According to the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, Arizona is home to a vibrant nonprofit sector comprising over 28,000 registered tax-exempt 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.
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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?
• 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 and goals of the organization adhere to its mission and vision. It’s important to ask questions, ensuring everyone within the organization has clearcut responsibilities and a collective focus,” Seomin says.
Seomin joined the Fiesta Sports Foundation board of directors in 2016 after serving on the organization’s Yellow Jacket Committee since 2009. As part of her role, she serves as the board liaison to the Media Operations Committee, working directly with all committee members to create a best-in-class experience for both local and visiting press covering the organization’s Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and Rate Bowl, which generate an annual impact of more than $175 million. In 2024, the organization — known simply as the Fiesta Bowl since its inception in 1971 — rebranded as the Fiesta Sports Foundation to better reflect its role as a year-round leader in creating unforgettable experiences through premier games and events, along with unparalleled hospitality, while providing life-changing community support across Arizona.
Dawn Marie Buckland, chair, Advance Community Board of Directors
“A good board sets clear expectations and strategic policy and vision for the organization, removing barriers and empowering the CEO to accomplish strategic goals,” Buckland says. “A good board member conveys a great sense of purpose, and is both encouraging and responsive to staff, and gets volunteers and donors excited about the impact they have on the lives of the people they serve.”
Buckland joined the Advance Community board in 2020 and became its chair in 2024. She is focused on supporting Advance in its work to resolve some of the most important issues impacting the people of Arizona and across the globe including access to medical care, nutrition, community development and health education. Most recently, Advance has expanded its Phoenix programming to include cooking and delivery of meals to seniors and distribution of nutritious food boxes for participants in the health education and nutrition classes.
Jeri Royce, chair, AZ Impact for Good Board of Directors
“The board is a strategic partner to the CEO, listening, sharing their collective and individual expertise, and making recommendations when appropriate. There is often a solid line between operations and governance, but I feel the most effective way to work together is in partnership and transparency on both sides,” Royce says.
Royce joined the AZ Impact for Good board in 2020 and became its chair in 2024. AZ Impact for Good’s mission is to unite nonprofits and philanthropy to transform Arizona through education, advocacy and innovation. The organization serves more than 1,000 member organizations across the state. In recent months, Royce and her team demonstrated strategic leadership when its long-term CEO resigned. The board responded quickly by forming a transition team, working closely with staff leadership and appointing an interim CEO to ensure operations continued.
Bill Ottinger, chair, Valley Youth Theatre
“A good board member makes themselves available. Ask the staff directly how you can help. You should be approachable and let them know you’re available. The same goes with sponsors and donors; meeting them and building a connection in person should be a priority,” Ottinger says.
Ottinger joined the Valley Youth Theatre board in 2022, inspired by his children’s participation in the organization. He has served two terms as board chair since 2023. In recent months, in addition to exploring possible sites for a new theatre and administrative offices, the organization has completed a successful production season, has finalized plans for the upcoming season and is in the early stages of planning for its annual fundraiser, A VYTal Affair, scheduled for November 8 at the Herberger Theater Center.
