Center for the Future of Arizona Remembers Founding Board Member George Dean
Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is deeply saddened by the passing of George Dean, a founding member of CFA’s Board of Directors and one of the leaders who helped guide our organization from its earliest days.
For more than two decades, George brought his experience, judgment, and unmistakable voice to CFA’s Board. He believed in Arizona and its people, and he brought to our work a perspective grounded in decades of leadership in the community and a clear understanding of both the challenges people face and the possibilities for our state.
“George was part of CFA from the beginning, and his voice and perspective helped shape who we are,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of Center for the Future of Arizona. “He cared deeply about people and about creating opportunity for every Arizonan. I will miss his humor, his kindness, and the wisdom and perspective he brought to CFA for more than 20 years.”
George’s contributions to CFA were one part of an extraordinary career of service. Since 1992, he served as President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Urban League, where his leadership touched the lives of Arizonans across the community. Before coming to Phoenix, he led Urban League affiliates in Sacramento and Omaha. His experience and deep connection to the community made his perspective especially valuable to CFA as we worked to understand what Arizonans want for their future and how our state can make greater progress toward those aspirations.
“George believed in the potential of Arizona’s people,” said Paul J. Luna, President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation and longtime CFA Board member. “He brought that commitment to CFA throughout his many years on the Board, and our work was stronger because of it.”
It is difficult to tell CFA’s story without George. He was there as the organization took shape and remained a steady presence as CFA grew and expanded its work across Arizona.
“George’s more than two decades of service to CFA spanned so much of our organization’s growth and evolution,” said the Honorable Ruth McGregor, retired Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court and CFA Board member. “His longstanding commitment to this work is an important part of CFA’s history, and I am grateful to have served alongside him.”
George will remain an important part of CFA’s history and of the foundation on which our work continues. We hold his family and the Greater Phoenix Urban League community in our thoughts as we remember and honor all that he contributed to CFA and to Arizona.