated.

Jaclyn Pederson serves as CEO of Feeding Matters, a Phoenix-based nonprofit and the first organization in the world dedicated to advancing the system of care for children with feeding disorders, including pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). For more than a decade, Pederson has led efforts to unite families, healthcare providers, and researchers to drive global recognition of these critical but often misunderstood conditions. Under her leadership, Feeding Matters has achieved major milestones, including securing an ICD diagnostic code for PFD, launching national research and family support initiatives, and producing public awareness campaigns that center on lived experience. Pederson holds a Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Leadership and Management and a Master of Healthcare Innovation, both from Arizona State University, and was named to Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2017. She remains deeply engaged in Arizona’s nonprofit and healthcare communities and currently serves on the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation Leadership Council. 

Pederson’s Fellowship will focus on scaling Feeding Matters’ impact through leadership development, partnership cultivation, and long-term sustainability. Her Fellowship includes executive coaching, national site visits to model organizations, and participation in an advanced leadership program. In addition to investing in her own growth as CEO, Pederson will use this opportunity to strengthen her team, supporting leadership development for key staff and facilitating strategic planning to guide the organization’s next phase. By leveraging the insights and relationships gained through the Fellowship, Pederson aims to expand Feeding Matters’ strategic partnerships, and position Arizona as a national leader in pediatric and medical innovation.

Valentina Restrepo-Montoya serves as Executive Director & CEO of Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS), a nonprofit legal and social services provider focused on representing sex and labor trafficking survivors of all ages, and people under 25 impacted by crime, homelessness, or foster care. She leads a team of attorneys, social workers, and other advocates who make holistic representation possible for clients in family law, immigration law, and criminal history repair matters. Restrepo-Montoya earned her J.D. from U.C. Berkeley Law and, before joining ALWAYS, was a Mental Health Attorney at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, where she was appointed to represent immigrants and refugees who were deemed “incompetent” to represent themselves in deportation proceedings. Before moving to Arizona, Restrepo-Montoya litigated cases in Alabama; first, at the Southern Poverty Law Center and then at the Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office.

Restrepo-Montoya’s Fellowship is focused on engaging in partnerships and education to envision, design, and implement this next phase of ALWAYS’ impact most thoughtfully. Her plans include attending Harvard Kennedy School’s Nonprofit Leadership program, the Leadership for Social Impact program and will conduct visits with similarly situated legal service providers in the Southwest in preparation for strategic planning with ALWAYS’ Board and staff in late 2026. Restrepo-Montoya will also focus time on introspection and restoration to digest the last several years and physically and spiritually prepare for the years ahead.

Nate Rhoton serves as the CEO for one·n·ten, an LGBTQ+ nonprofit delivering youth services in Arizona. Joining the team in 2015, he served as the Director of Development, then as the Director of Finance & Operations, before assuming his current role in January of 2018. Following a 15-year career in corporate management and finance, Rhoton chose to serve the community with his nonprofit fundraising and development expertise. Serving for 12 years as the operations director and then CFO of a local construction company, he worked to expand corporate community involvement and non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ employees. Born and raised in Arizona, Rhoton graduated from Flagstaff High School and then earned his degree in finance and economics from Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, graduating magna cum laude in 2000. Over the last 25 years, he has committed himself to nonprofit service, winning multiple leadership awards, and serving on many boards. He currently serves on the national board of CenterLink, as vice chair of Leading for Change, on the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission, and, most recently, on the board of Your Paths. Additionally, he is an alumnus of Flinn-Brown, Valley Leadership, and Leading for Change.

Rhoton’s Piper Fellowship plan centers on strengthening his capacity as an adaptive, emotionally intelligent, and equity-driven leader capable of guiding one·n·ten through a period of strategic growth and transformational change. Through the Columbia University Executive Education program in Leading Strategic Growth and Change, combined with site visits to the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and the Ali Forney Center in New York, Rhoton will deepen his understanding of large-scale organizational transformation, inclusive leadership, and digital innovation to better serve Arizona’s LGBTQ+ youth. A reflective wellness retreat at Rancho La Puerta will restore balance and perspective, ensuring he returns with renewed clarity and creativity. Complementing this, the investment in staff and board development will foster emotional intelligence, courageous communication, and adaptive strategy across his leadership team. Together, these experiences will not only advance one·n·ten’s mission but also position Rhoton to contribute meaningfully to the broader nonprofit community through shared learning and sustainable impact.

As the Chief Development Officer for the ASU Foundation, Eric Spicer is responsible for leading and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that support the University’s mission of access, excellence, and community impact. Spicer collaborates closely with University leadership, academic units, and the Foundation Executive Cabinet to align philanthropic efforts with institutional priorities. In addition, he leads a development staff, ensuring a high-performance culture focused on donor engagement, stewardship, and long-term relationship building. Spicer has served as a founding board member for multiple nonprofit organizations in the Phoenix community that support children in the Arizona foster care system, and is the current board chair of the Swappow Plus Foundation. 

Through a blend of world-class education, experiential learning, and personal renewal, Spicer’s Fellowship plan is designed to sharpen his ability to lead with creativity, collaboration, and clarity. His ultimate goal is to apply the lessons from his Fellowship to drive greater impact for the communities the University serves. Fellowship highlights include attending executive education programs at Harvard and Northwestern Universities that are focused on leading and building cultures of innovation and collaboration. In addition, Spicer will conduct site visits to peer institutions seeking insights on innovative practices and lessons learned that could be applied to ASU. He seeks to deepen his leadership capabilities, strengthen both internal and external collaboration, and build upon ASU’s already strong culture of innovation.

Michael L. Zirulnik, PhD, is focused on developing simple solutions to solve big problems, specializing in work with high-stakes, high-risk industries, including healthcare and aviation. He serves as Assistant Vice President of University Relations for the Creighton University Health Sciences Phoenix Regional Campus; he is also an Associate Professor of Medical Humanities within the School of Medicine. Zirulnik harnesses his talent for building meaningful relationships and leveraging the power of philanthropy to promote Creighton University’s ability to educate the next generation of healthcare practitioners trained in the Jesuit tradition. His work spans the intersection of higher education, healthcare, aviation, and the arts. Zirulnik’s use of public art for public health is a primary focus of his art practices. One example, Strips & Needles—A Day in the Life is a traveling exhibit benefiting patients and families living with diabetes. It responds to the staggering reality of the vast amount of people who experience the direct and adverse impacts of diabetes. He is a proud graduate of Rutgers University and Arizona State University. Zirulnik is also involved with the National Communication Association and served as its past Chair of the Peace & Conflict Communication and the Training & Development Divisions.

As a Piper Fellow, Zirulnik is intent on gaining deeper insights into three sectors: business and finance through Harvard University’s Executive Education Program, philanthropy, from pioneers in the field at Purdue University, and artificial intelligence through programs at MIT. He will conduct site visits with AI leaders to better understand the current and dynamic state of AI and how to best leverage new technology to support the nonprofit sector and communities. Plans also include immersive arts experiences to help advance medical humanities throughout Creighton University as its students can carry this forward through their work in patient care.

Since 2022, Tami Bohannon has served as President & CEO of Foundation for Senior Living (FSL), where she was appointed the organization’s first female CEO in its 50-year history. FSL programs serve statewide, addressing barriers to quality healthcare and housing with a mission to empower all Arizonans to age with confidence. Over her 30-year career in the nonprofit sector, Bohannon has led with an abundance mindset focused on expanding programs while fostering a culture of philanthropy. She is a certified End of Life Doula, a mentor to young professionals, and serves in volunteer leadership roles with the Governor's Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness and Housing, AARP Arizona, Arizona LeadingAge, and a number of other healthy aging initiatives.

Bohannon’s Fellowship activities will help FSL plan and implement bold, innovative, and sustainable programs that will help support Arizona’s growing older adult population—she sees a need for “disruption and reinvention” of aging services. 

Fellowship highlights include attending Harvard Business School’s Executive Education program and visiting best practice sites, such as Sound Generations in Seattle, that offer an integration of affordable housing and healthcare. Her goal is to come away focused on building strategies that inspire organizational change and drive mission success so all can age with confidence. A secondary goal is to become a joyful role model for active aging by improving her health, wellness, mobility, and stability.

As General Manager of Childsplay, Ellen Conn supports operational structures, mentorship, and creative business development across the organization. Her extensive relationships and diverse skills enhance collaboration and shared leadership toward achieving Childsplay’s mission to ignite imagination, wonder, and joy by creating strikingly original theatre and learning experiences that inspire young minds to explore and soar. After more than 15 years of experience with Childsplay, Conn is deeply invested in the notion that every young person deserves to see themself in the stories that are told and in an abundant world of possibilities.

Conn’s Fellowship will concentrate on leadership and team building for a new generation as she seeks to strengthen Childsplay’s staff in a drastically changed job market. She will also explore proven principles of innovative risk-taking in program development with an intensive focus on the patron experience. She plans to attend Stanford’s Executive Program in Women’s Leadership, the Disney Institute’s Employee Engagement and Customer Service Workshops, and the Innovation and Strategy Program at Harvard University.

Kim Graham began her tenure as CEO of the of the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) in November 2018. Since then, she has shepherded AEF’s growth to a staff of 10 and a projected annual budget of $1.6 million. She is the driving force behind AEF’s newly launched “AEF Academy,” the first and only Cox Innovation Lab for teachers. Former positions include serving as Deputy Director of Louisiana A+ Schools, and as the Director of Education and Community Engagement at The Phoenix Symphony, where she established the Mind Over Music program and the award-winning B-Sharp Music Wellness program. Graham also served as the former Chair of the Arts Education Advisory Group for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Graham’s Fellowship plans include visiting other nonprofits that serve public schools, such as the Education Trust in Washington, D.C., which advances policies and practices to address inequities embedded in the American education system; she will also meet with The Pencil Foundation in Nashville, a successful model for nonprofit and school district partnerships.

Founded by esteemed Arizonans Carolyn Warner, Bill Shover, and Eddie Basha—Graham plans to continue their drive for innovation and excellence through Fellowship activities focused on effective ways to build cross-sector partnerships that support a thriving public education system.

A native Phoenician who grew up in the West Valley, Chris Hamby serves as the C.W. McMillin Executive Director of TheaterWorks in Peoria, where he leads a dynamic team in advancing the power of the arts to engage, inspire, and connect communities. Over the past decade at TheaterWorks, Hamby has expanded educational programming to reach nearly 400 students annually, eradicated historical debt, and increased organizational revenue by nearly 50 percent. Prior to his leadership at TheaterWorks, he worked with other arts organizations, including The Phoenix Theatre Company and Phoenix Center for the Arts, where he facilitated transformative arts programs and forged lasting partnerships supporting the community’s creative and educational needs. Known for his strategic vision and commitment to accessibility, Hamby has developed award-winning programs for diverse audiences, including youth and individuals with disabilities, and has received accolades such as the Governor’s Arts Award and the Arts Hero recognition by Arizona Citizens for the Arts. Hamby’s leadership has guided TheaterWorks through significant operational and cultural shifts, always with an emphasis on inclusivity, innovation, and community-driven programming.

Hamby’s Fellowship will focus on immersive learning and strategic development to further enhance his impact as a community arts leader. He plans to attend the Shannon Leadership Institute, participate in the Stanford Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders, and attend the Disney Institute’s Leadership Excellence program. Through visits to exemplary arts and community organizations in locations like the Twin Cities, Nebraska, and Seattle, Hamby will study Creative Placemaking, Creative Aging strategies, and best practices in meaningful mentorship models.

Since January 2021, Kayla Kolar has served as CEO of House of Refuge, leading the daily operations of this nearly 30-year-old transitional housing program that supports homeless families. Driven by the vision that “Every Family Deserves a Home,” Kolar heads a dedicated and passionate team, offering families hope and the tools they need to regain stability, self-sufficiency, and secure permanent housing. With more than 30 years in nonprofit executive leadership, Kolar previously held key positions at HD South (Home of Gilbert Historical Museum), Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and Desert Botanical Garden. Throughout her career, she has successfully led multi-million-dollar capital campaigns, overseen organizational expansion projects, spearheaded rebranding initiatives, and guided nonprofits through pivotal growth phases. In addition to her work at House of Refuge, Kolar serves on several boards, including ASU Polytechnic Campus Community Advisory Board, Park University Advisory Board, PHX East Valley Partnership Board, and the Dignity Health Designated Procedures Oversight Committee.

Through her Fellowship, Kolar plans to visit transitional housing sites across the country and bring back best practices that can be applied to House of Refuge’s anticipated expansion. She will attend the National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference and participate in executive leadership programs, including Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management and UC Berkeley’s Leading Strategy Execution Through Culture.

Tracy Lindbergh serves as Chief of Staff at Sonoran University, a nonprofit organization focused on shaping a healthier future through education, healthcare, and research. In her role, she leads cross-departmental special projects for the Office of the President, Board of Trustees, and Executive Council including the development and monitoring of the University’s strategic plan, implementation of the organization’s use of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), and facilitation of trainings for the campus community. Lindbergh also co-led a significant two-year name change and University rebrand initiative. She chaired the institution’s DEI Taskforce in 2021 and is currently managing the Board of Trustees’ search process for Sonoran University’s next president. Her early career included working in development for the American Red Cross and Southwest Center in Phoenix.

Lindbergh’s Fellowship is focused on enhancing her leadership, facilitation, and change management skills. She plans to become certified in the Prosci ADKAR® change management framework, an evidenced-based model that focuses on how the individual side of change can best affect organizational transformation. She will also train with Leadership Strategies to advance her facilitation skills and attend MIT’s Inquiry-Driven Leadership program, adding critical skills to her leadership and change management toolbox. Lindbergh will be able to apply wisdom gained through her Fellowship in real time as Sonoran University embarks on multiple changes in 2025.

Jennifer O’Connell, an Arizona native, brings 30 years of experience across corporate, small business, education, and nonprofit sectors to her position as Executive Director of Down Syndrome Network Arizona. She leads with a servant leadership approach, overseeing finance, strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, development, events, and programming. Her career began in corporate sales and marketing in the global technology sector before transitioning into social entrepreneurship and holistic wellness. The birth of her son, who has Down syndrome and autism, inspired her to shift her focus to education and nonprofit work, where her passion is here to stay. O’Connell is dedicated to building strong partnerships, expanding DSNetwork’s reach, and advocating for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

O’Connell’s Fellowship activities include participating in an array of executive education programs with a focus on media and public relations, such as Harvard Kennedy School’s Persuasive Communication and Strategic Fundraising for Nonprofit Leaders, Georgetown University’s Social Impact Partnerships, ongoing executive coaching, and mentorship with leaders of exemplary Down syndrome associations in other states. She plans to adopt best practices that strengthen advocacy efforts, diversify and increase funding, and create innovative partnerships to elevate lasting awareness, foster greater inclusion, and broaden community engagement for DSNetwork.

Ryan Corry serves as Chief Philanthropy Officer for St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) and is part of a dedicated team that inspires public and private investment to feed, clothe, house, and heal neighbors in need. Over the last 10 years at SVdP, Corry has been part of two capital campaigns, significant endowment growth, and a 400 percent growth in giving. Before to joining SVdP, he lived in Las Vegas, NV, where he was part of the successful public-private funding partnership of $490 million for the city’s first major arts institution, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

Corry’s Fellowship will focus on learning and reflection to become a more well-rounded thinker, a stronger business analyst, and a holistic organizational developer. He plans to spend time with leaders like New York Times bestselling author and personal coach Bob Goff, study at Vanderbilt University and Stanford Graduate School of Business, and learn from the best (and most joyful!) nonprofit leaders from around the country.