Alumna, Advocacy Leader Anna Maria Chávez is 2018 University of Arizona Law Convocation Speaker

Anna Maria Chávez (‘94), the executive vice president and chief growth officer for the National Council on Aging, will deliver the keynote address at the convocation ceremony for the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, May 12, 2018.

Chávez is responsible for advancing the National Council on Aging’s mission to improve the health and economic security of 10 million older adults by 2020. It is the nation’s oldest advocacy organization dedicated to helping Americans navigate the challenges of aging.

Law students invited Chávez to speak, citing her national leadership, passion for public service and social engagement.

She has been a leader and advocate for helping others across every stage of life, and previously served as chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the USA. During her time leading the Girl Scouts of the USA, she instilled a focus on teaching girls about technology and social entrepreneurship, adding badges in fields like financial literacy and STEM education. She was the first woman of color to lead the iconic organization.

Chávez held numerous posts in President Bill Clinton’s administration before returning to Arizona to serve then-governor Janet Napolitano as deputy chief of staff for urban relations and community development.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in American history from Yale University before receiving her juris doctorate from University of Arizona Law.

Among her many accolades, Chávez is the recipient of the 2013 Law College Association Award and a 2014 honorary Doctor of Laws degree from University of Arizona Law. She has been recognized as one of the 100 Women Leaders in STEM by STEMconnector and was inducted into the U.S. News & World Report’s STEM Leadership Hall of Fame in 2016.

For details on Arizona Law’s 2018 graduation ceremony, click here.