Tell The Power Story: Power Up Conference Keynoter Leads Panel of 3 Arizona Mayors
Megan Finnerty, Pulitzer Prize wining journalist and director of the Storytellers Brand Studio, moderates a keynote panel of leaders at the Power up Conference.
Telling your story is a lot more than just saying what happened. It can be a powerful tool to advance your career and connect to community.
“Telling your story is a lot more than just saying what happened. It can be a powerful tool to advance your career and connect to #community. ”
“Stories have to service the community,” says Megan Finnerty, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, director of the Storytellers Brand Studio, founder and director of the USA TODAY Storytellers Project and moderator of the Power Up Conference panel, “Why Women Should Take The Lead in Politics.”
Growing up in Michigan City, Indiana, Finnerty says she always knew she wanted to be a journalist. Studying communications at Purdue University, she graduated in 2002 after serving as a reporter and editor on the college newspaper all four years.
An internship at the Arizona Republic in 2002 led to her full time career, and to becoming engagement and features editor, and a winner of the Pulitzer prize in 2018 for explanatory journalism at the paper.
“I became an editor at 27,” says Finnerty, who was named by Editor & Publisher as one of 25 under 35 legacy newsroom leaders in 2015. “My story is I always knew what I wanted to do and I knew how to package it so my bosses valued it.”
Winner of a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award and a National Headliner Award for first place in Journalistic Innovation in 2012, Finnerty says she founded the Storytellers Project now in 20 cities. This year the Storytellers Project will host 600 people telling their stories on stage in more than 100 cities.
“Winner of a National Headliner Award for first place in Journalistic Innovation in 2012, @MeganMFinnerty says she founded the #Storytellers Project now in 20 cities.”
Finnerty will use her storytelling finesse leading the keynote panel at Take The Lead’s Power Up Conference February 28-29 with three women who are Arizona mayors.
“@MeganMFinnerty will use her storytelling finesse leading the keynote panel at @takeleadwomen ‘s #PowerUp Conference February 28-29.”
Coral Evans, mayor of Flagstaff; Kate Gallego, mayor of Phoenix; and Regina Romero, mayor of Tucson, will tell stories and discuss why women need to take the lead in politics.
“With women making significant breakthroughs in politics, especially during the 2018 mid-term elections, the timing is perfect for a conversation about women’s role in politics and the ongoing challenges we face on the political stage,” says Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead. “The mayors will speak from experience, and attendees will be inspired by their dedication and accomplishments and may just walk away considering a run for office.”
As a storytelling consultant who creates transformation for nonprofits and brands, Finnerty says of her role as moderator at Power Up, “I am hoping we can create a space for them to be vulnerable so we can learn from their mistakes and pain points.” She adds, “They can walk us through hoe they learned turning point lessons.”
“As a storytelling consultant, @MeganMFinnerty says of her role as moderator at #PowerUp, “I am hoping we can create a space for them to be vulnerable so we can learn from their mistakes.” ”
Finnerty, who has coached more than 7,000 people to tell live, true stories, says, “This is about pushing the conversation forward that is never indulgent, but is rigorous.”
“@MeganMFinnerty, who has coached more than 7,000 people to tell live, true stories, says, “This is about pushing the conversation forward.” #InspirationalWomen”
Mayor Evans of Flagstaff was elected in 2016 and re-elected two years later. Recognized by Arizona Business Magazine as one of Arizona’s “Most Influential Women in Business” in 2018, Evans served two terms as a council member. She has over 25 years of extensive, applied experience and knowledge in the design, development, implementation, management, assessment and evaluation of initiatives and programs crafted to assist diverse populations experiencing the systemic effects of poverty.
Mayor Gallego of Phoenix became the second elected female mayor in Phoenix history and the youngest big-city mayor in the United States when she was elected to office in 2019. She spent five years on the City Council working on strategic planning and economic development for utility company Salt River Project, focused on attracting new companies and jobs to Phoenix.
“@MayorGallego of Phoenix became the second elected female mayor in Phoenix history and the youngest big-city mayor in the US when she was elected to office in 2019. #InspirationalWomen”
Mayor Romero of Tucson was elected in 2019, and is the first Latina mayor of Tucson and the only Latina mayor of the country’s 50 largest cities. She was the first Latina elected to the Tucson City Council and is a cofounder and on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Association of Latino Elected Officials. She was recently named the Director of Latino Engagement for the Center for Biological Diversity.
Following the keynote panel, the awards ceremony will honor Leon Silver, the only man on Take The Lead’s national board, and Dana Campbell Saylor, the first chair of the Take The Lead Arizona Leadership Council.
“Following the keynote panel, the awards ceremony will honor Leon Silver, the only man on @takeleadwomen ‘s national board. #WomenLeadership”
Silver, managing partner, Gordon Rees Scully Phoenix’s office, is the national leader of the firm’s Retail and Hospitality and Government & Administrative Law practice groups.
Saylor is CEO of the Arizona YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix and is a strong activist for women and social justice.
“They are both powerful and committed allies in working to achieving gender parity,” says Feldt. “This award recognizes their dedication to a cause that benefits both women and men.”
