Kathy Wills: empowering college-bound students

Kathy Wills, president-elect of the Coronado Foundation for the Future, brings a unique blend of financial expertise and philanthropic passion to her role at the foundation. Her deep commitment to education drives her work supporting college-bound students through the foundation — an educational nonprofit making a difference since 2006. Kathy’s work in our community is an inspiring model of leadership, purpose and impact.

Building bridges through civic dialogue

Carlos Alfaro, founder of Arizona Talks, is a leading voice for civic engagement in Arizona. Born in Mexico and raised in Scottsdale, Carlos has built a career creating platforms that encourage inclusive, civil debate on the public issues that shape our communities. As a Flinn Brown Fellow and policy events strategist, he brings insight, passion, and purpose to the work of building a stronger, more connected Arizona.

Supporting those in need in Scottsdale  

Meet Jenny Adams, the dedicated executive director of Scottsdale Community Partners, a non-profit that’s been a vital lifeline for Scottsdale residents in need. She has been at the helm since 2015, leading with compassion and purpose as she oversees their programs and day-to-day operations. From emergency assistance and youth outreach to senior support and holiday giving, her group is making a tangible difference. Jenny’s leadership is helping strengthen the social safety net in the city. Tune in to see how you can be part of the impact.

Shea Najafi: Empowering women and igniting change 

Shea Najafi – founder of Scottsdale Women Rising – is a true powerhouse in community activism. Shea’s passion for equity, civic engagement and lifting up women’s voices has made a bold impact in Scottsdale and beyond. Tune in as we talk about what drives her work, how she’s building community and what’s next for this unstoppable force for change.

Celebrating 50 years of McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

In this episode, Bill Scarbrough takes us on a journey through one of Scottsdale’s most beloved landmarks – McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. The park celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and it includes a new $15.2 million Roundhouse project that’s set to transform the visitor experience. Bill, who is president of the board that supports the park, gives us an insider’s look at how this historic space continues to bring joy to generations of people

Scottsdale rising star is filmmaker of the year

Emilio Miguel Torres is a rising star in both education and film. By day, Emilio works in the communications department at Scottsdale Unified School District, but his creative talents go far beyond the school walls. A NYU Film School alum, he recently premiered his debut film, “The Ladder,” at the Phoenix Film Festival, where he was honored at Filmmaker of the Year for 2025. In this inspiring conversation, we talk about storytelling, education and what it means to bridge passion and purpose.

Scottsdale’s Skyler Badenoch: Hope in action

Skyler Badenoch is passionate about Scottsdale and active in a number of local groups, and he also takes on a world view. He is CEO of Hope for Haiti, an organization working to improve the quality of life for Haitian families through education, healthcare, clean water, and economic development. Skyler shares powerful stories from the field, insights into leading through crisis, and what keeps him hopeful about Haiti’s future. Skyler’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and the power of community.

 Joe Garagiola, Jr.: building the D-Backs; living the legacy

This week we welcome Scottsdale’s own Joe Garagiola Jr. — longtime baseball executive and one of the key architects behind the launch of the Arizona Diamondbacks. From the front office to Major League Baseball’s leadership team, Joe shares behind-the-scenes stories from his decades in the game, lessons on leadership, and the legacy of his legendary father. This conversation is packed with history, heart and a deep love for America’s pastime.

Inspiration from the heart of this Scottsdale leader

There is no doubt you will be inspired by Jodi Low — corporate trainer, dynamic speaker, and founder of U & Improved, a leadership development company. She empowers business leaders with the mindset and tools to lead with heart and achieve the life they truly want. She’s also passionate about building future leaders, launching U the Teen Leader in 2014, and creating a nonprofit foundation to provide scholarships for teens who need a boost to access the program. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a woman who’s leading with purpose and transforming lives along the way.

A visit behind the scenes at WestWorld

In our latest episode, we’re joined by Will Lofdahl, general manager of WestWorld, one of the premier event venues in the Southwest. From hosting world-class equestrian events to massive car shows and festivals, Will takes us behind the scenes to look at what it takes to run a facility that hosts over 100 events each year. Tune in for a conversation about community, innovation and the future of events in Scottsdale.