MEMBERSHIP What it looks like

The Emerging Leaders is a program of the Tucson Metro Chamber designed for a select group of top-performing professionals under 40 who are committed to supporting the Chamber’s mission: “Champion an environment where businesses thrive and our community prospers.”

Emerging Leaders are at the cusp of significant impact. They are already leading in their industry or organization, or actively pursuing leadership roles, and are eager to make a broader impact in Southern Arizona.

Our program is built on three pillars, each with dedicated meetings:

1. Executive Development
2. Board and Committee Service
3. Community Engagement

Each pillar includes four meetings, three of which will include guest speakers and the fourth for group debrief.

Attendance. Regular meetings occur monthly on the first Wednesday of each month, from 4:00-5:30 PM. Additionally, many Members serve on Emerging Leader committees, overviews of which will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

Engagement. Nine of the twelve meetings include one or more handpicked experts who donate their time to teach, coach, and share their wisdom. Take advantage of these exclusive opportunities by being fully engaged with these speakers, responding to and asking prodding questions of them. Likewise, be ready to share your thoughts with the group.Additional opportunities to connect with your fellow EL’ers occur immediately after regular monthly meetings via social gatherings at local restaurants. A few larger gatherings are also planned throughout the year. These socials aren’t mandatory but are highly encouraged. We want to get to know our fellow future leaders!

Continuous Improvement. Our program is continuously being developed through the collaborative efforts of the Emerging Leaders Executive Team, Chamber Staff, and the Tucson Metro Chamber Board of Directors. We value your input to help enhance our mission and structure so please share it with us.

Interested in joining the Emerging Leaders?

Complete the form below and a member of the Emerging Leaders will contact you!

The application consists of five essay questions and a two-minute video submission. Because it may take some time for you to write your responses and film your video submission, we recommend completing the essay questions in Word before typing them in the response boxes. This form will not save your progress, and we'd hate for you to lose your work.

The Emerging Leaders (EL) is a diverse team of under-40, upwardly mobile young professionals rooted in the Tucson community whose mission is to accelerate the growth of Tucson’s business climate along with their own careers. The EL is comprised of young professionals who are proven top performers representing “best in class” companies across a variety of local organizations including private, public and non-profit. Each EL member is paired with an accomplished senior executive who can help them navigate the road ahead with valuable insight and experience. Chamber members that qualify, apply to serve on the Council. This group meets monthly and the Chair is automatically appointed to serve on the Chamber Board of Directors.

The EL was founded in 2014 under the leadership of Ben Korn, Safeguard, Melissa Dulaney-Moule, T.E.P. and Whitney Thistle, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona and is supported by the Tucson Metro Chamber’s executive team and its Board of Directors. At monthly roundtable meetings, the EL has robust discussions about what political, economic and social challenges we face here in Southern Arizona. The EL also regularly hosts guest speakers including prominent local elected leaders and key business leaders who share valuable insights about our community and career development.

What differentiates this group from others is its demonstrated commitment to mentorship. Each EL member is paired with an accomplished senior executive who can help them navigate the road ahead with valuable insight and experience.

Additionally, the EL promotes a culture of civic activism and awareness relative to our local political and business landscape. Through these key tenets of knowledge and connections, the Emerging Leaders thrive on a desire to enrich the Tucson community while simultaneously propelling their own careers.

The Emerging Leaders also serves as a contributor to members of the Tucson Metro Chamber Board of Directors on issues involving strategies to keep Tucson competitive in a world economy.

The Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) is a diverse team of under-40, upwardly mobile young professionals rooted in the Tucson community whose mission is to accelerate the growth of Tucson’s business climate along with their own careers. The ELC is comprised of young professionals who are proven top performers representing “best in class” companies across a variety of local organizations including private, public and non-profit.

The ELC was founded in 2014 under the leadership of Ben Korn, Safeguard, Melissa Dulaney-Moule, T.E.P. and Whitney Thistle, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona and is supported by the Tucson Metro Chamber's executive team and its Board of Directors. At monthly roundtable meetings, the ELC has robust discussions about what political, economic and social challenges we face here in Southern Arizona. The ELC also regularly hosts guest speakers including prominent local elected leaders and key business leaders who share valuable insights about our community and career development.

What differentiates this group from others is its demonstrated commitment to mentorship. Each ELC member is paired with an accomplished senior executive who can help them navigate the road ahead with valuable insight and experience.

Additionally, the ELC promotes a culture of civic activism and awareness relative to our local political and business landscape. Through these key tenets of knowledge and connections, the Emerging Leaders thrive on a desire to enrich the Tucson community while simultaneously propelling their own careers.

The Emerging Leaders Council also serves as a contributor to members of the Tucson Metro Chamber Board of Directors on issues involving strategies to keep Tucson competitive in a world economy.

Amanda Bruno
Community Affairs Administrator | Pima Association of Governments

Chair | Emerging Leaders, Tucson Metro Chamber

Lesli Pintor | The RFP Success Company

Government Relations, Public Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economic Development, Transportation

Arizona Association for Economic Development, Planned Parenthood Arizona, Greater Tucson Leadership, Junior League of Tucson, 100+ Women Who Care, League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson, International Economic Development Council, 40 Under 40

Sean Goslar
Regional Manager, Immigration Services | Chicanos Por La Causa

Vice Chair | Emerging Leaders, Tucson Metro Chamber

Ray Flores | Flores Concepts

Nonprofit, legal

Tucson Young Professionals, Flinn-Brown Fellowship

Andrew Gasparro
Vice President of Land | KB Home

Howard Stewart | AGM Container

Homebuilding, Real Estate, Land Acquisition, Land Development, Government Relations, Community & Economic Development

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, Greater Tucson Leadership, Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Commission

Ashley Stewart
Commercial Insurance Advisor | The Mahoney Group

Bill Kelley | Diamond Ventures

Business insurance and risk management, commercial real estate, human services

Commercial Real Estate Women, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona

Becky Richards
Realtor | Realty ONE Group Integrity

Pat Risner | Hermosa Project at South32

Real estate

Tucson Young Professionals, Tucson Association of Realtors, St. Jude’s Runner

Billy Hayes
Founder | Pedroza & Hayes Accounting and Consulting, LLC

Mark Irvin | Mark Irvin Commercial Real Estate

Dr. Charlinda Haudley
(Tribal Affiliation: Navajo)
Stakeholder Outreach Coordinator/ Tribal Liaison | Central Arizona Project

Arika Wells | United Way of Southern AZ

Government Relations, Public Affairs, Water Policy, Tribal Affairs, Higher Education, Fundraising, Student Affairs , Event Planning, Assessment

Greater Tucson Leadership, Flinn-Brown Fellowship, ASU Indigenous Leadership Academy, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Tucson Young Professionals, Arizona American Indian Chamber of Commerce, University of Arizona’s American Indian Alumni Association

Conor Patterson
Real Estate Lender | The Patterson Group

CCP Properties | CCP Capital

Infantry Officer | United States Marine Corps Reserve

Cody Ritchie | Crest Insurance Group

Residential Lending & Flipping, Commercial Real Estate, Multi Family Development, Oil & Gas Holdings

Tucson Centurions, Boys and Girls Club of Tucson, American Heart Association of Southern Arizona, Tucson CareFund, Junior Achievement, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach

Courtney Hoyt
Assistant Project Manager | Sundt Construction

Kasey Hill | 3-Pillars Performance Group

Commercial Construction

Commercial Real Estate Women, Metropolitan Pima Alliance, Arizona Building Alliance

Danielle Wilcox
Talent Development Manager | Simpleview now part of Granicus

Devon Underwood | The Talent Store

Organizational Development, Human Resources, Talent Development, Performance Management, Learning and Development, Leadership Development, Program Management, Employee Engagement, Coaching, Career Development, Workforce Planning, Succession Planning

Association for Talent Development (ATD); Valley of the Sun Chapter (ATD); Nebraska Alumni Association; Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network; Jaguar Community Action Team (JCAT) Parent, Teacher, Student, and Community Organization

Eli Peart
Chief Operating Officer | Port of Tucson LLC

Past Co-Chair | Emerging Leaders & Public Policy Council, Tucson Metro Chamber

Member | Board of Directors, Tucson Metro Chamber

Bob Hoffman | Tucson Roadrunners

Land Development, Commercial Real Estate, Contract Negotiation, Logistics, HR

Public Policy Council, Junior Achievement of AZ & SoAZ, Journey Church Mission Board, Arizona Association for Economic Development, Vistage Worldwide

Gustavo Corte
Vice President, Financial Advisor | RBC Wealth Management

Jonathan Rothschild | Former Mayor of City of Tucson

Wealth management

Casa de los Ninos, El Rio Vecinos

Giovanni Garcin
President Micromex, Inc | Owner & CEO Burnhart Communications, LLC

John Winchester | ASU

Manufacturing & Remanufacturing, Warehousing & 3PL, Returns Management and Circular economy through refurbishment and Re-commerce

Underground construction and Utilities, Telecommunications installations, broadband expansion.

Boards you are involved in and/or organization affiliations

Tucson Metro Chamber, Arizona Tech Council, Maquiladora association

Hiram-Jesus Cruz
Manager | Tony’s Auto Glass

Omar Mireles | HSL Properties

Sales, business operations, management & connecting people/companies for new business opportunities.

Board Chair Therapeutic Riding of Tucson (TROT)

Honorary Commander at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Tucson Metro Chamber

Hugo C Frausto
Senior Portfolio Manager | Morgan Stanley

Partner | The Skyline Group at Morgan Stanley

Member | Mentorship Committee, Emerging Leaders

Charlie Bowles | Diamond Ventures

Specialized in macro, equity, and options strategies.

Chairman at Healing Arizona Veterans | Member Innovation Committee at The Portfolio Management Institute | Member of the American Economic Association | Marine Corps Veteran

Jose Arias
Vice President - Business Banker | First Citizens Bank

Past Co-Chair | Membership Committee, Emerging Leaders

Humberto Lopez | HSL Properties

Business Banking & Commercial Real Estate Lending, Firm & Practice Acquisitions, Equipment, Construction & Working Capital Financing. Industries: Healthcare, Professional Services as CPAs, Law Firms, Engineering, Manufacturing, Wholesale, Distribution, Transportation

Greater Tucson Leadership I Tucson Youth Development I Ace & Youthworks Charter High Schools I Tucson Metro Chamber

Justin Lukasewicz
CEO, Owner | Greater Tucson Leadership, Tucson Improv Movement

Rob Assenmacher | Mach Ventures

Leadership development, nonprofit

Amphi Foundation, Tucson Young Professionals

Nick Loper

Senior Government Affairs Representative | Tucson Electric Power

Peter Marcus | Allegra Imprint & Imaging

Government Affairs, Electric & Gas Service, Civic Engagement

Kappa Alpha - Housing Corporation President & Chapter Alumni Advisor, Elks Lodge 2148, Arizona’s Finest 2022 Cystic Fibrosis

Nick Hilton
Director of Community Relations | University of Arizona

Kris Singleton | Chenega Worldwide Support

Government Relations, Community Relations, Higher Education

Boards you are involved in and/or organization affiliations | Arizona Luminaria

Ron Stauffer
Founder | Lieder Digital

Member | Coalition Against Retail Theft, Tucson Metro Chamber

Erica Yngve | Sonoran Stitch Factory

Digital marketing, website development

Startup Tucson, Tucson Young Professionals, Downtown Tucson Partnership

Scott Kolt
Vice President of Land Acquisition | Meritage Homes

Ramon Gaanderse | Tucson Asphalt Contractors

Land Acquisition and Development, Forward Planning

Board Member Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, Regional Wastewater Advisory Board, Real Estate and Allied Professionals of Southern Arizona

Dr. Rose Hattab
Community Engagement Coordinator | First Things First

Steve Holmes | Pima County

Community and economic development, public affairs, communications, foreign affairs, education, non-profit management

Yvette-Marie Margaillan
CEO & Clinical Director, Autism Pediatrics | Owner, Tucson Tea Company

Marcel Dabdoub | Nexus Executives

Finance, Business, Government Consulting, Healthcare, Therapist for individuals with autism & other developmental disorders

provides behavioral therapy and behavioral health consulting services to members of AHCCCS and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Are you interested in becoming a part of the Emerging Leaders Council as a member or mentor?

Testimonials

"The Tucson Metro Chamber Emerging Leaders program has proven invaluable. The relationships you create, the knowledge you gain, and the connection to the local community have been uniquely enriching in professional development in the Greater Tucson ecosystem"

Heath S. Vescovi-Chiordi
Director, Economic Development | Pima County

In my four years with the Emerging Leaders, I have found this to be a group of highly ambitious and motivated professionals focused on the betterment and flourishing of Tucson. Getting to know these interesting thinkers has been a joy and a blessing and Tucson will be better for the voices and thoughts this group offers and efforts

Eli Peart
Chief Operating Officer | Port of Tucson LLC

EL Blog

Are you interested in becoming a part of the Emerging Leaders Council as a member or mentor?

Testimonials

EL Blog

Member Highlight for Robert Assenmacher

Member Highlight for Michael Miller

National Mentoring Month

New Year, New Emerging Leaders Council Members