Emilio Gaynor

Emilio W. Gaynor currently consults for Arizona State University, focusing on enhancing the West Valley of Greater Phoenix’s competitiveness in high-tech, health care, and entrepreneurship. His work seeks to establish sustainable models that support large-scale workforce development through targeted education and non-degree learning, meeting the needs of international investments propelling Phoenix into the global technology arena.

He previously served as Senior Vice President at Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., managing strategic partnerships and revenue streams, and has extensive experience building cross-border collaborations with Mexican business and community organizations.

Emilio has over thirty years of experience in international relations and development, coordinating business and government missions to Mexico and fostering partnerships across Latin America. He has promoted cross-border collaborations among nonprofits, foundations, and universities. As Arizona's representative in Sonora and Executive Director of the Arizona Mexico Commission, he served two governors. Emilio writes for Spanish-language publications in Sonora and Arizona and has contributed Op-Eds on Sister City relations to the Business Journal and Prensa Arizona.

Emilio is a proud member of Global Ties AZ. He also serves on boards including Phoenix Sister Cities and chairs its Business Relations Committee, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, and recently led the Community Committee for the Arizona Mexico Commission. He is the immediate past chair of the West Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, advisory council of Spark Surprise, chairs the Los D-backs Hispanic Council, and has chaired planning commissions in Phoenix. Currently, he is vice-chair of the Peoria Planning Commission and completed the Honorary Commander program at Luke Air Force Base. Emilio holds certificates from the University of Arizona and two executive education certificates from ASU Thunderbird School of Global Management. Emilio was presented with an honorary doctorate from Claustro Doctoral Honoris Causa at UNAM, Mexico’s National Autonomous University.