Commissioners

My interest in the Women’s Commission stemmed from my Great Aunt’s work with the commission as one of first appointed commissioners in the early 1970′s. Ms. Ella Rumley involved herself in women’s and Native American issues. I was inspired by her and hope to inspire others, in the long, on-going quest for complete equality and participation of women and minorities in today’s American society.I have over 18 years experience in the field of business education and training. I am a college instructor and have owned my own training and video production businesses. I am a published writer and business columnist, and currently write for two national publications; Indian Country Today (Marketplace Insights) and Native American Journal. In a civic capacity, I have served on numerous boards, commissions, committees and councils at the tribal, city, state and national levels; including three appointments made by the Governor of Arizona. I was elected to a chair position for most of my terms. I have extensive knowledge and experience working with various aspects of leadership and governance.My education includes: an A.A. Degree in Social work, a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and an MBA in Global Business. I am currently studying for a PhD. in Business and Organizational Management with a concentration on leadership and organizational change. I continue to study, research and write in the field of business and management with a special focus on the cultural dynamics of Native American Organizations. I am Tohono O’odham/Choctaw, an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, located in Southern Arizona.

Rich and her husband, Bobby, moved to Tucson in 1992 to raise their two daughters, Laine now 27 who serves as an Assistant Town Attorney for Marana and Lesley 22 who will graduate from the UA in December. Tucson has been the perfect community for our family, our girls have enjoyed a vibrant education and are now poised to make an impact in Southern Arizona.Rich was named CEO in October, after serving as the Sahuaro Girl Scout Council’s (SGSC) chief operating officer since 2006. During her tenure she has worked with the community to create a social service delivery model which engages college women in delivering the Girl Scout program to underserved girls living in challenged communities; redesigned the Council’s fund development model and secured capital gifts for improvements of Girl Scout properties and grown the membership across Southern Arizona. Rich also has helped create The Partnership for Women and Girls, a collaboration with Emerge! and the YWCA to support local leadership training for girls and women.Rich says, “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Although the traditions of Girl Scouting, particularly its vast array of outdoor activities and the cookie program which teach girls self-reliance and leadership skills, are still very important to the Girl Scouting movement, Girl Scouting has evolved to address some of the most prevalent systemic causes behind poverty, illiteracy, hunger, homelessness, and violence. Women, far more often than men, shoulder the responsibility as single head of household with children and by equipping girls with courage, confidence, and character we give them the attributes needed to be tomorrow’s best parents, workers, and citizens. SGSC tailors its program to meet the unique needs of the individual girl. Girl Scout curriculum focuses on: leadership development; self-discovery; social change; literacy; science, math, engineering, technology and environmental programs that inspire girls to embrace the sciences; be sound stewards of the environment; be physically fit and understand finances which help break the cycle of poverty by teaching girls important lessons about earning, spending, saving, and investing”.It is an exciting time for the movement as Girl Scouting will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012 – proof that the organization continues to play a vital role in the lives of girls, Rich says. Rich previously served in Tucson as an intergenerational tutor coordinator for OASIS, program director at the Volunteer Center, associate director of Tu Nidito Children and Family Services, and as a public relations and marketing executive for Carondelet Health Network.