Finding Your Path Through Mentorship
Whether you're looking to grow your career or give back through leadership, mentorship can be a powerful tool for professional and personal development. Join us for an interactive webinar featuring Sue Brown, retired Deputy County Manager for Coconino County, and Joanne Keene, City Manager for the City of Flagstaff.
This dynamic Q&A session blends real-world storytelling with practical advice, as our presenters share their personal mentorship journeys both as mentors and mentees. Learn how to find the right mentor, build meaningful connections, and become an impactful mentor to others.
Audience participation is highly encouraged. Come ready with your questions and ideas to shape the conversation!
When:
Wednesday, May 13
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Where:
Zoom. A link will be sent to all registrants two days before the event
Cost:
AZ WLG Members: FREE
Non-AZ WLG member: $10
This dynamic Q&A session blends real-world storytelling with practical advice, as our presenters share their personal mentorship journeys both as mentors and mentees. Learn how to find the right mentor, build meaningful connections, and become an impactful mentor to others.
Audience participation is highly encouraged. Come ready with your questions and ideas to shape the conversation!
When:
Wednesday, May 13
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Where:
Zoom. A link will be sent to all registrants two days before the event
Cost:
AZ WLG Members: FREE
Non-AZ WLG member: $10
Speakers:
Sue Brown, Retired Deputy County Manager, Coconino County
Sue Brown is a distinguished public servant and an inspiring leader with over 27 years of experience in Coconino County, Arizona. Sue received her Master of Public Administration from Northern Arizona University. As a county executive leadership team member, Sue transformed the county's operations while consistently advocating for inclusion, sustainability and community empowerment. Sue's leadership in the traditionally male-dominated field of facilities management set a standard of excellence. She has been a passionate mentor throughout her career, particularly for women and other underrepresented groups in construction and public service. In addition to her work within the county, Sue serves on several influential boards and committees, including Creative Flagstaff and High Country Humane, where she continues to support community-driven innovation and sustainable growth. She established a formal mentoring program that pairs experienced leaders with emerging professionals, particularly benefiting women in public service. She actively supports women's leadership initiatives in the community through workshops and networking events.
Joanne Keene, City Manager, Flagstaff
Joanne Keene is currently the City Manager for the City of Flagstaff. Joanne previously served as a Deputy City Manager for the City of Flagstaff and the City of Sedona. Joanne also worked for five years as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff for Northern Arizona University managing high priority initiatives. She has also served as a Deputy County Manager and Government Relations Director for Coconino County and Public Information Officer for the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Joanne spent eight years working for the U.S. House of Representatives in several roles, five of those years in Washington, DC. Joanne is a graduate of NAU with a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelors in English and Broadcast Journalism. Joanne is an ICMA Credentialed Manager, a Certified Public Manager through Arizona State University and a 2016 Flinn-Brown Fellow. Joanne also serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona City/County Manager’s Association, as a Governor’s appointee to the Arizona State Fair and Exposition Board and a Board Member for the Coconino Community College Foundation Board.
Questions? [email protected]
Sue Brown, Retired Deputy County Manager, Coconino County
Sue Brown is a distinguished public servant and an inspiring leader with over 27 years of experience in Coconino County, Arizona. Sue received her Master of Public Administration from Northern Arizona University. As a county executive leadership team member, Sue transformed the county's operations while consistently advocating for inclusion, sustainability and community empowerment. Sue's leadership in the traditionally male-dominated field of facilities management set a standard of excellence. She has been a passionate mentor throughout her career, particularly for women and other underrepresented groups in construction and public service. In addition to her work within the county, Sue serves on several influential boards and committees, including Creative Flagstaff and High Country Humane, where she continues to support community-driven innovation and sustainable growth. She established a formal mentoring program that pairs experienced leaders with emerging professionals, particularly benefiting women in public service. She actively supports women's leadership initiatives in the community through workshops and networking events.
Joanne Keene, City Manager, Flagstaff
Joanne Keene is currently the City Manager for the City of Flagstaff. Joanne previously served as a Deputy City Manager for the City of Flagstaff and the City of Sedona. Joanne also worked for five years as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff for Northern Arizona University managing high priority initiatives. She has also served as a Deputy County Manager and Government Relations Director for Coconino County and Public Information Officer for the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Joanne spent eight years working for the U.S. House of Representatives in several roles, five of those years in Washington, DC. Joanne is a graduate of NAU with a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelors in English and Broadcast Journalism. Joanne is an ICMA Credentialed Manager, a Certified Public Manager through Arizona State University and a 2016 Flinn-Brown Fellow. Joanne also serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona City/County Manager’s Association, as a Governor’s appointee to the Arizona State Fair and Exposition Board and a Board Member for the Coconino Community College Foundation Board.
Questions? [email protected]
AZWLG Women Leading in Excellence Award
Congratulations Ashley Ahlquist!
Ashley Ahlquist is the first female Emergency Manager in Yavapai County’s history and one of the youngest in Arizona, embodying the perseverance, vision, and leadership recognized by the Women Leading in Excellence Award. Her career reflects both deep experience in public safety and a steadfast commitment to preparedness, training, and the advancement of women in government.
Ashley began her career in public safety telecommunications, serving for nine years, including as a supervisor. During that time, she created and led a tactical dispatch team that deployed to wildfires and SWAT incidents, providing critical communications support in high-stakes environments. Her professionalism and service were widely recognized — her skills were applauded in the apprehension of a sexual assault assailant, and her calls have since been used in training across the country on violence against women. She also spearheaded in-service training initiatives across Northern Arizona and was instrumental in the creation of the Public Safety Dispatch Academy at Yavapai College, where she remains on the adjunct instructor roster, contributing to curriculum development and advancing professional training standards. Her training portfolio includes service as a Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Counselor, FBI Crisis Negotiations training, and certification as an Incident Command Communications Manager.
After moving into emergency management, Ashley’s expertise continued to be sought after. She has presented multiple times at the Arizona APCO/NENA Conference, sharing her insights on alert and warning and on career pathways in public safety and emergency management — bridging her dispatch background with her leadership role in EM.
Her academic preparation is equally strong. Ashley earned a B.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management and master’s degrees in Forensic Psychology and Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She completed FEMA’s Advanced Professional Series and the Basic Academy at the Emergency Management Institute and has been accepted into EMI’s Advanced Emergency Management Academy, a competitive program designed to refine and strengthen the nation’s top emergency management leaders.
In April 2022, Ashley stepped into her current role as Yavapai County’s Emergency Manager. Since then, she has modernized and advanced the county’s emergency management program. She spearheaded the revision and design of the County Emergency Operations Plan, ensuring it functions as a living document that guides preparedness, response, and recovery. She also brought together multiple jurisdictions and agencies to create alert and warning templates aligned with best practices, ensuring consistent and effective communication to the public during critical incidents.
Ashley is a tireless advocate for preparedness, implementing proactive, community-centered education campaigns that resonate across generations and populations — from seniors and families to rural residents and individuals with access and functional needs. She has also championed capability-driven exercises and training, ensuring Yavapai County’s readiness efforts are meaningful, measurable, and inclusive of the whole community.
Her leadership has earned recognition statewide and nationally. In Fall 2024, Ashley became a Gold Card credentialed EOC Director through the Arizona Qualification System. That same year, she was elected Board Liaison for the Arizona Association of Emergency Managers. In May 2025, she achieved one of the highest professional honors in the field by becoming a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) through the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Today, Ashley leads Yavapai County’s emergency preparedness program with skill and dedication, overseeing countywide emergency planning, coordinating across agencies and jurisdictions, and directing the Emergency Operations Center during crises. She embodies excellence not only through her technical expertise and innovative leadership but also through her commitment to mentorship, training, and preparedness advocacy.
Ashley Ahlquist is a trailblazer and role model for women in public service. Her journey from dispatcher to Emergency Manager reflects determination, service, and leadership at every level. As the first female Emergency Manager in Yavapai County, she has proven that women’s leadership strengthens communities, advances preparedness, and inspires the next generation of leaders.
Ashley began her career in public safety telecommunications, serving for nine years, including as a supervisor. During that time, she created and led a tactical dispatch team that deployed to wildfires and SWAT incidents, providing critical communications support in high-stakes environments. Her professionalism and service were widely recognized — her skills were applauded in the apprehension of a sexual assault assailant, and her calls have since been used in training across the country on violence against women. She also spearheaded in-service training initiatives across Northern Arizona and was instrumental in the creation of the Public Safety Dispatch Academy at Yavapai College, where she remains on the adjunct instructor roster, contributing to curriculum development and advancing professional training standards. Her training portfolio includes service as a Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Counselor, FBI Crisis Negotiations training, and certification as an Incident Command Communications Manager.
After moving into emergency management, Ashley’s expertise continued to be sought after. She has presented multiple times at the Arizona APCO/NENA Conference, sharing her insights on alert and warning and on career pathways in public safety and emergency management — bridging her dispatch background with her leadership role in EM.
Her academic preparation is equally strong. Ashley earned a B.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management and master’s degrees in Forensic Psychology and Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She completed FEMA’s Advanced Professional Series and the Basic Academy at the Emergency Management Institute and has been accepted into EMI’s Advanced Emergency Management Academy, a competitive program designed to refine and strengthen the nation’s top emergency management leaders.
In April 2022, Ashley stepped into her current role as Yavapai County’s Emergency Manager. Since then, she has modernized and advanced the county’s emergency management program. She spearheaded the revision and design of the County Emergency Operations Plan, ensuring it functions as a living document that guides preparedness, response, and recovery. She also brought together multiple jurisdictions and agencies to create alert and warning templates aligned with best practices, ensuring consistent and effective communication to the public during critical incidents.
Ashley is a tireless advocate for preparedness, implementing proactive, community-centered education campaigns that resonate across generations and populations — from seniors and families to rural residents and individuals with access and functional needs. She has also championed capability-driven exercises and training, ensuring Yavapai County’s readiness efforts are meaningful, measurable, and inclusive of the whole community.
Her leadership has earned recognition statewide and nationally. In Fall 2024, Ashley became a Gold Card credentialed EOC Director through the Arizona Qualification System. That same year, she was elected Board Liaison for the Arizona Association of Emergency Managers. In May 2025, she achieved one of the highest professional honors in the field by becoming a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) through the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Today, Ashley leads Yavapai County’s emergency preparedness program with skill and dedication, overseeing countywide emergency planning, coordinating across agencies and jurisdictions, and directing the Emergency Operations Center during crises. She embodies excellence not only through her technical expertise and innovative leadership but also through her commitment to mentorship, training, and preparedness advocacy.
Ashley Ahlquist is a trailblazer and role model for women in public service. Her journey from dispatcher to Emergency Manager reflects determination, service, and leadership at every level. As the first female Emergency Manager in Yavapai County, she has proven that women’s leadership strengthens communities, advances preparedness, and inspires the next generation of leaders.
AZ WLG FY 2026 Membership
Interested in membership? AZ WLG FY 2026 Memberships are good from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
For information about AZ WLG Membership benefits & categories please, click here.
For information about AZ WLG Membership benefits & categories please, click here.
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