Madeline Winney

As CEO and Founder of the LEO Foundation USA, previously GCU Scholarship Foundation, Madeline Winney has made a career of serving people and igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy, to make Arizona a stronger community for all. With a heart for education, teachers, and our youth, she has dedicated over 20 years to helping students achieve their educational and career goals through scholarship and leadership opportunities. Madeline strives to build partnerships with the private and public sectors and with community and philanthropic leaders. She utilizes her foundation’s voice to uplift student and teacher’s needs and develops impactful strategies to drive greater access and opportunities across the community. She finds it a privilege and honor to serve in the educational arena and is passionate in making a difference. She also currently serves as Executive Director of Development for the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association raising funds to benefit the annual Section 7 Event at the State farm Stadium and Title I at-risk youth in our community through the Youth Development Academy. She has earned her Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Psychology and a Master in Business Administration. She assisted in implementing the first advisement center at Scottsdale Community College and taught programs through the Junior League. She has served on numerous boards of directors and committees for Arizona’s nonprofit community and our universities and is honored to be a part of such an esteemed and dedicated organization as AEF. Interestingly, several years ago, Madeline’s granddaughter competed in the Arizona Spelling Bee numerous times. Her granddaughter is now at the University of Chicago as an Astrophysics major.