Best Buddies Arizona State Director - Kathleen M. Rubi
Kathleen Rubi, Best Buddies Arizona State Director
Background
Kathleen Rubi is the Founding State Director for Best Buddies Arizona. She opened the state office in 2000 and under her leadership the Best Buddies program has grown to impact the lives of thousands in Arizona annually.
In 2003, Kathleen was the host mother to two teenagers from Tokyo with intellectual disabilities. She opened her home and heart to them for four months while a film crew documented the experience from Kathleen’s point of view. Kathleen narrated “ABLE”, the heart-felt, award winning documentary that created awareness about people with disabilities and recognizing ones true potential.
Kathleen has over 20 years of experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, event production and non-profit management. She has served as a mentor for youth, young business professionals and recently for new CEO’s of non-profit organizations. She has been recognized with several community leadership awards and was honored in both 2004 and 2005 with the Best Buddies International Director of the Year award and in 2008 and 2009 with Top Fundraising Event awards.
Why did you chose Best Buddies for employment?
I saw the potential to do something really amazing that no one was doing in the disability community in Arizona.
What does friendship mean to you?
Friendship means trust and honesty. Everyone needs and deserves to be loved by a friend.
What are your goals for your state this year?
In 2010-2011 Best Buddies Arizona will continue to build on its successful volunteer base serving over 2,500 participants at 2 universities, on 36 high school and 8 middle school campuses
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