Female Faces of Philanthropy: Dené Lysette Nuñez Ranki

Dené Lysette Nuñez Rankin is an outspoken young Latina who is actively involved in her community. She is currently enrolled at Pima Community College, and plans to attend law school after earning a Bachelors in Communication from the University of Arizona.
 
Dené became involved with the Women’s Foundation through the Unidas girls’ philanthropy program in 2005. She is now in her second year on the WFSA board of trustees, serving on the grants and luncheon committees. She was selected to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law in Washington D.C. She has also participated in the League of Mexican American Women and found the experience empowering. “I gained a sense of my culture, religion and most importantly a sense of self,” she said.

Dené feels that youth are not just future leaders; they have a lot to offer today. She believes it is vital for youth to play an active role in their community and have a voice not only on non-profit boards, but also as partners helping to make political decisions and social change. She strongly believes, “We must not only be a part of our community but also contribute to and be active in our community.”

A positive role model in her life is her mother, who taught her that “being a woman is having strength and endurance, sharing love, being nurturing and learning as well as passing on the wisdom of the women before us.” A police officer in the TPD Family and Sex Crimes Unit, her mother is an advocate who works to provide justice for children who are victim/survivors of domestic and sexual violence. As a result, Dené is passionate about ending violence against women and children. Through her involvement with Unidas and WFSA, Dené has been able to channel her passion into action.