Phoenix Vice Mayor O'Brien Appointed Chair of WestEd Board of Directors

A passion for education has led to Phoenix Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien serving as the next Chair of WestEd’s Board of Directors. WestEd is a nonpartisan research, development, and service agency that works to promote excellence, improve learning, and increase opportunities for children, youth, and adults.

O’Brien’s one-year term as Board Chair will begin July 21, 2025. She has served on WestEd’s Board since 2018.

O’Brien was first elected to represent Phoenix City Council District 1 in 2019, and O’Brien’s colleagues elected her as Vice Mayor in January 2025. Her prior public service includes two terms as a Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) Governing Board Member, starting in 2014 and finishing in 2020 as Governing Board President. O’Brien’s volunteer service includes providing support to students, teachers, and staff as a committee member of the Stetson Hills Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and the Sandra Day O’Connor Academy of History Booster Club.

“Ann’s range of experience in education, as a parent, a district board member, and a volunteer, coupled with her experience in city policy are crucial assets to WestEd and to our Board of Directors,” said WestEd CEO Jannelle Kubinec. “I look forward to her leadership and guidance as we continue to pursue our vision of thriving learners and empowered communities.”

WestEd’s Board of Directors consists of leaders from public and private education, business, and human services sectors. Board members play a critical role in the agency’s leadership and strategic planning. O’Brien will succeed WestEd Board Chair Andrea Rorrer, a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah’s College of Education and Director of the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC).

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve on WestEd’s Board of Directors,” said Vice Mayor O’Brien. “I am excited about taking on the role of Chair and working closely with Jannelle as we continue to promote excellence, improve learning, and increase opportunity for children, youth, and adults. I also want to acknowledge the leadership of WestEd’s previous Board Chairs and to thank all the Board members who support WestEd through their time and expertise.”

Key WestEd projects in Arizona include:

Arizona Supervisors of Principals Academy

• Provides in-depth professional development and mentoring for new and experienced supervisors of principals. To date, the academy has worked with more than 60 central office administrators who support more than 250 principals statewide.

Arizona Comeback Initiative

• WestEd supports this project of the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) to create seamless pathways for students to re-enroll and complete their postsecondary degrees. WestEd is consulting and collaborating with ABOR to develop a comprehensive playbook that outlines the pilot program’s findings, lessons learned, and recommended practices to optimize the quality of re-enrollment efforts statewide.

Media Contact:

Christina Estes
Director of Communications, Office of Vice Mayor Ann O'Brien
christina.estes@phoenix.gov
call or text 602-520-2762 

About District 1
District 1 is located in northwest Phoenix. The southern boundary is Northern Avenue and the northern boundary is just north of New River Road. The district shares a boundary to the west with the cities of Glendale and Peoria, and the eastern boundary aligns with the I-17 Freeway. At Bell Road, the district extends east to 19th Avenue and incorporates the Deer Valley Airport north of the Loop 101 Freeway. Councilwoman Ann O’Brien was elected in November 2020 and took office April 2021. Her primary issue focus areas are public safety with an emphasis on supporting law enforcement, redevelopment of Metrocenter mall area in her district, roads and transportation, and education. For more information, please visit Phoenix.gov/District1.