Bryan Howard to Step Down as President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona, Inc., and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona

After 36 years in the Planned Parenthood movement, Bryan Howard is stepping down as President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona, Inc. (PPAZ) and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona (PPAA).

Bryan began his career with Planned Parenthood in Illinois in 1984. In 1997, he joined what was then Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona. A merger with the Planned Parenthood affiliate based in Tucson formed Planned Parenthood Arizona. Today PPAZ provides essential sexual and reproductive healthcare to over 35,000 patients each year in seven health centers across the state. During his tenure, Bryan worked with donors to build and relocate new health centers, provide training for medical professionals to provide abortion care, and increase access to birth control through the Planned Parenthood Direct mobile app.

Bryan’s tenacity and vision helped PPAZ and PPAA weather and leverage Arizona’s evolving politics. He cultivated relationships with both Republicans and Democrats. His descriptions of the inadequacy of women’s public health data and planning resulted in Republican Governor Jane Hull establishing a Governor’s Commission on Women’s and Children’s Health. Bryan went on to serve on the commission at the invitation of Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano.

Recognizing the imperative for PPAZ to have a diverse and inclusive workforce and volunteer board, the organization hired its first leader for diversity, equity and inclusion. Over the past three years he has endorsed efforts of PPAZ board co-chairpersons Angela Florez and Xanthia Walker who, together with PPAA board chairperson Chris Love, have cultivated a governance space in which a majority of the members are Black, indigenous and people of color.

Under Bryan’s leadership PPAZ has actively engaged in national initiatives, including co-leading a fundraising collaboration to improve donors’ experience and allocate more net donor dollars to health care, education and advocacy programs. Additionally, PPAZ is partnering now with more than a dozen Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country to transform healthcare delivery by establishing a clinically integrated healthcare network. In partnership with PPAZ Board Co-Chair Angela Florez, he has stewarded this effort to standardize, optimize and centralize administrative functions to reduce duplication and ensure the highest quality support for Planned Parenthood’s frontline healthcare professionals.

In reflecting on his 23-year run in Arizona, Bryan observes that

“Planned Parenthood is more than the affordable, high quality health care we are known for — it’s about its people. I have been fortunate to work with so many compassionate, courageous professionals who work every day, often amidst daunting challenges, to provide essential health care and education programs and to fight for equity and justice. None of this work would be possible without the loyal supporters and donors who share our vision and fuel our mission. I am also grateful for the Arizona public officials who advocate for sexual and reproductive health care in the state legislature, in city halls and in school boards. They are our partners and never waiver when assaulted by organized opposition to sexual education, birth control and abortion health care. Anything I have accomplished has been thanks to these cherished partners.”

To steward the organization through leadership transition, Bryan will be stepping down as President and CEO of PPAZ on Friday, October 30, 2020, and after which he will focus on supporting the transition with for donors and community partners through December 31.

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Contact: Monika Damron,

(928) 699-2081; [email protected]