Eddie and Nadine Basha have long been associated with the drive for excellence in education in Arizona, contributing leadership, time and financial support throughout the state. Most recently they led the successful campaign to pass Proposition 203 to provide funding for early childhood education.

Nadine is chair of the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board and past chair of the Governor’s School Readiness Board, which assisted in the creation of Arizona’s plan for care and education of children ages birth to six. A former teacher, she was also named Valley Leadership Woman of the Year for her involvement in nearly every child-focused initiative in Arizona over the last 10 years.

Eddie served a 13-year term on the Chandler School Board and was appointed by Gov. Rose Mofford to the Arizona Board of Regents and by Gov. Bruce Babbit to the State Board of Education. He has been the recipient of many awards, including ASU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Servant-Leadership Award, the 2004 Dwight Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Education.

Nadine and Eddie Basha	Dr. Jill Stamm, NDI Executive Director, and Hugh Downs
Eddie Basha, Nadine Basha, Dr. Jill Stamm and Dr. Lattie Coor, 2004 Honoree