Edna Meza Aguirre, JD, CFRE
A first-generation Tucson native, Edna is fluently bilingual and bicultural, with Spanish as her first language and learning English at age seven. She received her B.A. from the University of Arizona and a law degree from the Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law. Edna self identifies as BIPOC/Latinx, and she is governed by the tenet that representation is crucial.
She has a unique background in law, teaching, political and not-for-profit fundraising. Edna is a consultant with Arizona Center for Women’s Advancement, the first think tank by and for Arizona Women, providing information and advocacy to women working to improve their communities.
She serves on the boards of Planned Parenthood Arizona, the University of Arizona Consortium on Gender Based Violence, the Southern Arizona Chapter of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as well as the AFP Global political action committee (PAC) board, a nonpartisan PAC focusing on philanthropy and charitable giving.
In 2015 she was awarded the AFP Fundraising Executive of the Year award for her career spanning the areas of higher education, not for profits, and hospitals and health care.
Edna teaches International Alternative Dispute Resolution, Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiations as well as the Deposition collaborative course at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. Edna has previously volunteered for Lawyers for Literacy, the Banner Hospital neo-natal unit and the Sun Sounds Radio reading to the visually impaired. In all capacities, she conducted her volunteer services in both English and Spanish.
Edna grew up in her parents’ Mexican food restaurant, and learned early on how make a mean red chili sauce, wait tables and the lost art of making change. A skilled baker and a home cook, she loves to host and attend fabulous dinner parties. She is currently a mentor with the College of Law LAWtina program - a mentoring program to help undergraduate students.
Degree(s)
- JD