MARIA T. CUNNING
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR
Maria T. Cunning from Phoenix, Arizona, USA, was elected to serve a two-year term as an
international director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 105th International
Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, July 7 through July 11, 2023.
Director Cunning is a business owner and entrepreneur with more than 35 years of experience in
real estate development. She currently manages and operates three companies. She is president
and CEO of Arista Development, Inc., she is the owner and a designated broker for Altair Realty,
LLC and she is the owner of Arizona Discount Flooring, LLC. Among her many notable projects
are the construction of over 100 custom homes and a 120-unit apartment complex in the Phoenix
and Scottsdale areas. She speaks 3 languages—English, Filipino and Spanish.
She is a third generation Lion with a passion for service and going on medical missions. She
joined the Phoenix Barangay Lions Club as a charter member in 1996 and has served with them
ever since. Additionally, she has served as guiding Lion for two clubs in the Phoenix area.
Director Cunning has held a number of offices within the association including district Youth
Exchange chairperson and multiple district youth coordinator. She has served several years as
multiple district membership chair and is currently the district 21-N membership chair She has
served multiple times as LCI Tel-a-thon fundraising chairperson and has been a speaker at the
USA-Canada leadership forum and for LCIF Foundation Fridays. She was also a task force
member for the North American Membership Initiative. Additionally, she participates in the
Global Service Missions and “A Ball for All” initiative for sight impaired children.
In recognition of her service to the association, she has received numerous awards including an
International President’s Award and an International President’s Leadership Award. She is also a
LCIF Progressive Lead Donor and a LCIF Legacy Society member.
In addition to her Lions activities, Director Cunning is active in numerous professional and
community organizations. She is currently the national president for the Federation of Philippine
American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC), president of the Filipino American Business
Chamber of Commerce of Arizona, Board of Trustees for the National Federation of Filipino
American Associations and is director at-large for the Arizona Asian American Association.
Director Cunning has received a number of civic awards for her kindness and service including
Outstanding Asian American Citizen awarded by former US Senator Jon Kyl, the International
Global Leadership Excellence Award, as well as the Excellence in Community Leadership award
given by Filipino American National Historical Society. She was also honored as Woman of the
Year in 2017 for Chicago by the TV Hall of Fame Awards.
Director Cunning has two wonderful adult sons and hopes that grandchildren are in her future.
Her hobbies are service, recruiting new Lions and travel.
R – 5/23
