Matt Lehrman

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Matt Lehrman helps communities, organizations, and leaders navigate complexity with greater trust, clarity, and connection. As a civic facilitator, keynote speaker, and public leadership coach, he guides people through moments of tension, uncertainty, and possibility—helping them move from reaction toward dialogue, shared understanding, and collaborative action.

Known for his engaging and highly interactive style, Matt creates environments where people feel invited to participate honestly, listen generously, and think together. Whether facilitating a city council retreat, leading a strategic planning process, or addressing a conference audience, his work is grounded in the belief that disagreement is not a failure of community—it is evidence that people care deeply about the future they share.

Matt’s career reflects an uncommon blend of experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He began his professional life in Washington, D.C., working on federal mortgage finance and banking policy before moving into sales and marketing leadership roles in Arizona’s financial services industry. In Arizona’s cultural sector, he founded Alliance for Audience & ShowUp.com, an award-winning initiative that united arts and cultural organizations statewide through collaborative marketing and audience development. Later, as Interim Managing Director of Arizona Theatre Company, he helped restore stability and public trust during a critical period in the institution’s history.

In 2017, Matt co-founded Social Prosperity Partners alongside longtime civic leader John Little, helping establish a national practice devoted to civic leadership, public dialogue, and community decision-making. Today, he works nationwide with local governments, school boards, nonprofit organizations, and community coalitions—facilitating strategic planning, civic engagement, leadership development, and difficult public conversations with empathy, structure, and purpose.

Matt has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Arizona State University on arts entrepreneurship and public policy and has served as a guest lecturer in executive education programs for public-sector leaders.

He is also the host of the Community Catalysts podcast, where he explores the human side of local leadership and the responsibilities that come with shaping community life.

At the heart of Matt’s work is a simple conviction: communities grow stronger when people are willing to show up, speak honestly, listen respectfully, and move forward together.

John Little

Co-Founder & Partner Emeritus

John Little’s life in public service was shaped by an early conviction that communities only thrive when people are willing to step forward, raise their hand, and serve. That belief guided a distinguished career spanning more than three decades with the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, where he rose from entry-level budget analyst to City Manager of one of America’s most recognized and rapidly growing communities.

Throughout his career, John became known not only for his executive leadership but for his deep belief in the dignity of public service itself. He helped guide billions of dollars in public and private investment, led major city departments including Human Resources, Transportation, Organizational Development, and Downtown Development, and played a key role in shaping Scottsdale’s civic and economic future during a period of extraordinary growth.

But John’s influence reaches beyond projects and positions. His leadership philosophy has long centered on trust, participation, transparency, and the responsibility of institutions to treat people with respect. He believes communities are strengthened when leaders slow down, listen carefully, invite broad participation, and create space for difficult but necessary conversations.

In 2017, John co-founded Social Prosperity Partners with longtime friend and collaborator Matt Lehrman, helping shape the organization’s foundational belief that stronger communities emerge when people come together with courage, honesty, and mutual respect. His thinking continues to influence the firm’s approach to civic leadership, public dialogue, and collaborative decision-making nationwide.

John has been recognized as Scottsdale’s only two-time recipient of the Bill Donaldson Award for excellence in leadership, innovation, teamwork, and community service, and was honored by the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors as Citizen of the Year for his contributions to community building.

Today, as Partner Emeritus of Social Prosperity Partners, John remains a trusted voice and guiding influence whose commitment to service, integrity, and civic responsibility continues to inspire leaders across the country.