Anna Alonzo

Leading with Compassion, Living with Purpose

For over three decades, Anna Alonzo has been a guiding light in Arizona’s public and community health landscape, championing equity and compassion for those most often overlooked. But long before she was mentoring future leaders or chairing the University of Arizona Cancer Center Community Advisory Board, Anna was a young girl shaped by the legacy of service that pulsed through her family. Raised by a father who was a lifelong educator and a beloved aunt who traded a calling to the convent for a career in nursing, Anna learned early that healing and justice could walk hand in hand.

Those lessons stayed with her, and they led her to a career rooted in deep values: equity, collaboration, compassion, and transparency. Whether leading chronic disease initiatives or building partnerships between clinics and communities, Anna has always centered the voices of those she serves. "To me, equity recognizes that health is a human right," she shares. "It means removing obstacles like poverty, discrimination, and a lack of access to vital resources."

Her work is deeply personal. Anna's mother, diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her early 40s, received life-extending care at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. That experience left an indelible mark. Today, as Chair of its Community Advisory Board, Anna brings full circle the compassion her mother once received. It’s a role that not only honors her family's legacy but also fuels her mission to ensure that all communities, regardless of circumstance, have access to dignified, quality care.

But for Anna, the most cherished part of her journey has been mentorship. Over the past 30 years, she's poured herself into guiding the next generation, particularly women and Latinas. Her advice? "Believe in your ability to make a difference. Build relationships. Advocate for what’s right. And never underestimate the power of your unique voice."

When asked how she hopes to be remembered, Anna answers with humility and heart: as someone who led with kindness, loyalty, and empathy. Her vision for the future is one where technology, equity, and community work in tandem to transform healthcare. In every effort she has led and every life she has touched, Anna Alonzo reminds us what real leadership looks like: quiet, steady, and deeply rooted in love for others.

Get stories like Anna's in your inbox