Burnett School of Medicine at TCU Leader Named Board Chair of Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl Organization named Judy Bernas as chair for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (April 4, 2024) – The Fiesta Bowl Organization named Judy Bernas as chair for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.
Currently, Bernas is the senior associate dean and chief strategy and communication officer for the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.
“Judy is a well-respected servant leader who understands how sports organizations are integral contributors to their communities. She will step right in and be a steady hand for our volunteers, our stakeholders and our organization,” said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. “I’m excited about the well-rounded additions to our board of directors and the infusion of diversity in viewpoints and connections we have to guide our strategic decision-making.”
Under Bernas’ direction, the 29-member Board will oversee the governance, provide management oversight and strategic direction of the nonprofit organization in keeping with its prominent role in college football and extensive community and charitable efforts. During her two-year term, she will preside over the first-ever College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in the expanded 12-team Playoff, robust charitable giving with millions of dollars donated back into the community and the year-long calendar of community events that also include the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe and more.
“This is such an exciting time for the Fiesta Bowl Organization and we truly have the best board, staff and volunteers in all of college sports. I’m eager to support our returning and incredibly impressive new board members and work closely with our Yellow Jacket Committee, Ambassadors and volunteers,” Bernas said. “With college athletics in the middle of transformative changes, we are ready to implement new and innovative strategies to partner with our sponsors, conference and university leaders and importantly, all of our student-athletes.”
Bernas, who first became involved with the Fiesta Bowl as a board member in 2013, served as Board Chair-Elect and on the Executive Committee for the last two seasons. She has served on committees in nominating & governance, hospitality, charitable giving, strategic planning and audit and compliance.
A 40 Under 40 recipient from Inside Tucson Business and the Phoenix Business Journal, Bernas previously served as Board Chair for the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority. She previously served at the University of Arizona for 24 years at the main campus in Tucson and in launching the medical school in downtown Phoenix. Named the 2013 Woman of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Arizona, Bernas received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and is currently completing her Master of Public Health at Arizona.