Female Faces of Philanthropy: Mary Ann Dobras

Mary Ann Dobras describes herself as a "community volunteer." Over the past 30 years, she has served on numerous non-profit boards, including Sahuaro Girl Scout Council, Planned Parenthood, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, the Educational Enrichment Foundation, Tucson Medical Center, the University of Arizona Foundation, the Stocker Foundation and the Women's Studies Advisory Council, and is a past chair of the Women's Foundation Board of Trustees. "I really care about this community," she says, "and I think board service is a way for people to be effective change agents."

"This is especially true for the Women's Foundation," she continues. "I think women can be particularly effective as change agents, and WFSA provides them with opportunities to develop the leadership skills to do so."

Mary Ann also believes supporting the Women's Foundation with an annual contribution is a good philanthropic investment. "I know that the Women's Foundation has thoroughly researched community programs, and is sensitive to the challenges and barriers women and girls face. While it is important to support established programs that serve women and girls, I like the fact that the Foundation seeks out non-traditional, innovative projects for their grant making. I know that my gift, combined with others, helps to fund these grants."

When she's not volunteering, Mary Ann enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling. She and her husband Darryl have three adult daughters and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their fourth grandchild in early January.