Celebrating Women’s Leadership at CFSA and Across Southern Arizona
When I sit in CFSA’s boardroom, my eyes often land on the black‑and‑white portraits of our board chairs—a quiet timeline stretching from 1980 to today. That wall reminds me daily of whose leadership cleared the path for mine. During my tenure as President & CEO, I’ve had the privilege of working with three extraordinary women Board Chairs—Jan Lesher, Styne Hill, and Taunya Villicana—each a powerhouse in her field and each unwavering in her support as I found my footing.
Not once did they ask me to “prove myself again”, a bias many women know too well. Jan taught me the art of the five‑minute, high‑impact conversation. Styne brought her engineer’s mind to help modernize our creaky processes—farewell, Microsoft Access! Taunya urges me to lead boldly, to reject false choices, and to pair courage with care.
The future we create together is rooted in the context of the past. Donna Grant, CFSA’s first full-time leader, offered me wisdom I return to often: CFSA must adapt to the needs of the community as the needs of the community change.
These women—past and present—remind me that leadership is a continuum.
March is Women’s History Month, including International Women’s Day on March 8. One of the things I value most about leading the team at CFSA is that our leadership is women-led, including our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President for Philanthropy, and Vice President of Community Impact. It is a daily reminder of what is possible when women are trusted to lead.
At CFSA, women hold 72% of staff positions, closely reflecting the nonprofit sector nationwide, where women make up about 75% of the workforce, according to the American Association of University Women. Yet women lead only about 25% of nonprofits nationally, which makes CFSA an outlier, and one we are proud of.
This month is also a moment to pause and reflect. To recognize the women who opened doors before us, and to encourage young women and emerging leaders to keep lifting one another up. Progress may not always feel fast, but it is real, and it happens when women support women, share knowledge, and lead with care.
Here are a few ways we can show up this month:
1. Support nonprofits that uplift women. YWCA of Southern Arizona runs programs such as the Women’s Business Center, which is an invaluable resource for local solopreneurs. (There’s a great list of more nonprofits below!)
2. Learn about Pima Early Education Program Scholarships and other programs that open the door for economic stability for women and their families in Pima County.
3. Engage with our March programming! Caring for We: Supporting Ourselves While Helping Others is a one-hour virtual session on March 18th focused on navigating grief, preventing burnout, and caring for ourselves while supporting others. I will be leading Ask an Expert: Engaging Young Professionals, giving practical ideas for engaging the next generation in volunteerism and philanthropy on March 24th.
Together, these moments reflect what Women’s History Month is all about: learning from one another, showing up fully, and building a community that is better for all.
Last but definitely not least: a shout-out to the many organizations serving women and girls in the region, including but certainly not limited to the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona, Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Junior League of Tucson, Emerge, Circles of Peace, Sister Jose Women’s Center, American Association of University Women, and The Haven, which will be the focus of our March Giving Project collaboration with KGUN 9 & Pat Parris.
Jenny Flynn
President & CEO
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona