Class 8 of the ASU Leadership Institute celebrates graduation at Old Main

Throughout the past nine months, a cohort of 24 outstanding Sun Devils reconnected with their alma mater through the Arizona State University Leadership Institute — an ASU Alumni Association program designed to advance alumni leaders into ambassadors for the university.

On Friday, May 15, Class 8 celebrated the culmination of the program with a graduation ceremony in the Carson Ballroom at Old Main, surrounded by friends, family and supporters. The event was marked by reflection, Sun Devil pride and a renewed understanding of how ASU continues to foster innovation through leadership.

“I feel really proud,” said Janae Gillespie, Class 8 participant and program coordinator at Valley Metro, as she reflected on how it feels to be graduating with her cohort. “Proud that I got the opportunity to be a part of this community, and proud knowing all the things ASU is doing to be community-involved.” 

Over the course of nine monthly, all-day sessions known as Innovation Days, which began in August, participants explored ASU from the perspective of a Sun Devil leader. Cohort members took behind-the-scenes tours of university spaces, visited campuses across the Valley and connected with ASU executives leading innovation throughout the institution.

Highlights included tours of ASU Gammage, the School of Earth and Space Exploration, the set of Cronkite News at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dreamscape Learn, Sun Devil Athletics facilities and more.

“I had never been to the Polytechnic campus or West campus. It was really amazing to see the spaces and communities that ASU is a part of — I didn’t know what that footprint looked like,” said Ashley Doyle, Class 8 graduate and program director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

In addition to site visits, the cohort engaged in conversations with university leaders, including ASU President Michael M. Crow, Sun Devil Women’s Basketball head coach Molly Miller, ASU Athletics Director Graham Rossini and Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, special advisor to Crow for leadership initiatives and co-founder of the ASU Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab.

By the end of the program, participants said they felt energized to bring a fresh approach to leadership back to their organizations and communities.

“I really honed what type of leader I am. I realized I could bring other people’s strengths into what I do,” Doyle said.

Graduates highlighted how the ASU Leadership Institute network extends beyond individual cohorts to unite the broader Sun Devil community.

“I was able to learn how to problem solve,” said Patrick Camuñez, Class 8 member and Americas director of insurance of risk management at Geodis. “There’s so many different people here and so many different perspectives — hearing everyone’s ideas and suggestions made me so happy. It was such a good time.”

The cohort selected Class 8 participant Courtney Griggs, strategic communications director at Creative Testing Solutions, to deliver celebratory remarks during the graduation ceremony. In her speech, Griggs reflected on the lasting connections built throughout the program and the group’s shared values centering around ASU’s Charter.

“In the past year, I've met stunning individuals with deep pride for an institution that launched or re-launched them into careers — into lives that matter. They are grateful, kind and generous with their knowledge and themselves,” Griggs said, referring to her cohort. 

“This past year made us even more proud of the university that helped shape us … we are all better today because of our time together.”

Congratulations to the graduates of the ASU Leadership Institute Class 8:
 

• 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
• Abe Garibay, Sundt Construction
• Janae Gillespie, Valley Metro
• Lindsay Goldstein, Leasepath
• Courtney Griggs, Creative Testing Solutions
• 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

To learn more about the ASU Leadership Institute, visit alumni.asu.edu/leadership-institute.