Donor Spotlight: Michael O'Connor

Having served as St. Joseph’s Board of Directors Chair for three years and as an active member since 2013, Michael O’Connor has demonstrated dynamic leadership skills that have served our hospital’s fundraising success in multiple ways. Michael is a strong communicator and influencer that knows how to steward and motivate simultaneously. In addition to his tenure on the Board of Directors, Michael assisted in the successful launch of St. Joseph’s Signature Event and has served as the fundraiser’s co-chair for two consecutive years, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the hospital.

Michael serves as the Associate General Manager and Chief Legal Executive for SRP, one of the nation’s largest publicly owned electric and water utilities. In this role, he has helped leverage generous grants and sponsorships from SRP to elevate the utility’s brand while giving back to the community it serves, including generous funding to support the initial build of St. Joseph’s Westgate Medical Center. SRP has been the premier sponsor of St. Joseph’s Signature event, and has also sponsored multiple Lou Grubb Friends Fore Golf tournaments. Michael's philanthropic support (along with his wife, Michelle) and his relationship with SRP has generated more than $124,000 in cash and in-kind goods and services to benefit the hospital.

Prior to joining SRP, Michael was a partner at Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, where he practiced law for nearly two decades. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political economy from Johns Hopkins University before graduating magna cum laude with his juris doctorate degree from George Washington University National Law Center. Originally from New York, Michael shares four children with Michelle.

Michael has been actively supporting education and health issues in Arizona through service to numerous organizations for many years. His sharp skills have netted him numerous awards in the field of law, and his amiable nature has earned him the respect of many who consider him a colleague and friend. St. Joseph’s Foundation extends sincere gratitude to Michael for giving selflessly to St. Joseph’s 125-year-old lifesaving mission.