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