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.
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Academy Goals
The Academy engages leaders in a 10-month peer learning cohort to:
- Expand and deepen professional networks and partnerships;
- Strengthen leadership practices for organizational and systems change efforts;
- Apply a race equity lens to assess and improve workforce systems and strategies;
- Apply systems change framework to their work;
- Understand and apply elements of effective organizational strategies; and
- Work collaboratively to identify local and regional systems-based challenges and create shared solutions.
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2025 Academy Schedule Overview
Over the academy year beginning February 2025, Academy Fellows mandatory participation in:
| 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.)
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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
