David Martinez III with Vitalyst Health Foundation and Paula Cullison with Arizona Women’s Partnership
Vitalyst Health Foundation is on a mission to connect, support, and inform efforts to improve the health of individuals and communities in Arizona.
Established following the sale of the St. Luke’s Health System to a for-profit corporation in 1996, the foundation operated as St. Luke’s Charitable Health Trust (1996–1999) and St. Luke’s Health Initiatives (2000–2016).
Over its history, Vitalyst has invested more than $130 million into Arizona health, in areas ranging from statewide health policy to local community gardens. Along the way, the organization has established itself as a thought leader, convener, framer, and catalyst of key health initiatives and coalitions.
David Martinez III serves as Director of Strategic Community Partnerships, working with community-based leaders, organizations, and coalitions to increase capacity and civic participation.
Prior to Vitalyst, Martinez was project manager for the Center for the Future of Arizona, and community engagement manager for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. He is a Flinn-Brown Fellow with the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, and involved with the Arizona Community Foundation’s Center for LGBTQ Philanthropy and the Desert Botanical Garden.
Originally from Marana, Arizona and one of six children, David is a first generation college student earning a B.A. in Secondary Education, Political Science and Journalism from The University of Arizona. He served as Student Regent on the Arizona Board of Regents, worked at the UA Office of Institutional Equity, and interned with Congressman Raul Grijalva.
Martinez currently lives in Central Phoenix and as a localist, loves to explore Arizona.
Connect with David on LinkedIn and follow Vitalyst Health Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Arizona Women’s Partnership was formed in 2002 as an all-volunteer philanthropic 501 c3 nonprofit to award grants to small Arizona based charities that assist disadvantaged women and children in Arizona. To this end, two fundraising events which focused on females in the culinary industry were created: Getting Our Just Desserts and Wine, WoMEN & Jazz. To date AZWP has awarded over $600,000 to over 90 nonprofits – most of which are multi-year grant recipients. They deal with critical issues: domestic violence, child abuse, youth at risk, ESL, literacy, food insecurity, refugee families, homelessness, work readiness, services for the elderly, crisis counseling, etc.
Paula Cullison has an extensive background in marketing, nonprofit management, public relations and social work, A native New Yorker, she has lived in Phoenix since 1974. As President of Women in Management for a major national corporation, Paula created an extensive statewide project – The Year for All Arizona Women – which hosted over 100 events. Paula was involved in the First Earth Day event through Citizens for a Better New York.
She has traveled to over 50 countries, worked in Switzerland, and has attended several UN and other international conferences. Paula’s international travel articles and over 80 photography exhibits have been enjoyed by many. She is the recipient of several prestigious award: YWCW Tribute to Leadership Award, MLK Service Award, Susan B. Anthony Award, Macy*s Heart & Soul Award, Susan G. Koman Ribbon of Hope Award, etc.
Paula served on the Phoenix Women’s Commission and the Futures Forum. In 2002 Paula created the Arizona Women’s Partnership, an all-volunteer nonprofit, in order to award grants to small charities that served disadvantaged women and children. To date, AZWP has awarded over $600,000 in grants to over 90 charities that assist over 250,000 annually. In 2020 she created and curated a statewide art exhibition to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment and trade-named it ‘In Celebration of Women’. 38 artists were selected by a jury reflective of the cultural diversity in AZ.
This year she curated another juried art exhibit ‘In Celebration of Women II – Making HERstory’. The 37 featured artists will be at the AZ Capitol Museum until Dec 16th. An avid hiker, Paula has hiked numerous trails in AZ as well as the Grand Canyon 7 times – including Rim2Rim in a day. She enjoys reading internationally focused historical fiction. Paula is active with several international organizations.
Follow Arizona Women’s Partnership on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
