Valley Leadership Launches Catalyze Class 6 with a Call To Shape Arizona's Future

VALLEY LEADERSHIP LAUNCHES CATALYZE CLASS 6 WITH A CALL TO SHAPE ARIZONA’S FUTURE

107 leaders begin the six-month program with a keynote from Arizona State University President Michael Crow

Phoenix, August 27, 2026 – A cohort of 107 Arizonans has begun a six-month journey to strengthen their leadership and prepare to take action on the issues shaping the state as members of Valley Leadership’s Catalyze Class 6.

Now in its sixth year, Catalyze brings together emerging and established leaders from a wide range of sectors, backgrounds and communities. Throughout the program, participants explore their individual leadership styles, examine the systems and challenges shaping Arizona, and build relationships that help them lead more effectively from any position.

“At a time when Arizona is experiencing tremendous growth and change, we need leaders who are prepared to listen, learn and work alongside others,” said Carrie Larson, Program Manager for Catalyze. “Class 6 represents the kind of leadership our state needs, people with different perspectives who share a commitment to showing up and helping move Arizona forward.”

Class 6 officially began its leadership journey at the Catalyze Kickoff, featuring a keynote address from Arizona State University President Michael Crow. His remarks challenged participants to consider their role in Arizona’s future and set the stage for a program centered on personal growth, deeper understanding and community impact.

Catalyze is designed to make leadership development accessible to people at different stages of their personal and professional journeys, strengthening and expanding a growing network of Arizonans committed to meaningful action.

“As someone who grew up in Phoenix, I’m excited to join the Valley Leadership Catalyze Class because it represents a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of the Valley, connect with purpose-driven leaders, and challenge myself to think more broadly about how I can create meaningful impact across our region. I look forward to learning from diverse perspectives, building lasting relationships, and developing the skills needed to help drive positive change throughout the communities we serve,” said Erica Tricco, the Vice President of Sales at Goodmans and a Catalyze Class 6 participant.

Over the next six months, participants will develop their personal leadership practices, gain insight into Arizona’s most pressing issues and connect with Valley Leadership’s broader ecosystem of changemakers. After completing the program, graduates will have opportunities to continue their involvement through Valley Leadership’s Impact Maker initiative and other avenues for community action.

Valley Leadership thanks Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation for its continued support of Catalyze and its investment in developing leaders who are building a stronger Arizona.

To learn more about Catalyze or meet the members of Class 6, visit valleyleadership.org.

About Valley Leadership

Valley Leadership gives Arizonans the tools to solve challenges together. We do that by empowering Arizonans to lead through our learning opportunities and mobilizing them to make a difference on our state’s most pressing issues through our Impact Maker. With a track record of over 45 years of strengthening Arizona leaders, we are working to provide more opportunities than ever before to engage and empower Arizonans to lead. The Impact Maker gives us a unique opportunity to partner with the community on our greatest challenges and find solutions together. Learn more at valleyleadership.org.