When I first embarked on my career path, I set out to do two things: create something beautiful and generate genuine connections between people. I began working in Social Media Strategy as it was the perfect means to do both. I have a BFA in Photograph and an MS in Digital Audience Strategy, both through […]

Kris Cano is the Director of the Forensic Services Division for the Scottsdale Police Department in Arizona which includes a full-service crime laboratory, crime scene response unit, digital forensics unit, and a property and evidence warehouse. Kris who has more than 27 years of forensic experience, including 20 years with the City of Scottsdale, specializing […]

I grew up in Wisconsin with parents whose careers and projects always had a focus on helping and improving the community. My mother retired as a social worker and my father restores and revitalizes historic buildings and promotes Wisconsin’s ethnic settlements. This inspired me to find a career that would directly or indirectly make a […]

I work in higher education, focusing on private postsecondary, career colleges to serve the workforce and the community, as the Corporate Director of Community Outreach for WCUI School of Imaging and Nursing.   My community involvement includes serving as Chair of the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education. I also serve on several boards including Phoenix Business […]

Building community has always been my passion. After earning a master’s in public administration at Northern Illinois University, I spent a couple of years giving out grants to nonprofits that served low income and homeless families. I continued my career as Assistant Village Manager in Algonquin, Illinois, and then as CEO for Anthem, AZ – […]

After a long career in municipal recreation, I now work for DC Ranch as the Community Engagement Director overseeing events, communication and community engagement teams. I am a proud graduate of Scottsdale Leadership (Class 30) and have been a member of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Advisory Council since 2017. I graduated from […]

Meet Lina Kalvytė: Lina Kalvytė was born in USSR-occupied Eastern Europe. As a young woman, she immigrated to the United States, where her drive and natural business acumen enabled her to overcome the poverty of her youth and thrive in a fast-paced, challenging industrial world. Her first company was a start-up pharmaceutical fulfillment center which […]

My entire professional career has been spent in community service. For the past 28 years I have worked for the City of Scottsdale in various leadership roles.  I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from ASU and a Masters in Organizational Leadership from NAU. I was most recently appointed to the position of Library Director […]