Rebecca “Becky” Burleigh of EPCOR doesn’t hesitate when asked what part of her job matters most.
She loves her work as senior director, shared services — the operations, the teams, the day‑to‑day rhythm of a major water and wastewater utility. But something else really motivates her.
“Investing and helping in our communities is just something near and dear to my heart,” she said. “There’s more there than just the work.”
Burleigh, who joined EPCOR in 2012, has watched the company’s community‑giving culture evolve. What stands out most to her isn’t the size of the service territory — though EPCOR’s footprint stretches from Sun City and the West Valley to Queen Creek, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, and into New Mexico towns like Clovis and Edgewood. It’s the residents in those territories who show up.
“Our employees take pride in the volunteering they do,” she said. “It creates this overarching sense of purpose that goes beyond the work we do.”
DEEPER DIVE: 10 Arizona restaurants make Yelp’s Top 100 Mexican food spots
The centerpiece of EPCOR’s giving efforts is its partnership with Valley of the Sun United Way, a relationship that predates Burleigh’s tenure and stretches back at least 15 years. Over that time, EPCOR employees have raised nearly $800,000 for the organization.
EPCOR sees the annual campaign as more than a pledge drive. The event is a companywide celebration with Mario Kart tournaments (“I’m really bad at it,” she admitted) and a cornhole competition that culminates in a final showdown and barbecue.
“Even if people aren’t playing, they come to watch,” she said. “It’s just a fun way to get folks involved.”
EPCOR hosts an online auction for its parties, vendors and other supporters. Burleigh sees the impact from two angles: as an EPCOR leader and as a board member for Valley of the Sun United Way.
“Getting to see firsthand how our funds play an important role… it’s really impactful,” she said. “The sheer number of people they serve, and the network they’ve built to help smaller organizations — it’s powerful.”
Burleigh believes most people would be surprised by how deeply EPCOR employees care about giving back.
“There’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make sure these events go off successfully,” she said. “And our employees are always looking for more opportunities to support other causes.
“Employees who volunteer 30 hours a year can apply for a Helping Hands grant. EPCOR gives grants to the organizations our employees may volunteer for. It’s just another great way to show that we are investing in our employees and the causes they care about.”
Burleigh’s position and support for nonprofit-centered employees are perfect for her, she said.
“I’m a people person,” she said. “I really like engaging with our teams. But I also appreciate how EPCOR gives back to their communities and allows opportunities for our employees to participate.”
Whether it’s volunteering, holiday giving programs like Christmas Angels, or the United Way campaign, the company’s values reflect in its actions, she said.
“It goes a long way in showing the type of company EPCOR is.”
