Cathi Herrod -  Volunteer Faculty at the Leadership Institute

Cathi Herrod is president of Center for Arizona Policy (CAP), a nonprofit advocacy organization committed to promoting and defending the foundational values of life, marriage and family, and religious freedom. A total of one hundred seventy-one (171) CAP-supported bills have been passed into law since CAP made its first appearance at the state Capitol in 1995.

As a mother, lawyer and family advocate, Cathi knows that what happens at the state Capitol directly impacts our daily lives.

Cathi is an award-winning public policy leader. Arizona newspapers have recognized her as one of the ten most influential leaders and as one of the key people “with the juice” at the Arizona Capitol.

She is the recipient of the Family Champion Award from Focus on the Family, the William Wilberforce Award from Students for Life of America, and the Deborah Award from Family Life Radio. Alliance Defending Freedom recognized Cathi and CAP with the Alliance Award in 2014.

In 2016, Cathi played a lead role in successfully defeating Proposition 205, making Arizona the only state out of five that election year to reject recreational marijuana.

In 2008, Cathi led the YESforMarriage Coalition that spearheaded the successful passage of Proposition 102 to define marriage in the Arizona Constitution as only the union of one man and one woman. At the state Capitol, Cathi has led the effort to pass significant pro-life legislation, including the Abortion Consent Act, Abortion Clinic Regulations, and Mother’s Health and Safety Act.

In 2008, Cathi led the YESforMarriage Coalition that spearheaded the successful passage of Proposition 102 to define marriage in the Arizona Constitution as only the union of one man and one woman. At the state Capitol, Cathi has led the effort to pass significant pro-life legislation,

Cathi joined Center for Arizona Policy as Legislative Counsel in 1997. Now in her twelfth year as President, Cathi has set an ambitious 10-year strategic plan for the organization. Vision 2020 calls for Arizona to be a state by 2020 where:

  • The sanctity of human life is protected and defended from its very beginning to its natural end.
  • Marriages and families are strengthened and supported by public policy, not attacked or weakened.
  • Religious freedom is affirmed, free from government interference.

Cathi earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors and Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin. Cathi and her husband, Mike, reside in Phoenix and have two adult children.

Cathi Herrod