Piper Fellows 2024

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.