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Here are the 2024 Leaders of the Year in Public Policy

By Arizona Capitol Times//September 9, 2024

Read original post on the Arizona Capitol Times

The Arizona Capitol Times announces the 2024 Leaders of the Year, recognizing 38 leaders who advance the interest of the people of Arizona. Like the nominees of past years, this year’s nominees work tirelessly and sincerely for the common good. The nominees have successfully navigated many challenges, persevered and collectively helped Arizona to move forward.

They will be honored Sept. 24 at a luncheon in Phoenix.

2024 Leaders of the Year Nominees

Arts & Culture 

Tammy McLeod, President & CEO, Flinn Foundation

Robert Linde, General Manager, Snowbowl Ski Resort

Mitch Menchaca, Director, Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture

Associations 

Matthew Kenney, Vice Chair, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services

Josh Umar, Executive Director, American Subcontractors Association of Arizona

Christopher Kline, President & CEO, Arizona Media Association +Arizona Local News Foundation

Matthew Contorelli, Senior Director of External Affairs, Arizona Association of Realtors

Economy

Julie Rees, Principal, Triadvocates, LLC

Jonathan Soto Robles, Deputy Director of Grassroots, Libre Initiative

Mike Huckins, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & IT Operations, Greater Phoenix Chamber

Education

Dalton Abbitt, Chief Political Officer, GenTech Tech Support

Katherine Cecala, President, Junior Achievement of Arizona

Ruth Wylie, Co-Director, Center for Science and the Imagination at Arizona State University

Dr. Chad Wilson, Superintendent, East Valley Institute of Technology

Environment

Michael Cravens, Advocacy and Conservation Director, Arizona Wildlife Federation

Tom Buschatzke, Director, Arizona Department of Water Resources

Autumn Johnson, Executive Director, Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association

Government 

Chuck Coughlin, CEO & President, HighGround Public Affairs Consultants

Douglas Nicholls, Mayor, City of Yuma

Mike Townsend, Administrator, Public Safety Personnel Retirement Systems

Steve Titla, Commissioner, Citizens Clean Elections Commission

Sarah Webber, Deputy Director, Arizona State Parks & Trails

Health Care 

Shannon Butler, Executive Director of Government Affairs CVS Health

Lia Christiansen, Chief Administrative Officer, Valleywise Health

Will Humble, Executive Director, Arizona Public Health Association

Law 

Daniel Adelman, Executive Director, Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest

Andy Gaona, Partner, Coppersmith Brockelman, PLC

Steven Scharboneau, Attorney, Steven George Law

Public Safety

Darrell Kriplean, President, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association

Don Jongewaard, President, Professional Firefighters of Arizona

Elizabeth Burton Ortiz, Executive Director, Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council

Social Services

Brandie Reiner, Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers, Arizona

Eddie Sissons, Executive Director, Co-chair Advocacy Committee for AZ Peer & Family Coalition.

Elena Reid Steinbeiss, Co-Executive Director, Foster 360

Sommer Knight, Co-Executive Director, Foster 360

Technology 

Steve Zylstra, President & CEO, Arizona Technology Council

Jason Bagley, Senior Director, U.S. State Government Affairs Intel

Lifetime Achievement 

Terry Goddard