Wilkinson is Business Woman of the Year

Christine K. Wilkinson was named Business Woman of the Year by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce at the 19th Annual Women in Business Conference on May 21 in Tempe.

“It is an honor to receive this prestigious recognition from the Tempe Chamber of Commerce,” said Christine K. Wilkinson, Senior Vice President and Secretary of the University and President of the ASU Alumni Association. “The Tempe Chamber of Commerce and business community know firsthand the importance of an educated workforce and the impact of Tempe’s K-20 educational system. ASU continues the work of transforming higher education to provide a workforce prepared to advance the state and city of Tempe’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.”

The Business Woman of the Year award recognizes an outstanding business woman who has positively impacted the Tempe community. Wilkinson was honored for achieving excellence in her field, displaying leadership in the community, serving as a positive role model and being active in programs within the community and the Tempe Chamber. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her professionalism and spirit of service.

“The Business Woman of the Year award recognizes the valuable contributions that the candidates have made to the business community and to the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. Their hard work and dedication have made an admirable and positive impact that we are proud to recognize,” said Mary Ann Miller, president and chief operating officer of the Tempe Chamber.

This is the latest in a distinguished career of accomplishments and honors for Wilkinson. Past awards include the University’s Award of Merit, the Alumni Achievement Award, the CASE Crystal Apple Award and the Valley Leadership 2009 Woman of the Year Award. She was also selected as one of Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women for the Arizona Centennial Legacy Project.

At ASU, she has served as vice president of student affairs, the university’s interim athletic director on three different occasions and is a tenured faculty member in the Division of Educational Leadership & Innovation, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

Wilkinson’s current involvement in the community includes serving on the Community Advisory Council for Wells Fargo, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona Board and the Governance Committee for the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center. In addition, she is a member of the Arizona Business Leadership Association, Arizona Women’s Forum and ASU Women & Philanthropy.

Wilkinson received a bachelor of arts in education with distinction from ASU, a master of arts in education, counseling psychology from the University of California at Berkeley and a doctor of philosophy in higher education administration from ASU.