Our Team
Matt Lehrman
Co-Founder & Managing Director
As a civic facilitator, keynote speaker, and public leadership coach, Matt guides people through moments of tension, uncertainty, and possibility—helping leaders and residents alike find the courage to engage, the clarity to move forward, and the trust to do it together.
His programs aren’t lectures—they’re experiences. Whether in conference ballrooms or board and council retreats, Matt leads interactive, real-time conversations that help people listen across differences, reconnect with shared purpose, and lead with integrity.
Matt’s work is grounded in real-world experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He began his career in Washington, D.C., as a federal lobbyist on mortgage finance and banking policy, later transitioning to strategic leadership roles in financial services. In Arizona’s cultural sector, he founded Alliance for Audience & ShowUp.com—an award-winning initiative that united arts and cultural organizations statewide in collaborative audience development and shared marketing infrastructure. Later, as Interim Managing Director of Arizona Theatre Company, he helped restore trust and stability to one of the state’s premier cultural institutions during a time of crisis.
Today, as co-founder of Social Prosperity Partners, Matt facilitates strategic planning, civic engagement, and community dialogue nationwide. He has worked with city councils and school boards, nonprofit coalitions and business leaders—facilitating tough conversations and guiding collaborative decision-making with empathy, structure, and purpose.
He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Arizona State University on arts entrepreneurship and public policy and served as a guest lecturer for its executive education programs for public-sector leaders.
Matt also hosts the Community Catalysts podcast, where he explores the human side of local leadership—how real people navigate complexity, build trust, and make change in their communities.
At the heart of Matt’s work is a belief that democracy is more than structure—it’s a shared commitment to show up, speak truthfully, listen generously, and move forward together.
John Little
Co-Founder & Senior Partner
John Little’s enduring passion for community building is rooted in more than 35 years of service and leadership in local and regional government plus seven years providing strategic planning services and executive coaching to clients in the for-profit, nonprofit, and public sectors.
Before being named city manager in 2008, John served in increasingly responsible roles within the City of Scottsdale—heading departments of Human Resources, Organizational Effectiveness and Transportation as well as being appointed executive director for Downtown Development where he facilitated an estimated $6 billion in public and private investment over a 4-year period.
John is the City of Scottsdale’s only two-time honoree of the Bill Donaldson Award recognizing excellence in leadership, innovation, risk-taking, teamwork, creative problem-solving and community service.
As well, he has been honored by the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors as “Citizen of the Year” for his important contributions to community building.
