Dana Campbell Saylor, former YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix CEO passes away
Former YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix CEO and 2016 Dorothy Willey Award Recipient passed away on May 13, 2024 at the age of 77 in Phoenix, AZ.
A strong advocate for women and social justice, Dana served as chief executive officer of YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix from 2006 – 2014. She was instrumental in forging strong nonprofit partnerships and elevating the voices of women across Arizona. Her work was characterized by a passionate commitment to mentoring and advocacy, ensuring that women had the support and opportunities they needed to thrive.
After stepping down from her leadership role, Dana remained committed to YWCA and its mission. She was the Dorothy Willey Award honoree, which is presented to the woman who most closely exemplifies the spirit of the award’s namesake and her service and dedication to YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, in 2016.
Dana served four Arizona governors to address community issues. During Governor Hull’s administration, she focused on establishing a Governor’s Commission on the Health Status of Arizona Women and Families. Dana has received multiple community-awarded honors, including induction to the Phoenix Union Alumni Hall of Fame, the NAWBO Visionary Award, the West Valley Mover and Shaker Award, and the Golden Heart Award.
She was also a Leadership Excellence award Finalist for National Bank of Arizona’s Woman of the Year, a finalist for Community Partnership Leaders from ONE (the Organization for Non-Profit Executives), and Goodman’s Good Guy Award Finalist. Dana is a member of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and served two Phoenix mayors through the Phoenix Women’s Commission.
Dana has also served on the ASU Community Council, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging, the Advisory Board for the Arizona Women’s Heritage Trail, and the Phoenix Commission on Arts and Culture. She served on the Board of AZ Impact for Good—formerly called the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits—for 8 years. She is also the former Board Chair of the YWCA Pacific Region, which includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, and New Mexico, and served on the ASU West Campus Community Board.
Most recently, Dana was the Co-chair of the Arizona Leadership Council for Take The Lead, Arizona. Take The Lead is a nonprofit organization that provides training, mentoring, and coaching to lead women to gender parity in top leadership positions.
Dana’s commitment to women’s equality and social justice was unwavering. Arizona has lost a nonprofit visionary who helped forge a path toward justice, peace, freedom, and dignity for all. Her leadership at YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix left a profound impact that will continue to inspire us. We are proud to have known her and to celebrate her legacy.