2023 Trailblazer Award Nominees
Arizona Candidates
The ElevateMeD Trailblazer Award is awarded to individuals who are making extraordinary contributions within the world of healthcare. These leaders directly support the Scholars Program by providing our Scholars with a unique opportunity to engage intimately with them while learning more about their journeys in healthcare. We formally recognize award recipients at our ElevateMeD events.
Keep scrolling to learn more about nominees and read their full biographies
More about Nominees
Larry Fitzgerald
Biography
Larry Fitzgerald is a philanthropist, business owner, investor, and former wide receiver for the National Football League (NFL).
In 2005, Larry founded The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation in honor of his mother, Carol Fitzgerald, who passed away as a result of breast cancer in 2003. For nearly two decades, The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation has worked to provide equitable access and new pathways to success for youth and honors his mother’s legacy by supporting women and men affected by breast cancer in communities that have been historically underserved. Breast cancer research and support will always be a priority for Larry, as he continues to prioritize the importance of funding organizations and initiatives that provide life enhancing resources not only in the Phoenix and Minneapolis areas but nationally as well.
Through the foundation, Larry continues to expand his philanthropic endeavors as he fosters relationships with corporate partners committed to advancement in the areas of education and technology by donating significant resources and digital devices to schools and programs in Arizona, Minnesota and across the country. Beyond the foundation’s core mission of breast cancer awareness and youth education, Larry’s philanthropic initiatives range in size and scope, from economic development projects in Senegal and Ethiopia, to delivering hearing technology in Africa and Southeast Asia.
During his 17 seasons in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald used his platform as a professional athlete to promote countless causes in communities throughout the United States and internationally. In 2016, he was awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the NFL’s highest honor recognizing charitable work. While Larry holds many records with the Arizona Cardinals and the NFL, his proudest accomplishments have happened for him off the field.
As a business owner and investor, Larry aims to accelerate the growth and impact of companies focused on sustainability, technology, and lifestyle. He prides himself in serving as a leader and also learning from his partners like PHX Suns and most recently as a board member of Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Tomás León
Biography
With over two decades of collective experience in diversity and inclusion, community mobilization, business development, health equity, policy advocacy, philanthropy and marketing communications, Tomás brings an innovative, purpose-driven approach to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in healthcare to underserved communities. In his recent role as SVP overseeing marketing and strategy for Equality Health LLC, he was responsible for building and scaling a purpose-driven brand while developing partnerships across multiple markets
In a prior role as president and CEO of the Institute for Diversity in Health Management, an affiliate of the American Hospital Association, Tomás created and launched an award-winning equity of care campaign to eliminate healthcare disparities. The national initiative engaged nearly 1,500 hospitals and health systems and 50 state hospital associations.
His previous senior executive roles include president and CEO of the People of Color Network Inc., president of Friendship Community Mental Health Center, equity partner of MarCom Worldwide LLC, vice president of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, president and CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, executive director of Youth On Their Own Inc. and associate director of the Border Health Foundation
As a tireless leader on behalf of diverse communities and populations, Tomás has been recognized with numerous awards for his work and advocacy, including DiversityMBA’s Top 100 under 50 emerging leaders award, Wellness Council of Arizona’s Executive Champion for Worksite Wellness award and achievement honors from the Arizona Healthcare Executives and the Diversity Leadership Alliance.
An expert on nonprofit and healthcare management, Tomás has been invited to teach a master’s level course at The University of Arizona and continues to speak across the country as a subject matter expert. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Asian Chamber of Commerce Inc., Arizona Council of Human Service Providers, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and the Arizona Department of Health Services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Arizona and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Alicia Nuñez
Biography
Alicia is Chief Financial Officer at CPLC with more than 23 years of financial and operational management experience in both for-profit and non-profit businesses. Prior to joining CPLC in 2006, Alicia was Assistant Director of Finance for The Ritz Carlton, Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena, California.
Alicia has served as Director of Business Enterprises for CPLC, and President of CPLC Insurance, Inc. During her time serving as President of CPLC Insurance Alicia helped develop the infrastructure, process, and business model for the successful inaugural launch of the program.
Alicia served as Vice President of Business Enterprises for CPLC and has managed several for-profit entities within the organization. Prior to this Alicia was Vice President of Accounting where she managed the accounting department at CPLC
Alicia earned a BA in English Credential Program from California State University Northridge and received her Executive MBA from The University of Arizona in 2017.