Valley Leadership announced Tommy Espinoza and Judy Shannon as the organization’s 2014 Man & Woman of the Year. The pair will be honored for their long-term contributions and commitment to our community at the 66th Annual Man & Woman of the Year awards luncheon in March 2015.

A native of Phoenix, Espinoza has demonstrated long-term, proactive community leadership in the Valley throughout his distinguished career.  During his 10-year tenure as president & CEO of Chicanos Por La Causa, Espinoza transformed the organization from a community activist organization to a community development corporation, setting it on a path to become one of the nation’s largest non-profits serving the Hispanic community. He has since duplicated this success in his work with the National Council of La Raza and the Raza Development Fund, where he currently serves as president and CEO.  Espinoza serves on numerous boards, including the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, the New America Alliance, the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority and the National Advisory Board of State Farm Bank. He has also served on the Arizona Board of Education, Greater Phoenix Leadership Council and the Governor of Arizona’s Interstate Banking Commission, as well as serving on the Mexican-American Advisory Council under President Jimmy Carter.

“His tireless work to grow business, public-sector and nonprofit organizations across our great state is a testament to the steadfast leadership and genuine dedication Tommy employs every day to engage individuals within the Hispanic community and beyond,” says U.S. Senator John McCain.

For more than 40 years, Shannon has been making a significant impact on the community as a fundraiser and erstwhile volunteer. She has been a key leader in several important fundraising efforts, including a $17 million capital campaign for the Heard Museum, where she also worked as director of Development and Community Affairs. She also led another successful multimillion-dollar capital campaign for the Ryan House, where she has served on its Board of Directors for a decade. Other current board service includes the Barrow Neurological Foundation Women’s Board, St. Luke’s Health Initiatives and The Board of Visitors. Shannon has also served on the boards of the Arizona Kidney Foundation, the Arizona State University Fine Arts Board and COMPAS and was the founder of the Madison Parent Teacher Organization. Shannon is also well-known for her ongoing 36-year commitment to the Junior League of Phoenix.

“In addition to Judy’s charming and persuasive ability to raise funds for various community causes, she has been a life-long volunteer and has made great contributions to better our community through her passion and compassion for others,” says Dr. Robert F. Spetzler, director of the Barrow Neurological Institute.

Espinoza and Shannon 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 Gary Trujillo and Ellie Ziegler were recognized as the 2013 recipients.

The newest inductees will be formally recognized at a luncheon on March 19, 2015, at the Arizona Biltmore. For more information or to purchase seats or sponsorships, call the Valley Leadership office at (602) 952-6760 or visit www.valleyleadership.org.