Dr. Sybil Francis, Center for Future of Arizona president/CEO, was a keynote speaker at The Rotary Club of Scottsdale’s luncheon meeting recently held at McCormick Ranch Golf Club.

Dr. Francis, a public policy architect committed to advancing innovative solutions with Arizona, oversees CFA’s strategic innovations, research, partnerships and advances key initiatives at the core of CFA’s mission and work, according to a press release.

Before moving to Arizona in 2002, her public policy work focused on advancing the national science and technology enterprise. She began her career working in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Later, she served in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and served as part of the leadership team of the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, a small private college in New York.

Dr. Francis serves on multiple boards and committees including: The Nature Conservancy Arizona Chapter Board of Trustees, Conservation and Public Policy Committee, Expect More Arizona Statewide Advisory Council, and Arizona Business & Education Coalition Board of Directors.

An elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Francis is a founding member and co-chair of Arizona State University Foundation’s Women & Philanthropy program; a member of the Arizona Women’s Forum and Charter 100.

Dr. Francis earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Oberlin College and her doctorate’s degree in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In addition to her leadership role with the Center for the Future of Arizona, she is a key partner to her husband, ASU President Michael Crow, in forging connections between ASU and the community, the release said.

CFA -- measures progress of jobs, education, young talent, health and well-being, natural resources, infrastructure, civic participation and connected communities within Arizona -- unites Arizonans in building “a bright future for our state” while impacting more than 200,000 students; 5,260 teachers; 200 education leaders, 130 communities and 80 industry partners statewide in education and workforce initiatives, according to Dr. Francis.

She said that 60% of Arizona residents originated from elsewhere - now and 100 years ago. When talking about education, Dr. Francis noted that third grade level reading, student leadership, school principal leadership, civic engagement (learning democracy by doing) and schools’ partnering with employers are primary measurements of success.

Dr. Francis addressed questions about teacher unions, employer needs and school initiatives not being in sync, and the need for cooperation between schools and local leadership groups, such as Rotary and Chamber of Commerce.

She encouraged Rotarians and guests to “dream big and do it together,” the release said.

During the meeting, Rotarians Cary and Susan Silverstein were honored with Paul Harris pins in recognition of their continued financial support of Rotary International Foundation.

Kevin Maldonado, sponsored by Rotarians Lance Davidson and Richard Signeski, was welcomed as the club’s newest member while Gretchen Kinder received her blue club membership badge for completing the required new club member assignments.

Go to: scottsdalerotary.org or call 480-945-6158 for more information.