MEDIA CONTACT:
Lindsay Hansen
480.205.6195
lindsay@ldhconsulting.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 4, 2025
The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation (the Foundation) is excited to announce the statewide expansion of ElevateEdAZ through the launch of their Southern Arizona Pilot Program. Â ElevateEdAZ, an initiative of the Foundation provides students pathways to high-wage, high-demand careers by bridging the gap between education and workforce development. The strategic initiative is designed to elevate local business engagement and enhance the connection between education and industry, thereby cultivating a highly skilled and motivated pipeline of talent. Building on the success of ElevateEdAZ, which currently serves 25 schools in Maricopa County, this pilot program aims to adapt the proven model to the unique needs of the Sahuarita community.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand ElevateEdAZ’s reach and foster new partnerships that will provide students with accelerated pathways and create a robust capacity-building consortium to support the community,” said Jennifer Mellor, chief innovation officer of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation. “This collaboration will ultimately advance the Foundation’s mission of convening and catalyzing business, education, and the community to enhance college and career readiness, develop a stronger workforce, and build healthier communities throughout Arizona.”
In partnership with the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center (GVSC), the pilot program will connect students with internships, guest speakers, and career exploration opportunities. GVSC will lead efforts to ensure the program aligns with the local workforce’s needs, while ElevateEdAZ will oversee on-campus college and career coaching. This pilot program aims to increase dual enrollment, attainment of industry-recognized credentials, and access to work-based learning opportunities.
Serving over 6,300 students in Pima County, the Sahuarita Unified School District will serve as the education partner. ElevateEdAZ will work in both Walden Grove High School and Sahuarita High School, which have a combined enrollment of approximately 2,300 students. The GVSC is a not-for-profit business association that provides business connections to the local region.
“Bringing ElevateEdAZ to Sahuarita is more than just a new program—it’s a game changer for our entire community,” said Randy Graf, president & CEO of the GVSC. “This is about building bridges between our schools and local businesses, giving our students real opportunities to explore careers right here at home. It’s a powerful example of what happens when education and industry roll up their sleeves and work together. I’m incredibly proud of our collaboration with the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber Foundation and the Sahuarita Unified School District in this effort. We’re not just preparing students for jobs—we’re investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and neighbors who will shape the future of Sahuarita and Green Valley.”
The Foundation will hire two college and career coaches and a regional director, while the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce Foundation will support the hiring of a Business Partnership Liaison during the pilot phase.
Goals of the ElevateEdAZ Pilot Program:
- Expand Career Pathways: Increase student enrollment and completion in high-wage, high-demand Career and Technical Education programs.
- Enhance Credentials and Credit: Support students in attaining industry-recognized credentials and earning early post-secondary credit.
- Connect Education to Industry: Provide students with real-world career experiences through work-based learning, including internships and job shadows.
- Strengthen Arizona’s Workforce: Build a robust state talent pipeline to attract and retain industries that create high-quality jobs.
- Encourage Collaboration: Foster partnerships among educators, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to drive systemic improvements.
- Empower Educators: Offer professional development opportunities, including externships, to equip educators with the tools to innovate and inspire.
Jennifer Mellor, chief innovation officer for the Foundation, is available for media interviews. Â
###
About ElevateEdAZ
Launched in 2020, ElevateEdAZ prepares individuals for college and career through stronger alignment between education, business, and the community. ElevateEdAZ is focused on increasing the number of students completing high-quality education to workforce learning pathways that align with the needs of the industry and supports students in achieving industry-recognized credentials, attaining early post-secondary credit, and participating in capstone work-based learning experiences, such as internships and job shadows. For more information, visit https://elevateedaz.com.
About the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation
The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation convenes and catalyzes business, education, and community to enhance college and career readiness, develop a more robust workforce, and build healthier communities throughout Arizona. The Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, leads the charitable and education initiatives of the Greater Phoenix Chamber under the four pillars of education, workforce development, wellness, and research. For more information, visit https://phoenixchamberfoundation.com.
About the Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center is a 501(c)6 not for profit business association representing the interests of its membership through advocacy and providing networking and business resources. For more information, visit https://www.greenvalleysahuarita.com/
About the Green Valley  /Sahuarita Chamber Foundation
The Green Valley / Sahuarita Chamber Foundation is a standalone not for profit 501(c)3 whose mission is to assist a variety of individuals, groups, businesses, organizations and schools for economic development and education in the communities of Sahuarita and Green Valley.
Follow Online:
Twitter: @ElevateEdAZ Â
Instagram: @elevateedaz Â
Facebook: @elevateedaz
LinkedIn: ElevateEdAZ