Leadership ~ Sandra Day O'Connor Institute For American Democracy

women in leadership photo of justice sandra day o'connor

Sandra Day O'Connor, Founder

Sandra Day O'Connor made history in 1981 when she was sworn in by then Chief Justice Warren Burger as the first woman to the United States Supreme Court in its 191-year history.   Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, it was O'Connor’s intelligence and grit that made her a transformational figure in the nation's highest court of law.

To read a detailed biography of Justice O'Connor, please click here.

women in leadership civic photo of sarah suggs

Sarah E. Suggs, President & CEO

Sarah E. Suggs is a third-generation Arizonan whose extensive career has taken her to the east and west coasts before returning to her native state in 2001. She has served as an executive for Pivotal Group, a private equity and real estate investment firm, KSL, a KKR, Kohlberg, Kravis and Roberts company, and as Executive Director of The National Women’s Hall of Fame in New York, which recognizes and celebrates the achievements of extraordinary American women.

A community volunteer since the age of 12, Ms. Suggs has held several leadership positions including Phoenix Heart Ball Chairman, Arizona Science Center Gala Chairman, Women’s Board of the Barrow Neurological Foundation, a Founder of Phoenix Children’s Hospital Leadership Circle and Past President of Charter 100, whose purpose is to recognize outstanding women in the community and provide a forum for their interaction. Honorary members include former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and former Arizona Governors Rose Mofford, Jane Dee Hull and Janet Napolitano.

Board Officers

Matt Feeney 2023

Matthew P. Feeney

Co-Chair of the Board

Matt Feeney is the Chair of the Board of Snell & Wilmer, one of the largest law firms in the Western United States, with offices in Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Los Cabos, Mexico. His practice is concentrated in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, SEC reporting and compliance, and corporate governance matters, including advising corporate boards and board committees.

Matt is a member of the Board of Directors of the Musical Instrument Museum and Greater Phoenix Leadership. He is also a member of the Notre Dame Law School Advisory Council. He serves on the Board of Directors of Attorneys’ Liability Assurance Society, Inc., a mutual insurance company. Matt graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he also received his Juris Doctorate.

women in leadership photo of gay firestone wray

Gay Firestone Wray

Co-Chair of the Board

Gay Firestone Wray is President of the Roger S. Firestone Foundation and was a leader in the establishment of O'Connor House, initially helping to relocate the original adobe home, and has supported its many projects and programs over the years. Wray is a philanthropist with a long history in leadership roles, including the Smithsonian National Board, an advisory trustee of the Phoenix Country Day School, a life member of the Barrow Neurological Institute, and a member of Hospice of the Valley. She is a former director of Bank of America, Arizona, and her past philanthropic associations have included the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary, Charter 100, Senator's Cup, Valley Shakespeare Theatre, and Christ Church Memorial Garden.

kellybarr

Kelly Barr

Vice Chair
Retired Associate General Manager, Chief Strategy, Corporate Services and Sustainability Executive Salt River Project

Kelly Barr is responsible for and oversees SRP’s Corporate Strategy; Resource Planning; Research and Development; Economic Development; Environmental Services & Sustainability; Supply Chain; Transportation; Logistics & Warehousing; Flight Services; Facilities and Mechanical Construction Maintenance Services; and Analytics and Information groups.

In 2020, Kelly was recognized by the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project for her leadership in developing and implementing SRP’s sustainability goals. In 2019, Kelly was a finalist for the S&P Global Platts, Global Energy Awards 2019. This award recognizes business leaders/individuals that have influenced their industry throughout their career and who are focused on energy, chemicals, energy investment or policy. In 2017, she was recognized by AZ Business Magazine as one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona.

Kelly holds a Juris Doctorate (JD), magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona College of Law and a B.A. from the University of Arizona, with High Distinction and Honors (Phi Beta Kappa). She started her career at Jennings, Strouss, and Salmon and joined SRP in 1992.

bryan-saba

Bryan Saba

Secretary
Principal, Desert Cedar Holdings

Bryan Saba was with Accenture for 23 years, serving as a leadership Partner from 1995 thru 2006. After leaving Accenture, he formed a real estate investing and consulting company, focused on activities in the Phoenix market. He currently owns Desert Cedar Holdings and is on the Board of Directors for Communities Southwest, a land development company.

Bryan is a member of the Arizona Science Center Board of Trustees and is a past board chairman. He also serves on the Brophy College Preparatory Board of Regents. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and Accounting from the University of Arizona.

Brian-Scott

Brian Scott

Treasurer

Scott serves as the First Executive Vice President and nationwide Director of Private Banking for MidFirst Bank. Formerly the chief credit officer at MidFirst, Brian has spent 30 years in the financial industry. A third generation native of Phoenix, he holds both a B.S. in finance and an MBA from Arizona State University. Scott began his career with Valley National Bank, now Chase Bank before becoming Bank of America Southern California Senior Vice President.

Scott returned to Arizona to serve as Compass Bank Executive Vice President before joining MidFirst Bank in 2006. He oversees four MidFirst Bank national divisions including its Private Banking Group with $2 billion in assets. He is also responsible for the Retail Mortgage Lending Group, MidFirst Business Credit and Community Reinvestment Lending. Scott serves on the Editorial Board for the Risk Management Association Journal and on Arizona Country Club Board of Directors as its Vice President.

Board of Directors

Shirley Baum

Shirley Baum

Shirley Baum is vice president, law for Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its primary subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company (APS), Arizona’s largest energy company.
Baum has oversight of various legal functions, including corporate/commercial, regulatory, litigation, environmental, nuclear, and labor and employment practice groups. As vice president of law, she is responsible for law department operations and oversight of the external firms that bring additional expertise to the department.
Baum is a Certified Public Accountant.

She graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned a law degree from the Arizona State University College of Law. Baum also serves on the Board of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.

Bierman_Sandra crop

Sandra Bierman

Sandra Bierman grew up in Paradise Valley, Arizona. She obtained her B.A. from Northwestern University in 1989 and her J.D. from the UCLA School of Law in 1993.

Sandra returned to Arizona in 1996 to become an Associate General Counsel by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) and was later promoted to her current position of Vice President, Legal Services. She has led many significant projects and implementation teams throughout her career and currently plays a key role in leading the BCBSAZ Legal and Privacy teams.

Sandra previously served on the boards of the Arizona Town Hall and Waste Not, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals with food insecurity. A patron of numerous animal charities, she enjoys traveling with husband Robert Bierman, M.D., and spending time with family and two Corgis, Barron and Chloe.

JBridger

John Bridger

John Bridger has a significant banking background. He spent 19 years as executive director of the Thunderbirds.  John grew the organization’s annual charitable giving from $1 million when he started to $13 million when he retired in 2020.

Prior to coming to the Thunderbirds, Bridger served as executive vice president for Bank of America in Dallas, Texas, and was directly responsible for more than 425 bank centers.

He has been elected to the 2020 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame class by the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission and was formally inducted on Friday, April 23, 2021.

wendy-breuder

Wendy Breuder

Wendy Breuder was Arizona President and Head of Corporate Real Estate & Location Strategy for MUFG from 2017-2020. Managing over 12 million square-feet of real estate, she was responsible for transforming the firm’s corporate real estate footprint and executing the strategy for a newly created shared services initiative in the U.S.

Previously, she managed over 175 of the largest multinational Fortune 500 corporate relationships within the U.S. Corporate Banking Division at MUFG. Her team was responsible for client relationship management and facilitating new business opportunities in over 40 countries with an emphasis on Asia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami, a Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University, and is a graduate of the Kellogg School of Management, Women’s Director Development Program at Northwestern University. Wendy is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and holds Finra licenses series 24, 63, and 79.

CBurton-Headshot

Christy Burton

Co-Founder, Burton Family Foundation

Christy is the co-founder of the Burton Family Foundation, and chairs the Foundation board. Their focus of support is centered on innovative programs that promote equity and opportunity for underserved students. In her role at the foundation, Ms. Burton works with district schools, charter schools, education foundations, universities, as well as non-profit organizations that foster equity and quality education in Arizona.

In addition to her work for the Burton Family Foundation, Christy also serves on the Arizona State Board of Education and on the boards of ARCS Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists), Teach for America (Arizona), Society for Science and the Public, STEP- Student Expedition College Prep Program, Support My Club and Social Venture Partners, Phoenix. She is a member of Arizona Grantmakers Forum, Aspen Institute Society of Fellows, Philanthropy Roundtable, Women in Philanthropy and Arizona State University President’s Club. Christy holds a B.S. in Economics and a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University. She has been married to Daryl Burton for 30 years.

women in leadership photo of Phillip Francis

Philip L. Francis

Past President and CEO of PetSmart Inc.

Phil Francis was President and CEO of PetSmart Inc. from 1998 to 2009, then was appointed executive chairman in June 2009 until his retirement in 2012. He began his career in 1971 rising to president and chief executive officer of Shaw’s Supermarkets (1991–98) before joining PetSmart, Inc. Francis is an active supporter of Arizona State University and a member of the board of trustees. In 2003 he received the Executive of the Year award from Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business Dean’s Council of 100. Francis serves on the Greater Phoenix Leadership Board of Directors and was Chairman 2009-2011.

women in leadership photo of Rufus Glasper

Rufus Glasper

President & CEO, League for Innovation in the Community College

Rufus Glasper is president and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College, an international nonprofit organization that cultivates innovation in the community college space. Dr. Glasper is the chancellor emeritus of the Maricopa Community Colleges, one of the nation’s largest multi-college community college systems.

He earned a B.A. from Luther College, master’s and advanced degrees in school business administration from Northern Illinois University. He received his doctorate in higher education finance from the University of Arizona. Dr. Glasper serves on the board of directors for the Education Design Lab and the Arizona Community Foundation.

women in leadership photo of Chevy Humphrey

Chevy Humphrey

President & CEO at The Museum of Science and Industry

Chevy Humphrey is a recognized national and international leader in the museum field. Prior to joining Museum of Science and Industry, one of the largest science museums in the world, she served as CEO of the Phoenix-based Arizona Science Center for 15 years. Humphrey is currently Chair of the Board of the American Alliance of Museums and previously served as Chair of the Board of the Association of Science and Technology Centers.

Jan Lewis

Jan Lewis

Co-Founder, T.W. Lewis Foundation

Jan Lewis is the co-founder and trustee of the T.W. Lewis Foundation which supports a wide range of programs for children and families in need, character education and other causes that help strengthen our community. She is a dedicated leader and volunteer who champions the mission of the Foundation with her involvement in many organizations throughout the Valley. Jan is currently the Vice President of the Board of Trustees at the Desert Botanical Garden, a member of the Women’s Board of the O’Connor Institute, and is a member of the Women’s Board of the Barrow Neurological Foundation. She is especially passionate about the Migraine Treatment Program at Barrow Neurological Institute, which she helped to create.

Jan’s background is in special education, early childhood education and school counseling. She also has a special interest in early childhood literature. Jan and her husband Tom have lived in Arizona for over 40 years and have three grown sons. She enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, traveling and exercising. However, her greatest joy is spending time with her three grandchildren.

Barabra-Lockwood

Barbara Lockwood

Senior Vice President, Public Policy, Arizona Public Service

Barbara Lockwood is senior vice president of public policy for Arizona Public Service (APS). Based in Phoenix, APS is Arizona’s largest electric company and serves nearly 1.3 million customers across the state. Lockwood oversees the company’s federal and state regulatory affairs, federal, state and local public affairs, community affairs, corporate giving and sustainability functions. Lockwood previously served as vice president of regulation, in which she managed federal and state regulatory affairs. Prior to moving into regulatory, she served as general manager of energy innovation, where she managed technology and renewable energy programs, including customer programs for distributed solar and electric vehicles as well as the operation and maintenance of the utility’s solar generation fleet. Lockwood joined APS in 1999.

Lockwood current serves as chair of the Edison Electric Institute’s State Regulatory Affairs Executive Advisory Committee and on the Advisory Committee for the Critical Consumer Issues Forum, a national energy policy group. She has also served on the Solar Technical Advisory Board for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Research Advisory Committee for the Electric Power Research Institute and the Board of Directors for the GridWise Alliance.

Tim-Louis

Tim Louis

Desert Capital Investments

Tim Louis is a venture capitalist, philanthropist and triathlete. A principal of Desert Capital Investments, Tim is a former audiologist, and a co-founder and board member for Desert Voices Oral Learning Center. Desert Voices is a nonprofit, private oral education school for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Tim also serves on the Phoenix Country Day School Board of Trustees.

Karen McConnell

Karen McConnell

Partner, Ballard Spahr

Karen C. McConnell is a partner and the Co-Practice Leader of Ballard Spahr's Private Equity Group. She is known for her work in corporate and securities law, mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions. Karen attended University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 1984, and BBA, Ohio University summa cum laude, 1981. Her Pro Bono Experience includes as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care. She is a Board Member of the Barrow Neurological Foundation.

Jane Michaels

Jane Michaels

Senior Counsel, Holland & Hart

Jane Michaels is Senior Counsel with Holland & Hart in Denver, Colorado. She currently focuses her practice on alternative dispute resolution and serves as an arbitrator and mediator in commercial and intellectual property disputes. Jane is a Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators and the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. As the former Chair of Holland & Hart’s Trial Practice and with more than 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer, Jane has successfully represented clients in hundreds of complex business and technology cases in courtrooms around the country.

Jane was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the International Society of Barristers. She was selected for inclusion in Lawdragon’s “Leading Lawyers in America” Hall of Fame. She was President of the Denver Bar Association during its centennial year. Jane holds a B.A. degree from Wellesley College, an M.A.T. degree from Harvard University, and a J.D. degree from Boston University. She served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center, which provides pro bono legal representation, crisis management, and systemic reform advocacy on behalf of abused, neglected and trauma-impacted children throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

john-c-norling

John C. Norling

Partner, Jennings, Strouss & Salmon

John C. Norling is a Partner and former Managing Attorney of Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, which he joined in 2013. His practice is focused on advising clients on all aspects of their operations, including commercial transactions, real estate, business organizations, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, federal and administrative compliance, business contract negotiations, and advertising law. Mr. Norling serves as General Counsel to the Arizona Automobile Dealers’ Association, Valley Chevrolet Dealers Advertising Association, Valley Honda Dealers Marketing Association, Tucson Chevy Dealers Local Marketing Association, and several other industry related associations. He was selected as a Phoenix Business Journal “Most Admired Leaders” in 2020 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation / Phoenix Zoo.

women in leadership photo of Frederick Pakis

Frederick M. Pakis

Chairman, Pakis Family Foundation

Fred Pakis co-founded JDA Software, Inc., a supply chain management international company, and retired at a relatively early age.  Subsequently, he established The Pakis Family Foundation in 1996 through the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF). Pakis serves on the ACF Board of Directors and Investment Committee, and sponsors ACF’s suite of corporate services through the Pakis Center for Business Philanthropy. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and on the Phoenix Symphony Board of Directors.

D Patterson

Delia Patterson

Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Salt River Project

Delia Patterson oversees SRP’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Ms. Patterson previously served as Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Communications and General Counsel at the American Public Power Association (APPA) and was a senior associate at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, a global law firm headquartered in New York City. Ms. Patterson held the rank of Lieutenant in the United States Navy, serving six years within the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program before being honorably discharged. She is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Committee and has served as Board President of the Energy Bar Association. Ms. Patterson holds a J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, a M.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech, a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy.

women in leadership photo of Jane Roig

Jane Roig

Vice Chair, Helios Education Foundation

With more than 35 years of strategic and executive management in the public and not-for-profit sectors, Jane L. Roig has focused her professional life on activities related to improving educational opportunities for students and families.  As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Student Services Corporation, she was responsible for leading and managing a comprehensive array of student loan products and services, and helped lead the organization’s evolution to the subsequent founding of Helios Education Foundation.

Ms. Roig currently serves as a member of the Board of the Helios Education Foundation and the Arizona Science Center Board of Trustees.  She is a past Vice Chair of the Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Michael-Rooney

Michael Rooney

Attorney, Sacks Tierney

Michael Rooney practices business and corporate law with Sack Tierney, where he has been a member of the firm for nearly 50 years. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Rooney has a long tradition of community service, including the Prescott College Board of Trustees, Rio Salado Foundation, Tempe Center for the Arts Foundation, and Arizona Family College Savings Plan Oversight Committee. Mike is a past President of the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Distinguished Eagle award. Mike is past Board Chair of the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education, which regulates the private trade and technical school industry in Arizona, having been appointed by Governor Jane Hull and Governor Janet Napolitano.

rowleyjason

Jason Rowley

Past President and CEO, Phoenix Suns

Jason Rowley most recently served as the President and CEO of the Phoenix Suns, overseeing the management of Talking Stick Resort Arena, the WNBA Phoenix Mercury and other Suns’ business interests. Rowley served as the team’s COO as well as Sr. VP and General Counsel. He began his career with Snell & Wilmer represented the Suns’ ownership group in their acquisition of the club in 2004. Rowley earned his bachelor’s degree in 1994 from the U of A then joined the U.S. Navy, serving as an intelligence analyst. He returned to the U of A for his law degree.

Rowley serves on Greater Phoenix Leadership, the Thunderbirds, the Board of Phoenix Suns Charities, and the Board of Downtown Phoenix Inc.

Mark-Stebbings

Mark Stebbings

Executive Vice President and Director of Specialty Lending, National Bank of Arizona

Mark Stebbings is Executive Vice President and Director of Specialty Lending for National Bank of Arizona, focusing on investor real estate financing for multi-family, industrial, office, retail and residential projects. Mark currently manages multiple lending groups at National Bank of Arizona. He is a member of the NBAZ senior executive team and is relied upon for making business decisions that directly impact the company.

In addition to being involved in various trade organizations, Mark is currently the Vice Chairman of Treasure House, a non-profit focused on the housing needs of young adults with intellectual disabilities. He is also Chairman of the Governance Committee and a member of the Finance Committee.

Stay Connected

Register Today for News and Event Updates

Follow Us

THE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR INSTITUTE IS A 501 (C) (3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. TAX ID: 26-3521510
TERMS OF USE   •   PRIVACY POLICY