Planned Parenthood Arizona CEO Bryan Howard Receives Highest Honor for Leadership
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
National Ruth Green Award Honors Outstanding Leadership and Service
PHOENIX, AZ — Tonight, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) presented the Ruth Green Award to Planned Parenthood Arizona President & CEO Bryan Howard. The award is the highest honor bestowed upon staff leadership and was presented at the Planned Parenthood 2008 Gala, the highlight of Planned Parenthood’s National Conference, which is attended by more than 1,000 leaders and members of the organization.
“Bryan Howard is a fearless leader, a passionate advocate and a champion for women’s health,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards. “Bryan’s commitment to the mission of Planned Parenthood embodies the spirit of fellow Arizonan Ruth Green, whose dedication to creating strong health care organizations through board and CEO partnerships is the gold standard for Planned Parenthood nationwide."
The Ruth Green Award was established in 1981 to honor a remarkable and talented woman who served Planned Parenthood as a volunteer, an executive director and an ambassador-at-large for the mission of Planned Parenthood. Originally from Arizona herself, Ruth Green believed in the power of a strong partnership between an affiliate’s leadership and board of directors. Awardees are chosen by their peers for outstanding leadership with boards and volunteers in planning, public affairs, and fundraising.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Howard said, “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished and how we’ve accomplished it. I am proud that more mothers and babies survive the perils of pregnancy. I am proud that more families celebrate a new addition rather than regret it. I am proud that more young women can choose motherhood or a career — or both. And I am proud we are helping more young people to experience their sexuality in a healthy, thoughtful way, whether they are gay, straight, bisexual or transgendered.”
Bryan Howard has 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience at the local, regional and national level, with a focus on strategic planning, governance excellence, expansion of access to health care and educational services, and financial and operational strength. Bryan recently led the successful merger of two Planned Parenthood affiliates to form Planned Parenthood Arizona, a new affiliate that will provide tens of thousands of patients with sexual health care at 20 operating locations with 225 employees. His advocacy on behalf of reproductive rights has led to significant progress for women and families in Arizona, including Governor Janet Napolitano’s rejection of federal abstinence-only funding.
“Bryan is tireless in his efforts to ensure that people have the information and services they need to make responsible choices about their lives and their sexual health. This honor is well deserved,” said Patti Caldwell, vice president of organizational effectiveness for Planned Parenthood Arizona, and the former CEO of the former Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona, the organization led by the remarkable Ruth Green.