Burton Family Foundation Launches Inaugural Cohort of the AZ Leadership Accelerator
New program invests in leaders driving Arizona's nonprofit sector forward
The Burton Family Foundation celebrated the launch of the AZ Leadership Accelerator (AZLA), a new 18-month leadership development program designed to strengthen how Arizona's nonprofit leaders lead, how their organizations operate, and how they collaborate to solve complex community challenges. The inaugural cohort gathered August 31–September 2 for a kick-off convening that marked the start of the program.
“What makes this cohort special isn't just the curriculum, it's the community," said Christy Burton, co-founder and chair of the Burton Family Foundation.
AZLA draws its participants from the Burton Family Foundation’s Arizona-based nonprofit partners. Participants are senior-level leaders who bring deep knowledge of their organizations and communities, along with a readiness to build capacity in planning, scaling, sustainability, and adaptive leadership.
"This cohort represents some of the strongest leadership talent in Arizona's nonprofit sector," said Glenn Wike, president and CEO of the Burton Family Foundation. "These are leaders who have already shown what it takes to move their organizations forward, often with more mission than resources. AZLA is an investment in helping them go even further, not just for their organizations, but for the communities they serve across Arizona."
The inaugural cohort brings together seven leaders from across Arizona's nonprofit landscape:
Becky Bell Ballard, Chief Executive Officer, Rosie's House
Julie Euber, Chief Executive Officer, SARSEF (Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation)
Soilo Felix, President and Chief Executive Officer, Be A Leader Foundation
Suzanne Kammerman, Executive Director, Arivaca Human Resource
Hannah Mailand, Director of Operations, The Launch Pad Teen Center
Beth Maloney, Executive Director, Act One
Angela Rose, Chief Programs Officer, New Life Center
Together, these leaders represent an extraordinary range of missions across Arizona, from youth development and the arts to STEM learning, music education, senior resources, and services for survivors of domestic violence. "This cohort offers a unique opportunity in the nonprofit sector to learn alongside leaders from diverse organizations who are navigating similarly complex challenges," said Angela Rose, chief programs officer of New Life Center. "I am most looking forward to engaging in a collaborative learning environment where I can not only gain new perspectives and leadership tools but also contribute my own experiences to the group."
For Suzanne Kammerman, executive director of Arivaca Human Resource, AZLA fills a gap that years of hands-on leadership never had room for. "I have worn every hat imaginable — I have written grants, cooked meals, counseled neighbors in crisis, built the website, and cast vision for programs that didn't exist yet. What I have never done is invest intentionally and formally in my own leadership development. Hopefully that changes now, thanks to this opportunity from the Burton Family Foundation."
Over the next 18 months, participants will learn side by side, drawing on each other's experience as much as the curriculum itself.
"Being aware that my leadership identity is closely tied to the success and growth of the organization reinforces the importance of continuing to grow, reflect, and remain intentional about my development," said Soilo Felix, president and CEO of Be A Leader Foundation, "not only for Be A Leader, but also for the broader nonprofit community."
About the Burton Family Foundation
Established in 2015, the Burton Family Foundation is dedicated to fostering positive transformation and empowering individuals and communities across Arizona. The foundation invests in youth, education, and human services organizations, initiatives, and innovations to support long-term, sustainable impact throughout the state. The foundation has awarded more than $73 million in grant and scholarship support since inception. For more information visit burtonfamilyfoundation.org.
