Alba Rojas-Sukkar

Interview by Kirstina Bolton

Can you talk about some of the charities you're involved with?

Well, I’ve been fundraising in Tucson for the last 18 years, and I have to say I’ve pretty much stayed loyal to most of charities I’ve worked for in the past. I have always thought you have to love what you do and believe in the organization you’re raising money for because if you don’t, then why should anyone else give? I started my profession with the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, and I continue to support them. I spent four years with American Cancer Society, fundraising for them, I’m a big part of angel charity for children where I give a lot of support and remain very active in. I am also of the board of the Autism society of greater Tucson, and I support them since this charity is probably closest to my heart. I have a child with autism so it’s very important to me raise money for them, and it’s a fun balance because I’m a professional fundraiser, there’s a balance for everything. Of course I give to the Tucson museum of art. I’m the director of development.

What do you love most about Tucson?

I truly love the kindness that Tucson has. We’re truly a big city, but we have a small city kindness to us. I tend to live my life by what I call my little happy bubble. Life is crazy; you have to stay as positive as we possibly can. It’s a very philanthropic town with many, many worthy causes and many people and companies who give year after year, it just amazes me that they are so philanthropic.

Where does your motivation come from?

My motivation comes from my parents. My parents have also been philanthropic and have always taught us [kids] to do the right thing, we were always taught to give to others and help whenever we can. My biggest joke is my parent’s tax accountant always knows what charities I’m actively involved in because she can tell by the donations my parents make year after year. My parents are great supporters, ever since we were little (there were five of us), they were always big in helping with whatever charity you can. If it’s not financial, than it’s with your time.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I have a pretty crazy job, and between all the charities I volunteer my time for, but I truly enjoy being around people. If I’m not spending time with my 10- and eight-year-old or date night with my husband, or out to dinner with my friends and family, we all live such busy lives so I really try to make sure I’m a good mother, a good spouse, a good family member and a good friend to those in my life. I always want people to feel love and appreciated because, I mean, truly without them my life is not complete. People truly are my hobby.

Can you talk a little about your family and their impact on your work?

My family knows how important my work is to me. They’re always there to help me. My husband volunteers at every event I do. Regardless of what it is and what he needs to do, whether he’s bringing things to restock a bar or making sure all the linens are collected, he is such a huge, huge part because I cannot do my job without him. My parents are always volunteering to help me whether it’s at the event itself or with my kids, which any parent will tell you is huge. Every child wants to be with their grandparent, so having them help me in that aspect is beyond invaluable. I have to work hard to keep my life in balance on the weekends. If I’m not doing an event, I’ll shut off my phone or shut down my email and spend time with my kids and my husband. I never want my family to feel like my works comes first, because it never should, my family will always come first. It gives you that healthy balance.

Can you give us a brief biography? Where you grew up, education you received, how you came to be director of development, future plans, etc.?

I was born and Nogales, Mexico and raised in Nogales, Arizona. It was a great place to grow up, it was a small town, everybody knew one another, it was a very happy, happy childhood. I went to university of Arizona and that’s how I ended up staying in Tucson. My junior year, I got a job offer from the Boys and Girls club to be the special event coordinator. And they were patient enough to let me work part-time until I graduated. The week after I graduated, I became full-time, and I started my profession with this. I worked with Boys and Girls Club for quite a few years and then I went to Phillips in the Hills and became their director of development and I did their 2.5 million capital campaign, and then from there I went to American cancer society to where I did the whole region, and that was about four and a half years and I loved it. I met my husband at the time, and quit my job and started a consulting business so that I could focus on my marriage and family. So for 10 years I had a consulting business from home. When my kids got a little bit older and were in kindergarten, I decided we all needed to see other people [laughs], went back to a different organization, and I started working for the Tucson museum of Art, it will be two years in August, but I love what I do. You can’t work in more beautiful place, surrounded by beautiful works of art, really wonderful people; I just have this passion that you have to love what you do. If you don’t love what you do, you have to stop and find what you love or else no one will benefit from it.

What type of woman motivates and inspires you?

I know this sounds very cliché, but my mother motivates me. She is the voice of reason. She’s tireless, like I know exactly where I got of from because the Lord knows the apple does not fall far from the tree, because she’s always fundraising. And I hate to admit it but my mother is always right. She is the one who keeps me on my track, and the most honest person you will have in your life is your mother. She’s the only one that can tell you you’re wrong and you won’t take it personally because you know, she’s probably right if you want to admit it or not.

What was your greatest struggle and accomplishment?

My struggle was also an accomplishment. I was hired by Philip in the hills to do their 2.5 million dollar capital campaign. They gave me two years to do it, and I ended up finishing it in eight months. I worked myself out of a job. I wish now as I’m older I can appreciate how great that was, but I wish I would’ve learned to pace myself because I’m in work mode all the time.