Phoenix (STN) – Another packed house and another night of leaders putting solutions in motion.
The January episode of ‘It Happens at STN’ opened with a grounded look at capital campaigns as tools for long-term impact, not just big checks and new buildings. UMOM CEO Monique Lopez and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley Chief Development Officer Sam Fowler broke down the difference between traditional and “working” capital campaigns, and why the most effective efforts sit on top of, rather than replace, annual fundraising.
From there, USAA’s Patrick Fitzhugh shared his “power of the pause” lesson, encouraging leaders to slow down when emotions spike and respond with intention. Using the STOP framework, stop, think, organize, proceed, Fitzhugh challenged the audience to choose actions that reflect their values instead of reacting in the heat of the moment.
Food insecurity took center stage in ‘The Wellness Collective’ as Mercy Care’s Trisha Stuart joined January Contreras of Children’s Action Alliance and Joy Bus founder and CEO Jennifer Caraway. Together, they examined how policy shifts and SNAP disruptions ripple through children, families, and people fighting cancer, and why food access must be treated as a health issue, not just a social one.
Child Crisis Arizona CEO Torrie Taj followed with a direct challenge to the long-standing nonprofit overhead myth. She argued that investing in people, infrastructure, and reserves is not waste, but the foundation that allows organizations to remain strong, sustainable, and ready for the future.
WATCH: ‘It Happens at STN’ Episode 5, Season 4
The show closed with a powerful conversation on advocacy and action featuring CASS CEO Nathan Smith and AZ DC Consulting CEO Chuck LeVinus. Together, they illustrated how leaders can influence legislation by understanding bill language, centering the voices of people most affected, and building real relationships with policymakers.
‘It Happens at STN’ will return with an all-new episode in early February. If you would like to be part of the revolutionary experience that is rewriting what local media can do for communities, tickets for the remainder of the shows this season are available here.
