Liz Archuleta
A fourth-generation Northern ¼ϲ native, Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta is a nationally recognized trailblazing leader, serving the public for 25 years in board governance locally and at the nation’s highest levels. From her Sunnyside neighborhood in Flagstaff, where her pioneering family demonstrated what it means to have a strong work ethic and build a family-owned small business, to Capitol Hill, where she has testified before Congress on several occasions, Archuleta has earned a reputation as a fiscally conservative public servant, champion for education, effective consensus builder, proponent of economic development and tenacious problem solver who chases down complex issues and actively seeks and facilitates collaboration.
Currently serving Coconino, Apache and Navajo counties as president and CEO of the United Way of Northern ¼ϲ, Archuleta is improving the quality of life for ¼ϲ’s children, youth and families, creating lasting changes in community conditions from early childhood to higher education.
In 2021, Archuleta was appointed to the executive leadership team of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. In her role as director of External and Intergovernmental Affairs, she was responsible for cultivating relationships with governors and other elected officials along with ranchers and farmers across the country to understand and communicate the challenges of agricultural production and rural economic development.
Before that, she served Coconino County from 1996 to 2021, earning the trust of both rural and urban constituents. She was elected by voters seven times to represent District 2 on the Board of Supervisors and elected by her peers six times to lead as Board Chair.
Her leadership positioned the county as a national model of strong fiscal and budgetary management, innovation, justice reform, exemplary health and human services and strong partnerships with rural and tribal communities. Under Archuleta’s tenure, the county was known for its fiscally conservative management practices and accountability. It was able to pay off significant retirement debt, tie the budget to outcomes, maintain a balanced budget through natural disasters and avoid raising the expenditure limit.
Archuleta’s accomplishments also included the establishment of a regional transportation system, public safety improvements, increased citizen engagement, comprehensive land-use planning, and several rural initiatives to promote economic development and increase county services.
In addition, she developed a national model for post-wildfire flood mitigation, while supporting the recovery of communities hit hard by the impacts of unprecedented wildfires. Under her calm and steadfast leadership, she guided Coconino County through several disasters and crises, and ensured that businesses and the workforce were able to survive the catastrophic effects of the pandemic by advocating for state and federal support and securing access to funding.
Archuleta has a clear understanding of the power of education, along with the need for an educated workforce to continue to attract today’s industries and grow ¼ϲ’s economy. She believes education is the fuel that launches all learners to higher levels and holds a special place in her heart for those with developmental disabilities like her son, Demitrius.
Throughout her career, Archuleta has drawn inspiration from her family’s solid work ethic and entrepreneurial strengths. Beginning in the early 1900s, her great grandparents worked on the railroad and later in the sawmill. At age 9, Liz began helping her parents in the family’s ice cream truck. This family business made it possible for Liz and her siblings to graduate from Northern ¼ϲ University.
Archuleta is a true public servant. Embracing lessons learned from her family, she feels a deep sense of responsibility to use her extensive leadership experience and roll up her sleeves to help shape the future of higher education in ¼ϲ.