West Valley Emerging Leaders Impact Program
The West Valley Emerging Leaders Impact Award, presented by WESTMARC in collaboration with Leadership West and the Center for the Future of Arizona, honors exceptional young professionals under 40 who are making significant contributions to the West Valley's quality of life.
This recognition spotlights individuals driving positive change across key sectors identified in the West Valley’s Quality of Life Wheel, including:
ARTS & CULTURE
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
EDUCATION
ENVIRONMENT
HEALTHCARE ACCESS
HEALTH & FITNESS
OUTDOOR RECREATION
PUBLIC SAFETY
QUALITY HOUSING
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TRANSPORTATION
Nomination Criteria
The ideal nominee is a professional under 40 who lives or works in the West Valley and demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing the region through leadership, innovation, and service.
These individuals embody the rare trifecta of being engaged, inspired, and civic-minded. They’re not only making a positive impact in their field—whether in education, public safety, healthcare, economic development, or another pillar of quality of life—but are also deeply invested in the West Valley’s long-term future.
They ask themselves:
- What actions can I take to influence positive change?
- How can I grow my leadership?
- What more can I learn about the West Valley to better serve it?
- Who can I collaborate with to make a lasting impact?
Emerging leaders who reflect the spirit of this award are:
- Curious, collaborative, and courageous
- Leaders with compassion, vision, and purpose
- Inspiring others to take initiative and get involved
- Leveraging their networks to solve regional challenges
- Gaining or actively seeking broader understanding through civic engagement, leadership development, and cross-sector collaboration
- Embody the philosophy of yielding change through deep connection, practical training, and exposure to diverse people and ideas
Note: Nominees must be recommended by a peer, mentor, or supervisor.
Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Program Background
Young talent attraction and retention has been a key regional priority in the West Valley. In 2019, WESTMARC partnered with the Center for the Future of Arizona on a “Young Talent Listening Tour” to ensure West Valley voices shaped statewide insight. The result: a values-based framework for supporting young professionals aligned with the Young Talent Progress Meter.
The Emerging Leaders Impact Award was created to bring this vision to life—by recognizing individuals under 40 who are actively shaping the future of the West Valley by advancing one or more focus areas from the West Valley’s Quality of Life Wheel through innovation, leadership, and service.
Award Purpose
The West Valley Emerging Leaders Impact Award is designed to:
- Elevate awareness of the recipient's impactful work
- Provide recognition and amplify support for their initiatives
- Offer participation in WESTMARC Issue Committees
- Advance recipients as finalists for the Best of the West Emerging Leaders Impact Award
- Provide the award winner with a scholarship to the Leadership West Flagship Program
Nomination Timeline
Nominations are open through August 8, 2025.
West Valley Emerging Leader Impact Program Winners
Congratulations to the West Valley Emerging Leader Impact Program Winners. Their leadership and dedication is noticed and recognized. Join us in seeing the winners and finalists interviews here.
