PHOENIX (STN) — The penultimate episode of season three of the groundbreaking local media experience âIt Happens at STNâ delivered a dynamic look at how Arizonaâs most committed leaders are reshaping systems to serve their communities better. From boardrooms to birthing rooms to walk-up welcome centers, the episode spotlighted the people challenging norms and leading with purpose.
UMOMâs CEO Jackson Fonder and COO Monique Lopez kicked off the show with a deep dive into the shifting landscape of donor expectations. In the âLeading in the Momentâ action panel, they emphasized how giving has evolved and todayâs donors are looking for impact, outcomes, and a clear place in an organizationâs strategy.
Lopez also shared her journey as a Virginia G. Piper Fellow, explaining how the award allowed her to study national models in culinary job training and social enterprise. Her takeaway: Intentional investment in leadership development builds stronger, more sustainable organizations.
Next, the STN team took the audience inside NiÃąos en mi Casa, a workforce development program empowering home-based childcare providers. Led by Candelen and supported by Chicanos por la Causaâs âPrÃĐstamos,â this initiative helps underserved entrepreneurs grow their businesses while expanding access to quality childcare, which is critical to workforce stability in Arizona.
Then Angela Clervoix of Stingley Management offered a corporate lens, explaining how her family’s McDonaldâs franchises have embedded philanthropy, like Ronald McDonald House Charities, into daily operations.
The show wrapped up with Jon Ehlinger from the Garcia Family Foundation talking with Keys to Change CEO Amy Schwabenlender about how data-driven strategies can reduce homelessness.
Watch ‘It Happens at STN’ Episode 9, Season 3:
Here are the highlights from the June 2025 episode
5:40-15:40
Setting new expectations as donors shift how they give
UMOM leaders Jackson Fonder and Monique Lopez broke down how donor expectations have evolved. They highlighted the shift toward transparency, measurable outcomes, and how AI is transforming nonprofit strategy, storytelling, and communication.
15:41-18:50
Piper Fellowship and investing in nonprofit leadership growth
UMOM COO Monique Lopez shared how her Virginia G. Piper Fellowship enabled her to explore best practices in social enterprise and job training and how the experience helped her bring back leadership development strategies to UMOM.
20:30-23:39
Empowering caregivers to launch childcare businesses and fuel Arizonaâs workforce
Candelen and PrÃĐstamos CDFI have teamed up to launch NiÃąos en Mi Casa, a childcare-focused workforce development program that boosts economic opportunity while expanding access to quality early education.
23:40-29:09
How corporate philanthropy and authenticity fuel lasting community impact
Angela Clervoix of Stingley Management discussed her family’s legacy of corporate giving and the power of authentic partnerships and encouraged nonprofits to stay true to their mission.
32:45-36:03
Mercy Care Water Drive
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Mercy Care launched a summer heat relief campaign, aiming to collect over 40,000 bottles of water with the support of employees, social media, and its partner, St. Mary’s Food Bank.
37:46-42:05
The effort to serve 600,000+ underbanked Arizonans with accessible banking
Arizona Financial Credit Unionâs Jason Paprocki introduced âAzpireâ, a new financial services brand tailored for Arizonaâs underbanked population, and invited community leaders to help shape the initiative.
43:08-58:30
Using data to flip the script on homelessness
See how Keys to Change and the Garcia Family Foundation are leveraging data to reduce homelessness. By focusing on prevention, tracking outcomes, and building university-led evaluation tools, theyâre working to reverse Arizonaâs 2:1 inflow/outflow ratio.
