Speakers

A fourth-generation Arizona native, I studied Biology/Ecology at Northern Arizona University, where I developed a deep appreciation for the relationships between landscapes, wildlife, and human communities. I’ve been raising goats since 2015—first gaining hands-on experience working at a goat dairy before building and managing my own herd. Over the years, our work has grown significantly, and we’ve partnered extensively with water utility companies and land managers to address both vegetation challenges and wildfire risk.

One of our primary goals has been to help land managers recognize the remarkable impact goats can have on ecosystem health. By leveraging the natural foraging behaviors and adaptability of goats, we’re able to offer land management solutions that are not only holistic and regenerative, but that also support essential human needs such as clean water, safer communities, and healthier landscapes. This approach blends traditional stewardship with modern ecological understanding, creating results that are practical, sustainable, and grounded in the needs of both the land and the people who depend on it.

Sheriff Jerry Sheridan In November 2024 Jerry Sheridan was elected Sheriff of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). The fourth largest sheriff’s office in the nation. He began his career with MCSO as a volunteer at the age of 18. He worked his way up through the ranks from deputy sheriff the highest uniform position within the Sheriff’s OfficeChief Deputy. He has a Masters Degree in Organizational Management, earned a Certified Jail Manager certification from the National Sheriff’s Association and graduated from the FBI National Academy (Executive Leadership School) in Quantico Virginia. He also was an Adjunct Faculty Member of the Maricopa County Community College District for 22 years. Getting MCSO back to basic law enforcement services for the betterment of all citizens and animals in Maricopa County is his top priority. He says leadership is the key to accomplishing this. In his personal life Jerry enjoys spending time with Stacie and their three Airedale terriers Maggie, Duke and Lucy. They love to ride their horses and fly fish together. Jerry’s dad a retired lieutenant from NYPD is 93 and lives with them at their small ranch in the east valley. Jerry is also an award winning fine art photographer. Jerry Sheridan is a proven leader with 33 years of supervisory, executive management and real world law enforcement leadership experience that successfully guided MCSO through its most difficult years in history during his last six years as Chief Deputy. 40 years of service to MCSO and the citizens of Maricopa County has prepared him well for the challenges and difficult and dangerous times ahead. Yet he will not lose focus of the sheriff’s primary responsibilities of keeping people safe especially our children and protecting citizens freedoms and liberties

What my Sled Dog Team Taught Me About Leadership


Connie Rudd, a Harris Fellow herself, brings a variety of careers together in this presentation. While her 35-year stint in the National Park Service, or her years teaching English, journalism and photo-journalism at a large high school in Colorado, or authoring two books about her years as a park ranger at Grand Canyon, or her third career as a fine art photographer, might qualify her observations on leadership, it was the 25 years she spent on the runners of a dog sled that brings her one-of-a-kind insight about team leadership. She shares personal experience from her mukluks on the snow to reaching team goals through rounding up pups to wear the harness, training for a purpose, defining success and rewards (treats, lots of treats), to developing new recruits for the future. Hint: there might be a special furry guest with Connie, if the venue allows.