Today and Tomorrow in Scottsdale

Healing heroes through service dogs   With a mission built on compassion, healing, and hope, Sean Alfonso shares how The Pearce Family Foundation of Scottsdale is helping Arizona veterans living with PTSD and other service-related challenges through the life-changing support of service dogs. It's a powerful story of resilience, recovery, and the incredible bond between veterans and their loyal com...

Inside the vision that built Scottsdale What happens when the person who helped shape modern Scottsdale tells the story from the inside? Longtime city planner Don Hadder takes us behind the scenes of nearly four decades of growth, vision, and transformation. From the creation of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve to master-planned development and the policies that guided Scottsdale's evolution, Don sha...

Desert stewardship with Angy Shearer As CEO of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Angy Shearer is helping shape the future of conservation in Scottsdale, preserving more than 30,500 acres of natual wonder for generations to come. From protecting desert trails to inspiring community connections, it's all about stewardship, leadership and preserving the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.  

Where science meets patient care Science, innovation, and patient care all come together in this fascinating conversation with Angie Cooper, Director of Research Business Development at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale. With more than 20 years of experience in neuroscience, clinical trials, and military medicine, Angie shares how groundbreaking research moves from idea to impact —...

Where aviation meets community Kelli Kuester, Aviation Planning and Outreach Coordinator for the Scottsdale Airport, helps connect a fast-moving industry with the people it serves every day. The City Hall veteran now plays a key role in shaping how the airport grows, communicates, and stays connected to the community.   

Where storytelling meets leadership Abbie Fink, president of HMA Public Relations, knows how to turn words into impact and relationships into community change. She has spent more than 30 years shaping conversations and strengthening Scottsdale through her leadership and service. She's a connector, a storyteller, a community advocate and someone who knows exactly how to bring people together.  

Stagebrush spotlight with Michael Helander Step into the spotlight with us as we explore the magic of community theater and its impact beyond the stage. Michael Helander shares how her work with Stagebrush Theatre is helping young people discover confidence, creativity, and a true sense of belonging. It's a conversation about storytelling, community, and the kind of transformation that doesn't end...

From concert tours to real impact  With over 30 years in the entertainment industry, Maria Brunner has worked alongside music's biggest names. Today, she's channeling that experience into purpose as the founder of Musically Fed — turning unused tour catering food into meals for those in need. What began in Scottsdale is now making a global difference. With over 30 years in the entertainment indust...

The man behind all that jazz William "Doc" Jones is founder of the International Jazz Day Arizona Foundation — a catalyst behind bringing world-class jazz to our state. With April being Jazz Appreciation Month, the timing is perfect. With live performances, including a festival in Scottsdale, the rhythm is everywhere… and Doc is right at the center of it. If you love music, culture, and stories th...

Kati Ballares on shaping Scottsdale's creative future   Kati Ballares, director of public art for Scottsdale Arts, is the visionary behind the city's dynamic public art program. Now, she's leading the effort to shape the city's next public art plan, influencing how art will inspire, connect, and define the community for years ahead. It's a fresh look at creativity, community, and the future of Sco...

Justin Layman: from Army service to community impact Justin Layman, an Army veteran who served two tours overseas, now works to help businesses secure the resources they need to grow. He also serves as President of the Veterans Advisory Commission for the city of Scottsdale, where he works to elevate veteran voices and expand access to critical resources. His is a story of leadership, economic opp...

Eileen Rogers: Leadership, service, impact  Eileen Rogers is an entrepreneur, executive coach, and a leader whose impact reaches far beyond the boardroom. A former CEO who built a successful multimillion-dollar company, Eileen has also devoted her time and heart to community work. Her contributions have earned her many honors, including induction into the Scottsdale History Makers Hall of Fame. He...

Time to 'play ball' with Jeff Meyer  As another spring training season unfolds, we catch up with Jeff Meyer, president of the Cactus League Association. For nearly two decades, he has helped shape the partnerships that bring Major League Baseball to communities across the Valley — working alongside civic leaders and nonprofits like the Scottsdale Charros to make it all happen. He's also served on...

Andrea Robertson: the story behind Lexie's Law Andrea Robertson is founder of Lexie's Voice, which started as her determination to secure the right diagnosis and education for her daughter and grew to become a statewide movement. Andrea led the charge behind Lexie's Law, opening doors for hundreds of Arizona children with autism and developmental disabilities. Her story is one of grit, advocacy, a...

Smiles that matter for healthier futures Barb Kozuh is executive director of the Delta Dental Foundation of Arizona, based in Scottsdale. She brings real heart to the work of expanding access to oral health care across our communities. She talks about why oral health is about so much more than smiles — it's about dignity, opportunity, and how investing in people and partnerships can truly change l...

Building better communities with Charlie Popeck Charlie Popeck is a longtime leader in sustainability and green building and the founding principal of Green Ideas Building Science Consultants. He has spent his career helping communities create buildings that are healthier, more resilient, and more deeply connected to the places we call home. Join us for a conversation about stewardship, smart grow...

Liberty Wildlife and our shared responsibility Laura Hackett is the education manager and biologist with Liberty Wildlife, an organization devoted to protecting native wildlife and nurturing a deeper sense of compassion and stewardship in our community. Join us for a conversation about   our responsibility to the natural world, the beauty of showing up with care, and the deep connection between co...

Where cakes become messages of love For Goodness Cakes Arizona is an organization that brings dignity, joy, and a sense of belonging to children in foster care. Through custom-made cakes, they remind kids that they are seen, celebrated, and deeply loved. Join us as we visit with three volunteers for a tender conversation about compassion, community, and how small acts of care can leave a lasting i...

Scottsdale duo reimagining public education Peter Bezanson and Patti Bezanson are co-chairs of BASIS Educational Ventures, based in Scottsdale, and two of the visionary leaders behind one of the highest-performing public school networks in the nation. From rapid growth to academic excellence, they share how BASIS Charter Schools scaled success without losing rigor. It's a thoughtful conversation o...

Scottsdale's mystery writer unveils desert secrets Scottsdale's own Betty Webb is the mind behind the Lena Jones mystery series. Her novels plunge readers into the stark, mesmerizing desert that surrounds our city, shaped by the same sharp observational eye she honed as a journalist. We're talking sweeping landscapes, unforgettable characters, and how she made the leap from reporting the truth to...

Jenna Kohl is director of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, one of Scottsdale's most treasured natural landmarks. Under her leadership, she works to ensure that the Preserve continues to thrive as a model of community stewardship, sustainability, and outdoor recreation. Jenna talks about what it takes to protect and preserve this stunning desert landscape, spanning thousands of acres and hundreds of...

Every Woman's Marathon comes to Scottsdale Miranda Abney is one of the driving forces behind the Every Woman's Marathon, a national running event and festival celebrating women's strength, wellness, and community. The marathon comes to Scottsdale on Sunday, Nov. 16, with pre-race events all that weekend. Learn more about the marathon's mission, why Scottsdale was chosen as the host city, and what...

Donna Tew: bridging service and civilian life   Donna Tew leads the SkillBridge program, a Department of Defense initiative that helps service members transition from military to civilian life. SkillBridge partners with organizations like HonorHealth to provide valuable hands-on experience and career opportunities. Donna, who served in the Air Force, shares how this program bridges the gap between...

Enid Seiden: Inspiring service across Scottsdale Enid Seiden is a dedicated civic volunteer and philanthropic leader whose work embodies the spirit of community in Scottsdale. As vice chair of the Scottsdale Public Library Board and a member of the Foster Care Review Board of Maricopa County, Enid is helping shape a more connected, compassionate city — one family, one reader, and one act of servic...

Bridging nature and city life at SCC   John Weser is director of the Center for Native and Urban Wildlife at Scottsdale Community College. Through his leadership, the center has become a living classroom for conservation — restoring habitats, educating students, and showing how wildlife and urban life can flourish side by side. It's a conversation about connection, stewardship and the beauty of Ar...