How Anna María Chávez Is Redefining Women’s Empowerment

“An economy of women counting on each other, backing each other, and handing each other what they know is the largest fund this country has never put on a balance sheet,” said Arizona Community Foundation President and CEO Anna María Chávez during her keynote speech Monday, August 10, to Positive Paths’ sold-out Women’s Impact Network conference in Tempe. Anna María spoke to the audience about creating, building, and sustaining wealth and success, and also shared much about her personal history, coming from Eloy, Arizona, and rising to top positions in Washington DC and at Girl Scouts of the USA before landing at Arizona Community Foundation. Her message connected strongly to many women in the room, and she wrapped her time on stage with a lively and insightful audience Q&A.

Monday’s third-annual Women’s Impact Network program focused on professional development opportunities for women from throughout the Valley. The fast-paced day included networking, panel discussions with leading businesswomen, speed mentoring and exhibitions by women-owned businesses. It was all kicked off by Anna María’s talk to the audience covering her years of leadership experience across education, government, technology and nonprofits. Positive Paths is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving women and their families locally, dedicated to advocating for and supporting the economic stability and empowerment of women.

Wealth is not just money; the deepest wealth a woman holds is sitting in what she knows.
– Anna María Chávez, President & CEO