It Happens at STN: Episode 5, Season 3

PHOENIX (STN) –PHOENIX (STN) – After a short break, ‘It Happens at STN’ returned for the first episode in 2025 packed with leadership insights, organizations dedicated to dealing with systemic issues facing the Valley, and an exciting new platform for local changemakers.

In ‘Leading in the Moment,’ leadership from UMOM discussed how organizations should navigate sudden change while ensuring their mission remains strong by constantly preparing and putting systems in place to manage crises, big and small.

The STN team took the audience inside Ability360’s Youth360 program, which helps young people with disabilities gain career skills and confidence to shape their future.

One evening highlight included co-CEOs from the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine, Christina Spicer and Mary Mitchell, returning to the STN stage with Girl Scoutt Caddette Savannah Scott for an ‘In the Room’ panel discussion highlighting how young leaders bring fresh energy while seasoned leaders offer invaluable wisdom. The discussion reinforced the power of multi-generational leadership and the importance of valuing every voice.

As Phoenix faces a growing need for emergency shelter, leaders from Keys to Change and Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) came together to discuss the collaboration required to create real, lasting solutions.

The episode ended with Carla Vargas Jasa, CEO of Valley of the Sun United Way, and Jenny Holsman Tetreault, VP & general counsel for TPI Composites, analyzing the latest Mighty Change scorecard and exploring how organizations can turn tough data into meaningful action.

Plus, in a special moment, STN CEO Eric Sperling unveiled STN+, a brand-new membership platform designed to deliver local leadership development and personal growth content—giving the STN community a new way to stay sharp, connected, and inspired.

4:18-15:25

Leading through sudden change

UMOM CEO Jackson Fonder and COO Monique Lopez address how sudden change can impact an organization and how leaders can embed strategies and build systems to ensure the mission doesn’t stop.

19:02-22:47

Helping Youth with Disabilities Take Charge of Their Future

For many youth with disabilities, career and education paths after high school are rarely discussed. The STN team goes inside Ability360’s Youth360 to see how it is changing lives by providing a space to explore opportunities, build skills, gain confidence, and create a future they’re excited about.

23:09-36:20

“Wisdom lives at both ends”

Co-CEOs of the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine, Mary Mitchell and Christina Spicer, return to the STN stage with Girl Scout Caddette Savannah Scott to explain how seeking out and combining multi-generational perspectives creates stronger leaders.

39:29-42:42

Collaboration, accountability required to fix the crisis of shelter bed shortage

As emergency shelter capacity in the greater Phoenix area continues to fall short of what’s needed, leaders from Keys to Change and Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) sit down to talk about the collaboration required to develop real solutions and the steps that must be taken together to drive lasting change.

43:00-52:34

Turning Tough Metrics into Meaningful Solutions

Carla Vargas Jasa, CEO of the Valley of the Sun United Way, and Jenny Holsman Tetreault, VP and associate general counsel from TPI Composites, discuss the most recent Mighty Change scorecard and how organizations can turn data into impact to drive real change.