The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership recently welcomed Mesa District 2 Councilmember Julie Spilsbury as one of its 2023 Flinn-Brown Fellows.

A total of 28 leaders from the state will participate in Arizona’s most prestigious leadership program on state-level policy and politics, according to a release.

The Flinn-Brown experience begins in August with the Flinn-Brown Academy, a 11-session policy institute offering opportunities for professional connections and learning about Arizona policy and politics, facilitated by state leaders and subject-matter experts. In November, the 2023 Fellows will participate in the Flinn-Brown Convention, an annual professional development day for the entire Flinn-Brown Network.

“I am honored to have been selected as a 2023 Flinn-Brown Fellow. I am looking forward to the skills and knowledge I will acquire with my cohort to further my civic engagement and continue to help build strong communities,” Spilsbury said in the release. “I know this will impact me greatly in my service to the city of Mesa and my future. I’m excited to be selected.”

Launched by the Flinn Foundation in 2011, the Flinn-Brown Fellowship’s goal is cultivating civic leaders throughout Arizona. The Flinn-Brown Network has 437 Fellows.

“Councilmember Spilsbury has been instrumental in creating and implementing change for our Mesa residents. She is passionate about serving her community and continues to make Mesa proud,” Mesa City Manager Chris Brady said in the release.

Spilsbury was elected to serve District 2 in the Mesa City Council in 2020. A product of Mesa Public Schools for her entire education, she has been active in local schools for more than 20 years, earning an award from MPS for her volunteer work.