Stephanie was born and raised in Scottsdale, and she and her brother Jacob attended Navajo Elementary School and Saguaro High School. After graduating, Stephanie moved to Flagstaff to attend Northern Arizona University (NAU), where she was a student with an interest in astronomy. She took advanced physics and science courses, learning about complex topics that many of us would find hard to even pronounce, let alone understand. But after a conversation with a professor, Stephanie realized that a career in astronomy wasn’t the right path for her. She learned that it would take years before she could use her people skills to collaborate with other astronomers and get hands-on with the telescopes she admired. So, she decided to shift her focus and study Parks and Recreation Management instead, combining her love of the outdoors with her strong organizational skills.

 

In 2005, Stephanie returned to Scottsdale.  After a brief stint with the YMCA, she joined the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.  She started in special events and spent over 11 years working at Scottsdale Stadium.  Over the 18 years she has been with the department she has worked her way from overseeing the small events in Scottsdale, to our larger operations like Scottsdale Park system.  Now, she is running the wonderful McCormick Stillman Railroad Park.  If you have driven by Railroad Park recently, you will see that they are working on some major improvement projects.

The upgrades include a new railroad-themed play area designed like an old-fashioned roundhouse and a splash pad, all set to be completed by June 2025. These new features will make the park even more enjoyable for visitors for years to come.

​

The City of Scottsdale is a major supporter of Scottsdale Leadership.  They are always looking for up and coming employees to go through the program.   Stephanie had known about Scottsdale Leadership for many years, but she finally had the time to go through the program and joined Class 36.  She graduated with her classmates in 2022.  She absolutely loved the experience and continues to stay involved in many Scottsdale Leadership activities, currently serving on the Board of Directors and leading the committee for this year’s Spirit of Community Leadership Awards Luncheon in December.

 

Stephanie’s story is a reflection of so many dedicated City of Scottsdale employees.  The hard work they do not only brings professional fulfillment, but enriched their own lives as well. She and her husband Dave, who have been married for 11 years, are raising their two children in Scottsdale. Their son Austin, 9, and daughter April, 6, are both students at Navajo Elementary, just like Stephanie was. Her brother, Jacob Johnson, also works for the city as the acting Emergency Manager. Even Stephanie’s mom still lives in the family home across from Navajo Elementary—the place where Stephanie grew up. It’s clear that Scottsdale is in their family’s DNA, which is truly special.

 

During her time in Scottsdale Leadership, Stephanie gained new insights into the city she loves.  She told us one bit of wisdom she learned from our friend and resident Scottsdale Historian Joan Fudala during Scottsdale History Day made a huge impact on her.  Joan told the class that our local Indian community used a mindset that anything new they built or created should be welcomed by 7 generations of their fore bearers in the past, and 7 generations of their progeny in the future.  At first, we wondered how this ancient perspective could resonate with someone who once dreamed of being a scientist.  But it came to us when we realized how much Stephanie takes pride in what she does. She is strong enough to go into new endeavors with that mindset, and quietly make it work. We are very fortunate indeed to have Stephanie on our Scottsdale Leadership team.  We are pretty sure that the things she is doing now will be very much appreciated by Scottsdale residents 7 generations in the future.  We should all strive for the same thing.