ARIZONA COMPANIES
FOUNDATIONS, RANKED BY ASSETS
Top 10 ASU FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY 300 E. University Drive, Tempe, 85281 // 480-965-3759 // asufoundation.org ASSETS $997.7 million AZ EMPLOYEES 318 PRINCIPAL R.F. “Rick” Shangraw Jr., CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Virginia “Ginny” DeSanto, vice president, finance; chief financial officer; and treasurer THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION 1111 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, 85721 // 520-621-5590 // uafoundation.org ASSETS $852.6 million AZ EMPLOYEES 86 PRINCIPAL John-Paul Roczniak, interim president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Vicki Fleischer, senior vice president for development; Jenny Flynn, senior vice president, development services ARIZONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 405B, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-381-1400 // azfoundation.org ASSETS $754 million AZ EMPLOYEES 52 PRINCIPAL Steve Seleznow, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Jacky Alling, chief philanthropy officer; Megan Brownell, chief brand and impact officer
STARS ALIGNED FOR EXEC
MEGAN BROWNELL CHIEF BRAND AND IMPACT OFFICER BY GREMLYN BRADLEYWADDELL
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Nearly a decade ago, when she was working as an editor for Republic Magazines, Megan Brownell realized the stories she most enjoyed working on tended to focus on non-profit organizations and philanthropy. So when she learned that the vice president of marketing and communications position would be available at the Arizona Community Foundation, she felt the stars had aligned. The well-respected public charity administers more than 1,500 funds and professionally manages more than $750 million in assets. “This is exactly what I was looking for,” recalls Brownell, who was hired for the post. “It’s a really interesting, unique and exciting business, and it’s amazing to work around so much generosity from our donors every day.” With the exception of overseeing budgets, Brownell didn’t have much of a background in finance. But she quickly adapted to her new environment. Recently named as ACF’s chief brand and impact officer, Brownell’s responsibilities now include strategic planning and impact assessment. And she’s as enthusiastic as ever about the organization and its team-oriented, collaborative leadership structure. Not only is ACF dedicated to providing innovative new programs, she notes, but it’s also committed to offering top-notch customer service, a hallmark that’s decidedly more per-
sonal—“high touch” as opposed to high tech, she says—than some other community foundations. “We believe our donors choose us because they’re looking for something uniquely better than what’s out there,” Brownell says. “And it’s not just about cost. We are committed to mobilizing philanthropy for a better Arizona, and we are dedicated to doing it better with each passing year. We’re really proud to be Arizona’s largest community foundation. It’s an honor and a privilege.” When she’s not on the job, Brownell is likely to be found either working out, spending time with family or, more likely than not, sitting on bleachers or on the sidelines of a field somewhere around the Valley. That’s because she and her husband Derick, whom she met while attending Santa Clara University in California, have two children who are multi-sport athletes: son, Jonah, and daughter Dyllan. Brownell’s family has also had the good fortune to be adopted by three rescue dogs, two miniature schnauzers and a very sweet-natured Chiweenie (a Chihuahua and Dachshund mix). The latter Brownell just happened to see at a pet-store adoption event while she was getting the other two dogs groomed. “The best impulse purchase of my life,” she says.
HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION 2415 E. Camelback Road, Suite 500, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-381-2260 // helios.org ASSETS $639 million AZ EMPLOYEES 18 PRINCIPAL Paul J. Luna, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Barbara Ryan Thompson, executive vice president and chief operating officer VIRGINIA G. PIPER CHARITABLE TRUST 1202 E. Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, 85014 // 480-948-5853 // pipertrust.org ASSETS $500 million AZ EMPLOYEES 16 PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Susan Pepin, president and CEO LINCOLN INSTITUTE FOR LAND POLICY 11010 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite D-101, Phoenix, 85028 // 602-393-4300 // lincolninst.edu ASSETS $471.6 million AZ EMPLOYEES did not disclose PRINCIPAL AND HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Kathryn J. Lincoln, chair and chief investment officer NINA MASON PULLIAM CHARITABLE TRUST 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 600B, Phoenix, 85016 // 602-955-3000 // ninapulliamtrust.org ASSETS $358.9 million AZ EMPLOYEES 6 PRINCIPAL Gene D’Adamo, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Belen Gonzalez, grants program director FLINN FOUNDATION 1802 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 // 602-744-6800 // flinn.org ASSETS $204 million AZ EMPLOYEES 22 PRINCIPAL Jack Jewett, president and CEO HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Nancy Welch, vice president, Arizona Center for Civic Leadership NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION P.O. Box 4094, Flagstaff, 86011 // 928-523-2012 // nau.edu/giving/nau-foundation/ ASSETS $162 million AZ EMPLOYEES 4 PRINCIPAL DeeAnn Palin, chair; Jeff Willis, vice chair HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN DeeAnn Palin, chair DEL E. WEBB FOUNDATION P.O. Box 7760, Surprise, 85374 // 928-445-9699 // dewf.org ASSETS $58.2 million AZ EMPLOYEES 6 PRINCIPAL Larry Johnson, president HIGHEST-RANKING WOMAN Shielia Johnson, chief financial officer
WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS // 2016
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