ASU Alumni Association inducts Class 8 of ASU Leadership Institute

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, 25 alumni leaders were welcomed into Class 8 of the Leadership Institute during orientation at the Old Main building on ASU's Tempe campus. The cohort gathered with a shared excitement to reconnect with their alma mater, expand their Sun Devil network and gain insights to strengthen their leadership skills.

The Leadership Institute is a nine-month program designed for seasoned Sun Devil leaders to explore how ASU approaches leadership and innovation through the lens of its charter. Participants engage in nine monthly Innovation Days that include campus visits, conversations with ASU executives and behind-the-scenes tours of the university.

“The goal of the ASU Leadership Institute is to showcase major areas of the university, build your professional and personal leadership development and create a cohort of ASU ambassadors,” said Ellyse Crow, director of affinity programs at the ASU Alumni Association, during her remarks to Class 8 at orientation.

The 2025–26 class includes professionals from Arizona, California and Pennsylvania, with graduation years spanning from 1986–2022. Their industries include construction, technology, education, marketing, nonprofit, government and more, encouraging cross-sector connections among Sun Devil alumni.

David Diokno, ’03 MEd and ’11 EdD, is an education leadership executive at Apple and conducts fieldwork in both Pennsylvania and Virginia. As a member of Class 8, he’s eager to develop new leadership skills he can take back to his organization.

“I think it’s a mix,” Diokno said when asked what excites him most about the program. “It’s a mix of learning more about the university and networking with fellow alumni while also figuring out ways to become more involved and give back. It’s been quite a while since I graduated, so I’m excited to get involved and learn more.”

In addition to Innovation Days, participants can take part in elective opportunities — such as volunteering at football tailgates or attending ASU fine arts performances — designed to honor traditions, enhance the alumni experience and advance the university.

Toward the end of orientation, attendees heard from a panel of ASU Leadership Institute alumni, who shared personal reflections and takeaways from their experiences.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better nine-month program,” said Sarah Muench, a Class 7 graduate.

“It has impacted me in so many ways — being able to see and recognize good and bad leadership on a daily basis, understanding my own leadership style, being able to reconnect with ASU and renew my pride in the university. … There’s some amazing innovation happening here that is affecting the entire world.”

For more information on the ASU Leadership Institute and how to apply for Class 9, visit alumni.asu.edu/leadership-institute.

Patrick Camuñez, Geodis

Patrick Carlson, Arizona Public Service

Andrea Clinton, Enovence

David Diokno, Apple Inc.

Ashley Doyle, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

Abbie Fink, HMA Public Relations

Abrahan Garibay, Sundt Construction

Janae Gillespie, Inbox Vibes

Lindsay Goldstein, Leasepath

Courtney Griggs, Creative Testing Solutions

Robi Hullner, Kitchell

Danielle McMahon, Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Will Novak, Google Fiber (GFiber)

Jason Perez, Creovia

Deana Perrin, Pinnacle CX

Kristin Pozen, Duffy Group Inc.

Ana Sanchez, City of Phoenix Municipal Court

Jamie Sandys, Make-A-Wish America

William Scarbrough, Scarbrough Holdings

Shauna Schmidt, City of Chandler, Good Choice Consulting

Lesah Sesma, Casino Del Sol

Ankur Shah, NXP Inc.

Chris Simone, FEMA

Ryan Sullivan, Veridus

April Yarn, Lauren's Institute For Education