Education Forward Arizona Names Freeport McMoRan Foundation’s Tracy Bame as it’s 2023 Luminary Award Recipient
As president of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and director of social responsibility at Freeport-McMoRan, Bame and her team develop strategies and programs that are laser-focused on building sustainable and resilient communities through the power of education
Bame has led Freeport-McMoRan’s community development activities in Arizona for more than two decades and, through her vision, has turned Freeport into a true education champion for Arizona.
“We believe in listening to our communities, stakeholders, and partners to understand how we can help address the most pressing needs of our local communities,” said Bame. “Education is always at the top of the list. By investing in programs that provide education access and opportunity, our efforts not only help individuals and families but also increase the resilience and prosperity of Arizona.”
Through DreamBuilder, Dig Into Mining, the Freeport-McMoRan Native American Scholarship Program, and multiple partnerships with higher education institutions, Bame’s innovative efforts have made lasting impacts on students in the state.
“At Education Forward Arizona, we’ve seen Tracy’s exceptional vision, passion, and commitment to education firsthand,” said Rich Nickel, president and CEO of Education Forward Arizona. “We are thrilled to be able to honor her statewide work that has positively impacted Arizona students. Our state has everything to gain by increasing the number of students attaining degrees and certificates, and Tracy’s work is a testament to that.”
Bame is also a longtime board member and active volunteer for community organizations focused on education, including Education Forward Arizona, Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, and The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute.
“Education is the strongest lever we have for increasing socio-economic opportunity and mobility for everyone,” said Bame. “Investing in education and training beyond high school is critical for Arizona’s economy. I’m honored to receive the Luminary Award to shine a light on the importance of education attainment in our state.”
Bame will receive the Luminary Award at Education Forward Arizona’s annual InspirED fundraising event. Learn more about the event here.