Suzanne Pfister, an extraordinary leader and public servant whose tenure as Vitalyst Health Foundation’s President and CEO transformed the organization and inspired paradigm-shifting change across Arizona’s health landscape.
Celebrating Suzanne Pfister’s Legacy
Suzanne Pfister
August 11, 1957 – July 19, 2025
Today, we celebrate the remarkable legacy of Suzanne Pfister, an extraordinary leader and public servant whose tenure as Vitalyst Health Foundation’s President and CEO transformed our organization and inspired paradigm-shifting change across Arizona’s health landscape.
From her very first day, Suzanne’s passion and boundless energy made it clear that the foundation was entering a new era. Now, with her passing, it’s natural to feel a profound sense of change once again. Yet the decades of contributions she made — and the countless lives she touched — tell a different story. Her legacy lives on, deeply resonating in our hearts, our thinking, and our continued commitment to making Arizona a healthier, more equitable place for all.
To know Suzanne’s infectious laugh was a true joy and privilege. No matter who you were—whether a fellow foundation president, a corporate CEO, or an intern—Suzanne always made time for you. That spirit of connection was one of the things she valued most. It kept her grounded in community and centered in every decision she made.
You couldn’t get more Arizona than Suzanne. As a fourth generation Arizonan, the state was in her blood and central to her favorite hobby. Her stunning landscape photography didn’t just brighten the walls of the Vitalyst office—it was also featured in Arizona Highways magazine. And if you were lucky enough to receive her annual calendar, chances are her images found a lasting place on your refrigerator or office wall, a personal touch that reflected her deep love for state 48.
Suzanne’s life was shaped by values that consistently led her to service. From a young age, her parents instilled in her the importance of treating everyone with kindness and giving back to her community. Those early lessons laid the foundation for a career that began in the early 1980s, following her studies at Occidental College and a master’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington. Her professional journey started at the Arizona Energy Office and spanned roles at the Arizona Department of Revenue, the Maricopa County Regional Public Transportation Authority, the Arizona Board of Regents, and several communications firms focused on environmental issues. She later served at Dignity Health before stepping into her “capstone” role at Vitalyst.
Her board service was even more extensive, including organizations such as the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Leadership, the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, the Arizona Humanities Council, the Arizona State Parks Foundation, Arizona Town Hall, and a personally important international role with the Maasai Community Partnership Project. The full list spans nearly 40 organizations.
Suzanne often said, “At Vitalyst, we punch above our weight class”—and she meant it. She never hesitated to speak truth to power, always framing issues through the lens of community experiences and needs. She wielded an uncanny ability to bring people together around shared purpose. She consistently championed community well-being. Her can-do spirit was contagious, inspiring others even in the face of daunting challenges.
All of us who had the privilege of knowing this tireless and passionate servant leader will find it hard to imagine our organizations, our interactions, our collaborations, and our communities without Suzanne’s presence, voice, and boundless energy. As deeply as we appreciate her accomplishments, her absence will be more deeply felt.
Even in this moment of profound loss, our path is clear – precisely because of who Suzanne was and how she led. We will honor her legacy by investing deeply in her passion for improving the lives of all Arizonans, and by carrying her dedication, grace, and goodwill forward as we do.
SOURCE: https://vitalysthealth.org/celebrating-suzanne-pfisters-legacy/