Greater Tucson Leadership

As we wrap up FY25-26, we're sending a huge THANK YOU to our incredible Greater Tucson Leadership Board of Directors!

Our board members, all proud GTL alumni, generously give their time, talent, treasure, and ties to advance our mission to recognize, develop, and engage driven leaders to be catalysts for change. Because of their leadership, guidance, and commitment, GTL had another impactful year of developing leaders and strengthening our community.

A special thank you to our outgoing Board Chair, Alicia White, for her leadership and dedication. Your steady guidance and passion for GTL have helped move our mission forward in meaningful ways.

We're also excited to welcome our FY26-27 Executive Committee:
✨ Emilia Eldridge, Board Chair
✨ Lynda Weigel-Firor, Chair-Elect
✨ Sumi Rowe, Treasurer
✨ Zoe Burcham, Secretary

And a heartfelt farewell to our board members completing their terms: Jose Arias, Rachel Sass, and Jessa Turner. Thank you for your service, leadership, and the countless ways you've invested in GTL and our community.

Thank you, everyone, for an incredible year. We can't wait to continue creating a thriving community through exceptional leaders in FY26-27!

GTL is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization www.greatertucsonleadership.org

We are full — full of gratitude, that is. 💙

Today, we hosted our Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon, bringing together the incredible community partners who make Greater Tucson Leadership possible.

This year alone, their generosity helped us graduate 93 leaders across our programs, host 87 community events, and connect 256 speakers with the next generation of changemakers. None of it happens without our community partners.

For 46 years, this community has shown up for leadership development in Tucson — and today was simply our chance to show up for them and say thank you.

Here's to another year of recognizing, developing, and engaging the leaders to be catalysts forchange. 🌵

*Connect. Learn. Lead.*



GTL is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization www.greatertucsonleadership.org

Thank you JSCBPhotography for capturing these moments last month! And congratulations again to the Lead Tucson Class of 2026!

to last month's Lead Tucson Class of 2026 Graduation!

One of Lead Tucson's graduation traditions is the selection of a cohort speaker, chosen by their classmates to represent the collective experience, growth, and spirit of the class. This year, the Class of 2026 selected Jonathan Gordon, and his classmates couldn't have chosen a better representative.

In his remarks, Jonathan reflected on the relationships, lessons, laughter, and shared experiences that transformed a group of professionals from different industries and backgrounds into a connected community of leaders. He reminded us that leadership isn't about titles or positions, it's about showing up, listening, collaborating, and staying engaged even when challenges are complex.

Perhaps his most powerful message was that the future of Tucson won't be shaped by one person or one organization, but by people willing to work together, build trust across differences, and invest in their community.

Congratulations, Jonathan, on this well-deserved honor, and congratulations again to the entire Lead Tucson Class of 2026. Thank you for your commitment to learning, service, and leadership. We can't wait to see the impact you'll continue to make throughout Southern Arizona.

BestClassEver

Last month, Greater Tucson Leadership welcomed Community Impact Awards honorees from 1984 to 2025, along with GTL alumni, board members, and community stakeholders, for our first-ever Community Impact Awards Honoree Breakfast at The Grand Tucson.

The morning was filled with meaningful conversations, shared wisdom, new connections, and reflections on the future of leadership in our community. One thing was clear from the feedback: leaders want more opportunities to connect, learn from one another, and continue strengthening Tucson together.

Thank you to Jana Beckel of JSCBPhotography for capturing this special gathering of community leaders whose collective impact continues to shape Southern Arizona.

View the full photo album here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JfAYW2c97/