Kathy Mills, recently announced as Donor Network of Arizona’s (DNA) new president and CEO starting in January 2025, brings deep experience to the role. Having served DNA for 32 years—most recently as senior vice president and chief financial officer—Mills holds a master’s degree in health care management and business administration in health care with a leadership focus from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. With a bachelor’s degree in business and a CPA license, her background combines health care leadership with financial expertise.

In addition to her education, Mills has actively participated in the Virginia Piper Academy’s Atlas Program, a nonprofit capacity-building initiative, gaining unique insights into executive leadership in service-oriented fields. Her journey from CFO to CEO reflects a dedication to financial stewardship, organizational growth, and the mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation.

“I’m truly honored to step into this role,” says Mills. “Every day, we have the chance to make a real difference for families, patients and our community. I’m excited to move our mission forward with a fantastic team, one life saved at a time.”

This incredible team, led by Tim Brown, president and CEO of DNA for 22 years, will continue to prioritize cutting-edge technology, partnership development, and compassionate care for donor families under Mills’ helm.

In the past 15 years, under Brown’s guidance, there has been a 180% increase in organ donation in Arizona.

“DNA plays a vital role in health care,” Brown says. “We’re committed to supporting donor families during difficult times and honoring donors’ legacies through lives saved. We succeed by striving to be better than we were yesterday.”

Remarkably, 121% of DNA’s growth happened in the last decade alone. Under Brown’s leadership, DNA sharpened its focus on excellence, which transformed DNA’s operations, employee culture, as well as efficiency, and in turn, the number of lives saved. Brown will step down at the end of 2024, which concludes a remarkable career underscored by passion, positive energy and eagerness to better serve DNA’s mission each day.

Just this past year, Brown led the opening of Arizona’s first dedicated donor care center (DCC). The hospital-based DCC enhances donor care, improves recovery timing, and streamlines transport, helping to save the lives of more patients who depend on organ donations.

Brown’s dedication exemplifies the spirit of hope for those who rely on our work. Through continuous improvements over more than two decades of leadership, Brown has contributed to saving the lives of more than 12,000 people in the U.S.

The DNA team extends its appreciation to the community whose continued support and generosity fuel its mission. Every registered donor, health care partner, donor and donor family contribute to the lifesaving mission that unites us all.