skip to Main Content

Program Purpose

2024 Emerging Leaders Announcement

In 2021, Valleywise Health Foundation established the Emerging Leaders program to empower diverse leaders representing the communities Valleywise Health serves to be change agents through philanthropy and board service. In three short years, 50 talented young professionals received mentorship from community and business leaders dedicated to providing guidance and knowledge around health equity, personal excellence and professional growth. Several Emerging Leaders alumni have engaged with philanthropic boards or taken on new challenges in their careers. All have become philanthropists who will shape the Valley’s social infrastructure for years to come.

The Foundation has decided to use 2024 to restructure the program for greater, sustainable impact through collaboration with community partners in the health and philanthropic sectors, including broader resource and stakeholder investment.

Our efforts will honor the vision of the program’s founders – Valleywise Health Foundation Board Members Liz Agboola, Sel Nutor, Alicia Nuñez and Patti Gentry – to change the face of philanthropy. We move forward with gratitude for our Emerging Leaders community of mentees and more than 100 volunteer mentors, guest speakers, sharks, and sponsors, especially Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, CopperPoint Mutual, Chicanos Por La Causa and Goodmans Interior Structures.

The Foundation will continue to support Emerging Leaders alumni throughout 2024 with philanthropic, networking and education opportunities. We welcome your input and participation. Please contact Alyssa Crockett, Senior Leadership and Legacy Giving Officer, for more information.

Overview

Emerging Leaders is a year-long program running from January through December. Each month, mentees and mentors engage in professional development sessions and one-on-one mentoring. A mentor and mentee’s experience hinges on their own participation and attendance.

Inspiring guest speakers explore different topics and foster engagement for the entire Emerging Leaders program. These sessions prepare each team of mentees to present their community engagement project.

Mentorship is key to building a successful career and providing meaningful opportunities for growth.

Many young professionals are rarely afforded an opportunity to receive direct one-on-one mentorship. Finding champions for their goals – personal and professional – is often met with challenges and roadblocks.

This program was created to remove those barriers to success and provide a stepping stone for those who want to progress in their professional pursuits.

Requirements

Mentee program participation requires a $2,500 sponsorship. Involvement in Emerging Leaders must be endorsed by employers. Mentees are required to make a personal donation or fundraise $500 to Valleywise Health Foundation. This $500 personal fundraising goal must be achieved by end of the program. Prospective mentees are required to fill out an application.

Community Engagement Project

During the program, mentees learn the value of leadership, philanthropy, personal and professional growth. Then, they will put their knowledge to the test!

In December, each cohort will present their project idea to raise funds and awareness for Valleywise Health Foundation to the entire Emerging Leaders program. This idea requires research, an execution plan and a strategy to achieve the project scope. At the Emerging Leaders Exhibition, a “Shark Tank” style competition, judges will select the best community engagement project supporting Valleywise Health.

2023 Schedule

One Friday Each Month

  • Late January –Welcome Breakfast & Orientation
  • February – Passion vs. Purpose
  • March– Culture of Philanthropy
  • April– Uncover Your Purpose
  • May – Find Your Community
  • June – Exhibition Preparation
  • August – Fear Setting
  • September – Addressing Adversity / Frame Your Mindset
  • October – Storytelling
  • November – Leading Diverse Teams
  • December – Exhibition and Capstone Celebration

Selection Process – Mentees

  • Must be nominated by executive
  • Between the ages of 25-35
  • Commitment to the program for one year (at least three hours a month to the program from January to December)
  • Holds an entry to mid-level position within their organization
  • Value diversity and inclusion
  • Represents communities of color, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, veteran population, immigrants, etc.
  • Has an individual or organization able to sponsor them for $2,500

Selection Process – Mentors

  • Commitment to a one-year mentoring program(at least three hours a month to the program from January to December)
  • At least 5-10 years of experience in C-suite, executive, senior leadership role
  • Must be able to work with mentees once a month mandatory (twice a month at the discretion of the mentor)
  • Experience serving on a board
  • Community involvement
  • Represents communities of color, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, veteran population, immigrants, etc.
Back To Top