Rhian Evans Allvin, CEO

Rhian Evans Allvin has been a guiding force in Arizona’s early childhood movement for more than 15 years. In 2006, she co-wrote the citizen’s ballot initiative that created First Things First (FTF) and set aside tobacco tax monies for education and health services for kids birth to five years old. She served on the FTF statewide board for more than two years before being appointed Executive Director in 2009. A CEO, she represents FTF with state and national constituents. She oversees both the day-to-day operations of FTF – including the distribution of $130 million per year in early childhood funds – as well as the agency’s coordination with policymakers, state department heads, providers and community stakeholders.  Rhian and the FTF staff work to ensure a seamless and strategic approach to ensuring that children start kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed.

Rhian’s experiences prior to joining FTF helped prepare her for her role at FTF. As a founding partner in the Brecon Group consulting firm, she specialized in public policy, philanthropy and community engagement.  As Senior Advancement Officer at the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), she used her knowledge of community organizing, communications, media relations, fundraising, public policy, advocacy and nonprofit management to help donors connect their philanthropic interests with community needs. She also led the early implementation of Arizona Early Education Funds for ACF. Earlier leadership roles in Libraries for the Future and Children’s Action Alliance also contributed to Rhian’s skills in program oversight, organizational management and grassroots and web-based advocacy.

Rhian has authored many white papers, articles, policy briefs and reports on a wide variety of topics.  Most recently she co-authored a report on the state of early care and education in Arizona for the Arizona Community Foundation—Building our Foundation:  Assessing Early Care and Education in Arizona.  She has given numerous presentations to diverse local and national audiences. 

Rhian has an intimate knowledge of most Arizona communities, both urban and rural.  She has developed strong personal relationships at every community level and is comfortable interacting with and bringing together different constituencies for collaborative success.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and a Masters in Business Administration from Arizona State University.  She is married to Paul Allvin and they live in Phoenix, Arizona with their three young children.