Spotlight on Leadership: Alex Perez
Desert Foothills Leadership Academy (DFL) is a Signature Program of The Holland Center and a partnership with The Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce. With an uptick in civic disengagement, passionate and skilled leaders are needed more than ever to make a difference in big or small ways. Once a month from March through November, DFL participants meet to explore business and civics topics that equip them with the skills, experiences, and networks needed to positively impact organizations in city government, business, nonprofit, and cultural sectors. Learn more at desertfoothillsleadership.org.
Before even finishing DFL, multiple employees and volunteers at Kiwanis Marketplace said they noticed positive improvements in Alex’s management style.
Alex said he attributes that to DFL teaching him how to understand different working styles, and then adapt his approach to build bridges.
“I also made an effort to get more involved with the volunteers,” said Alex. “I’m not always super social, but I pushed myself to do multiple rounds of connection — realizing that even if it’s not important to me, it may be important to them.”
Alex noted that Kiwanis Marketplace is unique in that it touches on almost all the local civic issues: commerce, nonprofits, recycling, education, and even local water issues. He said knowing how his business affects multiple aspects of the community gave him more pride in what he does.
“I also appreciated being around other leaders and peers that are going through the same things,” said Alex. “Everyone really gelled and clicked.”
“I’ve been through other types of leadership training before,” said Alex. “DFL re-charged me, and hopefully, I can be a conduit to show that it really does help.”
