Anna María Chávez

Anna María Chávez joined the Arizona Community Foundation as President & CEO in February 2023. Chávez brings over 25 years of experience in education, government, technology, and nonprofit organizational leadership and management to the role. Born and raised in the small town of Eloy, Arizona to Mexican-American parents, she learned at an early age the importance of being a leader in her local community. Her desire to transform the world through servant leadership led her to Yale University, before pursuing a juris doctorate at the University of Arizona.

She held numerous posts in President Bill Clinton’s administration, and later returned to Arizona to serve Governors Jane Hull and Janet Napolitano. Her success led to her appointment as the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA and CEO of the National School Boards Association. Prior to ACF, Chávez served as the Chief Impact Officer of EdTech company Encantos. In 2016, she was recognized as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine and in 2021 was named one of the top 50 over 50 Women Leaders by Forbes Magazine.