When Mark Tucker retired from a successful 30-year career with Macy’s in 2016, he had plenty of board invitations waiting for him but none felt like the right fit. Mark wanted a place where he could create real, lasting impact.
That opportunity came when he was introduced to CASA Academy, then a small K–2 charter school serving low-income students. What began as a simple board seat quickly grew into an eight-year journey of growth and transformation. Under Mark’s leadership, CASA expanded into a K–8 school and opened a new 28,000-square-foot facility—impacting hundreds of families and putting students on a path to college success.
“The road to college begins in kindergarten,” he said. “When you give a child access to education, you give them a chance to completely change their future.”
“These were kids who needed options—kids who needed someone to believe in them.” It was that same vision that would find him again when he was introduced to Save the Family.
A Personal Connection to Save the Family
After stepping back from CASA, Mark and his wife—both longtime community volunteers—planned to take some time off. But then life, as it often does, had other plans.
When a close friend of theirs passed away, Mark ran into Save the Family CEO, Robyn Julien. She urged him to consider joining the board.
“The mission was great. Taking care of families is important. My parents died when I was 15—family means everything to me.”
Mark joined the Save the Family board less than two years ago and quickly became a powerful advocate for Save the Family’s work. Whether supporting families seeking stable housing or cheering on children working toward brighter futures, Mark sees clear parallels between his work in education and his work with Save the Family.
“Both give families an option—a path forward. Education changes lives. Housing changes lives. Together, they help kids grow and prosper.”
Leadership That Inspires
As Vice President of Save the Family’s Board of Directors, Mark says what makes the organization exceptional is the people.
“I really like the people at Save the Family. The philanthropy team is phenomenal. Robyn is a great leader. The secret to being on a great board and producing results is having a strong CEO.”
A Rooted Life, A Giving Heart
Mark grew up in Denver and later lived in Oregon before moving to Phoenix with his wife, a third-generation Arizona native. He graduated from the University of Denver’s business school after realizing pre-med wasn’t the right path (“B’s don’t cut it in medical school,” he joked). His love of retail grew from there, eventually leading him to Macy’s—a place he describes as “phenomenal.”
Today, after 40 years in Phoenix, Mark is still finding new ways to touch lives.
A Message from Mark to the Community
“So many opportunities exist to support these families—whether it’s sponsoring a program, adopting a family for the holidays, or attending the Gala. When you get involved, you can truly see the impact.”
Mark’s passion, leadership, and lived experience make him an invaluable member of the Save the Family family. We are deeply grateful for the empathy and dedication he brings to our mission every day.