Following an extensive national search, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is pleased to announce that Emily Walsh has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, effective June 6, 2022.
As a nonprofit, foundation, and higher education advancement professional, Walsh has more than fifteen years of experience in operations and administration, including technology and business transformation, prospective donor and pipeline development, data analysis, business intelligence, records management, talent development, and strategic planning.
CFSA President and CEO Jenny Flynn shared, “Throughout the process, Emily impressed us with her demonstrated experience as a creative change agent, supportive leader, and avid learner. She showed us she not only has the know-how, but delights in solving difficult organizational, operational, informational, and process-related challenges. We can’t wait to welcome her to the CFSA team to help lead this organization to the next level.”
Most recently, Walsh served the nonprofit sector as a Director with BrightVine, a full-service technology firm providing software development, consulting, and advisory services to the nonprofit industry. She brings extensive experience as a people and project leader from her work as Vice President of Strategic Information Services at The University of Arizona Foundation, and as the Senior Director responsible for overseeing Prospect Research, Prospect Management, and Analytics at the University of Chicago.
Walsh has also served the Southern Arizona community as a volunteer leader at The Drawing Studio and Tucson Festival of Books, and she recently co-founded Tucson Tome Gnome, a local literary collective that provides free books to inspire literacy, reading, happiness, and kindness throughout Tucson, Arizona.
In her new role as Chief Operating Officer with the Community Foundation, Walsh will translate the organization’s vision and strategy into integrated operational tactics, strengthening the internal infrastructure needed to support the Foundation’s diverse goals and stakeholders.
Walsh shared, “As a Tucsonan for over ten years, I’ve admired the Community Foundation for its role in driving positive change throughout Southern Arizona. In that spirit, I could not be more thrilled to join this amazing team of staff, board members, and community partners. I’m looking forward to becoming a part of CFSA’s already amazing legacy – building on forty-two years of community impact.”
She continued, “Our region is rich in culture, community, collaboration, and kindness (not to mention a healthy dose of desert resiliency!), and I’m incredibly excited to have this opportunity to serve my friends and neighbors in this capacity. My goal is to help continue to shed light on the empowering role of philanthropy in supporting the people and organizations that make Southern Arizona so special. And – perhaps most importantly – I’m inspired and eager to share in our collective mission of creating an equitable and vibrant community for all.”
About Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Since 1980, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA) has been a trusted philanthropic partner helping individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits work together to create an equitable and vibrant community for all Southern Arizonans. To date, CFSA has awarded over $215 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, visit www.cfsaz.org or call 520-770-0800.