Service life and breaking glass ceilings; Meet Anna María Chavez

PHOENIX — Arizona Community Foundation CEO and President Anna María Chávez’s life of service began in her childhood.

“Volunteering was a mission. I mean, I don’t even think we talked about it. I don’t think world volunteer came up. It was just an assumption. That’s what you do after school and normally every Saturday and every day. After church on Sunday, we were doing something in the community,” Chavez told ABC15. during a sit-down interview.

He grew up in Eloy, where his parents were heavily involved in the community.

“My mother and father were calm, wise, and even-handed. I say their kitchen table was Switzerland. You know, they knew that no matter what an issue was that was coming up in our society, my family had the resources to bring all sides to the table,” Chávez said. “We need to pass,” he explained.

This foundation fueled his desire to help others. It was also nourished by abuela who builds his belief in himself.

“My grandmother would sit next to me all the time and tell me: ‘Anna María, anything is possible. It just takes hard work. It takes courage and determination. Don’t let anyone put titles on you or, you know, put obstacles in your path,'” Chavez said.

Anna María’s determination and perseverance would lead her to attend Yale University.

After law school, he went to work in Washington, D.C., under the Clinton Administration as Secretary of Transportation and policy advisor to the Small Business Administration.

But when the opportunity finally came to return home, he couldn’t pass it up.

“After Washington, I was called back to Arizona by Republican Governor Jane Hull. She was looking for in-house counsel and chief procurement officer for the largest government agency,” Chavez recalled.

This later led to him working for Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano. But perhaps her greatest goal was to become the first black woman to lead the Girl Scouts of America.

“At the time, Girl Scouts consisted of 94 countries in the world, and I went from China to Germany and explained the importance of investing in kids and how to do it regardless of where they started or what zip code they were in. “I think they are worth that investment,” Chavez said.

In 2016, he was recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the world’s 50 greatest leaders.

“I was shocked. I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe it. I thought: Why me? Then I sat back and thought to myself, I’m grateful they know someone who has dedicated his career to public service,” he said. Chavez.

That commitment to public service continues today, where Anna María leads Arizona’s largest nonprofit organization.

“Sometimes people say we’re the best kept secret because we’re a humble brand. We like to be behind the scenes. Because for us, really, our customer is the donor. The customer is the nonprofit that has a donation here. Nonprofits continue to serve Arizonans for generations.” We help them grow so they can,” Chávez explained.

It’s a personal leadership mission that comes from decades of breaking glass ceilings.

When asked how important it is to set the stage and leave the way for others, Chavez replied, “It’s very, very important. You know, even if I had to always be first in most of my roles, I would do that.” “So my goal isn’t just to be first, I’m literally achieving something and keeping the door behind me, and I’ve done that in every role I’ve taken on.”

To learn more about Anna María Chavez and the Arizona Community Foundation visit websites.