to build a brighter future
School Connect Summit
School Connect Summit IN ACTION
This one-of-a-kind leadership summit gathers representatives from business, education, faith, nonprofit, and government entities to connect, learn, and strategize how together, we can build a better future for Arizona children. Speakers, seating assignments, and conversation topics are designed to help leaders connect their efforts through the school system to maximize reach and influence for positive change.

Leadership Development
Gain top leadership insights from experts in education, business, faith, nonprofit, and government

See A Brighter Future
Find the inspiration to build a foundation today that will produce a brighter future tomorrow

Take YOUR Seat At The Table
Join the conversation to innovate with top leaders from your own community

Connections That Matter
Form the right connections to build partnerships that help you reach your goals
Join us for the School Connect Summit!
Please join us for the School Connect Summit 2024, on February 12th, at Footprint Center. Take your seat on the arena floor as leaders from every sector share their vision for the future. Together, we will build resiliency, curate innovative solutions to new challenges, and empower our communities to connect through their local schools – building partnerships that will change the future for Arizona children.
- Network with 1,000 education, business, faith, nonprofit & government leaders across the state
- Find partners for YOUR school and organization
- Learn about Whole Child, Whole School, Whole Community
- Discover how to navigate through uncertainty and change as a powerful team
- Share a table with leaders from your own region to directly impact your community
- Hear from authors of trend setting stories in education
- Brainstorm innovative community solutions to tackle new challenges facing Arizona children
- Find ways to enhance employee retention

Volunteer, Sponsor, or Learn More!
“I can tell you that businesses are looking for ways to connect with schools, and they need a strategy. And what the [School Connect] Summit does is it provides a strategy and specific action steps. And here’s what’s even better – they work!”
DICK FOREMAN, PRESIDENT & CEO, ARIZONA BUSINESS & EDUCATION COALITION
WHAT TO EXPECT
Event Location
Footprint Center Arena
201 E Jefferson St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Event Date
February 12, 2024, 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Who Participates?
Attendees include leading representative from education, faith, business, nonprofit, and government entities in Arizona and across the country
- Organizations seeking to connect with the education community
- Leaders who want to network with the changemakers across the state
- Expert speakers providing leadership development
- Authors of trend setting stories in education
- Students sharing their voice to impact education and Arizona youth
- Innovative and collaborative thinkers working to activate positive community engagement around schools
EVENT FEATURES
- Expert speakers from education, health, business, faith, and government
- Networking with leaders in key roles to impact change for Arizona
- Seating planned by school district, location, and diverse representation
- Facilitated table conversations focused on active collaboration
- Inspirational stories from leaders who are building partnerships that will change the future of Arizona
- Catered luncheon
EVENT DATE
February 12, 2024, 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
EVENT LOCATION
Footprint Center Arena
201 E Jefferson St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Tickets and Registration?
- Attend
- Sponsor
- Volunteer
- Learn More
Share your voice,
expand your
influence
Dick Foreman on the Value for Business Leaders
Dick shares the value of the School Connect Summit to take your limited time and resources and apply them effectively. Find a direct path for how you can engage your community, steps you can take at the CAFES, and action steps outlined in the Summit!
Reverend Jerome Parker on the Value for Faith Leaders
Hear why Rev. Jerome Parker recommends the School Connect Summit for leaders of faith as the best way to get involved in your community and make a difference. Rev. Parker urges, “The community is literally coming around these schools to be the village and make change and impact in the lives of these young people. You as a faith leader absolutely need to be a part of School Connect. This is how we change the world.”
Join Our Village
Doing this alone is impossible; it takes all of us working together to make a difference.
Latest Podcast

News & Events


Dr. Paul Tighe, Executive Director of Arizona School Administrators invites leaders to join ASA and School Connect at the School Connect Summit because we know Arizona youth succeed when the village shows up! Join us on February 12, 2024, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at Footprint Center as we build a legacy of champions.
#SchoolConnect #ASA #AZSchoolAdministrators #ASBAAC2023 #Summit2024 #AZblue #titansolarpower #suns #titancares #phxoffcourt #ittakesavillage #champions
@arizona_asa @bcbsaz @titansolarpowerinc @suns @phxoffcourt

HTTPS://schoolconnectaz.org/summit
These quotes from #studentleaders prove that leadership matters at every age. Check out what these students from Pendergast Elementary School District, Phoenix Union High School District, and Laveen Elementary School District had to say about the #schoolconnectsummit and how it inspired them to share their #studentvoice! #studentslead #Summit2024 #SchoolConnect @phoenixunionhs @pesd92

https://schoolconnectaz.org/summit
Breaking News! School Connect is pleased to announce a confirmed date for our tenth anniversary School Connect Summit 2024. Join us on the arena floor of Footprint Center, on February 12, 2024, from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, and in partnership with Titan Solar Power, the official solar contractor of the Phoenix Suns, we invite you to lead the way for your team and your community. #SchoolConnect #Summit2024 #AZblue #titansolarpower #suns #titancares #phxoffcourt #cominginhot #leadershipmatters
What we know is that, win or lose, champions do not sit on the sidelines. They show up for their team – their community - every single day. These leaders build trust and inspire hope in those around them as they give people a vision for what is possible. Ultimately, champions pave the way for future leaders, and in so doing, champions change the world. Join us in the arena for the Summit! @bcbsaz @titansolarpowerinc @suns @phxoffcourt @benwallsfilms

https://schoolconnectaz.org/donations/2023-year-end/
Watch as students volunteering at Sahuaro Elementary for Love Our Schools Day teach our team about respect. We love working with the next generation of leaders! Well done!! School Connect cannot do this important work without you. Donate today to help us bring more support for Arizona student leaders! #SchoolConnect #WESDfamily #respect #studentleaders #studentvoice #belonging #loveourschoolsday
@sahuaro_wesd @wesdschools

HTTPS://schoolconnectaz.org/stem-students
Why sponsor a student’s STEM “Game Day” Field Trip? While STEM careers are the future of education, the research shows that more than 2/3rds of middle school students do not enter high school ready to start working toward a STEM career.
As Principal Ontiveros says, “You can’t dream about something you don’t know about.”
But together, we can give kids a vision for their career potential, as well as connections and resources to help them prepare. Early support makes the difference. Every student deserves a STEM Choice. Sponsor a student today!
#STEMstudents #everystudent #schoolconnect #ACECAZ #ASUInnovation #gameday #givingtuesday #careersofthefuture #studentvoice
@pvschools @BenWallsFilms
