Phoenix member Ellie Ziegler was recently named Woman of the Year by Valley Leadership, the oldest and largest leadership development organization in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. She will be formally recognized at a luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore on March 27, 2014, as the recipient of this prestigious award. Besides being an enthusiastic and active member of our ARCS chapter (you may have seen her at NAM in Hawaii), Ellie is dedicated to serving multiple philanthropic organizations benefiting education, the arts, athletics, Boys and Girls Clubs, health care and human services. She is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with a career spanning 25 years working with Phoenix organizations.

Ellie is well known for her leadership with the Fiesta Bowl, providing more than 30 years of active volunteerism. As Chairman of the Board in 2006 she led 28 staff members and 3,000 community volunteers in the execution of three national college Bowl games and 50 statewide events. Ellie commits not only her time but also her resources to many worthy causes. She provided the lead gift to raise funds for the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and for Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center's Campus for Exceptional Children in Phoenix.

"Ellie's innate leadership abilities motivate her fellow citizens to give back to their communities," said Ambassador Barbara Barrett, Selection Committee co-chair. "Her selfless service to her community is a shining example of what it means to be a Valley Leadership Woman of the Year."