Hon Kachina Council Names St. Lukes Health Initiatives Chief Executive Officer, Roger A. Hughes PhD, As Recipient of New, Prestigious Hon Kachina Legacy Award
Hughes will be honored on October 1 at the 35th annual presentation of the Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards
PHOENIX (July 8, 2011) – In recognition of the Hon Kachina Council’s 35th year in the State of Arizona, the Council has initiated the Hon Kachina Legacy Award and has named St. Lukes Health Initiatives (SLHI) Chief Executive Officer, Roger A. Hughes PhD as its first recipient.
This award will compliment the Hon Kachina Volunteer Award, and Hughes will be honored and presented at the 35th annual presentation of the Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards on October 1 – Arizona’s most prestigious celebration of volunteerism, taking place at the Camelback Inn, a J.W. Marriott Resort & Spa, in Scottsdale.
For the last 35 years, The Hon Kachina Council has carried on the mission of inspiring volunteerism by recognizing ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things, applauding them and presenting them as an example to motivate others to volunteer.
The Hon Kachina Volunteer Award was created as an auspicious recognition for a life devoted to helping the community through volunteerism.
“Given that it’s our 35th year, the Council felt that it was only fitting to create a special award to recognize a legacy of servant leadership, promoting volunteerism across the nonprofit sector as a whole,” said Hon Kachina Council Board President Josh Peterson. “Given our affiliation with St. Lukes Health Initiatives combined with Roger’s extensive leadership and commitment to the community, he was the perfect choice.”
Through his work in the community, Hughes has exemplified all areas of the specific criteria for this new award.
- Championing numerous innovations, including The Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP), which encourages growth of volunteers into nonprofit leaders, and the Arizona Health Survey, a project designed to make health data more accessible to anyone working on community health.
- Holding himself and SLHI’s stewardship of funds accountable through 14 years of continuous transparency, responsiveness to community input and a constant desire to be better.
- Creating volunteering capacity throughout the Valley and Arizona via leadership and direct investment of well over $1,000,000 in strength-based community development
- Continuously promotes community engagement and volunteerism in print and in person to a broad audience as not just the right thing to, but the smart – and healthy - thing to do.
- Has long conducted himself and his organization by the phrase “disappear into leadership, encourage the light in others, and the world will roll at your feet.”
Hughes is CEO of St. Luke’s Health Initiatives (SLHI), a public foundation located in Phoenix, Arizona with a focus on health policy, public education and community development. He has been with SLHI since its inception in 1995.
He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in English and creative writing from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education from Indiana University, where he focused on the principles and strategies of futurism.
He is the author of more than 80 research and policy reports on various health system and community health issues, as well as numerous articles on futurism, the impact of technology on society, philanthropy and the role of the nonprofit sector in society. He is a frequent speaker on health and social issues, and consults widely with not-for-profit boards and staff.
Since 1977, more than 350 nominees have been honored for their dedication to causes that include health care, neighborhood revitalization, youth and senior activities, the arts, education, justice, housing, nutrition or social services. Many have given what they can at great personal sacrifice.
The Hon Kachina Council, affiliated with St. Luke’s Health Initiatives, is a group of servant leaders from the Valley business and professional community who promotes volunteerism by recognizing ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things, applauding them and presenting them as an example to motivate others to volunteer.
