BOARD MEMBERSHIP
‘GOOD’ BUSINESS
Arizona business leaders outline the impact of charitable board participation By ALISON BAILIN BATZ
A
ccording to the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, Arizona is home to a vibrant nonprofit sector comprising over 28,000 registered taxexempt organizations, with the vast majority of these — over 24,500 — registered as 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. “The nonprofit community in Arizona is delivering vital human services, educating youth, preserving our environment and providing platforms for us to express ourselves in safe ways,” says Abbie S. Fink, president of HMA Public Relations. In addition to working with more than 100 nonprofits in her 30-plus years in the industry, Fink and her team frequently advise clients on board participations either because they have been approached to serve or are looking to get started in civic and community involvement and are not sure where to start. “Giving back to the community is good for business. Whether through cash contributions, board or volunteer service, businesses that make a commitment to community will reap the benefits,” Fink says, who currently serves on the board of Valley Youth Theatre and is a past board member of Scottsdale Leadership, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona. Fink advises that before accepting a board opportunity, business leaders ask themselves the following questions: • Does the organization align with your values? • If not sure what organization, what are your personal and professional passions and why? 70
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• Do you honestly have the proper time to give to the organization? • What are the responsibilities of your role? • Are you willing to commit to the financial obligations associated with your role? • Are you comfortable fundraising, if it is required? • Will this organization teach you something new? Thinking of joining a board? Here is insight from some of the Valley’s leading business leaders on the role of a good member, how board participation has touched their lives and how the board’s critical work has driven their organization further. DINO CAMUÑEZ, chair, Child Crisis Arizona Board of Directors “A good board member understands their role is not just about approving decisions but about attending board meetings and providing strategic oversight that helps to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement,” Camuñez says. Camuñez joined the Child Crisis Arizona board in 2023 and became chair in 2025, driving efforts to secure fundraising and naming sponsorships and ensuring resources for program expansion and sustainability while amplifying the qualified charitable foster care tax credit program, enabling Arizona residents to support children in foster care while reducing their state tax liability. In recent months, he was integral to the success of the organization’s 47th annual gala, which raised over $1
million for its intervention, prevention and early education programs. MONICA VILLALOBOS, member, Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation Board of Directors “I feel that the board of a nonprofit is a support system for the staff and executive director as internal customers, providing guidance as necessary while empowering the staff to fulfill their mission every day,” Villalobos says. “It is also incumbent of a good board to drive new ideas as the needs of the community evolve.” Villalobos joined the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation board in 2023. While recruited, she made the decision to join as she connected to the organization’s mission to help underserviced populations gain access to care as she once fell into that community. Since joining, Villalobos has been part of sweeping changes within the Foundation, including the expansion of the organization’s annual grant program to support oral health and nutritional programs for both dental and non-dental programs alike, including food banks, after-school and weekend food programs for children, and senior delivery programs. In recent months, the grant program provided nearly $800,000 in grant funding as a result, and in 2024 its collective work impacted more than 426,000 Arizonans. DENISE SEOMIN, member, Fiesta Sports Foundation Board of Directors “A good board will take its duties of providing governance and strategic direction very seriously, ensuring the work