Join Us for the 75th Milestone Evening of Impact Celebrating Arizona Leaders
Juanita “Nita” Francis, Vince Roig and Calvin C. Goode have been selected as the 75th Annual Arizona Leaders of the Year honorees. Mark your calendars for this year’s reception on November 21st, 2024 at 5:30pm at Paradise Valley Country Club.
Mark Your Calendars For An Evening of Impact
Connect with other leaders who are Driven to Do for Arizona at Valley Leadership’s awards reception as we recognize three incredible individuals who have helped shape Arizona.
Arizona Leaders of the Year (formerly known as Man & Woman of the Year) is a long-standing, long-cherished event that honors Arizonans who are the instruments of progress, goodness and service to others. Showcasing our honorees’ track records of impact and commitment to the success of our state, the event is an opportunity to connect with, be inspired by and find new opportunities to collaborate with those who have stewarded impact and long-term change in our community.
The 75th Annual Arizona Leaders of the Year event will be hosted from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on November 21st at the Paradise Valley Country Club. Special thanks to our hosts again this year, Kathleen & John Graham.
Get Your Ticket Today
Purchase a Driven to Do ticket today to attend the 75th Arizona Leaders of the Year awards reception. There will be dinner, drinks and a celebration of this year’s honorees with other leaders in the community.
Meet Our Honorees
Juanita “Nita” Francis, RN, MBA, has an extensive background in healthcare and education. Her career as a women’s health nurse spanned Illinois, Ohio, and Massachusetts. After moving to Arizona in 1998, she worked at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix and Phoenix Children’s Hospital until her retirement. Nita has a long history of philanthropy and community involvement, supporting organizations such as Teen Parent Connection, the National Medical Interpreter Project, and United Way. She serves on the boards of the Valleywise Health Foundation, the University of Illinois Foundation, and the Arizona State University Foundation. Additionally, Nita is a member of the Arizona section of the International Women’s Forum and is president of the F2 Family Foundation, focusing on healthcare and education initiatives.
Vince Roig has been a champion of education for more than 50 years. As the Founding Chairman of Helios Education Foundation, he has led the organization to become one of the largest education-focused foundations in Arizona and Florida. Before Helios, Vince guided Southwest Student Services Corporation, facilitating over $10 billion in student loans. His commitment to education is evident in his involvement with various boards, including Teach for America – National. Vince’s leadership has earned recognition from numerous organizations for his dedication to improving educational opportunities.
Calvin C. Goode (1927-2020) was a long-serving Phoenix councilman and educator. He spent 22 years on the Phoenix City Council, where he was known as the “Conscience of the Council” for advocating for underserved communities. Calvin began his career in education and earned degrees in business and education from Arizona State University. His work in public service focused on education and civil rights, and he played a key role in desegregation efforts. The Calvin C. Goode Phoenix Municipal Building is named in his honor, and he was instrumental in establishing the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. Goode will be receiving the first-ever posthumous Arizona Leader of the Year award.
Arizona Leaders of the Year FAQ
There will be 2 honorees selected for the 75th Arizona Leaders of the Year and 1 posthumous honoree. Honoree selection will follow guidelines in alignment with Valley Leadership’s values and Principles of Doing.
Yes, honorees can self-nominate.
The selection process for this year’s honorees has closed.
Honoree nominations must be submitted by August 16, 2024 by 11:59 pm MST.
Honorees will be notified no later than the week of September 2nd.
The Man & Woman of the Year award has been updated to Arizona Leaders of the Year (AZLY) to be more inclusive and aligned with the vision and mission of Valley Leadership.
With Gratitude To Our Sponsors
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Arizona First Sponsor
Team Mindset Sponsors
Building Trust Sponsors
