A Vision for Arizona Earns Recognition
Great leadership shows up where it’s needed most. For Anna María Chávez, Esq., President & CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), that has meant a lifetime of service across government, education, and philanthropy. Now, that work is earning its latest recognition.
Phoenix Women Leaders, the Phoenix Chapter of the Women Leaders Association, has named Chávez #12 on its Top 50 Phoenix Women Leaders of 2026 list. It’s an honor that recognizes her role in strengthening communities across the Valley and throughout the state of Arizona.
We’re proud to share this milestone with those who make our mission possible. Here’s a closer look at the recognition and the leader behind it.
Why Recognition Matters
Greater Phoenix is in what Phoenix Women Leaders calls a “build season.” The region is growing fast while balancing housing, heat resilience, water and power reliability, and a major wave of advanced manufacturing investment. In the middle of it all are women leading the charge.
The Top 50 list is intentionally cross-industry. It spotlights senior executives, founders, and influential leaders in law, finance, healthcare, education, and regional development. Rankings are based on a thoughtful blend of factors:
- Role Scope — the reach and responsibility of the leader’s position
- Regional Impact — measurable difference made across Greater Phoenix
- Community Footprint — depth of local engagement and service
- Civic and economic influence — shaping the direction of Phoenix’s future
Chávez’s placement at #12 reflects the power of philanthropy to move communities forward. As Phoenix Women Leaders put it:
“Philanthropy is often the ‘quiet capital’ that accelerates solutions when government and markets alone can’t move fast enough.”
That idea sits at the heart of ACF’s work. When a rural food bank needs support fast, or a scholarship can change a student’s future, philanthropy steps in to fill the gap.
A Career Built on Service
Chávez’s path to this recognition began here in Arizona. Born and raised in the small town of Eloy, Arizona, to Mexican-American parents, she learned early that leadership means showing up for your community.
That commitment carried her to Yale University, then to the University of Arizona, where she earned her juris doctorate. From there, her career unfolded across sectors, each role deepening her belief in servant leadership.
Decades of Impact
As previously mentioned, Chávez’s experience spans government, technology, education, and the nonprofit world. Her journey includes:
- The Clinton Administration, where she held numerous federal posts
- Service for two Arizona Governors, Jane Hull and Janet Napolitano
- CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, leading one of the nation’s most iconic organizations for girls
- CEO of the National School Boards Association, advancing education leadership nationwide
- Chief Impact Officer at Encantos, an EdTech company focused on learning innovation
In February 2023, she brought all of that experience home to Arizona as President & CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation.
Celebrating a Well-Deserved Honor
Anna María Chávez’s place among the Top 50 Phoenix Women Leaders of 2026 is more than a title. It’s a reflection of a career spent expanding opportunity, elevating voices that build the civic infrastructure that turns big ideas into everyday progress.
From a small town in Eloy to national leadership and back home again, her story shows what service-driven leadership can accomplish. Here in Arizona, that leadership is helping donors, nonprofits, and community partners build a stronger future together.
Please join us in congratulating Chávez on this remarkable recognition. Her work reminds us that when we invest in our communities, we all rise together.
Want to be part of the change she’s championing? Explore how you can partner with ACF to empower lasting impact across Arizona — your community’s future is worth investing in. To speak to a relationship manager, contact your local ACF office or call us at 602.381.1400.