Queen Creek leadership program graduates 2024 class

The Queen Creek Citizen Leadership Institute has closed the books for 2024 after graduating 48 members.

The Queen Creek Town Council recently recognized the leadership class and Mayor Julia Wheatley congratulated them for completing the program and for taking the initiative to learn more about the community, a press release from the town stated.

The leadership institute consists of 10 sessions where participants learn about local issues and how local government works. Participants get to know their mayor and council members, town staff and local leaders from other organizations. Topics range from planning and zoning to economic development and transportation, the release stated.

To graduate, participants must attend at least seven of the 10 sessions and attend one town council meeting, one town committee or commission meeting, participate in one volunteer activity and one group project.

The following group projects were completed this year:

Family Resource Center: The group assisted in gathering donations, with a goal of collecting 800 toiletry items. The group exceeded that number by donating 1,066 items.

Mary Gloria Foundation (formerly Pan de Vida): The group helped gather back-to-school supplies including backpacks for K-12 students. The group collected more than 100 backpacks and several hundred school supplies.

Father McGivney’s Food Bank: The group helped establish a foundation for marketing and outreach by creating a logo, establishing Instagram and GiveButter accounts, along with draft posts and QR codes.

Rotary Club of Queen Creek’s Rotary Run for Resilience: The group helped raise awareness of the community event, including increasing event registrations. The group intends to stay involved and help with future events, potentially adding a 1-mile and 10K option.

One of the purposes of the Queen Creek Citizen Leadership Institute is to develop a pool of informed residents willing to serve as local leaders on boards, commissions and among their neighbors, the release stated.

The 2025 institute will begin in January, and participation is free. Anyone who lives or works in the Queen Creek area is welcome to attend, however most town committees require residency in the town limits in order to qualify for appointment.

For more information about the program or to complete an interest form, visit QueenCreekAZ.gov/CitizenLeadership .

Certificates were presented to the following graduates:

• Alex Fredericks

• Anna Anderson

• April Anderson

• Azza Elkamil

• Blake Mastyk

• Bob Johnson

• Brian Zahn

• Cheryl Lewis

• Dan Hedges

• Dawn Garcia

• Deanna Hedges

• Eric Schultz

• Gustavo Landeros

• Hema Menon

• Isabel Aguirre

• Jeremy Boillot

• Jeremy Hanna

• Jimmy Chahine

• Joni Beals

• Joseph Grossman

• Joseph Bourcier

• Josette Raper

• Joshua Zehnter

• Kassie Porter

• Kathy Allegri

• Kerry Thomas

• Kevin Moran

• Lenora Taylor

• Lilia Gonzalez

• Madelyn Zehnter

• Marc Garcia

• Maria Uriarte

• Melissa Carpenter

• Michael Zajac

• Nimisha Patel-Sciascia

• Paige Morlino

• Pam Kavathas

• Quinn Covington

• Rachele Oram

• Rebeckah Sorensen

• Rich Smith

• Robert Holmes

• Ryan Gurr

• Ryan Miller

• Sean Ríos

• Stephanie Rodriguez

• Valerie Done

• Veronica Allen