Valley of the Sun United Way President and CEO Remembers Robin Reed

We all lost a friend last week.

Even if you didn’t know Robin Reed personally, I promise he was pulling for you as he poured every ounce of his wisdom, positivity and selflessness into our community.

If you did know Robin personally, I know you’re as heartbroken as I am.

I met Robin in 2020 when it felt like our world could crack apart. The COVID-19 pandemic was taking hold, George Floyd was murdered and the inequities of access and inclusion were laid bare. The need for both immediate services and long-term solutions was greater than ever.

As a relatively new Valley resident, I sought guidance from myriad leaders on how Valley of the Sun United Way could best serve people in our community during that unprecedented time, and to do so with diversity, equity, access and inclusion as our guide. Our Board Member Ruben Alvarez introduced me to Robin in hopes that he would share his expertise and guidance, and that is what Robin did…for me, for our Board of Directors, for our organization, our community, and United Ways throughout the country and world.

Three Valley United Way women leaders named finalists for top industry awards

As our community celebrates International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Valley of the Sun United Way is proud to announce three of its women leadership team members have been selected as finalists for local business awards in their respective industries. The honorees are Colleen Gautam, senior vice president, general counsel and administration; Shelley Griffin, vice president, information technology; and Christine “CJ” Sullivan, vice president and controller.

“We are incredibly proud of all three of these outstanding women and their critical contributions to ensuring Valley of the Sun United Way is operating efficiently, reaching our strategic goals, and most importantly, supporting our work and partnerships throughout the Valley,” said Tanya Muñiz, chief financial and operating officer at Valley of the Sun United Way. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate their honors as we, as a community, recognize International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month and the incredible strengths and accomplishments of women, particularly in the workplace.”

Grassroots and Small Nonprofits

Valley of the Sun United Way launched Grassroots Partnerships as part of MC2026 to identify and support community-based organizations with annual budgets less than $250,000 that are making a critical impact in Maricopa County aligned to our work with MC2026.

With a particular focus on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color individuals that have long experienced under-investment, we know that investing in Grassroots Partners provides a mechanism for activating a critical missing ingredient in more traditional community development strategies –  the knowledge, passion, commitment, and enduring presence of people who live in a community.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Community Book-in-a-Bag | Thursday, March 21, 2024

Please join us to celebrate women everywhere during Women's History Month. During this special build, we will be stuffing bags with books written by, illustrated by or featuring women throughout history.

→ Sign-up today

2024 LIVE UNITED Week | April 1-5, 2024

Save the dates! Join fellow volunteers for our 2nd annual week of service as we strive to make impact in each of our four focus areas - housing & homelessness, education, workforce development, and health! Throughout the week of April 1-5, we will be bringing volunteer teams out in force across the Valley for daily opportunities to engage.

→ Pre-register

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

We make it simple for you to be a part of the solution, providing ongoing volunteer engagement throughout the year.  

→ View current opportunities

We’d like to share the publication of a very special issue of Frontdoors, a local publication which celebrates those who strive to make the Valley of the Sun a better place to live.

In this issue we had the chance to serve as editorial advisors, and help spotlight donors and partners doing great work in our community. View the full digital Spring Issue 2024 of Frontdoors below.

Jump to:

Cheers to the Chairs: We Are United Breakfast

‘We Love This Community!’ 10 things to know about Steve and Ardie Evans

The Importance of Being Present: Organizations join forces to battle chronic absenteeism in Arizona schools

From Student to Teacher: Steve Sanghi earns an A+ for modeling what’s possible

A Day With Matt Byrnes

‘With Arouet, I know I matter’

Bookmarked: Emma Garcia recommends Energy Rising

Questions?

Reach out to our team at

(602) 631-4800 or [email protected]