The Piper Fellows Program acknowledges the never-ceasing demands of nonprofit leadership and offers the opportunity for nonprofit leaders to reach, retool, and revitalize. A Piper Fellowship offers the potential for up to $90,000 in grant funding to a Fellow’s organization.
Applications are currently closed. 2026 Applications open in the Spring.
Professional Development
Piper Trust offers Fellowship awards of $30,000 (maximum) via an annual application and selection process to support professional development for outstanding leaders of nonprofit charity/501(c)(3) organizations serving Maricopa County.
Study and Travel
A Piper Fellow’s personally designed “professional development plan” can be taken all at once or divided into several time periods or dates and is based on what is best for the organization. Fellow candidates are encouraged to explore educational and professional programs, visit model program sites, and meet with thought leaders across the nation (travel limited to North America).
Applied Learnings
A Piper Fellowship also includes a $10,000 grant award for staff and board development and eligibility for the Fellow’s organization to apply for a Piper Fellows Organizational Enhancement Award (grant) of up to $50,000 within six months of Fellowship completion. Fellowships and grant-related Fellowship awards are contingent upon the Fellow’s continued employment at the organization.
OUR FELLOWS
Prize Years
2018
Katie Cobb
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Barrow Neurological Foundation
CURRENT POSITION
President
Vitalant Foundation
Katie Cobb
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Barrow Neurological Foundation
CURRENT POSITION
President
Vitalant Foundation
2018
Trinity Donovan
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
AZCEND
Trinity Donovan
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
AZCEND
2018
Meg Sneed-Dupps
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Quality and Data Services
Fresh Start Women's Foundation
CURRENT POSITION
Director of Programs
Arizona Food Bank Network
Meg Sneed-Dupps
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Quality and Data Services
Fresh Start Women's Foundation
CURRENT POSITION
Director of Programs
Arizona Food Bank Network
2018
Kate Wells
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President and CEO
Children's Museum of Phoenix
Kate Wells
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President and CEO
Children's Museum of Phoenix
2017
Melissa Elliott
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Vice President of Programs & Services
Area Agency on Aging
Melissa Elliott
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Vice President of Programs & Services
Area Agency on Aging
2017
Mary Mitchell
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Deputy Director
Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council
CURRENT POSITION
Co-CEO
Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council
Mary Mitchell
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Deputy Director
Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council
CURRENT POSITION
Co-CEO
Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council
2017
Stacia Ortega
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Volunteer & Bereavement Services
Hospice of the Valley
Stacia Ortega
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director of Volunteer & Bereavement Services
Hospice of the Valley
2017
Essen Otu
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Senior Director of Diversity & Community Affairs
Mountain Park Health Center
CURRENT POSITION
Manager Diversity & Inclusion
Salt River Project
Essen Otu
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Senior Director of Diversity & Community Affairs
Mountain Park Health Center
CURRENT POSITION
Manager Diversity & Inclusion
Salt River Project
2017
Dr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Founder and CEO
Arizona Autism United (AZA United)
Dr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Founder and CEO
Arizona Autism United (AZA United)
2016
Katherine Cecala
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Junior Achievement of Arizona
Katherine Cecala
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Junior Achievement of Arizona
2016
JoAnne Chiariello
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director
Family Support Services, Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK)
JoAnne Chiariello
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Director
Family Support Services, Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK)
2016
Leah Fregulia
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Head of School and CEO
Arizona School for the Arts
Leah Fregulia
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Head of School and CEO
Arizona School for the Arts
2016
Amy Schwabenlender
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Vice President of Community Impact
Valley of the Sun United Way
CURRENT POSITION
Executive Director
Human Services Campus, Inc.
Amy Schwabenlender
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Vice President of Community Impact
Valley of the Sun United Way
CURRENT POSITION
Executive Director
Human Services Campus, Inc.
2015
Marc Ashton
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Foundation for Blind Children
Marc Ashton
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Executive Officer
Foundation for Blind Children
2015
Tara Jackson
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Arizona Town Hall
Tara Jackson
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
President
Arizona Town Hall
2015
Mattie Lord
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Program Officer
UMOM New Day Centers
CURRENT POSITION
Grant Program Manager
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community
Mattie Lord
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Chief Program Officer
UMOM New Day Centers
CURRENT POSITION
Grant Program Manager
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community
2015
Jeffory Morris
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Museum Curator
i.d.e.a Museum
Jeffory Morris
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Museum Curator
i.d.e.a Museum
2015
Bishop Poulson Reed
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Rector
All Saints' Episcopal Church & Day School
CURRENT POSITION
Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
Bishop Poulson Reed
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Rector
All Saints' Episcopal Church & Day School
CURRENT POSITION
Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
2015
Dan Schay
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Theater Works
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Dan Schay
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Executive Director
Theater Works
Daniel Schay, named a 2015 Piper Fellow, sadly passed away in April 2016. Dan was an accomplished artist, and a leader and voice for the arts community. He will be forever missed.
2014
Jan Dougherty, MS, RN, FAAN
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Family and Community Services Director
Banner Alzheimer's Institute
CURRENT POSITION
President
TravALZ, LLC
Jan Dougherty, MS, RN, FAAN
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Family and Community Services Director
Banner Alzheimer's Institute
CURRENT POSITION
President
TravALZ, LLC
2014
Vincent VanVleet
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Managing Director
Phoenix Theatre
CURRENT POSITION
Executive Director
Phoenix Theatre
Vincent VanVleet
POSITION WHEN AWARDED PIPER FELLOWSHIP
Managing Director
Phoenix Theatre
CURRENT POSITION
Executive Director
Phoenix Theatre
