70th Annual Man and Woman of the Year Announced
Valley Leadership announces John Graham and Colleen Jennings-Roggensack as the organization’s Man & Woman of the Year. The pair will be honored for their long-term contributions and commitment to our community at the Annual Man & Woman of the Year awards luncheon on March 29, 2019 at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa.
See the surprise announcement here.
Each year, an outstanding Valley man and woman are selected based on their vision, innovation, measurable impact on the lives of others and their extraordinary service to our community.
“Collen has been a steadfast champion and a leading expert on the arts,” says Neil Giuliano, president and CEO of Greater Phoenix Leadership and longtime friend and colleague of Jennings-Roggensack. “Her creativity and leadership in this area have helped define the Valley arts scene.”
Graham and Jennings-Roggensack join a prestigious list of past Man & Woman of the Year award recipients. U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater was honored as the inaugural Man of the Year and, most recently, Neil Giuliano and Sharon Harper were recognized.
“A true Arizonan, John is an inspiration to many with his unending commitment to our community,” says Sharon Harper, CEO and co-founder of Plaza Companies and friend of Graham. “He has served on almost every major board of directors in the Valley and guided solutions for many of our state’s greatest challenges. He is beyond deserving of this honor.”
Continuing Valley Leadership’s ongoing Pivot Toward Impact, this year’s awards will now include the first convening of the annual Impact Symposium. The symposium will gather Arizona’s diverse leadership to identify, frame and discuss solutions for our state’s most pressing issues. Graham and Jennings-Roggensack will help lead the important discussion.
“Valley Leadership’s vision is for a broad spectrum of Arizonans to work together to impact the issues that matter most, setting the example for leadership,” says Valley Leadership President and CEO David Brown. “And John and Colleen have been setting that example for decades. On behalf of Valley Leadership and its board of directors, we are truly honored to celebrate the impact these two leaders have had on Arizona.”
The newest inductees will be formally recognized at a luncheon on March 29, 2019, at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. For more information or to purchase seats or sponsorships, call the Valley Leadership office at (602) 952-6760 or visit valleyleadership.org.
About the Honorees
Colleen Jennings-Roggensack is currently executive director of ASU Gammage. She is also ASU vice president for cultural affairs with artistic, fiscal and administrative responsibility for two cultural facilities, as well as additional responsibility for Sun Devil Stadium and Wells Fargo Arena for non-athletic activities, including concerts and commencement and convocation exercises.
Jennings-Roggensack served three years as president of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters and is a former board member on the Arizonans for Cultural Development, Western States Arts Federation and the Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau (Chairman 2005-06, 2004-05, 1996-97). She currently serves as a board member for The Broadway League Board of Governors, Childsplay and Creative Capital. She also serves on The Broadway League labor committee, Road Presenters/Intra-Industry committee and Road/Labor subcommittee. She co-chaired the 2009 Spring Road Conference and the 2010 Biennial Conference. She was co-chair of the 2004 Presidential Debate at Arizona State University. She was vice-chair for special events for the Super Bowl XXX host committee and coordinated the first-ever Super Bowl Concert Series in January 1996. She is a member of Rotary Club of Phoenix 100 (Paul Harris Fellow).
John Graham has been president of Sunbelt Holdings, Inc. since 1990 and serves as its chief executive officer. Under his direction, Sunbelt has become a dominant force in both community affairs and real estate activities. Graham is one of the most respected leaders in Arizona and in the real estate industry.
His list of charitable and civic affiliations is as long as the portfolio of projects he has managed and is equally impressive. He has served on the board of more than 25 Valley organizations. Graham’s current community affiliations include the ASU Foundation, Banner Health Foundation, Brophy College Preparatory, First Place AZ, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Office of the Governor, Paradise Valley Country Club, PGA Southwest Section, Phoenix Symphony Association, Positive Coaching Alliance, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and Teach For America Phoenix.
About Man & Woman of the Year
Valley Leadership’s Man & Woman of the Year luncheon is one of the premier business and community recognition programs in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. It is attended by approximately 1,000 of the Valley’s most prominent business and community leaders and serves as the primary fundraiser for Valley Leadership, the oldest and largest leadership development organization in Greater Phoenix. Nominations for this prestigious award are accepted each year from the public at large. A committee of past honorees and community leaders then selects a single man and woman to be honored at a spring luncheon.
