For four decades, Scottsdale Leadership has quietly shaped many of the leaders who help guide the city forward. At the helm today is Executive Director Lee Ann Witt, whose passion for community, connection, and stewardship reflects the organization’s founding spirit—and its future vision.
Scottsdale Leadership began with a simple but powerful idea. As Witt explains, the organization was founded by four community leaders, three of whom were involved in the early days of Valley Leadership. They believed Scottsdale deserved something of its own.
“They believed Scottsdale deserved its own leadership organization—one that reflected the city’s unique character and needs,” she says. “The story goes that the idea was literally sketched out on a napkin, fueled by a shared vision to make leadership development even better for Scottsdale.”
At its core, Scottsdale Leadership exists to serve the community through informed leadership, with its mission statement noting it is to “… inform, inspire, and empower leaders to champion and strengthen the interests of the community. Our values are engagement, inclusion, connection, courage, and stewardship.”
In practice, Witt says, that means developing leaders who are deeply invested in Scottsdale’s people and future, immersed in “the real story of Scottsdale—its people, challenges, and opportunities—so they are equipped to lead with perspective, integrity, and purpose. At its heart, our work is about relationships and stewardships: bringing leaders together across sectors and preparing them to step up, serve, and strengthen Scottsdale now and in the future.”
The program itself is known for its immersive, full-day class experiences that explore nearly every facet of the city. Topics range from economic development and city government to public safety, education, healthcare, arts and culture, technology, and human services.
“Some say it is like getting a Ph.D. in Scottsdale!” Witt says.
While economic development and city government days stand out to her for the way they “pull back the curtain on how Scottsdale works,” Witt says her favorite moments come from watching participants discover what resonates with them. “There’s always a moment when something clicks and changes how they see the community.”
Staying relevant is a constant priority. Witt emphasizes that Scottsdale Leadership listens closely to its community—participants, alumni, board members, advisory councils, and community partners—to ensure the curriculum evolves alongside the city. That same philosophy guides how the organization collaborates with civic leaders, nonprofits, and businesses.
“We engage our community partners, civic leaders, and local businesses by building real, long-term relationships, not transactional ones,” she says.
One of the most tangible expressions of that collaboration is Project Lead It Forward (PLIF), Scottsdale Leadership’s signature community service initiative. Since 2008, the program has completed 78 projects and contributed more than 66,000 volunteer hours, partnering with organizations ranging from Miracle League Arizona and UMOM to Saguaro High School.
“The impact on both the organizations and our leaders is truly priceless,” Witt says.
Looking ahead, Witt sees Scottsdale Leadership continuing to deepen its role as a civic cornerstone.
“Ultimately, I want Scottsdale Leadership to be a trusted steward of leadership in our city—an organization that not only develops leaders but leaves Scottsdale stronger because of them,” she says.
As the organization celebrates 40 years, new initiatives underscore that commitment, including the first-ever alumni PLIF project and a CEO Executive Program launching this fall. Together, Witt says, these efforts “honor our legacy while ensuring Scottsdale Leadership continues to grow, evolve, and lead well into the future.”