​“I see a big and bright future for each of you.”

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That’s how the morning of Class 39’s, The Greatest of All Time, Roger That! last class began. A simple sentence, but one that echoed through everything we’ve experienced these past nine months. The early mornings, the powerful speakers, the unexpected lessons, the vulnerable moments.

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Gary Shapiro, in his signature style, reminded us why we started this journey in the first place. And then came the Gary Shapiro gift bag. Inside was a small megaphone which was a playful, almost whimsical token, with a weighty reminder: Be a voice for what’s good and righteous.

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That spirit defined Leadership Emerging Day. Held at Nationwide’s Cavasson campus, the day invited us not just to reflect on what leadership means and the classes we have completed, but to prepare for what it demands. Action.

We were welcomed with coffee, connection, and gratitude from Dana, followed by opening remarks from David Wilson, the day sponsor. Lee Ann Witt guided us through the values and structure behind Scottsdale Leadership—engagement, connection, stewardship—and how this program continues to thrive through alumni support. Then she offered a call-to-action for Class 39 to participate in shaping the direction of Scottsdale Leadership.

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We took a collective breath with Brene Brown’s "The Man in the Arena", a video that reinforced that the real credit always belongs to those who show up, take risks, and lead from the front.

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Then came one of the most powerful moments of the day:
The Aspirational Leader Panel, moderated by Erin Gerace, featuring:

• Raoul Zubia

• Doreen Reinke

• Dr. Erica Tatum-Sheade

• Kevin Maxwell​

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Each panelist shared their leadership journey and offered deep, personal reflections. When asked what traits define a great leader, a clear theme emerged:
Integrity. Authenticity. Empathy. Resilience.

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Kevin Maxwell’s personal short story stood out. He shared his lifelong passion for playing the drums and how it brought him joy and purpose. A small story of vulnerability was shared about how he posted his drumming on YouTube only to be ridiculed. That moment of judgement lead to, and without even meaning to, gave us a beautiful analogy:  Play the drums: even when no one else hears the beat.
Lead in the way that feels true to you.
Because critics don’t matter when they have no drum of their own to beat.

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That is leadership: Having the courage to step into the arena, even when others stand on the sidelines and judge. True leaders face the naysayers, not with anger, but with purpose and continue the fight for what they believe in.

Later, committee members shared how Class 39 could stay involved through programs, outreach, marketing, alumni events, and board service. It was a powerful reminder: Graduation isn’t the finish line, it’s the next starting line.

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Over lunch, we reflected individually through Time Capsule Letters and My Intent bracelets, small but meaningful tokens of the leadership journey we've traveled, where we want to go, and the message we want to send to ourselves one year from now.

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The afternoon shifted to focus on the Project PLIF: Project Lead It Forward, led by Diane Stouffer. Wrapping up with questions on what to expect at graduation and the final day of our program.

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Finally, we circled up one last time to share our Words of Intent - a powerful, vulnerable reflection where each of us offered one word that would guide our leadership journey moving forward.

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Because in the end, this day wasn’t just about celebrating where we’ve been. 
It was about committing to where we’re going.

As Theodore Roosevelt said:

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“It is not the critic who counts… the credit belongs to the one who is actually in the arena.”

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Class 39, we’re in the arena now.
 We’re no longer preparing to lead, we are leading.

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And to anyone wondering if they’re ready…
If your heart is stirring, if you care deeply, if you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I could help?”,  then this is your moment.

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Join the arena.
 We’re saving you a seat.