Michelle Gayles

Michelle Gayles joined the Arizona Community Foundation as Chief Impact Officer in July 2024. In her role, Gayles will oversee the implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at fostering statewide growth and community impact. Her responsibilities will include guiding fund development, supporting the ACF regional team and statewide partners, enhancing the donor experience, overseeing community engagement and grantmaking efforts, forging strategic partnerships, and leading marketing and communications outreach in alignment with ACF’s strategic plan.

Prior to ACF, she spent ten years at Phoenix Union High School District (“PXU”), most recently as Chief Strategy Officer, where she was responsible for managing long-term strategic planning for the district, developing and expanding the district’s portfolio of schools and ensuring that all students have access to quality schools and programs. Additionally, she oversaw technology, data and research, facilities and construction, and transportation. Before her tenure at PXU, Michelle was the Vice President of Community Impact at Valley of the Sun United Way (“VP”). As VP, she designed and led local and statewide early childhood, youth, and young adult initiatives in partnership with educational institutions, nonprofits, and businesses and oversaw the grants management process. Michelle built a strong partnership with the marketing & development teams to expand and strengthen donor engagement and also co-managed the community impact team.

Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in marketing and general business from Miami University and went on to earn a Master of Nonprofit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University, both in Ohio.