Center for Leadership Ethics
Where ethics, leadership, business and the future intersect.
The Center for Leadership Ethics brings scholars with diverse backgrounds together to explore, challenge, and advance the field of ethical leadership.
Through cutting-edge research, education, and outreach, we work every day to promote the development of ethical leaders who foster ethical cultures in organizations around the world.
Join Us! February 12th
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Thank you to our guest speakers!
February 11, 2026. With sincere appreciation to Sandra Sagehorn-Elliott, President and CEO of Vantage West Credit Union, and Jon Bruflat, Vice President of Community Impact, for joining our MGMT 202 and BNAD 302 classes. Representing an organization serving more than 206,000 members with $3.2 billion in assets, they shared how Vantage West demonstrates meaningful community impact through financial coaching, expanding access to home ownership, and long-term community investment as a certified Community Development Financial Institution.
Students were challenged to consider the question, How can a financial institution demonstrate making a difference in its community? Through discussion of strategic partnerships, ethical decision-making, and measurable impact, Sandra and Jon highlighted how values-driven leadership extends beyond financial services into lasting community relationships.
The Center for Leadership Ethics at the University of Arizona is grateful for their time, expertise, and continued partnership in helping students connect ethical leadership with real-world practice.
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Jon Bruflat, Vice President of Community Impact | Image
Sandra Sagehorn-Elliott, President and CEO of Vantage West Credit Union |
December 10, 2025 We extend our sincere thanks to Irene M. Coppola, CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Southern Arizona, for joining our BNAD 302 class. Irene shared how the BBB Standards for Trust guide customer experience, highlighting four key principles—Build Trust, Advertise Honestly, Tell the Truth, and Be Responsive—as the most visible touchpoints for consumers. She also emphasized the importance of standards like Safeguard Privacy and Embody Integrity, which strengthen long-term credibility behind the scenes. We appreciate her time and expertise in helping students connect ethical business practices with real-world expectations.
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December 1, 2025. With much appreciation to Pat Risner, President of the Hermosa Project at South32, for sharing his experience with students in BNAD 302 and MGMT 202. Pat spoke with students about the critical role the Hermosa Project plays in supporting a low-carbon future in the United States, including its contributions to domestic mineral independence and its broad economic impacts. His insights highlighted the importance of responsible resource development, strategic leadership, and the growing demand for minerals essential to clean energy technologies. The Center for Leadership Ethics at the University of Arizona is grateful for his time, experience, and thoughtful dialogue that helped bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
November 3, 2025. Bringing real-world conversations to our Eller College students, Steve Holmes, Pima County Deputy Administrator, joined us to share his insights on ethical leadership, community engagement, and the role of values in public decision-making. Today, Mr. Steve Holmes (Deputy County Administrator, Pima County) joined the MGMT 202 (Ethical Issues in Business) class with Dr. Melendez. Mr. Holmes talked about the unhoused population, business community concerns, and potential solutions.
During his visit, Holmes spoke candidly about the challenges and opportunities of leading with integrity in the public sector and encouraged students to think critically about how ethical leadership can drive positive change in organizations and communities.
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Bringing real-world conversations to our Eller Students, Pat Risner, President of South32 Hermosa, spoke with students in Dr. Paul Melendez's class, BNAD 302: The Human Side of Organizations.
Pat shared his journey through the mining industry and offered valuable insights into his path to becoming President of Hermosa. He spoke about how Hermosa is being developed as a next-generation mine in the Patagonia Mountains, setting a new standard for sustainable mining.
Students gained a deeper understanding of the wide range of skills and roles needed to operate a project like Hermosa long into the future.
See more highlights of guest speakers on our 'education' webpage.
RESEARCH. Cutting-edge research into increasingly important ethical issues that advances our understanding of ethical issues at multiple levels within or between organizations.
EDUCATION. We believe all students should have access to top-notch ethics education. That’s why the Center for Leadership Ethics provides a variety of courses—covering topics like corporate ethics and social responsibility—to both undergraduate and graduate Eller students.
OUTREACH. The Center for Leadership Ethics is devoted to increasing ethical awareness at the high school, collegiate, and executive levels. Our outreach events engage all-levels in dialogue about ethical leadership and business practices.
The 30-minute Ethical Leader Podcast
PODCAST. The 30-Minute Ethical Leader. Hosted by founder, Paul Melendez, and associate director, Michael Fricke, seasoned leaders from business, government, and non-profit sectors to help and inform ethical leaders of today and tomorrow.
