Phoenix (STN) – It was always going to be a “Season of Strength.”
As Season 4 of ‘It Happens at STN’ came to a close, the finale reflected everything the STN team and its community partners set out to accomplish: bringing together leaders, changemakers, and organizations to confront Arizona’s toughest challenges through collaboration, innovation, and action in the face of almost constant uncertainty.
The episode opened with Leading in the Moment, featuring UMOM CEO Monique Lopez, Ability360 President and CEO Chris Rodriguez, and Bank of America Phoenix President Scott Vanderpool. The discussion explored what leadership looks like in a rapidly changing environment, emphasizing transparency, creativity, opportunity, and the importance of building stronger communities through connection and collaboration.
WATCH: ‘It Happens at STN’ Episode 10, Season 4
The conversation was followed by an impact feature highlighting the partnership between Bank of America and Dress for Success Arizona, showcasing how workforce development programs and corporate support can help individuals build careers and achieve long-term economic mobility.
Next, Valley of the Sun United Way President and CEO Carla Vargas Jasa joined Sunbelt Holdings Chairman and CEO John Graham for a discussion about navigating funding uncertainty, strengthening the nonprofit safety net, and helping organizations focus on their core strengths while working together to meet growing community needs.
The episode then shifted to education and leadership with a profile of University of Phoenix Provost and Chief Academic Officer John Woods, followed by an interview with Dr. Judy Robles, whose story of resilience, mentorship, and perseverance reinforced the importance of investing in future generations.
On The Wellness Collective, Mercy Care CEO Tad Gary and NourishPHX Executive Director Beth Fiorenza examined transportation as a critical but often overlooked barrier to food security. The conversation highlighted how partnerships with organizations like Elaine are helping residents access food, healthcare, and other essential services while drawing attention to the growing demand facing food assistance providers.
The episode concluded with McQuaid Mission, where LaWana Fulton Mills of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined Keys to Change CEO Amy Schwabenlender and Director of Strategic Impact Richard Crews to discuss how strategic partnerships can drive systems-level change in homelessness services. Their conversation focused on trust, listening, shared goals, and the collective impact required to move more people from homelessness into stable housing.
As the curtain falls on the “Season of Strength,” one message stands above the rest: Arizona’s future will be shaped by leaders willing to collaborate, innovate, and lean into challenges together.
‘It Happens at STN’ returns for its Season 5 premiere in September. Registration for ticket information is now open.
