Paradise Valley resident Jacquie Dorrance honored for commitment to philanthropy
Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
The Arizona Costume Institute is set to honor Valley philanthropist and Town of Paradise Valley resident Jacquie Dorrance will serve as the chair for the highly anticipated 2024 ACI Holiday Luncheon, being held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort on Monday, Dec. 9.
Known for her dedicated philanthropic efforts across Arizona, Ms. Dorrance’s commitment to community, education and the arts aligns perfectly with ACI’s mission to support fashion exhibitions, education programs and acquisitions at Phoenix Art Museum, organizers of the keystone community event tell the Digital Free Press.
Joining Ms. Dorrance as ambassadors for this year’s luncheon are three notable Valley leaders in fashion, arts and philanthropy: Hillary Sher, Lauri Termansen and Oscar De las salas. Together, they will drive fundraising efforts and promote awareness of ACI’s impact on Phoenix’s vibrant art scene.
This year’s luncheon is also set to feature a keynote appearance by acclaimed designer Christian Siriano, further elevating the event as a premier gathering for fashion enthusiasts in the Valley.
“I am honored to serve as the honorary chair for this incredible event,” Ms. Dorrance said in a prepared statement. “The dedication of this year’s co-chairs, Catherine Tuton and Barbara Lytle, along with the commitment of ambassadors—Hillary Sher, Lauri Termansen and Oscar De las salas—has been instrumental in shaping this luncheon. The generous support of the sponsors and Arizona Biltmore, combined with the efforts of everyone involved, guarantees the success of this year’s event. I warmly invite the community to join us for what is sure to be a remarkable celebration.”
Paradise Valley resident Jacquie Dorrance honored for commitment to philanthropy
Jacquie Dorrance, a Paradise Valley resident, was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and has devoted her public life to uplifting others and making a lasting impact through philanthropy. A prominent leader in the philanthropic community, she guides investments that benefit future generations with a remarkable reach in areas such as natural resource conservation, education, arts and culture, science and medical research. Together with her husband Bennett and their family, Jacquie’s charitable work spans not only Arizona but also extends to Hawaii and California.
Through her involvement with The Dorrance Family Foundation, Dorrance supports initiatives in education and conservation. The Dorrance Scholarship Programs, founded in 1999, provide academic and financial support to first-generation college students attending Arizona’s public universities. The Dorrance family remains closely involved with the scholars, creating one of Arizona’s most impactful privately funded educational programs.
Dorrance’s community involvement extends to many prestigious organizations including the Arizona State University President’s Club, Barrow Women’s Board, Feeding Matters, Steele Memorial Children’s Research Center, TGen’s Center for Rare Childhood Diseases and The Nature Conservancy. She also supports arts and culture organizations such as Ballet Arizona, Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Art Museum.
About the 2024 ACI Holiday Luncheon Ambassadors:
Lauri Termansen is the founder and president of Capital Merchant Services. The Paradise Valley resident is a former trustee of the Arizona Opera and has actively participated on fundraising committees for organizations including the American Heart Association, Ballet Arizona, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Art Museum, Planned Parenthood and the Arizona Costume Institute as well as the Barrow Neurological Foundation’s Neuro Night event. Currently, Termansen serves on both the Arizona Costume Institute Board and the Barrow Neurological Foundation Board.
Hillary Sher, a native of Arizona and Town of Paradise Valley resident, earned her degree in Communications from Arizona State University in 2002. She began her career in Hollywood as a publicist and stylist, working closely with top design houses and dressing A-list clients for prestigious events such as the Grammys, SAG Awards, Golden Globes and Oscars. Her career took her around the globe, attending fashion shows, premieres and high-profile events.
In 2008, Ms. Sher returned to Arizona to be closer to her family and joined Neiman Marcus as a personal stylist, where she has continued to excel. Her greatest fulfillment comes from the deep relationships she builds with her clients and the ever-evolving world of fashion she engages with daily.
In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Sher is actively involved in the community, serving on the Heart Ball Committee, Honor Health Women’s Board and currently the Arizona Costume Institute Committee. With a passion for travel, she regularly visits her favorite cities—Los Angeles, New York and Paris. Above all, Sher treasures time spent with family and friends and is a proud aunt to seven, soon to be eight, nieces and nephews. Her love for family, fashion and philanthropy defines her vibrant connection to both her career and her community.
Oscar De las salas began his fashion journey early in life as a young catalog model. While living in Europe, he interned at Cassina, an interior design and high-end furniture production company, which took him to several European cities. During his time in Milan, Mr. De las salas moonlighted in the fashion world on weekends and nights, holding various roles in the fashion industry, focusing on styling and set design during the early days of the advertising and model agency “Stylos” (now IMG Milano). There, he would eventually become creative director. In the late 1990s, Mr. De las salas relocated from Milan to Phoenix, where he transitioned back into architecture and interior design, leading award-winning projects as the principal of Architectural Alliance Inc.
A recognized figure in fashion, Mr. De las salas has a regular presence on Arizona TV broadcasts, especially during the annual televised award season, where he provides fashion reviews and red-carpet commentary. He has been a celebrity runway model for Phoenix Fashion Week from 2016 to 2023 and returns this year.
Mr. De las salas is deeply involved in the arts, serving on multiple boards including the Black Art Council at ASU Art Museum, the board of CALA Alliance and as chairman of the board at ArtLink Phoenix. Last year, he co-chaired the annual ACI Holiday Luncheon alongside his best friend Beth McRae.
