PHOENIX, AZ, OCTOBER 5th, 2021 - The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) is pleased to announce Jennifer Sanchez, Arizona Community Affairs Manager for Intel,will join the Board of Trustees.
Sanchez manages neighbor relations for Intel Arizona as the company invests $20 billion in building two new factories. She also oversees Intel’s PreK-12 education strategic programs in STEAM and social equity, including the recently announced Equity in STEAM Initiative, a new funding opportunity for educators and nonprofits.
In her former marketing and communications role, she supported Intel’s Global Diversity, Inclusion and Social Impact team, earning numerous recognitions for initiating and executing inclusive strategic storytelling and resources. In addition to her work, Sanchez was the program manager of the 2020 Girls in STEM Day at Intel in Arizona and is as a member of several Intel employee resource groups, including the African Ancestry, LGBT+ and Native American networks.
Prior to joining Intel, Sanchez was in Utah, where she served as the former director of a pre-employment program for at-hope, underserved teenagers as well as a community collaborations director at United Way of Salt Lake. She has also worked in policy and politics in Washington, D.C. Earlier in her career, Sanchez was an award-winning reporter at newspapers nationwide, including The Salt Lake Tribune and The Albuquerque Tribune.
Sanchez was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Arizona is the ninth state she calls home. She is proud to be a product of at-hope, Title 1 public schools and a first-generation college graduate thanks to her mother and teachers, like Mr. Kevin Keich. She’s passionate about culturally relevant pedagogy in STEAM.
“I want all students – specifically BIPOC students like me – to know they belong and can do whatever they want to do,” Sanchez said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Arizona through AEF’s efforts to support the amazing things happening in our schools.”
Sanchez joins the AEF Board in the seat vacated by former Intel employee, Renee Levin, who recently joined the staff of AEF to serve as Equity Champion.
“We are thrilled to have Jennifer’s expertise guiding AEF’s work,” stated Brian Schulman, Board President. “Her background in education and communications as well as the equity work she has helped guide at Intel align perfectly with AEF’s programs and services.”
Providing programs to support public education in Arizona has been AEF’s mission since it was founded in 1983 by then Superintendent of Public Instruction, Carolyn Warner. AEF is most well-known for programs like the Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards, A+ School of Excellence Awards, and the Arizona Spelling Bee. In recent years, the organization has expanded its work to include “teachSTEM,” which encourages students to become STEM teachers; and “Our World,” a free equity program for schools and districts.
“AEF is incredibly lucky to have someone of Jennifer’s expertise joining our staff,” states Kim Graham, Executive Director. “Her work in education, equity, and marketing will strengthen AEF’s ability and reach in communities statewide.”
Sanchez’s appointment to the AEF Board is for a two-year term.
About Arizona Educational Foundation:
The mission of AEF is to celebrate excellence and cultivate equity in Pre-K-12th grade Arizona public education. This is accomplished through a variety of programs for teachers, administrators, and students. Some programs shine a spotlight on excellence; others provide a stepping stone to help support schools and educators on the road to awesomeness. In addition to the Arizona Teacher of the Year program, AEF also coordinates the Arizona State Spelling Bee, the A+ School of Excellence Award, the Principals Leadership Academy of Arizona, teachSTEM, Take Your Legislator to School, and Our World. AEF was founded in 1983 by then State Superintendent of Public Education, Carolyn Warner, who felt a nonprofit needed to be established to champion public education and recognize the great work of public school educators. AEF annually reaches over 500,000 students, teachers and administrators throughout Arizona. For more information, visit www.azedfoundation.org or contact info@azedfoundation.org.
Media Contact:
Kim Graham
Executive Director, Arizona Educational Foundation
Cell Phone: (615) 509-7422
Email address: kim@azedfoundation.org
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