Debbie Esparza

Debbie Esparza was thrilled to come full circle, when she was hired to serve as CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix in 2018. She’s been an advocate for women, girls and people of color, her whole life. Her personal commitment to YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women began more than 20 years ago as a donor, volunteer, and former national board member.

Debbie brings a diverse leadership perspective to this role, with her experience in banking, consulting, entrepreneurship, academia, and more than 20 years in non-profit executive leadership. Her viewpoint is always focused by a lens on race and gender.

Blending all of her intersections and lived experience for the benefit of YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix and our community, these days her purpose is to disrupt and dismantle the systemic barriers that perpetuate social and racial inequities, misogyny and injustices. Debbie is compelled to get up and do the work of the YWCA until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, until the world sees women, girls, and people of color the way she does: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.

Her personal philanthropy generally supports LGBTQ+ issues, services for women and girls and leadership endeavors. She is active in the Latina Giving Circle and is on the board of North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association.

In her spare time, Debbie enjoys competitive ballroom dancing. She and her female dance partner are trailblazers in gender-neutral dancing and lead switching. In 2018, she crossed a major item off her bucket list when she competed at the Gay Games in Paris, France.