Piper Trust Names New Director of Communications and External Relations

PHOENIX, ARIZ.― (October 18, 2011) The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust announced today the appointment of Karen Leland as director of communications and external relations. Leland currently serves as director, communications/marketing/media relations for the Global Institute of Sustainability and its School of Sustainability at Arizona State University (ASU).

The Institute is the hub of ASU’s global sustainability initiatives; through education, research, and business practices, it works to create practical solutions for the environmental, economic, and social challenges of an urbanizing world.

“Karen understands that philanthropy’s power today is not simply in the dollars invested but in sharpening public awareness and moving hearts to support our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Judy Jolley Mohraz, president and CEO. “She knows how to communicate strategic messages to every local and national audience that Piper seeks to reach.”

Leland has also served as Director of Communications for ASU’s Office of Economic Affairs and as Public Affairs/Communications Manager of Morrison Institute for Public Policy at ASU.

At Morrison Institute, in addition to handling communications and outreach strategies for myriad public policy reports, Leland led the Institute’s signature community-engagement initiatives such as the ASU Community Fellows program, sponsored by Motorola and later General Dynamics C4 Systems, and the Young Stewards of Public Policy program (now named, Melnick Scholars).

“Virginia Galvin Piper exemplified the concept of ‘doing good and doing well.’ Her principles and drive to positively impact the quality of life of a wide range of people in our community continues to inspire us. I can think of nothing more rewarding than helping advance the mission of the Piper Trust through effective communication efforts that connect, inform, and transform people,” said Leland.

Leland earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from ASU.

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust is committed to honoring Virginia Piper’s legacy of supporting nonprofits whose work makes Maricopa County, AZ stronger, healthier and more livable. Since it began awarding grants in 2000, the Trust has invested nearly $275,000,000 in local nonprofits and programs. The Trust focuses its grant making on healthcare and medical research, children, older adults, arts and culture, education and religious organizations.