Frank Shankwitz, Board Member

​​Frank Shankwitz  is a graduate of Prescott High School, Class of 1961, an Air Force Veteran, a Retired Homicide Detective, and he served the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 42 years.

In November, 1980 Frank created and was the Co-Founder and First President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is now a worldwide organization.

In 2015 he joined six U.S. Presidents as a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Frank was the Forbes #1 Keynote Speaker in 2016, travelling the U.S. speaking to both civic and corporate groups, and using his platform to promote his message of how to "Give Back". Those presentations have led to many visits to Prescott from attendees for follow-up meetings and interviews. 

Frank has also been featured on many national news programs and on Home Town Heroes, as well as being identified as one of the "10 Most Amazing Arizonans", in a front-page article in the Arizona Republic newspaper.

He received the White House Call To Service Award from both President George W. Bush and President Donald J. Trump, and received the "Making A Difference In the World" Award from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. 

In 2017 he joined Matthew McConaughey and Morgan Freeman as a recipient of the Unite4:Humanity Celebrity ICON Social Impact Award, and also LA City Gala Hero Award, along with many others.

In June, 2019, Frank joined 89 other celebrities when receiving his "STAR" on the Las Vegas Walk of Fame and that same year, received his "STAR" on the Coronado Island Walk of Stars.

He is a board member for several other non-profits across the United States, including U.S. Vets-Prescott, The Wounded Blue, Broadway Hearts, Project Kind, Level Up Home Seattle, The Rugby Foundation, Safebeat, and Women of Global Change.

“Wish Man,” Frank’s the book about his life was released in 2017, and the movie based on his book was released in 2019 and qualified for an Academy Award nomination for a Best Picture Oscar. The movie was filmed in Prescott, Seligman and Yavapai County and is a venue to promote the Prescott area.

Frank & his wife, Kitty Carlisle Shankwitz live in Prescott and have supported the concept of the Western Heritage Center for years before it became a reality. 

More of Frank’s background information is available on his website...wishman1.com.