Sophie Dessart

About Sophie Dessart

I am passionate about connecting with others. I credit this passion for my first job offer, which I received when I struck up a casual conversation with my local county clerk when stopping by our township office. Impressed by our discussion, the clerk offered me a job as an election inspector on the spot, and I started my professional journey working as a Precinct Inspector for the Michigan Department of State before I could even legally vote.That same curiosity and love for meaningful conversation has guided me ever since—through cultural immersion programs in Spain, international consulting work, graduate school, and now in the world of mining and public affairs.Today, I serve as Manager of Communications and Public Affairs for Florence Copper, an innovative and proven in-situ copper recovery project based in Florence, Arizona. I lead our community and media relations, communications strategy, and philanthropic programs. I’m also proud to serve as President of the Florence Copper Community Foundation, supporting local organizations across Pinal County.I hold a Master of Global Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, where I led an editorial team as Editor-in-Chief of Das Tor News and Media and was honored with the Barton Kyle Yount Award and Dean’s Circle Award upon graduating at the top of my class.A proud resident of Florence, I’m an active community volunteer and board member with organizations including the Central Arizona College Foundation, United Way of Pinal County, Pinal Alliance for Economic Growth, and Pinal County Historical Society. I’m also Chair of the Arizona Mining Association’s Communications Committee and Vice-Chair of the Education Subcommittee, and I represent the business community on the First Things First Pinal Regional Council.I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition for my work, including being named an Arizona Forward Emerging Sustainability Leader (2022), Arizona Mining Association Rising Star (2023), and Flinn-Brown Fellow (2025)—but what motivates me most is the opportunity to bring people together around shared goals to benefit my local community and the state we call home.

Experience

1. Manager, Communications & Public Affairs

   Florence Copper

   Jun 2022 — Present · Florence, AZ, US

   Led community engagement & philanthropic strategy for innovative in-situ copper recovery project-Managed corporate charitable foundation and scholarship program -Oversaw stakeholder outreach for 45-day federal permit public comment period, resulting in over 98% positive online comments and unanimous support at public hearing

Education

• Thunderbird School of Global Management

  Master of Global Management, Global Business, Global Affairs

  2020 — 2022

• Sweet Briar College

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Business/Commerce, General

• EHU

  International Business, Spanish