Darcy Renfro

Vice President and Director of SFAz STEM Initiatives

Darcy Renfro joined Science Foundation Arizona in 2008 when it began its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative to advance, align, integrate, and embed STEM principles and practices – benchmarked to international standards – at all levels of Arizona’s education system.

Previously, she served as the Policy Advisor to Governor Janet Napolitano for economic development and higher education.  In this role, Ms. Renfro was responsible for shaping policies important to Arizona’s current and future economic vitality, including initiatives focused on innovation, job creation, and diversification of Arizona’s economic base. The goal was to increase the state’s global competitiveness through better linkage of higher education and industry, with an emphasis on accelerating the state’s core research and technology competencies.

Ms. Renfro served as the Governor’s primary contact for science, technology and education alignment, including the development of Science Foundation Arizona and the Governor’s P-20 Council, linking education policy and practice from early grades through employment.  Ms. Renfro also served as Assistant Deputy Director for Workforce Development at the Arizona Department of Commerce focusing on the link between economic development, education, and employment statewide.

Prior to joining Commerce in 2003, Ms. Renfro practiced law in the areas of governmental relations, utility regulation, and general litigation with the Phoenix office of Fennemore Craig. She also worked on staff for Senators Dennis DeConcini (AZ) and Howard Metzenbaum (OH) in Washington D.C.

Ms. Renfro is a native of Tucson and received both her undergraduate and juris doctorate degrees from the University of Arizona.