Write a Note | School Connect - Creating Villages for Children

Dr. Susie Cook

Dr. Susie Cook is a retired educator who served students for 44 years as a teacher and administrator, and as superintendent for her final 10 years before retiring. She worked in higher education at Arizona State University for 8 years, placing students in intern and student teaching assignments. As part of Dr. Cook’s community engagement component at the university, she also served on the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board for five years. The governing board service aligned with her teaching and research in educational administration.

School Connect embodies the values Dr. Cook has worked tirelessly to include in her leadership over the years.

“The one thing I want people to know about School Connect is that the organization walks its talk and lives its values. In these challenging times, living our truth is paramount.”

Margaret Judson
Executive Director
School Connect San Antonio

This very special award honors a leader with a courageous heart who sees the genius, passion, and love in other people, gathers those people together, and works to unleash their collective power for positive change in the world around them.

This morning, we are honored to present the Founder’s Heart Award to a leader whose vision, courage, and compassion have ignited a movement—Margaret Judson, Executive Director of School Connect San Antonio. This award celebrates a leader with a bold heart—someone who sees the genius, passion, and love in others, and then gathers them to create lasting change. That is exactly who Margaret is. Her journey began with a simple but profound desire: to bring her community together in support of local schools. That desire led her to discover School Connect in Arizona, and from there, she took a leap of faith—becoming the very first person to bring the model beyond state lines.

As a School Board Trustee in Alamo Heights ISD, Margaret already understood the challenges schools face and the power of community to meet them. Over the past five years, she has built something extraordinary. From one district to many, Margaret has brought together business leaders, faith communities, nonprofits, and even local law enforcement to surround schools with love and support. Her leadership has sparked mentorships, tutoring programs, and resource partnerships that have transformed the educational experience for students, families, and educators alike. Margaret doesn’t just talk about collaboration—she lives it, breathes it, and leads it with unmatched heart and purpose.

Margaret, your work is a living testament to the belief that when we come together with love and intention, we can move mountains for our kids. You’ve trained and inspired countless others, and you’ve expanded the reach of School Connect in ways we only dreamed possible. Tonight, we honor not just your accomplishments, but the generous spirit and hope that fuels them. Thank you for being a guiding light and for showing us all what’s possible when we lead with heart. We are so proud to present you with the Founder’s Heart Award—you are truly a champion of education and community.

STEM GameDay Planning Committee
American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona

Accepting the award on behalf of the Committee:
Nicolai Oliden, PE, Highways Group Leader, Jacobs
Zachary Lambros, PE, Senior Project Engineer, Dibble

This award recognizes a national business and honors their efforts in serving the educators of Arizona! This national business has not only served the state of Arizona but has also inspired other communities around the country to serve as well.

ACEC STORY

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the oldest and largest business association of engineering companies. It is an organized federation of 52 state and regional councils comprised of thousands of engineering practices throughout the country. ACEC traces its roots back to the Association of Architectural Engineers, founded in New York City in 1905, to promote the business interests of consulting engineers. Over the years, and several iterations, in 2000 they became the ACEC as we know today to reflect both their firm-based membership and the increasingly diversified and multi-disciplinary nature of engineering practices, including design-build practices. They are known for their public policy advocacy to bolster and expand the reach of best practices to ensure innovation, successful performance, and public safety. They have also been a leading proponent of increased infrastructure investment in surface transportation, water, aviation and energy.

Locally, ACEC Arizona has given their time and resources to inspire the next generation of engineers. In 2024, in partnership with School Connect and Arizona State University, a group of 1,200 7^th and 8^th grade students joined engineers at Mountain America Stadium at ASU to get a first-row seat at what a real-life Game Day looks like from the perspective of an engineer. In 2025, this STEM event took place and a new group of middle schoolers to ASU incorporating more hands-on activities. A true collaboration of tech, nonprofit, and education all coming together to support students.

Nicolai Oliden, PE, Highways Group Leader, Jacobs

Nicolai Oliden serves as a Project Engineer (PE) and Office Manager with Jacobs, building a strong reputation in transportation engineering across Arizona. His technical expertise includes proficiency with InRoad and AutoCAD Civil3D software platforms. Nicolai holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University.

Beyond his engineering work, Nicolai has developed a parallel career in professional development. He mentors young professionals, helping them navigate the challenges of both professional environments and personal life responsibilities. This commitment led him to establish engineeringYOU, a Leadership Training company focused on equipping young professionals with self-leadership skills to improve their focus and work-life balance.

His impact in professional development includes coaching numerous engineers, facilitating workshops in both online and in-person formats, and presenting to hundreds of professionals. Through these efforts, Nicolai helps develop engineers who understand that professional success requires both technical competence and personal development skills.

Zachary Lambros, PE, Senior Project Engineer, Dibble

Zachary Lambros is a Senior Project Engineer at Dibble, where he has built a notable career since 2016. His professional trajectory at the company includes valuable experience in previous positions as a Transportation Engineer and Land Development Engineer, both at the EIT level.

Throughout his tenure at Dibble, Zach has developed specialized expertise in Land Development, a field he deliberately selected for its diverse and challenging design opportunities. His professional decision to focus on this area has allowed him to develop comprehensive skills across multiple engineering disciplines. Zach regularly applies this extensive knowledge base to various technical challenges, including optimizing parking layouts, ensuring accessibility compliance, designing effective drainage systems, and developing efficient utility designs.

Among the many professional satisfactions in his career, Zach finds particular fulfillment in witnessing the physical manifestation of his engineering designs once construction is completed. This tangible result of his technical work represents the culmination of extensive planning, precise calculations, and thoughtful design considerations.

Zach’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University. Further enhancing his professional qualifications, he has completed the LEAP (Leadership in Engineering Administration Program) through ACEC.

Thomas Claiborn IV
Senior Director of Strategic Initiative and Community Engagement
First Things First

This award recognizes a government entity that has worked with the community to bring much needed support to students and families.

It is an absolute honor to recognize Thomas Claiborn IV, the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement at First Things First, as the recipient of the Civic Impact Award. Thomas is a leader who doesn’t just talk about change—he embodies it. With a heart tuned toward service and a mind focused on strategy, he has invested his life into creating spaces where Arizona’s children and families don’t just succeed—they flourish. Through his tireless work, Thomas has moved beyond temporary solutions to foster lasting transformation that touches every corner of our community.

Thomas’ approach to leadership is both intentional and inspiring. Whether he’s engaging cross-sector leaders in meaningful conversations, building bridges between schools and neighborhoods, or guiding families toward wholeness through his ministry, Thomas carries a vision that unites us. His ability to weave strategic planning with a deep sense of empathy has made him a catalyst for collective impact. In every room he walks into, Thomas brings clarity, conviction, and a call to action that moves us all closer to our shared purpose—building a village where every child can thrive.

His work with School Connect, from Tempe Elementary to his current leadership in the Roosevelt District, has been nothing short of extraordinary. He led Love Our Schools Day at Martin Luther King Elementary with such passion that it became a beacon of unity and celebration across the community. As we look ahead to the merging of Martin Luther King and Percy L. Julian schools, Thomas’ vision and influence will no doubt continue to guide us with grace and strength. Thomas, thank you for being a relentless champion of children, a builder of bridges, and a living example of what it means to lead with both heart and purpose.

Lisa Folsom
Business Development
Sunland Asphalt

This award recognizes a local business that has worked with schools and community partners to meet the needs of students and their families.

School Connect is proud to honor Lisa Folsom of Sunland Asphalt with the Community Impact Award, a recognition that celebrates local businesses that go beyond the bottom line to meet the real needs of students and families. Lisa is a remarkable example of what it means to use your professional platform to build something greater than yourself. With a heart for service and a deep commitment to public education, she has made it her mission to create meaningful partnerships that bring tangible support to schools across Arizona. Since 2017, Lisa has combined her industry expertise with a passion for people, forging relationships that have transformed campuses and communities alike.

Lisa’s work is not just about pavement solutions—it’s about paving the way for opportunity. From Phoenix Union to Pendergast, Roosevelt to West-MEC, Lisa has invested her time, talent, and heart into supporting school districts at every level. She listens first, leads with empathy, and connects the right people and resources to the places that need them most. Her influence extends far beyond her role at Sunland Asphalt—she serves on boards, contributes to education foundations, and continually lifts others through collaboration. Her efforts reflect a deep understanding that schools are not just institutions—they are the heart of our communities.

Lisa, your leadership exemplifies what it means to care deeply, act boldly, and serve generously. You’ve shown us that business can be a powerful force for good when guided by integrity and compassion. Your work is not just seen—it’s felt in the lives of students, educators, and families who now have more hope, more support, and more possibility because of you. It is with deep admiration and gratitude that we present you with the Community Impact Award—you are truly a champion for Arizona’s schools.

Tere Tucker
Director of Local Missions and Community Impact
Palm Valley Church

This award recognizes a faith community that has listened to schools well to discover the most pressing needs of the community and collaborated to meet that need.

School Connect honors Palm Valley Church and the incredible leadership of Tere Tucker, Director of Local Missions and Community Impact, with the Hope Builders Award. This award recognizes a faith community that listens deeply to the needs of its schools and responds with action—and Tere exemplifies that mission with every step she takes. With a servant’s heart and a visionary spirit, Tere brings people together to create practical solutions and lasting change for students, families, and entire neighborhoods. She doesn’t just serve—she builds bridges of hope between faith, education, and community.

Tere’s approach is rooted in collaboration. She believes that by mobilizing the resources, gifts, and passions already present in a community, real transformation becomes possible. Through partnerships with School Connect, Community Impact, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, City Serve, food banks, and many others, Palm Valley has become a hub of collective care. Under Tere’s leadership, their doors—and their hearts—have remained open to serve. Whether it’s hosting “Love Our Schools Day,” equipping kids with “Backpacks and More,” or giving school districts a home to kick off a new academic year, Palm Valley is always there, standing in the gap and lifting others up.

Tere also serves as a Regional Champion for School Connect, sharing her wisdom, enthusiasm, and gift for relationship-building to expand impact far beyond her own community. Her dedication to listening well, acting intentionally, and leading with love mirrors the very heart of what this award represents. Through her work, Palm Valley Church doesn’t just meet needs—they ignite hope. And together, we celebrate Tere Tucker as a true hope builder whose legacy will continue to ripple through generations to come.

Washington Covena
Staff VP, Commercial Verticals and Strategy
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

This award recognizes a national nonprofit organization that is highly engaged in their community and in service to schools and children.

School Connect is honored to present the National Spotlight Award to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, represented by the visionary leadership of Washington Covena, Staff VP of Commercial Verticals and Strategy. This award celebrates national organizations that lead with heart, purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility to children and schools. For over 25 years, Washington has used his expertise in strategy, innovation, and care to shape the health of communities—never losing sight of the individuals and families behind the numbers. When he partnered with School Connect three years ago, it was clear that this wasn’t just a business move—it was a calling to make a meaningful difference.

Under Washington’s leadership, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has become more than a sponsor—they’ve become a trusted partner in educational transformation. From wellness initiatives that reached over 35,000 students and educators to the unveiling of the bold “Health Innovation Lab,” Washington and his team have shown that better health leads to better learning. These efforts aren’t just improving attendance and academic performance—they’re giving students the foundation they need to thrive, both inside and outside the classroom. And their vision doesn’t stop there—the goal to reach every school district in Arizona by 2030 reflects a long-term commitment to systemic change.

Washington, your passion and leadership remind us that real impact happens when we combine purpose with partnership. You’ve helped us see that healthcare and education are not separate worlds—they are deeply connected pathways to equity, opportunity, and hope. Your collaboration with School Connect is a shining example of what can happen when we work across sectors for the common good. It is with heartfelt gratitude and deep admiration that we present this year’s National Spotlight Award to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, and to you, Washington Covena—thank you for believing in the power of community and the potential of every child.

Dawn Gerundo
Director of Community Development and Engagement
Valley of the Sun United Way

This award recognizes a local nonprofit organization that is highly engaged in their community and in service to schools and children.

This morning, we are proud to present the Community Spotlight Award to a true champion of education, Dawn Gerundo, Director of Community Development and Engagement at Valley of the Sun United Way. This award honors a local nonprofit organization that is deeply engaged in their community and committed to the service of schools and children—and Dawn’s name rises to the top of that list without question. Her tireless efforts have created lasting, tangible change in Arizona’s education landscape. Through bold vision and collaborative spirit, Dawn has connected school districts with the resources, support, and hope they need to help students and families thrive.

Dawn is a changemaker, a connector, and a trusted partner who brings people together to tackle the challenges that face our schools. From early literacy and digital access to chronic absenteeism and pandemic recovery, her work touches nearly every aspect of a student’s journey. She doesn’t just strategize from afar—she shows up. Whether it’s attending after-school programs, volunteering at events, or listening closely to families and educators, Dawn leads by example with a presence that is both humble and deeply impactful. Her ability to listen, honor every voice, and create safe spaces for collaboration allows trust to flourish and innovation to take root.

Under her leadership, partnerships aren’t just formed—they are celebrated, nurtured, and empowered to grow. Dawn reminds us that success in education isn’t just about outcomes—it’s about the process, the people, and the collective spirit that brings a vision to life. Her work inspires a culture where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected to something greater than themselves. Dawn Gerundo, your dedication, heart, and leadership uplift entire communities—and tonight, we honor you with deep gratitude and admiration.

Sheely Farms Elementary School
Principal Rebecca Ford, Tolleson Elementary School District

Hello, I’m Rebecca Ford, a passionate and proud educator with over 28 years of experience dedicated to serving the elementary school community. My teaching journey began in the classroom, where I taught 4th grade for nine years and 2nd grade for two years. In 2007, I embraced a new chapter as a mentor for new teachers in the Pendergast Elementary School District, supporting both new and seasoned educators. It was during this time that I earned my second master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.

In 2015, I stepped into the role of Dean of Students in the Littleton Elementary School District, and in 2017, I joined the Tolleson Elementary School District. Over the past eight years at Sheely Farms, I’ve had the privilege of serving first as assistant principal and now as principal—a role I’ve held for the last three years.

My love for education runs deep and is rooted in a lifelong dream of becoming an educator. As someone who faced challenges in my own upbringing, I found inspiration and strength through the connections I built at school. Those relationships helped me persevere, and I knew I wanted to create the same positive impact for others. As a proud product of public education, I’m committed to ensuring it remains a powerful force for change and opportunity.

At Sheely Farms Elementary, I’m honored to work alongside an extraordinary team of educators who go above and beyond to support our students. Together, through partnerships with local businesses, families, and community stakeholders, we provide our students with the tools, experiences, and connections needed to thrive. By fostering these relationships, we strive to empower every child to grow into a confident, capable member of the community.

I believe deeply in the power of public education. Teachers and parents alone cannot achieve these goals—we need strong community partnerships to ensure every child receives the best possible education. As principal, I am proud to extend exceptional opportunities to our students and families, helping each child fulfill their potential and build a brighter future.

Ira A. Murphy Elementary School
Principal Reginna Lewis, Peoria Unified School District

Ms. Reginna Lewis has served as the principal at Ira A. Murphy Elementary School since the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. Prior to her current appointment, she served as assistant principal at Ironwood High School for six years and an instructional coach for two years after leaving the classroom. She joined Peoria Unified in 2007 and taught reading, math and social studies in multiple grade levels at Copperwood Elementary School. Lewis served in the United States Air Force as the 944th Fighter Wing/Medical Squadron Education and Training Manager from 1994 to 2014.

Ira A. Murphy Elementary School is the second elementary school to open in Peoria Unified, has served students since 1972. For the last 50 years, Ira A. Murphy Elementary School has cultivated a robust network of partners that support the school’s students and families in various ways. Located in south Peoria, Ira A. Murphy is a Title I school whose students come with varying needs. Thanks to the support of community partners such as The Inspire Project, Reunion Church and Zuri’s Circle, they can meet the needs of all students.

Black Mountain Elementary School
Principal Matt Owsley, Cave Creek Unified School District

Born and raised in Arizona, I was fortunate to grow up in a family that valued hard work and education. Like my three brothers and two sisters, I graduated from Moon Valley High School, where much of my time was spent participating in sports. After graduating from college, I married my high school sweetheart and have been smiling ever since. We have two amazing boys, a beautiful little girl, and a goldendoodle who keep life busy, loud, and full of joy, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’ve had the privilege of learning from incredible educators throughout my career, starting as a classroom teacher in the Washington Elementary and Peoria Unified School Districts. I taught 1st through 6th grade before moving into administration as an assistant principal in PUSD. For the past 14 years, I’ve been honored to serve as the principal of Black Mountain Elementary in Cave Creek Unified School District.

Over the years, I’ve been part of school communities that believe deeply in collaboration, shared leadership, and doing what is best for kids. At BMES, we have worked hard to build a culture that celebrates learning, values the whole child, and empowers both staff and students to grow. I am also incredibly proud to be part of a school community that is truly special. We purposefully engage and celebrate our community through meaningful events and the support of amazing volunteers who help us offer programs that go above and beyond the norm.

Above all, I still see myself as a learner, continually growing thanks to the students, educators, and families I have been lucky enough to work with.

Laura Roman
School Champion, Roman Realty Group, Supporting Pendergast Elementary School District

Laura Roman is deeply committed to supporting those who serve their communities—whether they’re military members, first responders, educators, or healthcare professionals. As an affiliate of Homes for Heroes, she is grateful for the opportunity to give back and help make a positive difference in the lives of local heroes.

Laura proudly serves on the board of the Pendergast Elementary School District Foundation, where her passion for community impact and education converge. Through hands-on involvement with schools like Rio Vista, West Wind, and Villa de Paz, she has led campus beautification efforts as part of the “Love Our Schools” initiative, fostering pride and connection among students, staff, and families. For the past two years, she has also sponsored the PBIS Teacher Appreciation Program, ensuring educators feel seen, supported, and celebrated for the work they do every day. Committed to long-term empowerment, Laura offers financial literacy workshops for both the district and the broader community, equipping families with tools to build brighter, more secure futures. Her work is a reflection of her belief that strong schools build strong communities, and that service is the most powerful way to lead.

Known for her practical problem solving and warm, collaborative approach, Laura’s goal is always to serve with integrity and compassion. Whether working alongside fellow industry professionals or volunteering in her community, she’s dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of those she serves.

Her guiding principle is simple: “serving, not selling.”

Gil Nisleit
School Champion, Central Christian Church, Supporting Queen Creek Unified School District

As the Campus Pastor at Central Christian Church in Queen Creek, I have a deep passion for community outreach and collaboration. I have a heart for service. I’m dedicated in partnering with local organizations to address the needs within the community. I believe that the true essence of a church is not defined by what it says about itself, but by the impact it leaves on others. My focus is to see Central Christian Church become known by the positive difference it makes, with others sharing the story of the church’s heart and its unwavering commitment to improving lives in the community.

Denise Hawk
School Champion, Avondale Elementary School District

Recognized by her colleagues as a force for purposeful, powerful connections, coupled with a dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals and families through her compassionate social work, Denise is driven by a heart for service and a focus on creating positive changes in the lives of those facing adversity, believing that everyone deserves a chance to thrive and unlock their full potential.

An influential agent for positive change, Denise is a woman of profound faith who leads with confidence and approaches challenges with creativity and perseverance, all with a commitment to success. Her long tenure as an active officer with The Salvation Army in compassionate service to others is a testament to these traits, demonstrating her strengths in mobilizing communities to rise up and support the holistic needs of individuals.

Her experience includes decades of leadership roles as well as collaboration and strategizing with local and state leaders to create opportunities for the marginalized and underserved. One of her most accomplished endeavors is the strategic planning, building, opening, and operating of the South Phoenix Salvation Army Kroc Center, a multi-purpose, state-of-the-art facility erected for the sole purpose of serving the community with a lens of opportunity for everyone.

Today, as the Social Worker at Desert Star School, Denise is energized by challenges and driven by an authentic desire to serve both the students and staff, helping to shape the landscape of the learning experience that sees every child as a kid at hope without exception. Denise is passionate about using her skills to make a positive impact. When she is not on the school campus she is pursuing the next possibility to serve. She can be spotted volunteering at a local shelter, spearheading a project to help others, directing musicals, presenting an educational workshop or enjoying the outdoors with her grandchildren in hopes of sprinkling inspiration and joy whenever she goes. Denise and her husband, Guy, live in Avondale, AZ. Together they enjoy traveling and spending time with their ever-growing family.

Martín Quezada
Governing Board, Pendergast Elementary School District

Martín is currently serving his fourth term as an elected Governing Board member for the Pendergast Elementary School District. He has held the position of Board President in 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2023. A lifelong public servant, Martín has dedicated his career to building an Arizona that works for everyone—not just the wealthy few. He is widely recognized as “The People’s Senator” after serving over a decade in the Arizona State Legislature. Appointed to the State House of Representatives in 2012, he was elected to a full term later that year. In 2014, he was elected to the State Senate and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. In 2022, he was the Democratic nominee for Arizona State Treasurer.

Martín is equally effective in his role as a public servant outside of elected office. A native Arizonan, born to working-class parents in the Maryvale community of West Phoenix, he has served as a judicial law clerk to Judge Patricia A. Orozco on the Arizona Court of Appeals, a research analyst in the State Legislature, and an educator at ASU’s College of Law, where he taught courses in contracts, business organizations, family law, and immigration law. Most recently, he served as Director of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors as a member of Governor Katie Hobbs’ cabinet.

In addition to his public service, Martín continues to advocate for the community as a practicing attorney. Through his firm, The Law Office of Martín J. Quezada, PLLC, and in collaboration with Desert Bloom Immigration (immigration law), O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo (education law), and Thunderbird Law Group (labor law), he has worked on cases involving criminal defense, domestic relations, civil litigation, immigration, and election law.

Samantha Davis
Governing Board President, Queen Creek Unified School District

Samantha Davis has served on the Queen Creek Unified School District Governing Board since 2019 and currently holds the position of Board President. A long-time advocate for public education, Davis has two children who attend QCUSD and brings a deep commitment to all students, families, and staff across the district. Her leadership is rooted in years of volunteer service, including time as a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) president and member, where she gained firsthand insight into the needs of schools and educators.

As Board President, Davis has championed initiatives that prioritize student success, fiscal responsibility, and employee support. Under her leadership, the district expanded its investment in employee health benefits, ensuring competitive compensation and improved well-being for QCUSD staff. Known for her collaborative approach, Davis works closely with district leadership, families, and community stakeholders to strengthen Queen Creek schools and prepare students for the future.

She continues to lead with integrity, transparency, and a steadfast belief in the power of public education to transform lives.

Sophia Carrillo
Governing Board, Creighton School District

Sophia is a first-generation American, a bilingual advocate, and a strong enduring mother of two school-aged children. Sophia’s leadership is rooted in the belief that “Student outcomes don’t change until adult behaviors change,” a principle inspired by AJ Crabill. She embodies the idea of “Governance that listens, students that lead,” fostering an environment that empowers every student to take charge of their educational future.

For the last several years, Sophia has been actively involved in campaigns that unite educators, aid the children in the school district, and progressively strengthen the community. Sophia’s passion lies in connecting with all people providing an educated, supportive voice for those in her community that might not otherwise have one. Sophia has actively promoted and improved voting in “low-vote” areas.

Sophia’s vision is simple, a message of unity between educators, children, schools, staff, and parents. With Sophia’s experience and passion for children, her years advocating for change within education, she defines a catalyst for change that will amplify the district and generations to come.

Dr. Robert Pappalardo
Superintendent, Apache Junction Unified School District

Dr. Robert Pappalardo is a dedicated Superintendent of Schools with a strong commitment to driving innovation in education. Passionate about equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the future, Dr. Robert Pappalardo focuses on implementing forward-thinking solutions that prepare students for success in an ever-evolving world. With a keen interest in educational leadership, Dr. Robert Pappalardo strives to foster environments where both students and educators can grow and succeed.

Outside of work, Dr. Robert Pappalardo is an avid traveler, having explored diverse cultures around the globe. A sports enthusiast and avid reader, Dr. Robert Pappalardo enjoys staying active and continuously learning. Dr. Robert Pappalardo’s diverse interests and global perspective enrich their approach to education, always seeking new ways to inspire and empower the next generation.

Jay Mann
Superintendent, Creighton School District

Jay Mann is Superintendent of the Creighton School District. Previously he served as the district’s Chief of Business Operations and Development and as the Co-Chair of the Business Officials Council for the Greater Phoenix Educational Management Council (GPEMC) and Arizona Educational Management Council (AZEMC). Mr. Mann has held a variety of roles in more than 40 years of service in the public sector, including 20 years in K-12 education, nearly a decade in higher education, and nearly a decade in the City of Scottsdale. His focus has been on building customer-service-focused teams, continuous improvement, systems thinking, and frugal innovation. In 2013 Mr. Mann was recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as a CIO of the Year Finalist and Arizona School Administrators (ASA) named him the ASA Distinguished Administrator of the Year for 2021-2022. In 2023 he was named Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA)

Jay Mann lives in Phoenix with his wife, Wendy, a retired library professional and his son, Jared, a Masters degree student at ASU Polytechnic in Applied Biological Sciences – Sustainable Horticulture.  His hobbies include leadership development, martial arts, game design, camping, hiking, and playing games with family and friends.

Dr. Cecilia Maes
Superintendent, Alhambra Elementary School District

Dr. Cecilia Maes serves as Superintendent of the Alhambra Elementary School District, a role she has held since July 1, 2021. With over two decades of educational experience, Dr. Maes brings a deep commitment to student success and staff empowerment. Prior to joining Alhambra, she dedicated 15 years to the Cartwright Elementary School District, where she held leadership positions including Deputy Superintendent of District Operations, Director of Special Services, Principal, and Assistant Principal. Her journey in education began as a teacher and instructional coach in the Glendale Elementary School District. A proud Sun Devil, Dr. Maes holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate from Arizona State University. Her academic and professional journey has always centered on her unwavering belief that education is a calling. She is passionate about fostering safe, nurturing school environments where every student is inspired to thrive and every staff member is supported to lead with excellence.

Originally from San Diego and raised in both California and Texas, Dr. Maes made Phoenix her home in 1999—specifically in the Alhambra community she now proudly serves. She is also a devoted wife and mother, whose personal and professional lives reflect a deep dedication to equity, leadership, and community.

Kelli Frazier
Principal, Queen Creek Unified School District

I’m Kelli Frazier, the proud principal of Silver Valley Elementary, at over 1,400 Pre-K thru 6th grade students, we are the largest elementary school in the state of Arizona.

I have a talented team of educators dedicated to impacting the lives of these students daily.

With more than 20 years in education, I’ve spent 11 of those with QCUSD in various roles that have shaped my approach to leadership. Before becoming principal, I served as a reading specialist, leveraging my passion for literacy to support student growth; a data specialist, diving into metrics to optimize classroom strategies; and a dean of students, focusing on building strong connections with kids to help them succeed. Those experiences solidified my belief in blending data-driven instruction with relationship-centered leadership.

My career started in Tucson’s Sunnyside Unified School District, where I taught second and fourth grade, bringing energy to the classroom and watching students discover their potential. I later transitioned into a reading specialist role there, driving literacy initiatives and collaborating with teachers to enhance reading programs. I also served as a facilitator, supporting innovative projects and keeping the momentum going for staff and students alike.

Each position that I’ve been in has added a new layer to my understanding of what makes education work.

I hold a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University—credentials that have been key to my journey. Originally from Texas and raised in California, I’ve got a mix of roots that still show up from time to time in my accent and the way I connect with others.

Outside of work, I’m married to my supportive husband, Michael, and we’ve got three energetic boys—Wyatt, Holden, and Nixon—who keep us on our toes. We’re an outdoorsy family, often hiking, camping, or unwinding at our cabin in Christopher Creek. Those moments with my boys help me stay grounded and ready to tackle the challenges at Silver Valley.

Our school’s mission is all about growing strong hearts and curious minds, and I’m committed to making that happen through solid relationships, consistent support, and a genuine care for our students. Leading Silver Valley is a joy and privilege, and I’m proud to be part of a team that teaches leadership skills and builds strong character every day.

Crystal Bustamante
Principal, Washington Elementary School District

Crystal Bustamante is a passionate educator who has served Arizona students and families for 23 years. She is an Arizona Native, and grew up attending schools in the Washington Elementary School District, including Sweetwater Elementary and Desert Foothills Junior High, then graduated from Moon Valley High School in 1993.

Crystal has an unending love for children that dates back as long as she can remember. In fact, she met her husband nearly 30 years ago while serving underprivileged children Granada, Nicaragua. They have been married for 29 years, and have three adult children, Nathanael, Benjamin, and Naomi, plus a beautiful daughter-in-law, Benjamin’s wife, Zeely. Some of Crystal’s personal interests include travel, volunteer work, movies, escape rooms, game nights, eating out, and spending time with her two dogs, Molly and Maya. Family is the most important thing in the world to Crystal, and she loves doing any activity that involves time with her loved ones.

Crystal is a passionate and dedicated educator who has served as Principal of Sahuaro Elementary School in Phoenix for the past four years. She has worked in the Washington Elementary School District for the past 17 years, and previously worked in the Union Elementary School District for 5 years.

During her 23-year career in education, Crystal has held various roles, including Teacher, Director of Federal Programs, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix, as well as a Master of Education Degree in Elementary Education and a K-12 Principal Graduate Certificate from Northern Arizona University. In addition to her standard teaching and principal certifications with the Arizona Department of Education, she also holds endorsements in K-12 Structured English Immersion, K-12 Reading Specialist, and Early Childhood (Birth-Age 8).

Throughout Crystal’s tenure as Principal of Sahuaro, she has been a tireless advocate for building strong, meaningful partnerships between parents, students, community members, local businesses, universities, law enforcement, health-care providers, and faith-based organizations.

Recognizing that her school’s success is deeply connected to the involvement of families, businesses, and community organizations, Crystal has worked diligently to create collaborative relationships that enhance student learning and focus on the well-being of students and staff. One example of this is the key partnership that she has built and fostered for the past four years with Calvary PHX Church, a church that is located within her school boundaries. Through this connection, Crystal has worked closely with Calvary to improve and support the Sahuaro School community in so many ways. Her vision has been to not only improve the physical appearance of her 60-year-old campus through holding more than one ‘Love Our Schools Day’ each school year, but to also improve the nurturing and supportive environment that makes her campus special. One example of this would be her vision for a Staff Wellness Room for educators to have a dedicated space for relaxation, rejuvenation, and stress relief during the school day, a vision that became a reality through the supportive partnership formed with Calvary.

Crystal seeks to get involved in every facet of the community around her school, participating in events and organizations such as the C28 Business Alliance, Block Watch, and G.A.I.N. She also strives to implement multiple school activities each year that promote Family and Community Engagement, including Trunk-or-Treat, Winter Wonderland, Family Literacy Night, Family Movie Nights, and Evening of the Arts.

Crystal leads her school with compassion, integrity, and dedication. She fosters a positive school culture where every student and staff member feel valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Her approach to leadership is rooted in understanding and empathy, always taking the time to listen to the needs of others and lead with a solution-focused mindset. Her unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and nurturing environment has helped to strengthen the bonds within the school community, making it a place where all feel welcome and successful.

Samantha Armstrong
Principal, Littleton Elementary School District

Ms. Samantha Armstrong is a proud product of Arizona public schools in the West Valley, having attended Cartwright and Phoenix Union from K-12th grade. She continued her education with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix College and two Bachelor’s degrees from ASU. She is the dedicated and visionary principal at Estrella Vista STEM Academy in Avondale, AZ. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Grand Canyon University and National Board Certification as a middle child generalist. These positive experiences have shaped her work as an educator in Title 1 Schools.

Her career began with teaching Middle School Science and ELA for a decade, then moved on to teaching gifted students and ensuring they are served to their fullest potential. Working for six years as an Instructional Coach and two years as an Assistant Principal has shaped her work in supporting all in the community and building solid connections to ensure students have the best possible path forward.

Ms. Armstrong consistently demonstrates her ability to spark collaboration and lead transformative improvement within her school community. Ms. Armstrong has been instrumental in creating and refining systems to support Estrella Vista’s growth since joining the campus in July of 2023. To accomplish this, she established a “Guiding Coalition” of campus teacher leaders to enhance PLC, application of curriculum, and scheduling allocated learning times for staff and students, ensuring the focus is on student achievement. These efforts led to the school moving from a C to a B and being awarded Solution Tree’s PLC Promising Practices School. Her strategic approach to building community connections has fostered reciprocal, trust-based collaborations that have significantly impacted the school.

Ms. Armstrong’s leadership has been pivotal in deepening these community partnerships with organizations such as WestMec, Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR, and ASU West Valley, providing engaging and hands-on learning opportunities for both staff and students. She understands that to foster student engagement, teachers must feel comfortable and supported in their own learning and growth, recognizing that it is safe to engage and make mistakes, which ultimately helps students grow, particularly within the Engineering focus at Estrella Vista.

Additionally, she supports National Board Candidates going through the process for the district, coaching them to achieve and advocating for continued work. Ms. Amrstrong also supports candidates in the Phoenix area by working with the Arizona K-12 center to ensure the best teachers are supported and retained in the profession. Furthermore, she works as an adjunct professor with NAU, supporting pre-service teachers to ensure all students have access to a quality education.

Ms. Armstrong’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and her exceptional ability to inspire others to support their school community make her a bastion of hope and a true champion for her community as a whole selected.

Amy Wicks
Teacher, Peoria Unified School District

Amy Wicks is a distinguished educator renowned for her commitment to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. With a focus on building trust and resilience, Wicks employs daily community circles to ensure her students feel heard and valued. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom through tutoring high school students and mentoring foster children, exemplifying her holistic approach to student well-being.

Wicks is a proactive leader, organizing events such as the 8th grade Fun Friday and promotion ceremonies, which engage both students and teachers in collaborative planning. As a Junior High Team Leader, she mentors new teachers, cultivating leadership and a strong sense of community within the school.

Her ability to inspire hope and leadership in others has created a culture of collaboration and support within her school community. Her compassionate leadership and unwavering dedication make her a valued member of the Peoria Unified School District.

Melissa France
Teacher, Fowler Elementary School District

Mrs. France holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, with a minor in Psychology from Northern State University. With 25 plus years of experience in education, she has taught in charter, private and public schools and has served one year as a Dean of Students in a private PK-8 school and is currently serving as a TOSA, teacher on special assignment, as an Assistant Principal in a Title 1 public school. For over 20 years, she has been a dedicated student council advisor, forming impactful community partnerships with organizations such as the Diaper Bank of AZ and notMYkid to provide students with education and community service opportunities.

Her dedication to teaching has earned her numerous accolades, including the Educator Mentor of the Year award from the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce and multiple “Golden Gator, Excellence in Teaching Awards” from Xavier College Preparatory High School. These prestigious awards recognize her as an inspirational figure to Xavier’s freshmen students. Additionally, Mrs. France has been honored by Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers for her significant contributions to the education of our nation’s youth.

Outside of her professional life, Mrs. France enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her family. She and her husband, Jeff, are proud parents of two children: a daughter at Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University and a son who is a senior at Desert Vista High School. Their youngest family member, a Shipoo named Reeses, adds joy to their household, often running the show with her playful antics.

Emily Emhardt
Teacher, Avondale Elementary School District

I am a passionate first-grade teacher with 15 years of experience helping young learners grow and thrive. I also mentor fellow educators to support their students in reaching their full potential. In addition to my work in the classroom, I serve as the Avondale Literacy Hub Coordinator, facilitating strategic partnerships between the school and community to promote literacy and deepen collective understanding of the school’s objectives among students, parents, and community stakeholders.

I believe every student is capable of success and I am committed to fostering strong relationships while creating meaningful, engaging lessons that spark curiosity, confidence, and build lifelong learners. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and going on adventures with my two beloved dogs, Lacey and Bruno.

Sara Daffe
Teacher, Madison Elementary School District

As an art and STEAM educator for the last 18 years, I am passionate about fostering creativity and innovation in students through the integration of art, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I strive to provide my students with unique art making experiences, opportunities that allow students to discover new skills and passions, and events that celebrate their successes and bring together their communities. I want each student to leave my class knowing that they can create, not only art, but the future they want.

Minerva Monterroso Escobar
Student, Alhambra Elementary School District

Minerva is a proud straight-A student and Principal’s List honoree whose favorite subject is math—especially algebra, where she enjoys the challenge of solving problems. Originally from Guatemala, she immigrated to the U.S. at a young age and sees education as a powerful way to honor her family’s sacrifices.

A passionate and empathetic leader, Minerva is deeply involved in her school and community. She plays soccer, softball, basketball, and runs cross country, and is also a member of the leadership club. She mentors younger immigrant students and even launched a peer counseling
group on campus to help classmates navigate academic and personal challenges. Recently, she organized a Literacy Night at the Phoenix Public Library to celebrate culture and promote reading for all students—an event that reflects her belief in the power of education and community.

As a student leader, she demonstrates perseverance, service, and integrity—showing her peers what it truly means to give back. Minerva dreams of becoming a veterinarian, driven by her love for animals and her desire to care for others. She leads with heart, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the potential of those around her. Minerva isn’t just preparing for her own future—she’s lifting others along the way.

Sonny Renee Montano III
Student, Tolleson Elementary School District

Hi, my name is Sonny Renee Montano III, and I’m an 8th grade student who loves to lead, learn, and make a difference. I was born on February 10, 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona, at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital. I’m the oldest of four siblings, and I take pride in setting a good example for them—at home and at school.

I currently serve as the Student Council President, and I’m also a Playworks Junior Coach, where I help make our playground a safe and fun place for everyone. I’m a proud member of Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates (JAG), and I’ve had the honor of being named Student of the Month.

One of my proudest achievements is winning 1st place in Arizona for the LOVE Project two years in a row and placing 2nd at the national level for JAG. These experiences have taught me the power of hard work, creativity, and believing in myself.

In my free time, I enjoy painting—it’s one of my favorite ways to express myself. In the future, I hope to become a teacher, and then work my way up to becoming a Superintendent, so I can inspire students and make a positive impact in education.

Jacob Greene
Student, Pendergast Elementary School District

Jacob Greene is a remarkable student leader whose passion for learning, leadership, and service sets him apart. A lifelong student at Desert Mirage Elementary, Jacob exemplifies what it means to be fully engaged—showing up every day not just with perfect attendance, but with purpose, curiosity, and a desire to grow.

Known for his strong communication skills and reflective nature, Jacob leads with both heart and intellect. As a Scholar Ambassador and a student board member for the Pendergast District Governing Board, he is a powerful advocate for student voice. His leadership extends into multiple areas: revitalizing the Architecture Club, contributing to the success of his school’s Esports team, and actively engaging in the Pendergast 8th Grade Superintendent’s Student Council.

Jacob’s impact goes beyond the local community. He is one of only four 8th-grade students districtwide selected to present at the 2025 National School Board Association Conference in Atlanta, where he represented the voice of students on a national stage. His involvement in YMCA Youth & Government further underscores his commitment to civic leadership and inclusive change.

Despite his many accomplishments, Jacob remains humble, witty, and deeply supportive of others. He inspires peers by leading with integrity and compassion— always cheering on classmates, mentoring younger students, and creating space for others to shine. Jacob doesn’t just seek opportunities for himself; he builds them for others.

Whether he’s designing with his club, collaborating on a district initiative, or speaking to leaders across the country, Jacob Greene leads by example. He is a true student champion, and a shining example of how young people can drive meaningful change in their schools and communities.

Krish Tyagi
Student, Scottsdale Unified School District

Krish Tyagi is a bright and dedicated 10-year-old student who embraces learning with enthusiasm. As a student on the autism spectrum, he has worked hard to overcome challenges, excelling in academics, music, and sports.

Krish is known for his exceptional memory, artistic calligraphy, and strong work ethic. Beyond the classroom, Krish is a talented pianist and vocalist, an accomplished swimmer, and a skilled basketball player. He also runs a YouTube channel, @SonicSensationKrish, where he shares his creativity. At school, he is an active member of the Spanish Club, and Student Ambassador Club, always eager to contribute and support his peers.

Krish’s leadership extends to the community as a co-founder of Connect2Health, a 501(3)(c) nonprofit which he has founded along with his brother in June 2022 when he was just 7.5 years old. The organization is dedicated to providing essential resources to underserved communities. Through his efforts, he helps distribute wellness kits, food, and clothing to those in need.

Above all, Krish leads with kindness, always looking out for others and creating a welcoming environment. His dedication to learning, compassion for others, and commitment to making a difference make him a true student champion.

Faumelevai Danielson
Student, J.O. Combs Unified School District

Hi I am Melevai! I am a 12 year old 6th grade student at Jack W. Harmon Elementary School in San Tan Valley. I like to help others, draw, and make crafts. In addition, I like to play football, volleyball and soccer. I enjoy singing, painting and crocheting bracelets. My favorite subject in school is math and my least favorite is writing. I love school and I try to be a good student and role model.

My dream is to become either a professional volleyball player or a family lawyer. I have also dreamed of going to Universal Studios in Orlando Florida. I hope to attend Havard for my college degree.

I am a reliable, kind heart, loving, and a great friend to all. I have had the opportunity to serve as the President of the Harmon Elementary Student Council for this school year while also being a member of the National Elementary Honor Society. I would be honored to receive this award.

Nico Bishop
Student, Queen Creek Unified School District

Nico Bishop is 12 years old and in 6th grade was born and raised in Arizona. He is passionate about playing soccer, his saxophone, mathematics, and leading by example to make his community better for all.

As a young boy Nico expressed his desire to become an engineer and found that building with Legos enabled him to connect his future aspirations with something joyful and creative. As he reached the 4th grade, he realized that communities around the world needed more volunteers in order to help those in need. Nico’s ingenuity and inspiration lead him to learn the inner workings of the construction industry through his grandfather, who owns and operates his own construction company. It’s Nico’s goal to one day build communities across the country to provide shelter for those in need as he believes that every family should have a place to call home.

Nico continues to lead by example through his generous donations to a Pig Sanctuary in Tucson Arizona, being a part of Student Counsel, participating in the National Elementary Honor Society, and demonstrating his utmost respect for teachers and the education system. He is always open to making new friends, sharing a joke, listening to your story, and spreading an infectious desire to make positive change in our communities.

Randee Doe

Randee Doe serves as the Local Outreach Program Manager at Scottsdale Bible Church. After graduation from Warner Pacific University with a BA in Psychology, Randee served as an English teacher in Japan and spent several years working in the non-profit sector. Randee returned to school and obtained her master’s in Intercultural Studies from Anderson University. Randee has a passion for making an impact in children and families in our city and enjoys overseeing the Love Our Schools partnership at Scottsdale Bible Church. Rande loves to hike, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

Jeri Purdy

Jeri Purdy transforms communities by partnering with leaders across North America to foster collaboration and innovation. As Executive Director of US Operations for New Hope Girls, she leads strategic initiatives supporting the organization’s mission of rescuing and empowering girls in the Dominican Republic, connecting American supporters to life-changing work that transforms generations.

For over eight years, she has guided organizations through the process of turning bold visions into tangible results. Her work with the Global Leadership Summit, Women in the Workplace, Love our Cities, and United Way of Indiana demonstrates her ability to build meaningful relationships that create lasting change. Before her focus on community leadership, Jeri owned an event management company and holds a degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from Indiana University.

Throughout her career, Jeri has remained dedicated to her core mission: uniting people around shared purpose. Whether working with local community groups or leading international initiatives at New Hope Girls, she brings an unwavering commitment to building bridges and fostering connections that lead to sustainable transformation.

Drew Ainsworth

Drew is a Holistic Financial Advisor at our Thrivent Mesa office. Since his start in 2023, he has been providing financial planning solutions for families and small businesses. Drew has a master’s degree in finance and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering. Prior to joining Thrivent, he owned and operated a medically based small business for 15 years. Drew has been a resident of Queen Creek for 20 years. He enjoys spending time with his wife, five children and four grandchildren. Drew serves as the Treasurer for the school board for Southwest Leadership Academy in Phoenix.

Dalton Abbitt

GenTech’s Chief Public Officer, Dalton Abbitt, joined the company in its early growth phase phase after graduating from Arizona Christian University with a political science degree. Dalton is a consistent advocate for STEM education at the Arizona State Capitol. He spearheaded the launch of the GenTech Foundation and serves as its Executive Director. In this role, he collaborates with state legislators, tech industries, and donors to secure funding for STEM education in Arizona, with a focus on providing opportunities for underserved children in valley schools. Dalton’s dedication to expanding STEM education through political advocacy earned him recognition as the Arizona Capitol Times 2024 Leader of the Year in Public Policy.

Quincy Natay

When Quincy Natay graduated from Arizona’s Chinle Unified School District, he planned to get a business degree at college and become a business owner. He did not expect to return to the district as a teacher and then work his way up to be the superintendent of the 3,400-student district.

“I’m happy with the direction my career has taken,” says Natay, who has been the superintendent for the past eight of his 32 years for the Chinle Unified School District #24 in Chinle, AZ located in the northeast corner of the state, in the heart of the Navajo Nation. “I’m very proud of what we were able to accomplish in this community.”

At the start of his superintendency, one of the big things he undertook was a complete overhaul of the district’s strategic plan, including the implementation of a new curriculum and a districtwide culture shift. A finalist for the 2022 AASA National Superintendent of the Year® award, Natay admits the curriculum overhaul was the easier one to tackle. After accompanying a team of staff to another district to observe its curriculum, he encouraged his colleagues to become the “marketers in the Chinle buildings. That’s why it became easy because it became their product,” he says.

Bringing the community on board took a different approach. Natay, born and raised in Chinle, turned to the Diné philosophy (or Navajo way of life) which asks its people to think about what they want to accomplish each day, make a plan to achieve that goal, enact the plan, and then reflect on their success.

“Making that connection with the strategic plan created that flywheel effect of stakeholders understanding and getting on board,” Natay says, referring to a concept espoused by best-selling author Jim Collins. “Now, we believe in high expectations, so we know that our kids deserve a quality education. We know education is the pathway to success, to improve your quality of life.” Sheila Betz, federal programs director in Chinle, says changing mindsets has been one of Natay’s biggest accomplishments.

Spurred partly by his own experience as a student-athlete in Chinle, Natay has focused on upgrading academic and athletic facilities in the district, where 94% of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. After working for 12 bosses during his 23 years as an assistant superintendent, Natay believes he is the longest-tenured superintendent in the district’s history. He hopes the next superintendent follows in his footsteps.

Shanna Johnson

Shanna Johnson has been an educator for 28 years. She attended Antelope Union High School, earned her bachelor’s degree at NAU in Flagstaff, then returned to teach at Wellton Elementary School where she spent the first 21 years of her career. At Wellton Elementary School she had many roles: second grade teacher, first grade teacher, special education teacher, junior high language arts, and teacher trainer. Shanna is currently the Superintendent at Mohawk Valley School.

Dr. Barbara Remondini

Dr. Barbara Remondini is a life-long educator with over 30 years experience. She began her career as an elementary and middle school teacher, focusing on creating and implementing highly engaging lessons for math and science classrooms. As Assistant Principal at the middle level, she led a transition to block scheduling and standards-based lesson planning. From 2001 until 2010, Dr. Remondini served as principal of a large Jr. High School, leading the team to tackle issues related to changing demographics, extreme budget cuts and a grade reconfiguration for all junior high schools in the district. In 2010, Dr. Remondini accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent in a rural Arizona school district, where she oversaw both the Human Resources and Curriculum/Instruction departments. She is currently the Superintendent of the Wickenburg Unified School District, located in Wickenburg, Arizona. Between 2010 and 2019, Dr. Remondini served as Vice President at AdvancED, now Cognia, supporting accreditation and continuous improvement processes for schools and districts in the United States, Central and South America, and in the United Arab Emirates. Barbara is an active member of the Arizona School Administrators Association, serving as Secretary and on the Legislative Committee. She is an adjunct faculty member at Eastern Washington University – College of Education. She serves on the Board of the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, and is a member of Rotary International. Dr. Remondini earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Ph.D. in Education Leadership all from New Mexico State University.

Dr. Curtis Finch

Curtis Finch Jr. has served in an educational capacity for more than 30 years from teaching high school math and English to multi-sport coaching and rising through the ranks in education to administration He has held the role of superintendent in both Michigan and Arizona for 26 years. For the past eight of those years, he has led Deer Valley Unified School district as Superintendent. The position of Superintendent has afforded him opportunities to shape educational issues at the state and national levels, to influence improvement in K-12 public education.

Dr. Scott A. Menzel

Dr. Scott Menzel became Scottsdale Unified School District’s 27th superintendent in July 2020, following 18 years of excellence in leadership with Michigan public school districts. Driving Dr. Menzel’s work is the moral imperative to provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for all students. He initiated a future-focused, strategic planning process that has set Scottsdale Unified’s course for the next five to ten years, engaging the district’s broad community of stakeholders to articulate a vision for the district’s future that is both aspirational and inspirational.

Dr. Menzel is the Arizona School Administrators’ 2024-25 Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Menzel has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University, a master’s degree in philosophy and social policy from The American University in Washington, D.C., and a bachelor’s degree in religion from Vanguard University in California.

Dr. KC Somers

Dr. Kenneth Christopher (KC) Somers is superintendent of the Peoria Unified School District, the fourth largest preK-12th grade public school district in Arizona. Prior to that, he was superintendent for the Lewis-Palmer School District in Monument, Colorado where he took an academic-first approach that led the district to perform in the top five percent of all Colorado schools. Prior to this appointment, he served in a variety of roles in school districts across Colorado including as the Area Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools. Dr. Somers earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Phoenix in 2013. Additionally, he earned his master’s degree in education from the American Intercontinental University and his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Notre Dame.

Rod Huston

Rod’s leadership experience began as a US Army Paratrooper after completing my service, he was a program director for the YMCA running youth sports, health and fitness and teen and family programming. During this time, they did not have a facility, they were officing out of a store front and running our programs through local schools, golf courses and community centers. This was his first foray into connecting school and local partners for better communities. After working with the schools, Rod decided that he wanted to become a teacher; he studied special education at Arizona State University. Rod began teaching and coaching in January of 2000. He then started a master’s program in educational leadership at Northern Arizona University. In July of 2005, Rod became an assistant principal and did that for the next 15 years in various capacities including special education, activities and athletics at the high school level. In July of 2020 he became the Principal of Mesquite High School. In this role Rod was again able to quickly understand the value of having local partnerships to help the students excel both in school and after graduation. In July of 2023, he became the Director of Community Education for Gilbert Public Schools. This position encompasses Out of School Time programing, youth sports, enrichment and various other areas.

Eric J. Rodriguez

Eric J Rodriguez’s journey from a curious boy in Ecuador to a visionary leader in the tech sector epitomizes how technology and education can transform lives. Experiencing stark contrasts in wealth and opportunities at the age of eleven, following a move from Houston to Ecuador, Eric discovered his passion: harnessing technology to bridge gaps and create opportunities.

This vision took a definitive shape when Eric encountered his school’s first computer lab in the seventh grade at El Colegio Javier. That moment set him on a path to impactful roles such as the Education Regional Director at Intel, impacting lives from Arizona to Swaziland and back to his roots in Ecuador.

Eric’s career spans across engineering, human resources, and strategic leadership, all anchored around a singular mission: to integrate technology in ways that enhance human experiences. His work with Aguila Youth, SHPE, Prospanica, and INROADS, along with accolades like being named in Arizona’s 40 Under 40 and as a Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever, are testaments to his far-reaching impact.

In his role as a speaker and consultant, Eric combines technical expertise with empathetic leadership, guiding organizations to embrace technology while maintaining their focus on human values. He is committed to preparing entities for a future where technology enhances human capabilities, inspiring leaders and organizations to adopt transformative strategies that enrich our lives.

Holding a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston and an MBA from Loyola University New Orleans, Eric’s narrative is more than a series of achievements; it’s a beacon of inspiration, driving change and guiding the way towards a future where technology and humanity thrive together.

Dr. Dan Steffen

Dan has been serving in the ministry since 1988 and was ordained in 1995. He joined the staff of Pure Heart in 2000 and has been the Senior Pastor since 2005.
Dan is the co-founder of School Connect which serves over 1000 public schools in 7 cities in 6 different states. He is the co-founder of Resilient Church Conference, equipping the local church to be trauma informed. He also is the chairman of Better Together Family of churches, uniting churches across greater Phoenix area and helping pastors finish strong.
Dan and his wife, Nicole, were married in August of 1998. Together they have five children, Joshua, Luke, Abigail, Olivia and Ava.

Wash Covena

Washington Covena has cultivated a distinguished career in the health care industry, marked by significant contributions and a steadfast commitment to service. With over 25 years of expertise in business strategies, account management, organizational development, and employee engagement strategies, he is adept at identifying market demands and emerging trends, leveraging his creativity to assist school districts in managing their health care plans effectively.

Washington serves as Staff Vice President, Public Sector at Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona. In this role, he spearheads initiatives to collaborate with school districts, aiding them in achieving their academic objectives by developing innovative products and services that promote the health and well-being of educators and students. Washington’s mission is to forge partnerships that enable every student, educator, and district staff member to realize their full potential.

Meet our Keynote, Chris Singleton!

“Ever since my mother was killed at my church back in 2015 it has become my mission to teach our young people to love one another despite their many differences.” – Chris Singleton

Chris Singleton is a former minor league baseball player drafted by the Chicago Cubs. He became a nationally-renowned speaker with a message of resilience, forgiveness and unity following the loss of his mother in the 2015 Mother Emanuel Church Tragedy in Charleston, SC. Chris now shares his message with over 80 organizations annually and his clients include: Boeing, The Houston Texans, Microsoft, Biogen, Volvo, The Washington Wizards and over 100,000 students and educators across the world. One of his children’s books, Different – A Story About Loving Your Neighbor, was a best seller in its category and has been featured by numerous outlets, including The Obama Foundation. Chris’ overall mission when speaking is to inspire his audiences with his story of resilience and to unite millions of people with his belief that, “Love is Stronger Than Hate.”

Learn more about Chris at chrissingleton.com

Meet our founder, Tracey Beal!

“When we started the School Connect Summit, we dreamed of creating a space where leaders across every sector of our communities could unite around education and support children across Arizona. Seeing it come to life year after year has been incredible. The connections made and initiatives launched at this event are transforming schools all over the state. It’s a powerful reminder that when we come together, anything is possible!” – Tracey Beal

As Founder and CEO of School Connect, Tracey Beal helps local schools build dynamic partnerships among business, faith, government, and non-profit organizations. This model of strategic collaboration helps schools accomplish measurable goals while fostering win/win partnerships. In the spring of 2015, the US Department of Ed and AZ Department of Ed recognized the exceptional results of the collaborative model at Palo Verde Middle School in the Washington Elementary School District. To date School Connect has facilitated partnerships in 743 public and charter schools in Arizona. School Connect hosts a yearly summit where 1,000+ top leaders from each of these sectors gather to learn best practices about collaboration with schools. The School Connect model is now being used in Lafayette, LA, San Antonio, TX, Little Rock, AR, Oklahoma City Public Schools, Jeffco Public Schools, Appleton, WI, Orange County, CA, Fort Wayne, IN, Columbia City, IN, Warsaw, IN and Omaha, NB. Tracey is married to David and has 4 grown children and 7 grandchildren.

Learn more about the Working Genius at WorkingGenius.com

Meet your Host, Kristy!

“Hosting the School Connect Summit was such an inspiring experience! This event truly unlocks the collective genius of our community to support our local schools.” – Kristy Siefkin

Kristy Siefkin believes that stellar communication is the key to success in life and business. While the most dynamic speakers may appear to simply have a gift, Kristy knows that clear and compelling communication is a teachable skill, no different than chess or tennis.

As a Professional Communications Coach, Kristy has trained over 700 professionals across multiple industries, including medical, legal, tech, finance, and non-profit. Organizations like HP, HomeSmart, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Charles Schwab have entrusted Kristy with training their teams. Kristy has prepared leaders for national media appearances, high-stakes presentations, and virtual summits. She is a sought-after speaker and Master Of Ceremonies, taking the stage for organizations like Society for Human Resource Management, The Business Journals, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Organization for Nonprofit Executives.

Kristy’s coaching expertise is drawn from over 15 years of experience in TV broadcasting. She was a Multimedia Journalist, Anchor, and Weather Chief for network-owned TV stations in Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA. She also served as a spokeswoman and advocate for two national non-profits, appearing as a host and commentator on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and Extra! Kristy has been acknowledged by her peers with multiple Emmy-award nominations and honors, including being named one of Phoenix Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and “Favorite TV Personality” in several Arizona publications.

Learn more about Kristy at kristysiefkin.com

Robert Loy
Assistant Dean, Technology Division, College of Engineering and Technology
Grand Canyon University

Robert Loy is the assistant dean of technology at Grand Canyon University. After 18 years in technology roles as a programmer and IT leader and 20 years in education at the Maricopa Colleges, Robert joined Grand Canyon to reshape the technology training and learning landscape and help provide marketable technology skills through exploration and practical experience. He encourages his faculty and staff to focus on innovative and emerging technology, including generative AI and advances in Cybersecurity. Rob has spoken at conferences on AI in the fields of Cybersecurity, Education, FinTech, and Project Management. Rob Loy is finishing his Ph.D. in Data Analytics at Grand Canyon University.

Megan Hamburgh
Principal Westar Elementary
Liberty Elementary School District

Megan Hamburg brings a wealth of experience and innovation to her new role as principal of Westar Elementary in the Liberty Elementary School District. With a distinguished career in education, Megan previously led Roger’s Ranch STEM Academy as principal and served as assistant principal at Vista Del Sur Accelerated Academy, both in the Laveen Elementary District. During her tenure at Roger’s Ranch, Megan spearheaded its transformation into a thriving STEM school, demonstrating her passion for cutting-edge education. She also pioneered a coding academy, collaborating with industry experts to provide students with real-world tech skills. Now, Megan is excited to apply her expertise at Westar, a STEAM school, where she aims to foster an environment of creativity and scientific inquiry. Recognizing the vital role of community partnerships in shaping students’ futures, Megan is committed to creating meaningful connections that will open doors for Westar’s young learners, preparing them for success in an ever-evolving world.

Chad Eichenlaub
Director of CIT
Peoria Unified School District

Chad Eichenlaub is Peoria Unified School District’s new Director of Career and Technical Education. With a diverse background spanning multiple states and roles, Chad brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to this pivotal position. Currently serving as the coordinator for Peoria Unified’s MET Professional Academy, Chad has demonstrated his commitment to innovative education and student success.

Chad came to the Peoria School District after being a high school principal in Alaska from 2019 to 2021. Before that, Chad spent five years as a teacher, splitting his time between Montana and Alaska from 2012 to 2017.

As Chad steps into this new role in the Peoria Unified District, he carries with him a passion for empowering students through career and technical education.

Samantha Armstrong
Principal Estrella Vista STEM Academy
Littleton Elementary School District

Samantha Armstrong is the principal at Estrella Vista STEM Academy, an innovative engineering careers school. Now in her second year in this role, Samantha has been instrumental in fostering valuable connections between the school and industry leaders, enhancing the educational experience for students passionate about engineering and technology.

At the heart of Samantha’s work is the cultivation of meaningful partnerships that bring real-world engineering experiences to the classroom. One of her most notable achievements has been strengthening the collaboration with Phoenix Raceway, a prominent local partner located within the school district. This partnership, along with an alliance with NASCAR, has opened up exciting opportunities for students to engage with cutting-edge motorsports technology and engineering practices.

Samantha’s efforts have also contributed to the school securing various grants, which have been crucial in establishing a state-of-the-art engineering lab. This facility serves as a hub for innovation, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical, hands-on projects. Her role extends to managing partnerships with key organizations like WEST-MEC, Northern Arizona University, and ISM Raceway. These collaborations facilitate project-based learning opportunities and community engagement, enriching the educational journey of Estrella Vista’s students.

Abby Sanderson
Community and Government Relation Coordinator, Western Division
Vulcan Materials

Abbey Sanderson is a Community and Government Relations Coordinator in the Western Division of Vulcan Materials Company based out of San Diego, California. She joined Vulcan in 2015 after working in environmental consulting for nine years as a Field Geologist and Project Manager at Brown and Caldwell.

In her current role, Abbey helps bring to life the Vulcan principle of being a good citizen and responsible steward, especially within the communities where Vulcan operates. She helps execute community relations campaigns across California, Arizona, and New Mexico alongside more than 2,000 Vulcan colleagues in the Western Division; develops curriculum for local school tours; and contributes to Vulcan’s annual ESG Report.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Debbie Kovesdy
CEO
GenTech

Debbie has been an educator for over 30 years, in the classroom, and at district and state levels. As a teacher, Debbie along with her students developed a rockstar GenYes tech leadership program that built interactive walls, MIT 6th sense digital devices, microcomputing laser machines, pi vehicles, full scale robots, blender inventions, solar powered cars and more crazy creative technologies.

In 2016, Debbie and 22 students opened GenTech, a walk-in tech support business serving the public in help desk tech service, computer repairs, home visits and KidsTech camps. GenTech grew KidsTech programs to teach a vast computer science curriculum to over 30,000 K-12 students throughout the valley impacting over a dozen school districts.

Most recently GenTech started the GenTech Foundation with the mission to provide STEM education funding to schools through workforce development initiatives with private industries and scholarship resources for underserved kids. Debbie has always been passionate about teaching today’s kids’ tomorrow’s technologies to be successful in the future jobs that await them.

Myesha Harris
Special Projects Administrator – Freeway Management
City of Phoenix

Myesha Harris is a dedicated professional with a strong background in engineering and construction. With a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Arizona State University’s Del E. Webb School of Construction, she has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the field of construction management. Currently, she works for the City of Phoenix, the fourth largest city in the country, where she plays a vital role in major transportation projects and interagency coordination. Beyond her professional endeavors, Myesha is a passionate community advocate, actively involved in various initiatives. She believes in making a positive impact and takes pride in being a leader within her community. Additionally, she has embraced her culinary skills, authoring the cookbook “Red Velvet Recipes: Cake and Cupcakes” and a business owner of Red Velvet Bakery in Phoenix, AZ.

While achieving professional success, Myesha also cherishes her role as a loving mother to two sons and a dedicated wife. She cherishes quality family time above all.

Mike Gonzales
Vice President
McCarthy Building

Mike Gonzalez is a Vice President with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. and is primarily responsible for the Education market sector in the Southwest Region. He has more than 33 years of construction experience managing design-build, design assist and traditional construction projects servicing multiple industry sectors, including life-science, infrastructure, manufacturing, industrial, energy, hospitality, healthcare, technology and higher education. Although the majority of Mike’s experience is in operations, he also has extensive experience in business development and preconstruction. Mike has dedicated his career to delivering exceptional results for clients and partners from early in the design phase through final project completion and beyond. As the executive sponsor leading McCarthy’s southwest regional diversity and inclusion program, he is actively involved in driving the vision of creating an environment where the composition of the firm’s workforce and suppliers are representative of the diverse communities and geographies served by the firm.

In 2011, Mike joined McCarthy as Director of Mechanical Services and has grown his team and expanded his role and responsibilities through the years. Prior to joining McCarthy, Mike served as Senior Vice President, Kinetics Group, Inc. (2008 to September 2011), and has held other senior positions globally.

From 1987 to 2017 He served in the United States Army, both active and reserves, providing base construction and maintenance services and international contingency operation, rising to the rank of Colonel. Mike graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1987and earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Arizona State University in 1991.

Sam Nuanez

Sam Nuanez embarked on his remarkable journey after graduating from Las Cruces High School in 1979. Eager to explore the world and serve his country, he enlisted in the US Navy, setting sail aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger CV-69. Stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Sam experienced the vastness of the globe, making notable port visits to Subic Bay, Philippines; Sasebo, Japan; Busan, South Korea; Hong Kong; and Pattaya Beach, Thailand.

Completing his naval service in 1983, Sam transitioned through various construction jobs before finding his rhythm in the world of music, touring as a member of a rock band. Yet, his hunger for knowledge and achievement led him back to academia. Enrolling at New Mexico State University, he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a focus on video production.

Sam’s professional journey took flight as he landed his first job as a photojournalist at KTSM in El Paso, Texas. His talent and dedication soon caught the eye of recruiters, propelling him into a cable TV production role where he swiftly rose to become Production Manager, overseeing a team of eight.

Despite personal challenges, including a transition through divorce, Sam’s resilience and skill set led him to new horizons. Relocating to Phoenix, Arizona, he embraced bilingualism and joined Univision before transitioning to KPNX 12News, where fate intervened as he crossed paths with his future wife, investigative reporter Melissa Blasius.

Sam’s ascent in broadcast news was meteoric, culminating in his role as Chief Photojournalist at KPHO 5News, where he led a team of 26 with numerous Emmy nominations and awards. Yet, life’s winds blew him to Denver, Colorado, where he transitioned into school communications as Multimedia Manager for Douglas County School District.

Returning to Arizona, Sam’s dedication to effective communication in education remained steadfast. His tenure as Communications Manager at ADEQ paved the way for his return to school communications, first at Littleton Elementary School District and later at Litchfield Elementary School District.

Today, as the Executive Director of Communications and Partnerships, Sam Nuanez continues to weave narratives that connect communities and foster collaboration. Beyond the district office and school community, he finds solace in family moments, board games, and the melodies of his guitar, cherishing every moment with his adult daughters Arianna and Anissa, son Sammy, and grandson Kai.

Sam Nuanez embodies the essence of service, resilience, and communication, shaping narratives that resonate and inspire across generations.

Tracey Benson

Tracey Benson is a dynamic and respected state-level nonprofit and K-12 education public policy leader with a deep commitment to education and the future of Arizona. Her exemplary record of service, integrity and innovation is amplified by the enthusiasm, and spirit of growth, possibility and urgency that she brings to the mission of ABEC and its members.

Prior to joining ABEC, Tracey served for nine years as associate executive director for the Arizona School Boards Association, where she used her skills as a bridge-builder, collaborator and communicator to unite organizations and individuals, forge meaningful and productive relationships and develop governance and leadership programs focused on providing a future of opportunity for all Arizona’s youth.

She has been a valued member of state-level task forces and committees that have united the business, education, public and nonprofit sectors around issues as varied as K-12 academic standards, public school funding, reopening of schools during the COVID 19 pandemic, and recruiting and retaining Arizona teachers.

Tracey began her career as a journalist and spent the first half of her career as an award-winning communications professional. She has served as board president for state- and national-level communications/public relations organizations. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in journalism and political science and holds a professional certificate in executive nonprofit leadership from the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation at Arizona State University.

Tracey resides in Tempe with her husband, Marc, who recently retired from a second career in which he taught middle school math and art. An active community volunteer, Tracey’s leadership has contributed to successful passages of bond and overrides campaigns. In addition, she recently completed 120 hours of service as a child life volunteer in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She is also the founder of the Caitlin Benson Collection of books for young readers at the Tempe Public Library. The collection is devoted to encouraging children to respect differences and appreciate similarities in themselves and others through reading.

Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceybenson/

Dr. Paul Tighe

Dr. Tighe became Executive Director for Arizona School Administrators in July 2022, after more than three decades of service to public school districts in Arizona and Vermont, holding positions as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal and teacher. He served Saddle Mountain Unified School District in Buckeye & Tonopah, AZ, as the Superintendent for six years, after serving as the Superintendent of the Mingus Union High School District in Cottonwood, AZ, for three years. Prior to that, Dr. Tighe served as the Assistant Superintendent of the Littleton Elementary School District in Avondale, AZ, for five years. He served the Dysart Unified School District, in Surprise, AZ, as a K-8 principal for seven years, including leading Kingwood Elementary School before opening a new school, Western Peaks. Before moving to Arizona, Dr. Tighe was a K-8 principal in Orange, Vermont. Dr. Tighe taught middle and high school math and technology in Vergennes, Vermont.

Dr. Tighe serves many organizations in a leadership capacity, including past-chair of the AZ School Boards Association Insurance Trust, past-president of AZ School Administrators association, member of the Kids at Hope national board, and member of the AZ Business Education Coalition board of directors.

Dr. Tighe received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Vermont. He earned a doctoral degree in Educational Administration and Supervision at Arizona State University in 2007.

Dr. Tighe received the Arizona School Administrators Outstanding Doctoral Student Award in 2008. Dr. Tighe was recognized as the Teacher of the Year at Vergennes Union High School and received the Outstanding Vermont Teacher Award in 1997.

Dr. Tighe has served as an adjunct professor for Wayland Baptist University at its Luke Air Force Base campus, teaching courses in educator preparation and leadership, and previously taught online classes for the University of Phoenix.

Saravanan Bala
Education Partner
Orcutt Winslow

Saravanan is an accomplished architect with 25 years of experience and an Accredited Learning Environment Planner who has led the design of numerous Next-Gen Learning Environments. Saravanan has led the design and management of numerous successful projects, unwavering in his commitment to deliver conceptually robust, environmentally sensitive, and well-grounded solutions to his clients. He is truly passionate about architectural design and its impact on the educational environment and is a nationally recognized thought leader in integrating leading edge trends in curriculum and pedagogy into multi-dimensional learning environments. Drawing upon extensive research and data, Saravanan approaches educational environments from the point of view of learning infrastructures that can catalyze learning outcomes. Having recently obtained an Arizona Department of Education CTE Teaching Certificate, and frequently conducting design-based learning sessions, he is brimming with enthusiasm to ignite the curiosity of his students. Creating a collaborative and engaging atmosphere, he eagerly shares his real-life experiences and valuable lessons, fostering an environment of learning and growth. Saravanan’s outstanding projects have earned accolades and recognition from esteemed institutions such as Learning by Design, A4LE, the American Institute of Architects, and numerous local and national media outlets, further solidifying his position as a leading force in the field of educational architecture.

Eric Jung
CEO
Titan Solar Power

Eric Jung is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of Titan Solar Power. As the former VP of Policy, Eric was instrumental in Titan’s nationwide expansion and oversaw key merger/asset purchases in nine states. Additionally, Eric has solidified Titan’s infrastructure in a full re-organization to support the company’s rapid growth.

In addition to his roles with Titan, Eric also served as City Engagement Director for Love Our Cities. There he helped create contractual relationships with city, county, and other nonprofit organizations to provide long-term funding for Love Our Neighbors, Love Our Schools, and Love ALL Our Kids. During the onset of COVID, Eric coordinated efforts across all sectors of the United States to create an online clearinghouse for people needing food deliveries and people wanting to volunteer.

His undergraduate degree in Business Finance and Seminary Degree in Theology and Leadership have shaped his professional and ministerial journey. A California native, Eric has lived in the Bay Area and San Diego and currently resides in the Central Valley with his wife Kara and their six children.

Blake Williams
Executive Pastor
Heritage Church

Reverend Doctor Blake Williams has been in Phoenix since 2007. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a finance degree and was going to be a financial planner before receiving his call to full-time vocational ministry. After working at Scottsdale Bible for 3 years, he took a job at Shiloh Community Church, where he served for 8 years as their missions and outreach pastor. During this time he served with 5 different schools in PVUSD, while also helping develop church/school partnerships in the district with 34 of the 45 schools. For the last 3 ½ years Blake has worked at Heritage Church in Scottsdale and has formed partnerships with two new schools. Throughout the last 10 years Blake has served as a district champion and continues to advocate for School Connect with the network of local pastors he helps co-lead.

Jerry Cipriano
Executive Director of Business Development
VSMG

With a career spanning 42 years, Jerry Cipriano brings a wealth of experience in both the construction and education sectors.
His career began in the Deer Valley Unified School District in 1981 where he served as a Facility Coordinator and Construction Manager. Throughout his tenure, Jerry has focused his efforts on construction management, fundraising, and foundation coordination along with the cultivation of strong community partnerships.
Presently, he serves as the Executive Director of Business Development at Valley Schools Management Group (VSMG), where he takes pride in building partnerships through his work with School Connect, ASA, AASBO, and many other organizations.
Jerry has a heart for K-12 education and is a wonderful champion for our local schools.

Dr. Quintin Boyce
Associate Vice President Educational Outreach
Arizona State University

Dr. Quintin Boyce is the Associate Vice President of Outreach with Educational Outreach and Student Services at Arizona State University (ASU), leading K-12 school partnerships. Originally from Chicago, IL, he has been deeply committed to the field of education since 2002. Quintin pursued his academic journey at Arizona State University earning multiple degrees. With a passion for teaching, Dr. Boyce began his career in 2005 as an educator in the Phoenix Union High School District, where he taught biology, AP biology, chemistry, biotechnology, and forensics. In addition to serving in K-12, he has over a decade of teaching experience in higher education at multiple Universities where he continues to teach science and educational leadership courses. Driven to make a broader impact, Quintin transitioned from the classroom to school level administration in 2012, assuming the role of Principal at Bioscience High School and later at Camelback High School. In his pursuit of educational excellence, Dr. Boyce took on the pivotal district-level position of Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at Phoenix Union High School District. In 2019, Quintin Boyce joined the Roosevelt School District’s Executive Leadership Team, initially as the interim Chief Administrative Officer, eventually ascending to the position of Superintendent. Demonstrating unwavering dedication to the advancement of education, he now spearheads crucial K-12 school partnerships at ASU. Quintin is married and has three daughters and a son. He enjoys remaining active in his community and engaging in recreational sports.

Monica Landaiche
Liberty Elementary School District

As a graduate of Illinois State University, I took my first teaching job in rural Illinois teaching music to kindergarten through 12th grade at Lakecrest Elementary and Oakland High School. I moved to Goodyear in 2013 and have been a teacher at Estrella Mountain Elementary ever since. I am a proud mom of two incredible boys, James and Dean, and I am forever grateful for the love and support of my husband, Jason.

Cindy Thompson
Queen Creek Unified School District

I have been a lifelong educator for 35 years. I have spent the last 3 1⁄2 decades devoting my life to children for their social, emotional and academic growth. I believe it’s important to build trust and establish relationships with children; my children are my family. I find the gold in every student because every student has the full potential to grow. Education is beyond the curriculum. It’s about the whole child having diverse experiences to help them learn and grow as individuals.

Rebecca Bhasme
Wilcox Unifed School District

I am a proud mother of two wonderful children and an experienced educator with over 22 years of teaching experience. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of teaching in four diverse countries: India, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan (formerly part of the USSR), and presently in the USA. My passion lies in STEM education, and I am dedicated to nurturing the potential of each of my students, guiding them towards achieving their aspirations and life goals.

Austin Stasik
Cactus Shadows High School

Austin Stasik is a senior at Cactus Shadows High School. With the guidance from his pastor, Jordan, and teacher, Mr. Lineburg, he has grown tremendously in every way (but his height) over these past few years he broke out of his comfort zone. Serving and loving others both within his community and out in other countries has become a central part of Austin’s experience; and to be a servant for those around him is something he strives for daily. Now he is not perfect, but every day whether he is interviewing a veteran, or figuring out homework with friends, or being a listening ear for someone, it’s a chance to grow further into who he wants to become.

Ethan Lemka
Centennial High School/ MET Professional Academy

Ethan Lemka is a second-year engineering student at the MET Professional Academy and an intern at Greenlight Traffic Engineering. He is very passionate about traffic engineering, giving back to his community, working out, and piano. He started an internship at Greenlight Traffic Engineering in June 2023 and has created deliverables such as plan sets for designing signals, reports for traffic impact analysis, and reports for roadway safety. Not only is he ambitious about every activity he takes part in though; he enjoys giving back and developing his peers to help them find what they are passionate about.

Fatimah Amer
Basis School, Scottsdale

Fatimah Amer is a public health activist who was recognized as the youngest recipient of the Stella Kiarie Innovation in Health Equity award, as Arizona’s 18 under 18, and was invited to speak at the Arizona Board of Education about her outstanding achievements. She is CEO of her social organization, SPARKHope, which provides resources to alleviate the social determinants of health, helping vulnerable teens and families throughout the state and she has recently launched a grassroots initiative PolicyPulse. In addition to her philanthropy, she is conducting groundbreaking state of the art research at ASU.

Makayla Reid
5th Grade Student, Lakin Prep Elementary

Makayla Ann Marie Reid is a 5th grader at Lakin Prep Elementary. Her favorite subjects in school are Math, Art, and Science. In her free time she loves to shop (she is quite the fashionista), do makeup, play volleyball, and travel. When she gets older she hopes to own her own beauty and spa business focusing on hair and skin care.

Aquilla Ricks
2nd Grade Student, Las Brisas Academy

Aquilla has a sunny disposition and has always shown care for others well beyond her years. Always saying thank you for anything that you do for her. I have never observed her yelling at anyone even when she’s upset. Most people that come in contact with her mention how polite she is, an example many of us should adopt. Las btu not least, when leaving her presences it’s generally with a smile on your face.

Samuel Granado
5th Grade Student, Villa De Paz Elementary

Samuel James Granado, a fifth-grade student at Villa de Paz Elementary in the Pendergast District, shines as a beacon of student leadership and excellence. Possessing exceptional communication skills, he seamlessly blends his eloquence with visionary leadership, making profound contributions to his school community. Samuel’s pivotal role in helping craft the Pendergast District’s Strategic Plan and his instrumental involvement in designing his school’s new building underscore his proactive approach to effecting positive change. Notably, Samuel fearlessly advocates for his peers, showcasing a remarkable ability to speak in public, even at his young age. With a relentless commitment to empowerment and innovation, Samuel emerges as a remarkable student leader destined for a future of continued impact and success.

Sarvanan Bala
Orcutt | Wilson
Education Partner

Saravanan is an accomplished architect with 25 years of experience and an Accredited Learning Environment Planner who has led the design of numerous Next-Gen Learning Environments. Saravanan has led the design and management of numerous successful projects, unwavering in his commitment to deliver conceptually robust, environmentally sensitive, and well-grounded solutions to his clients. He is truly passionate about architectural design and its impact on the educational environment and is a nationally recognized thought leader in integrating leading edge trends in curriculum and pedagogy into multi-dimensional learning environments. Drawing upon extensive research and data, Saravanan approaches educational environments from the point of view of learning infrastructures that can catalyze learning outcomes. Having recently obtained an Arizona Department of Education CTE Teaching Certificate, and frequently conducting design-based learning sessions, he is brimming with enthusiasm to ignite the curiosity of his students. Creating a collaborative and engaging atmosphere, he eagerly shares his real-life experiences and valuable lessons, fostering an environment of learning and growth. Saravanan’s outstanding projects have earned accolades and recognition from esteemed institutions such as Learning by Design, A4LE, the American Institute of Architects, and numerous local and national media outlets, further solidifying his position as a leading force in the field of educational architecture.

Alexa Ruona
Arizona State University

Senior Program Coordinator, Peoria Forward @ ASU J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute Alexa Ruona is a former 2nd grade teacher turned community builder. She works on the Community Entrepreneurship team at ASU where she develops and executes programming to support entrepreneurs, small businesses owners, innovators and creatives from all backgrounds. Alexa’s current projects include the PUSD Entrepreneurship CoLab encouraging high school student entrepreneurs, Author-preneurship supporting local authors and creatives, and small businesses looking to connect and grow. When she isn’t working you can find her hanging out at local spots with her family and dogs and reading a book while listening to Taylor Swift.

Taylor Perkins
Chasse Building Team

Director of Business Development, K-12 Education, Chasse Building Team
Taylor Perkins serves as the Director of Business Development for K12 Education at Chasse Building Team, a local contractor with a mission centered on making a difference. Leading initiatives to enhance educational infrastructure in Arizona, Taylor is committed to creating inspiring learning environments for students across the state. Beyond her professional role, Taylor actively engages in community initiatives aimed at supporting education. From mentoring students to planting school gardens, she works to positively impact Arizona communities. Taylor’s dedication, combined with Chasse Building Team’s mission-driven approach, makes them dynamic leaders in building a brighter future for students.

Samantha Davis
Queen Creek Unified School District

I have been serving the QCUSD for nine years with six of those years serving as a school board member, I am deeply committed to uniting communities in support of students. I enjoy collaborating with fellow leaders to enact meaningful changes that enhance educational opportunities for all students. As a parent with kids in our schools, my passion for education fuels my efforts to bridge divides and cultivate environments for student success. I believe that together we can empower our youth and shape a brighter future for our community.

Hilda Ortega-Rosales
Pendergast Elementary School District

Hilda Ortega-Rosales is a dedicated advocate for education and community empowerment, serving on the Pendergast Elementary Governing Board for 23 years in various leadership roles. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Arizona State University, she recently retired from Tolleson Union High School District after 17 years of service, where she held key positions such as Grants and Federal Programs Director and Human Resource Director. Beyond her professional roles, Hilda is deeply committed to community service, contributing notably to organizations like the Cesar Chavez Leadership Institute and Chicanos Por La Causa. Her passion for giving back is reflected in her numerous accolades, showcasing her commitment to social justice, education, and mentorship as a first-generation college graduate.

Gina DeCoste
Agua Fria Union High School

Throughout her seven-year tenure as a governing board member, Mrs. DeCoste has emphasized collaboration among stakeholders in education, recognizing the importance of community involvement in decision-making processes. One of her main goals for the Agua Fria School District is to foster a collaborative environment where teachers, parents, board members, feeder school districts, administrators, students, and community members work together to overcome challenges and ensure student success during and after high school whether that means directly entering the workforce or going to college. Every student needs a pathway to success.

Dr. Jennifer Cruz
Pendergast Elementary School District

Dr. Jennifer Cruz was born in New Jersey and grew up outside of Washington DC. Jennifer was chosen by the PESD Governing Board as the second Latina Superintendent in the Pendergast District in February 2021. Jennifer graduated from Arizona State University and went on to teach 4th grade, 6th grade, and identified gifted students in Phoenix, AZ. Her experiences are varied and include serving as a teacher, mentor/coach, principal, Federal Programs Manager, Director of Innovation, adjunct university professor, consultant, assistant superintendent, and Chief Academic Officer.

Dr. Cruz has worked throughout the United States and abroad coaching educational leaders, facilitating strategic planning sessions, serving as a liaison between city agencies and school systems, and providing professional development workshops on Project Based Learning, leadership, continuous improvement strategies, curriculum mapping, and design thinking.

While working for an international non-profit focused on Project Based Learning, Dr. Cruz worked with educators across the United States as well as in Australia, Chile, Mexico, and the United Kingdom to support their journey to empower students through Project-Based Learning and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM). She also worked closely with leaders on the challenges associated with scaling innovations across large systems.

Jennifer earned her Doctorate in Leadership, Innovation, and Policy Studies from Arizona State University. She is an AZ certified K-8 teacher and administrator. Improving outcomes for students furthest from opportunity and advancing equity is an important driver of Jen’s career in education.

In her spare time, Jen enjoys spending time with her family, road cycling, traveling, reading, and volunteering in the community. She was selected as a member of Leadership West Class 23, and is currently a member of the City of Phoenix Youth and Education Commission.

After serving for more than 20 years as an education advocate and instructional leader, Dr. Cruz is proud to serve the Pendergast community as its superintendent.

Dr. Scott Menzel
Scottsdale Unified School District

Dr. Scott Menzel became Scottsdale Unified School District’s 27th superintendent in July 2020, following 18 years of excellence in leadership with Michigan public school districts.

Driving Dr. Menzel’s work is the moral imperative to provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for all students. He initiated a future-focused, strategic planning process that has set Scottsdale Unifed’s course for the next five to ten years, engaging the district’s broad community of stakeholders to articulate a vision for the district’s future that is both aspirational and inspirational.

Dr. Menzel has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University, a master’s degree in philosophy and social policy from The American University in Washington, D.C., and a bachelor’s degree in religion from Vanguard University of Southern California.

Dr. Roger Freeman
Littleton Elementary School District

Dr. Freeman became the Littleton Elementary School District Superintendent in 2006. During his tenure, the district had to respond to rapid growth and extreme recession. Under his leadership, the District has implemented a series of capital projects, including three new state of the art schools and four extensive renovations. The District is home to choice enrollment schools with in-depth curricular options for families and has earned recognition for its performance in several areas. Dr. Freeman earned his doctorate from Arizona State University and taught as a graduate instructor of teaching foundations and methods for several years. Before entering administration, Dr. Freeman taught in Texas and Arizona for five years, and was Department Chairperson for Mathematics at Estrella Middle School.

Loy Guzman
Apache Elementary School
Apache Elementary School District 42

Loy Ann Guzman, has dedicated over seven years in nurturing young minds as a teacher, administrator and superintendent at a one – room schoolhouse at Apache Elementary School District 42 in Portal, AZ. With a rich background in education from Western New Mexico University, her commitment extends beyond the classroom, where she deeply invested in creating inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students. Her unwavering dedication to education and my students in Apache exemplifies my passion for fostering growth, understanding, and opportunity in every child I teach.

John Mospan
Desert View Elementary School
Washington Elementary School District

John Mospan is the principal of Desert View Elementary School. This is his fourth year at Desert View, ninth year in the Washington Elementary School District, and eighteenth year working in K-12 education in Arizona. During these four years at Desert View, Mr. Mospan has worked with teachers and support staff to implement new math and reading curriculum while also providing targeted student interventions on a daily basis. This academic focus has produced tremendous student growth, resulting in the progression from a “C” rated school to a current “A” school rating as measured by the Arizona Department of Education for the 2023-24 school year.

Courtney Frazier
Belen Soto Elementary School
Litchfield Elementary School District

As the founding and current principal of Belen Soto Elementary School, Courtney Frazier has devoted her 20-year career in education to that of service to students, staff, and connecting with the community. Under her leadership, Belen Soto Elementary has received straight A’s from ADE while retaining high quality educators. Principal Frazier is a passionate educator, always working to do what is best for the students in her care, including connecting a community of support for the campus.

Sweetwater Elementary School

Susie Smith is serving her 34th year in WESD. She began her teaching career at Royal Palm Middle School where she loved teaching English Language Arts for 15 years before teaching 4th grade at Sunburst Elementary School. She proudly served as an administrator at Desert Foothills Junior High School for ten years and is currently the principal at Sweetwater Elementary School. She is an active board member of the Washington Education Foundation and volunteers in many community events.

Jack Barnes Elementary School

Jack Barnes Elementary School is a thriving elementary school in the Queen Creek Unified School District. Our campus is full of dedicated staff members & remarkable students. You will always find smiling faces & happy hearts here on this campus. Jack Barnes Elementary is the PRIDE of Queen Creek.

Litchfield Elementary School
Litchfield Elementary District
Principal Sabine Hopper

Litchfield Elementary is a place like no other: a public school embracing the surrounding community partnership, striving to use the power of collaboration, and understanding the importance of maximizing every individual’s potential on campus. Purposeful instruction is implemented using data and we can support our claims to excellence with outstanding test scores. It’s an honor to be part of an amazing community that comes together to inspire individuals with every opportunity every day.

Tune in for upcoming special announcements on the School Connect Awards 2024 Finalists!

Stay tuned for special announcements featuring the School Connect Awards 2024 Speaker Lineup!

Tim Valencia
Youth and Education Director
City of Phoenix

Tim is passionate about improving student outcomes along the education pipeline from preschool through college/career. He was promoted to oversee the Youth and Education Office in 2013 where he leads citywide educational programs and initiatives. He has managed several citywide programs in Human Services, Community and Economic Development, and Parks Departments that target educational resources and workforce development services to children, families, and disconnected youth. He is a former classroom teacher and clinical therapist providing counseling service to individuals and families.

Taylor Perkins
Director of Business Development for K12 Education
Chasse Building Team

Taylor Perkins serves as the Director of Business Development for K12 Education at Chasse Building Team, a local contractor with a mission centered on making a difference. Leading initiatives to enhance educational infrastructure in Arizona, Taylor is committed to creating inspiring learning environments for students across the state.

Beyond her professional role, Taylor actively engages in community initiatives aimed at supporting education. From mentoring students to planting school gardens, she works to positively impact Arizona communities. Taylor’s dedication, combined with Chasse Building Team’s mission-driven approach, makes them dynamic leaders in building a brighter future for students.

Dean Lambertson
Dean of the College of Engineering & Technology
Grand Canyon University

Dean Lambertson Joined GCU as the inaugural Dean of the College of Engineering & Technology (CET) on Nov 1st, 2023. In this role, he and his team focus on igniting the potential within every student, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become innovative and entrepreneurial leaders in their respective fields. Committed to transformative learning, CET graduates are empowered to make a lasting impact by fostering human flourishing, engaging in intentional service, and bringing glory to God through their vocations.

Prior to joining GCU, he served in numerous leadership roles in The Boeing Company including: Chief Engineer, Systems Engineering, Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) leading all functional activities for the nearly 1,200 BCA Systems Engineers; Integration Leader, 777/777X Fuselage Assembly Center leading the production engineering and integration for Boeing’s wide body 777 and new 777X fuselages; with his last 3 ½ years serving as The Boeing Company’s Chief of Product Standards.

Additionally, he served over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. A Command, Instructor, and Chief Examiner pilot, he logged over 3,300 flying hours in various aircraft worldwide, including 147 combat hours. He holds; FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), USAF Aircraft Maintenance, and Command & Control licenses/certifications. His career included a variety of individual contributor, management, command, and senior leadership positions. He was selected as an Air Force Chief of Staff Intern to DARPA. He has commanded missions globally including in both the Iraq and Afghanistan combat zones, as well as commanding the National Science Foundation’s support missions to Antarctica (Operation DEEP FREEZE). Finally, he served as the Director of Systems Engineering at the U.S. Air Force Academy and continues as a senior advisor to the USAF Academy’s Systems Engineering program.

Dean Lambertson holds a Bachelor of Science in Space Operations from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He is also a graduate of the USAF’s Air War College. He enjoys spending time with his family and volunteering. He serves with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as a Transport Mission Pilot and Character Development Instructor. He has served in leadership roles with organizations including: Aerospace Industries Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, SAE International, and the Everett Gospel Mission. Dean and his wife have two children.

Haley MacLean
National Board Certified Teacher, Curriculum and Education Specialist
STEM Sports

Haley spent seven years in the classroom teaching math and STEM Sports at a Title One Junior High in Gilbert, Arizona. She is also a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescent Math. Haley grew up playing every sport, and knew one day she wanted to find a career that would combine her two favorite things: teaching and sports. Haley joined the STEM Sports® team in 2021 as a Curriculum and Education Specialist. Her goal at STEM Sports is to share her experiences and excitement about STEM Sports curricula in hopes of getting it in the hands of as many instructors as possible.

Tracey Beal
Founder & CEO
School Connect

As Founder & CEO of School Connect, Tracey Beal helps local schools build dynamic partnerships among faith, business, government, and non-profit organizations. This model of strategic collaboration helps schools accomplish measurable goals while fostering win/win partnerships.

In the spring of 2015, the US Department of Education, and the Arizona Department of Education, recognized the exceptional results of the collaborative model at Palo Verde Middle School in the Washington Elementary School District located in Phoenix, AZ. To date, School Connect has facilitated partnerships in more than 700 public and charter schools in Arizona.

School Connect has annual events that bring the village together. They include:

School Connect School Connect Summit
Held in late January each year, this is the leading annual event intersecting the K-12, business government, and faith-based communities for one inspiring morning of lauded speakers, panel discussions, and networking.

Champions of Education Awards
Every April, we honor and celebrate the unparalleled commitment of students, teachers, administrators, and community leaders across Arizona.

Teacher Appreciation
During the first week of May, together we celebrate the dedication of our teachers and school administrators!

Love Our Schools Day
October marks that time of year when our “village” partners roll up their sleeves for this service day. Whether it’s planting a garden, painting a mural, or beautifying a school – this service day gives everyone a chance to partner with a school.

The School Connect model is now being used in several cities including Orange County, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Fort Wayne, IN; Oklahoma City, OK; San Antonio, TX; Appleton, WI; Little Rock, AR; and Lafayette, LA.

Tracey is a board member of the Arizona 21st CCLC Vision Team, ACE Mentoring, and the Grand Canyon University Advisory Board.

Tracey is also a member of the Arizona Broadband Network Task Force, Leadership West, Global Leadership Summit Team, and the Phoenix Mayor’s Youth and Education Commission.

Tracey is married to David and has 4 grown children and 7 grandchildren.

Atharva Goel
Student
Paradise Valley Unified School District

Atharva is an ambitious and visionary senior in the rigorous CREST Computer Science program at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, AZ. Deeply invested in computer science and AI, Atharva strives to major in the field and master software development. As he navigates his journey through high school, he’s looking to leverage these technologies to make his impact in the world. By sharing his ideas, perspectives, and thoughts, he hopes to gain exposure, make connections, and learn as much as possible.

Dr. Carol Lippert
Assistant Vice President, Educational Development
Grand Canyon University

Dr. Carol Lippert is a highly experienced educator with over 30 years in the field of education. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona, as well as a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.

Currently, Dr. Lippert serves as the Assistant Vice President for K12 Outreach and Support at Grand Canyon Education. In this role, she spearheads high-quality professional development and student engagement programs, fostering collaboration between K12 districts and schools.

Previously, Dr. Lippert held the position of Associate Superintendent for the High Academic Standards for Students Division at the Arizona Department of Education. Her responsibilities included overseeing K-12 Academic Standards, Early Childhood Education, Office of English Language Acquisition Services, Gifted Education, Career and Technical Education, and planning for various state-level funds.

As the former Principal of Washington High School, Dr. Lippert achieved notable recognition, including being designated as an Arizona Education Foundation A+ School and a Silver Medal School by US News and World Reports. She was also named Assistant Principal of the Year for the State of Arizona by the National Association for Secondary School Principals.

Before her administrative roles, Dr. Lippert taught science at the high school and middle school levels. Her career showcases a deep commitment to education and a passion for fostering academic excellence.

Dalton Abbitt
Chief Political Officer
GenTech Support

Dalton Abbitt is the Chief Political Officer at Gentech. His main responsibility is to foster relationships at the State Capital to bolster the State investment into STEM education.  He was part of the early days of GenTech’s business growth. A graduate of Arizona Christian University with a political Science degree, Dalton is passionate about providing equitable opportunities in underserved communities – in particular providing STEM education to underserved populations. Dalton believes STEM Education should be a right not a privilege.

Michael Wilson
Chief Operating Officer
GenTech Support

Michael Wilson is the Chief Operating Officer of GenTech and manages administrative, business and accounting operations at GenTech and all KidsTech programs in eleven school districts. A graduate of GCU in Cybersecurity and Information Technology, Michael understands the importance of serving the community in demonstrating safe and secure computing methods. Michael is genuinely advancing the mission of GenTech. He is an ownership partner and aspires to take GenTech to the next level as the company grows in Arizona and beyond.

Washington W. Covena
Director, Customer Verticals and Strategy
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Born in Ecuador and raised in NYC by a single mom, and nurse, Washington has always had a passion for health care, in particular how health care services were made available and financed for Latinos in his community. Washington Covena began his career in the customer service department of a regional HMO answering calls from members and physicians more than 20 years ago. His obsession has been client advocacy and building long relationships with customers. After spending nearly 16 years as a Senior Strategic Account Executive at UnitedHealth Group working with large complex National and Public Sector accounts, Washington found drive in helping others be successful in managing client and broker relationships and served as the Director of Account Management for UMRs West region. Most recently he served as the Vice President of Sales, Public Sector and Labor in UnitedHealthcare’s West region. Washington’s work has provided him with extensive exposure and experience in specialty markets and he has developed a broad skillset working with high-tech, public sector, hospitals and health care systems, native American tribal-plan sponsors, and coalitions. Three years ago, Washington joined the BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona family, working with our largest Public Sector and National Accounts and currently serves as the Director, Customer Verticals and Strategy where he will lead BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona efforts to create innovative products and services for cities, counties, school districts, hospitals, and other niche markets. Washington lives in Goodyear, Arizona with his wife Marisol and his two kids Denzel and Zoe. A graduate of Purdue University Global, long- standing member of the Association for Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and previous member of the Board of Directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Washington loves to travel, play golf and is an avid runner.

Eric J. Rodriguez
Keynote Speaker, Technology Leader, Community Advocate
Building the Future of Human Experiences

Eric J Rodriguez’s journey from a curious boy in Ecuador to a visionary leader in the tech sector epitomizes how technology and education can transform lives. Experiencing stark contrasts in wealth and opportunities at the age of eleven, following a move from Houston to Ecuador, Eric discovered his passion: harnessing technology to bridge gaps and create opportunities.

This vision took a definitive shape when Eric encountered his school’s first computer lab in the seventh grade at El Colegio Javier. That moment set him on a path to impactful roles such as the Education Regional Director at Intel, impacting lives from Arizona to Swaziland and back to his roots in Ecuador.

Eric’s career spans across engineering, human resources, and strategic leadership, all anchored around a singular mission: to integrate technology in ways that enhance human experiences. His work with Aguila Youth, SHPE, Prospanica, and INROADS, along with accolades like being named in Arizona’s 40 Under 40 and as a Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever, are testaments to his far-reaching impact.

In his role as a speaker and consultant, Eric combines technical expertise with empathetic leadership, guiding organizations to embrace technology while maintaining their focus on human values. He is committed to preparing entities for a future where technology enhances human capabilities, inspiring leaders and organizations to adopt transformative strategies that enrich our lives.

Holding a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston and an MBA from Loyola University New Orleans, Eric’s narrative is more than a series of achievements; it’s a beacon of inspiration, driving change and guiding the way towards a future where technology and humanity thrive together.

Kate Gallego
Mayor
City of Phoenix

Kate Gallego has a vision for Phoenix: she sees it as a place that is vibrant and growing, and one where every person is treated with dignity and respect.

Mayor Gallego is a strong advocate for smart business growth and investment – she recently helped land the city’s largest-ever business development deal, a $12 billion semiconductor manufacturing plant that will bring significant economic development for decades to come. She is leading the city to global status as a leader in bioscience, research, and advanced medical manufacturing.

The Mayor is also leading Phoenix to meet its goal to become the most sustainable desert city in the United States. She has fostered investments in cool solutions, including the nation’s first, publicly funded Office of Heat Response and Mitigation; launched the city’s successful cool pavement pilot; and led the charge toward building EV infrastructure and a strong transportation system to clear the air and empower families and individuals to spend less time stuck in traffic.

Mayor Gallego is the second elected female Mayor in Phoenix history and one of the youngest big city Mayors in the United States. In November 2020, she was returned to office with the highest number of votes ever cast for a mayoral candidate in Phoenix.

A graduate of Harvard University, she earned an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior professional pursuits include strategic planning and economic development for one of Arizona’s largest utility companies and service in state government, as part of the Governor’s team. She was elected to the Phoenix City Council in 2013, and won the office of Mayor in 2019.

Mayor Kate Gallego enjoys a desert hike and a good read. She is Mom to six-year-old Michael.

Cheri Grau is the principal of the Holbrook Junior High School. She has been an educator for 27 years and has served the Holbrook District for the past 11 years. She has great passion for bridging the home-to-school-to-community connections to empower the students in taking ownership for their success. She is committed to fostering partnerships that meet the needs of the students, families and the communities she serve.

Michael is the Chief Operating Officer of GenTech and manages administrative, business and accounting operations at GenTech and all KidsTech programs in eleven school districts. A graduate of GCU in Cybersecurity and Information Technology, Michael understands the importance of serving the community in demonstrating safe and secure computing methods. Michael is genuinely advancing the mission of GenTech. He is an ownership partner and aspires to take GenTech to the next level as the company grows in Arizona and beyond.

Dalton is the Chief Political Officer at Gentech. His main responsibility is to foster relationships at the State Capital to bolster the State investment into STEM education. He was part of the early days of GenTech’s business growth. A graduate of Arizona Christian University with a political Science degree, Dalton is passionate about providing equitable opportunities in underserved communities. In particular providing STEM education to underserved populations. He believes STEM Education should be a right not a privilege.

Tarrah Bernabe is the proud Principal of Harold W. Smith Elementary School serving a vibrant school community of kindergarten through 8th grade students, their families, and 70 staff members. Tarrah started her career as a third-grade teacher in the Glendale Elementary School District in 2008. She will always be a teacher at heart and has extended this passion into other roles including Math and Science Achievement Advisor and Assistant Principal. Her love for learning started in Ms. Lowry’s third-grade classroom. It was that year that Tarrah knew she wanted to be a teacher, just like Ms. Lowry. The next year, Tarrah’s family moved out of state and although she lost touch with Ms. Lowry, Tarrah did not lose touch with the way Ms. Lowry made her feel about herself, about learning, and about teaching. Most recently, Tarrah was recognized as a Finalist for the 2023 School Connect Catalyst for Education Award, and the 2023-2024 GESD Administrator of the Year Award. Tarrah earned a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership and Supervision from the University of Phoenix. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a Minor in Education from the University of California, Irvine. Tarrah believes in the power of teamwork and the power of joyful learning. Watching students’ level up in their learning still gives Tarrah goosebumps every time. She loves sharing this joy with her partners at work. In her personal life, Tarrah loves spending time with her husband, Junior, and her intelligent and kind daughter, Adrielle, who is in 8th grade.

Slade Morgan, Superintendent of Round Valley USD in Springerville/Eagar, Arizona, intertwines his adventurous spirit with the dynamic challenges of leading an educational community. As an avid skier, hiker, and BMX racer, Slade brings a sense of adventure to both his personal pursuits and his role as a forward-thinking education leader. Through his experiences navigating the diverse terrain of high school leadership, from Round Valley HS to Pinon HS on the Navajo Nation, Slade approaches education with the same spirit of exploration and innovation. Living in Eagar with his family, he believes that an adventurous mindset can fuel academic excellence, creating a vibrant and engaging educational environments for all.

Jill Hicks is a Global Manager for the Internet of Things (IoT) Partner Program & Ecosystem at Avnet. Her role is to manage some of the IoT department’s larger initiatives and coordinate the partner program. What is IoT? Internet of Things refers to anything that’s connected to the cloud, like a Ring doorbell or a Roomba vacuum – usually something with an app that can be controlled from a phone or computer. Avnet sells to other businesses that are building solutions for the end customer. For example, a battery company might work with Avnet to create a “smart” product, like a smart hand soap dispenser. This smart hand soap dispenser solution could then be sold to hospitals, schools or anyplace that could be more efficient by looking at a dashboard to determine which hand soap dispensers needed to be refilled, rather than having someone walk to every floor and look at each dispenser.

Avnet is 100+ years old (founded in 1921), with almost 16,000 employees across 140 countries in 250+ locations. The headquarters is here in Phoenix Arizona and because Avnet’s primary customers are other businesses, you might not have heard of them…. unless you watched the Diamondbacks in the Super Bowl this past year! Avnet was one of the sponsors & each uniform proudly displayed an “A” for Avnet! Avnet’s commitment to Arizona and all across the world is extraordinary!

Jill attended Northern Arizona University and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Marketing. She is currently pursuing her master’s in project management. Jill married her high school sweetheart, Matt, in 1998 and has two fabulous children, David and Emma. David graduated from NAU and Emma will graduate this May! Jill’s passion is traveling to new places and learning about different cultures and trying new foods. In fact, Matt & Jill are going to hike the Camino de Santiago this May!

Nicole holds a BAE in Elementary Education from Arizona State University with a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. During my classroom years, I had the pleasure of teaching primary grades, pre-K through 2nd grade. I treasured my time in the classroom, but quickly realized my heart was leading me towards making an even larger impact in a school through leadership opportunities. In 2012, I began my journey as an administrator and have found my way to Haley Elementary School. As the principal, I’m eager to continue to help teachers, students, and parents enjoy the foundational years of school

Arthur Brown was born in Colorado Springs, CO. He moved to Arizona in 2009 to be closer to his extended family. After spending 14 years in the sales industry, the Lord called him into ministry in 2019.

What started as volunteer work turned into a full-time role with Pure Heart Church. He began as the Director of Local Outreach and wore the hat of Director of LifeBridge Distribution, which oversees the incoming and outgoing of donations through LifeBridge Community Alliance, their non-profit extension to Pure Heart Church.

In 2022, he became the Pastor of Community Engagement and began working with their partnering agencies and organizations. This includes the Department of Child Safety, our corporate/business partners such as Fullerton Financial, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and Salad And Go along with their school partner such as Harold W. Smith.

Over the past 5 years, God has allowed him to make an impact not just locally here in the Phoenix area, but globally as well. He has done community development work in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico all with a focus on equipping and empowering others while coming alongside them. His heart is to always demonstrate God’s love to people in need, in tangible ways, through practical acts of service.

Dr. Robbie Koerperich is Superintendent of the Holbrook Unified School District in Holbrook, Arizona. Robbie is in his 32nd year in public education, spending 10 years as a classroom teacher in Kansas and the past 22 years in school and district administration. Robbie is in his 15th year as the Superintendent of Holbrook Schools.

Dr. Koerperich currently serves on the Arizona Rural Schools Board, the Arizona School Administrator’s legislative council, Arizona State Board of Education Certification Advisory Committee, West Ed Board, Northern Arizona University Rural Resource Center and is the Past President of the Arizona Impact Aid Association.

Robbie is married to his wife of 32 years, Debbie, and has three children, Kory, Kylie and Kobi. Robbie enjoys golfing, coaching basketball and traveling when time avails.

A lifelong Arizona resident, Karin Ward attended all three state universities, receiving both her bachelors in education and masters in Educational Leadership. Following her father’s career path of teaching, she has been an educator in Arizona since 1981. She began her career as a second-grade teacher in Paradise Valley School District, later teaching computers, social studies, and Spanish at Desert Shadows Middle School where she met her husband. Wishing to raise their children in a more rural environment, they moved to Chino Valley. Karin taught middle school Spanish, coordinated the school computer network and was the drama coach at the high school. In Prescott Unified, she taught first grade and became the ESL coordinator. The change to Humboldt Unified District saw a move into administration as the principal of Liberty Traditional School. Since 2004 Karin has been superintendent of Beaver Creek Elementary, a one-school district, pre-K through 8th. Here she is the chief treasure hunter in the rural community with dedicated staff, family, and community members helping to find students’ treasures and help them envision their future. For Karin’s collaborative work with other organizations in leveraging resources and assets, she was awarded Arizona School Administrators’ Superintendent of the Year for Small Districts in 2010 and in 2023 and received the Prescott Area Leadership Woman of the year in 2018.

Dr. Paul Stanton is proud to serve his ninth year as superintendent of the Washington Elementary School District (WESD) and his twenty-seventh year in education. A product of the district, Dr. Stanton attended Manzanita Elementary School and Cortez High School in the Glendale Union High School District.

Dr. Stanton currently serves as the Past President of the Arizona School Administrators.  He also serves on the ABEC Board of Directors and the WESTMARC Education and Workforce Development Committee.  On the weekends, he and his wife, Lori, prepare food boxes for those in need.

Dr. Stanton has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing and Finance from Marquette University, as well as Masters’ Degrees in Elementary Education and Educational Administration and Supervision. He received his Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration from Arizona State University.

Dr. Stanton embraces the WESD’s vision, mission and values.  He is committed to achieving excellence for every child, every day, every opportunity.

Dr. Freeman has also served a term as a JTED School Board member for West MEC. He was nominated by Littleton Board Members and staff for superintendent of the year and was recognized as the 2023 All Arizona Superintendent and as the 2010 All Arizona Superintendent for medium size districts. He is representing Arizona for the 2024 AASA Superintendent of the Year. The most prominent award recognizing superintendent excellence and evidence of outstanding leadership to compete for national recognition.

Dr. Freeman was recognized for outstanding dedication to Hope in Arizona by Kids at Hope and Arizona State University in 2022 and for his Dedication and Service to Public Education by Representative Del Palacio and the Arizona House of Representatives.

Dr. Freeman was honored with the Raymond S Kellis Leadership Award in 2021, which is the most distinguished award conferred by ASA for recognition of integrity and career of service. He was nominated and selected for the WestMARC Inspiration in Leadership Award, in 2019 which recognizes outstanding contributions to the West Valley.

Dr. Freeman was presented with the Educational Excellence Impact Award in 2016 for being a partner of distinction for support of the ASU Teacher Incentive Fund Grant. Dr. Freeman was also awarded the Arizona Distinguished Administrator for Superintendents in 2011.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for ABEC, where he serves as co-chair of the policy committee, and WestMARC, where he serves as co-chair of the education and workforce development committee. In the past, Dr. Freeman served an unprecedented two years as President for the Arizona School Administrators.

Before coming to Littleton he worked in Instructional Support and as a principal at Paradise Valley Unified School District. He served for twelve years as principal at two Arizona A++ Title I schools and was awarded the Arizona Distinguished Administrator for the Elementary level in 2002. Dr. Freeman earned his doctorate from Arizona State University and taught as a graduate instructor of teaching foundations and methods for several years. Before entering administration, Dr. Freeman taught in Texas and Arizona for five years, and was Department Chairperson for Mathematics at Estrella Middle School.

Dr. Jacqueline “Jacqui” Clay is a retired Army Command Sergeant Major of 25 years, an educator for 16 years, serving as Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE). She serves as the Superintendent of Schools in Cochise County and Adjunct Professor at Grand Canyon University’s College of Education.

Dr. Jacqui Clay has been recognized by Canyon Vista Medical Center and the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona for inclusion on the Veterans Wall at Canyon Vista Medical Center (CVMC) for 2023. Dr. Clay was selected as Arizona’s Career and Technical Education Administrator (CTE) of the Year in 2016 and received the Policymaker Award by the Association for Career and Technical Education of Arizona (ACTEAZ) in 2020. She serves on various boards including the Arizona State Board of Education (AZSBE), Arizona Association of Counties (AACo), Arizona Business and Education Coalition (ABEC), and the Arizona Career and Technical Education (CTE) Quality Commission.

Dr. Clay has a B.S. in Information Technology/Business Management, a M.ET in Educational Technology, an ED. S in Educational Leadership, and Doctor of Education (ED. D) in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Development.

She has been married to J. Dale Clay for 34 years, has 7 children, 22 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter.

Dr. Quintin Boyce was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and has been an educator since 2002. He attended Arizona State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2001, a Master’s degree in Secondary Education in 2004 and his Doctorate in 2012. In 2005, Dr. Boyce began working in the Phoenix Union High School District as a teacher at South Mountain High School and Bioscience High School where he taught Biology, Chemistry, and Forensics. In 2012, he moved from the classroom into school level administration as Principal of Bioscience High School and later moved to Camelback High School to serve as the Principal. Dr. Boyce then held a district-level position as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, at Phoenix Union High School District. In 2019, Dr. Boyce joined the Roosevelt School District’s Executive Leadership Team as the interim Chief Administrative Officer and became the eventual Superintendent. In November of 2022, Dr. Boyce joined the Educational Outreach team at Arizona State University to lead K-12 school partnerships. Boyce is married and has three daughters and a son. He enjoys remaining active in his community and engaging in recreational sports.

Nancy Parra-Quinlan is the 2022 Arizona State Teacher of the Year and the 2022 Air & Space Forces Association/Rolls-Royce National Teacher of the Year. She is a STEM/CTE teacher at Kino Junior High School in the Mesa Public School District. She started the STEM program at Kino and teaches robotics, engineering, aeronautics and biomedical/forensics classes to 7th and 8th grade students. Dr. Parra-Quinlan is also the director of the Mesa School District Aerospace Academy summer program which provides 6th and 7th graders with experiences in flight and space activities. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education- Bilingual/Multicultural and ESL, master’s degree in Elementary Education, and an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Northern Arizona University. She is a National Board-Certified Teacher in Career and Technical Education. Dr. Parra-Quinlan’s 30-year teaching career has always been advocated for students in Title I schools. She lives in Mesa with her husband, Dan, and has three children. Her two dogs, Olaf and Bear, are therapy dogs with the Mesa Schools’ Paws and Peers program and they attend school with her several days a week for the social-emotional well-being of her students. She works towards equity in STEM for women and students of color since they are underrepresented in STEM careers.

Sara Wyffels, the 2021 Arizona Teacher of the year is a Spanish teacher at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona. Wyffels currently teaches Spanish level 2 for Chandler Online Academy. Wyffels is a national board-certified teacher who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Western Washington University and her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Portland. The ignition for her language learning journey was sparked by her study abroad experience in college. She is passionate about teaching the power of human connections through the Spanish language. Wyffels learned Spanish as a second language, which has shown her the power of human connections, adventure, and the beauty of the human spirit, which are themes integrated in her Spanish classes. She considers herself and her students’ global citizens who have the ability to make a positive difference in the world every day. She has risen as a teacher leader in her school. Wyffels reminds her students and colleagues that communication must value listening as much as speaking. Since earning her national board certification Wyffels has embarked on a journey for equity and access in her class, school, and district. She has taken on different teacher leadership roles as opportunities to grow and collaborate. With the COVID-19 school closures Wyffels has collaborated with her department and focused on opportunities to innovate and reinvent their classrooms. She leads her classroom and school with integrity, honesty, and positivity.

Ty White currently teaches high school chemistry and algebra at Willcox High School in Willcox, Arizona. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Education in Secondary Education – Chemistry from Arizona State University, and his Master of Arts in Education in STEM Education from the Teachers in Industry program at the University of Arizona. White is a founding Board Member of InSimEd, a non-profit that creates “Industry Simulation” Challenges, affiliated with Aerospace Education Corporation (AEC). As a non-profit, they also assist underserved and underrepresented students to participate and travel to competitions. At Willcox High School, White sponsors the Science Club, the GATE Club, and the Knowledge Bowl. He is the CSO Cabinet Coordinator for Southeast Arizona, and the Southwest Regional Space Settlement Design Coordinator. White received the 2020 American Chemical Society Teacher of the Year Award for Southeast Arizona as well as the Rocky Mountain Region. He won the 2021 Rural Teacher of the Year award for the Arizona Rural School Association. This year he was named the Arizona STEM teacher of the year by the Arizona Air and Space Force Association, and the first runner up to the national award. He grew up outside of Globe, Arizona and is still a proud Tiger as well as a Cowboy. He manages a small cow-calf operation with his wife and father-in-law. He enjoys hunting and fishing and working in his garden. He competes in Team Roping. He is immensely proud of his daughter Arya, and grateful for all the support his wife gives him in all these endeavors.

Hailing from South Africa, Rob is the CEO and co-founder of Transformed Leader helping mission-driven organizations and leaders overcome their greatest challenges. He uses experiential and transformative learning processes to guide frustrated, depleted, and fragmented leaders into new levels of growth. His passion is to help others find approachable and accessible paths for living, loving, and leading with more heart and soul.

Rob holds a master’s degree in social & Civic Entrepreneurship, and a Doctorate of Transformational Leadership. He is the host of the Talk of Change Podcast and the co-author of The Human Operating System: Recovering the heart and soul of your leadership and Fighting for Heart: How emotional intelligence can transform the way you live, love, and lead. www.drrobmurray.com

Rick Miller is the founder of THE INTERSECTION CONSTRUCT a private consulting firm that offers a wide range of services within education, juvenile justice, justice, child welfare, behavioral health, recreation, and other youth-serving sectors, institutions, and organizations. Rick is also a professor of practice at the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University and the Dean of The MASTER’s Institute, an annual event that attracts our country’s top youth development practitioners and researchers. Rick founded and created Kids at Hope, an international child, and youth development movement and research project that studies family, school, and community cultures to better understand the dynamics of success and failure.

Rick has spent 52 years in the field of child and youth development and social and organizational behavior as a practitioner, researcher, professor, public policy expert, and author. Included in Rick’s career is that he served as executive director of the City of Phoenix’s Violence Prevention Initiative, and an executive with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Rick’s research is revolutionizing the understanding of child and youth development and work cultures. His strategies have been introduced in 24 states, the District of Columbia, and four countries.

Kids at Hope has been cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics in a book published on youth resiliency and adopted by the Arizona Supreme Court to redefine the juvenile justice system from risk to HOPE. He is the author of three books and two comic books including “Youth Development – from the Trenches” and “The Soul, Science, and Culture of HOPE.” Rick has received Arizona State University’s Visionary Award; the City of Phoenix, Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Award; and the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, George Washington Medal. Among his many keynotes, workshops, seminars, and symposiums, Rick delivered a TEDx Talk. Rick lives in Phoenix with his wife, Esther. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Kristy is the Principal of Kristy Siefkin Communications and the creator of the GoTo Speaker Method. She has trained over 1,000 professionals across multiple industries, including medical, legal, tech, finance and non-profit. Organizations like HP, CBRE, JE Dunn, and Charles Schwab have entrusted Kristy to train their talent.

Kristy has prepared leaders for national media appearances, high-stakes presentations, and international keynotes. She is a sought-after speaker, moderator, and emcee, taking the stage for organizations like Healthcare Financial Management Association, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, The Business Journals, Society for Human Resource Management, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Organizations for Nonprofit Executives.

Kristy’s expertise is drawn from over 20 years of media experience. She is an Emmy-recognized journalist, host and commentator who has broadcasted on CBS, FOX, Animal Planet, Discovery and Extra! Kristy is a proud Duke Blue Devil who holds a bachelor’s in social and neuropsychology and a masters in multimedia communications. She is certified in Leadership Communications Training through ATD and is an active member of the National Speakers Association.

Dr. Quintin Boyce

Dr. Quintin Boyce was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and has been an educator since 2002. He attended Arizona State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2001, a Master’s degree in Secondary Education in 2004 and his Doctorate in 2012. In 2005, Dr. Boyce began working in the Phoenix Union High School District as a teacher at South Mountain High School and Bioscience High School where he taught Biology, Chemistry, and Forensics. In 2012, he moved from the classroom into school level administration as Principal of Bioscience High School and later moved to Camelback High School to serve as the Principal. Dr. Boyce then held a district-level position as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, at Phoenix Union High School District. In 2019, Dr. Boyce joined the Roosevelt School District’s Executive Leadership Team as the interim Chief Administrative Officer and became the eventual Superintendent. In November of 2022, Dr. Boyce joined the Educational Outreach team at Arizona State University to lead K-12 school partnerships. Boyce is married and has three daughters and a son. He enjoys remaining active in his community and engaging in recreational sports.

Andrea Worth

After beginning her career as a teacher in Early Childhood Education, Andrea aspired to be a leader of change in her community. Filling positions as a Child Development Manager, an Assistant Director in Foster Care, and now an Outreach Director for CalvaryPHX, Andrea is passionate about children, families in need, and seeing community transformation. She believes in shining in the places where people are needed the most – in the schools, in the homes, and in the hearts of families.

Debbie Lupnacca
Achievement Interventionist
Washington Elementary School District

Deb Lupnacca is a veteran educator, having taught in the Washington Elementary School District for over 30 years. She has a true heart for her community, beginning her work with School Connect as a volunteer with events and social media in 2013. Deb was the Outreach Contact for Sunburst School when she first began to work with School Connect and she continues to work with School Connect to champion multiple schools in the district.

Ramiro Alvarez

Ramiro Alvarez, an esteemed education professional, currently serves as the Public Information Officer in the Pendergast Elementary School District.

With a strong commitment to always acting in the best interest of students, Ramiro brings a wealth of experience to his role. He is a distinguished member of Leadership West Class 30 and actively contributes to the Glendale Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee.

As an immigrant from Mexico and a first-generation college graduate in his family, Ramiro is a passionate advocate for education. His dedication to serving both students and the broader community is evident through his involvement in various community service organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Feed My Starving Children, St. Mary’s Food Bank, and many others.

With a heartfelt dedication to making a difference in the community and a genuine passion for empowering students, Ramiro proudly serves on the School Connect Advisory Team, where he aligns his expertise and values with the network’s mission to foster positive change in the local educational landscape.

Abbey Sanderson

Abbey Sanderson is a Community and Government Relations Coordinator in the Western Division of Vulcan Materials Company based out of San Diego, California. She joined Vulcan in 2015 after working in environmental consulting for nine years as a Field Geologist and Project Manager at Brown and Caldwell.

In her current role, Abbey helps bring to life the Vulcan principle of being a good citizen and responsible steward, especially within the communities where Vulcan operates. She helps execute community relations campaigns across California, Arizona, and New Mexico alongside more than 2,000 Vulcan colleagues in the Western Division; develops curriculum for local school tours; and contributes to Vulcan’s annual ESG Report.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Taylor Perkins

Dr. Cherryl Paul

Dr. Cherryl Paul is a lifelong advocate for education dedicated to pursuing knowledge and fostering a love of learning in others. She is dedicated to making education accessible, engaging, and transformative for learners. She serves as the Assistant Vice President for K12 Educational Development at Grand Canyon University. She is passionate about providing high-quality educational opportunities for all learners.

Cherryl has served in public education with enthusiasm and excellence for over 27 years, culminating in her K12 career as Superintendent. She was named ASA Superintendent of the Year (Small Districts), 2020-2021. She was also a classroom teacher, physical educator, principal, and Director of Organizational Improvement & Professional Learning. She began her career as a teacher in Washington, where she was recognized as the Washington Teacher of the Year. She spends quality time with her husband of 40 years and their six grandchildren.

Danielle Lerner

Danielle Lerner is an Emmy award-winning television news anchor and reporter with a true passion for storytelling. After more than 15 years working in local news, Danielle stepped away from the studio lights in February to focus on family and pursue work as a media consultant and coach, taking a special interest in helping Valley nonprofits with their education initiatives.

Most recently, Danielle came back home to Phoenix as an anchor/reporter at ABC15. During her more than seven years there, Danielle received two Emmy awards and several nominations, but her work took on more importance than ever in 2020.  As lead education reporter, Danielle spent nearly two years using her expertise, sources, and skills to help schools, teachers, students, and their families, navigate an unprecedented year of health concerns, remote learning and COVID safety protocols. 

Before returning home to Phoenix, Danielle was also a morning anchor in Tucson, and kicked off her career as a multimedia journalist, anchor, and weather presenter at KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Above all, Danielle’s favorite title is wife and mom.  She grew up here in the Valley, is a graduate of the Scottsdale Unified School District, and met her husband, Al, in high school youth group. They have three daughters, ages 5 and under, and are thrilled to be raising their family in their hometown.

Debbie Kovesdy

Debbie Kovesdy, GenTech’s CEO, has been an educator for over 30 years, in the classroom, at district and state levels. As a teacher, Debbie along with her students developed a rockstar GenYes tech leadership program that built interactive walls, MIT 6th sense digital devices, microcomputing laser machines, pi vehicles, full scale robots, blender inventions, solar powered cars and more crazy creative technologies. In 2016 Debbie and 22 students opened GenTech, a walk-in tech support business serving the public in help desk tech service, computer repairs, home visits and KidsTech camps. GenTech grew KidsTech programs to teach a vast computer science curriculum to over 30,000 K-12 students throughout the valley impacting over a dozen school districts. Most recently GenTech started the GenTech Foundation with the mission to provide STEM education funding to schools through workforce development initiatives with private industries and scholarship resources for underserved kids. Debbie has always been passionate about teaching today’s kids tomorrow’s technologies to be successful in the future jobs that await them.

Shelly Smith Hornback

As a former governing board member turned director of community relations for one of Arizona’s top-ranked elementary school districts, Shelly Smith Hornback has a passion for strong schools and strong communities.
She co-founded several parent/teacher organizations and has led nearly twenty winning bond and override campaigns for a tri-district political action committee, securing hundreds of millions of dollars for teaching positions and new construction in one of America’s fastest growing regions.

With more than two decades of proven experience in servant leadership and relationship-building, Shelly is the owner of Hornback Communications, a boutique public relations firm that helps schools, non-profits, and small businesses to connect with their audience and create meaningful partnerships.

Shelly also serves on the Arizona Advisory Board for Common Sense Media and the Boards of Directors for the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce and Ignite Yoga Foundation.

As a first generation college student, Shelly graduated from San Diego State University. She credits her single mom who raised five children with her strong work ethic and passion for community service.

Myesha Harris

Myesha Harris is a dedicated professional with a strong background in engineering and construction. With a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Arizona State University’s Del E Webb School of Construction, she has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the field of construction management. Currently, she works for the City of Phoenix, the fourth largest city in the country, where she plays a vital role in major transportation projects and interagency coordination.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Myesha is a passionate community advocate, actively involved in various initiatives. She believes in making a positive impact and takes pride in being a leader within her community. Additionally, she has embraced her culinary skills, authoring the cookbook “Red Velvet Recipes: Cake and Cupcakes” and a business owner of Red Velvet Bakery in Phoenix, AZ.

While achieving professional success, Myesha also cherishes her role as a loving mother to two sons and a dedicated wife. She cherishes quality family time above all.

Stay tuned for special announcements featuring your 2024 Summit Agenda!

John Dowd

John Dowd works with a dedicated team of professionals at CORE Construction, focusing on Community Partnerships & Outreach. After graduating from Concordia University – Irvine in 2016, John moved back to his hometown of Mesa, Arizona and now resides in the Osborn School District with his wife Kristyn and their son, Beckham. Since returning to Arizona, his passion for advocacy efforts in Arizona’s education system has grown exponentially. John is an active and engaged member in his community, serving as a volunteer board member on the Osborn School District Educational Foundation. As a Mesa Public Schools alumnus, John serves as the Secretary of the Mesa Public School Foundation board. Through his various engagements, he has played key roles in fundraising, relationship building, and partnerships, allowing him to work alongside and support educators across the state of Arizona.

Jerome Parker

Pastor Jerome Parker Jr. is the eldest of Drs. Jerome and Barbie Parkers’ four children.  Born in Akron, Ohio Pastor Jerome has had the privilege of residing in different regions of the country and seeing different parts of the world.  Inspired at a very young age to have a love for God by his great grandmother Leether Parker, Pastor Jerome gave his life to the Lord at the tender age of 6.   From the beginning of his young Christian walk Pastor Jerome was exposed to solid biblical teaching through the ministry of Crenshaw Christian Center.

Upon graduating from high school Pastor Jerome attended The Ohio State University on a full-tuition academic scholarship.  During his tenure at OSU Pastor Jerome began teaching in the Youth Ministry at World Harvest Christian Church(W.H.C.C.)  In addition to his duties of ministering to the youth he also founded a young adult group called “Crossover” which focused on helping young Christians successfully transition from the youth ministry to the adult church population and maintaining a Godly lifestyle.

After graduating from the Ohio State University with an Education degree Pastor Jerome moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he attended The Ministry Training Institute (MTI) at AZUSA World Ministries.  It was during his time in MTI that Pastor Jerome really began to sharpen his vision and calling of ministering to and positively impacting the lives of young people around the globe.  Blessed with a grace and anointing to reach today’s young people Pastor Jerome was given the assignment of Youth Pastor of X-ZUSIA teen ministries through which God used him to speak into lives of thousands of young people for a period of 3 years before he moved back to his hometown of Akron OH. to rejoin his home church at World Harvest Christian Church(W.H.C.C.)

In 2004 Pastor Jerome used his ministry training and international exposure to develop into an asset to the ministry at W.H.C.C. and the Body of Christ at large for 8 years before relocating to the Valley of the Sun.  Pastor Jerome has extensively served the urban community for 12 years with Elevate International which enabled thousands of youth and their families to be exposed to opportunities to better their lives. Pastor Jerome is currently the Community Pastor at First Christian Church (FCC) where God continues to use him to lead people to make “God Quality” decisions.  Through his role at FCC Pastor Jerome has been able to serve people from all walks of life, from the underserved and disenfranchised to the privileged and influential.  He serves/partners with several influential coalitions, networks, municipalities and organizations who share the same passion for the betterment of the community as a whole.  Above all else Pastor Jerome enjoys celebrating life with his lovely wife Marissa and their four children Hope, Jeriah, Mayah and Levi.

Obed Escobar

Obed Escobar is the Executive Director of The Titus Foundation.

He is a trainer with The DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative, a national faith-based leadership development program for Urban Youth Workers.

He also served as a Multicultural Pastor at Christ Church of the Valley. He is a member of the Child Safety and Family Empowerment Council for the Office of the Governor in the State of Arizona.

He also serves on the board of Mentor Kids USA and is part of the Advisory Board of Grand Canyon University Theological Seminary & College of Theology.

Obed has a BS in Management from Grand Canyon University.

He and his wife Teresa live in Gilbert, AZ, with their two daughters.

Battalion Chief Dave Wagner, Chief Larry Rooney and Team
Avondale Fire and Medical

In 2019, Avondale Fire & Medical Fire Chief, Larry Rooney, attended an Avondale District Café where he heard about the need for students at Avondale Middle School to be mentored. This started out as a pilot program with the Avondale fire fighters, and has developed into a full-fledged community outreach program. Today these fire fighters are role models as they mentor middle school students through their academic and social journeys. There are also many projects the fire fighters and students do together. From learning to garden for Love Our Schools Day, to playing kickball games and experiencing fire station tours, Avondale Fire & Medical is a part of daily life at Avondale Middle School. During COVID 19 the fire fighters even conducted home visits to their mentees to make sure their students were safe and healthy. The success of this program has spurred the implementation of similar programs at other schools in the district. Avondale Elementary School District is proud of the bond our fire fighters have forged with their students, the school and the community!

Jerome Parker
First Christian Church
Community Pastor

Jerome has extensively served the greater Phoenix and surrounding communities for 12 years with Elevate International which enabled thousands of youths and their families to be exposed to opportunities to better their lives. For the past nearly 6 years Jerome has served as the Community Pastor at First Christian Church (FCC) where God continues to use him to impact the community, advocate for the voiceless and help people to make “God Quality” decisions. Through his role at FCC Jerome has been able to serve people from all walks of life, from the underserved and disenfranchised to the privileged and influential. He serves/partners with several influential coalitions, networks, municipalities and organizations who share the same passion for the betterment of the community as a whole. Above all else Jerome enjoys celebrating life with his lovely wife Marissa and their four children Hope, Jeriah, Mayah and Levi.

Tracy Beal
School Connect
CEO/ Founder

As Founder & CEO of School Connect, Tracey Beal helps local schools build dynamic partnerships among faith, business, government, and non-profit organizations. This model of strategic collaboration helps schools accomplish measurable goals while fostering win/win partnerships.

In the spring of 2015, the US Department of Education and the Arizona Department of Education recognized the exceptional results of the collaborative model at Palo Verde Middle School in the Washington Elementary School District. To date, School Connect has facilitated partnerships in more than 700 public and charter schools in Arizona. School Connect hosts an annual Summit at Grand Canyon University where top leaders from each of these sectors gather to learn best practices about collaboration with schools. The School Connect model is now being used in several cities including Orange County, CA; Modesto, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Oklahoma City, OK; San Antonio, TX; Fort Wayne, IN; Appleton, WI; Chicago, IL; and Lafayette, LA.

Tracey is a member of the Arizona 21st CCLC Vision Team, Superintendent Hoffman’s Technology Council, Arizona Broadband Network Task Force, Leadership West, Global Leadership Summit Team, ACE Mentoring Board, Grand Canyon University Advisory Board, and the Phoenix Mayor’s Youth and Education Commission. Tracey is married to David and has 4 grown children and 7 grandchildren.

Deb Lupnacca
Pure Heart Church in the Washington School District
Regional School Champion

I have taught in Washington School District for over 30 years, I have a heart for my community. I began working with School Connect as a volunteer with events and social media in 2013.  I was the Outreach Contact for Sunburst School when I first began to work with School Connect.  Nearly 25 years ago God gave me a passion to be the difference in my community. I have been a highly involved teacher in my own community for 30 years. All my teaching experiences and outreach are centered on the children that live in my own community. When I began working with Pure Heart Church and School Connect on Local events like Love Our Schools Day, I truly embraced the partnership of community / schools / and faith organizations. Working with School Connect has been the perfect conduit to serve my neighborhood schools, build resources to share and support partnerships in the community.

Dr. Paul Stanton
Washington Elementary School District
Superintendent

Dr. Paul Stanton is proud to serve his eighth year as superintendent of the Washington Elementary School District (WESD) and his twenty-sixth year in education. A product of the district, Dr. Stanton attended Manzanita Elementary School and Cortez High School in the Glendale Union High School District. Dr. Stanton currently serves as the President of the Arizona School Administrators. He also serves on the AZK12 Center and ABEC Board of Directors and the WESTMARC Education and Workforce Development Committee. On the weekends, he and his wife, Lori, prepare food boxes for those in need. Dr. Stanton has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing and Finance from Marquette University, as well as Masters’ Degrees in Elementary Education and Educational Administration and Supervision. He received his Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration from Arizona State University.

Curt McReynolds
Christ Church of the Valley
Campus Pastor Queen Creek

Curt has served pivotal executive leadership roles for well over fifteen years. Currently, as the Campus Pastor for CCV (Christ’s Church of the Valley) Queen Creek, Curt oversees the 11th campus that was launched within CCV, a church that is currently the 4th largest church in America. Prior to his role at CCV, Curt served as the Chief Operating Officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (BGCS), Curt leads operations and management of nine branch locations with over 20,000 youth served in 2018 and collaborates to oversee a $20 million budget.

Before BGCS, Curt was President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township bringing with him a wide variety of non-profit experience. Under his leadership, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township (BGCDT) had expanded into one of the largest Boys & Girls Clubs organizations in the State of Illinois by more than doubling their operations with the opening of four (4) new Club Unit locations. In 2011, Curt was honored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America as the Midwest Vision & Spirit Award recipient. In 2015 and 2016, Curt was nominated for Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40, a powerful list of young professionals changing communities and leading organizations around the Chicagoland area. His passion to improve the community by serving youth and helping others is evident in his service. Curt was a former member of the Scottsdale Rotary Club, the Partners for Paiute Board of Directors, and a graduate of the Scottsdale Leadership Class 33. A graduate of Western Illinois University, Curt obtained his B.A. in Business Communication (’02) and M.S. in Kinesiology, Sport Management (’05). Curt and his wife, Jessica, reside in Queen Creek, AZ and together they are the proud parents of three children.

Dr. Betsy Hargrove
Avondale Elementary School District
Superintendent

Dr. Betsy Hargrove has been the Superintendent of the Avondale Elementary School District since 2012. She provides ongoing leadership and works to engage in continuous improvement by implementing and monitoring the achievement of district goals and mission for every student to grow as a thinker, problem solver and communicator to pursue a future without limits. Ensuring this mission is reached, Dr. Hargrove and her team actively seek opportunities to build relationships with community stakeholders, businesspeople, and civic leaders to make connections within the district and sites. Continuous improvement is the central focus of the Avondale School District.

Andrea Worth
Calvary Phoenix
Outreach Director

After beginning her career as a teacher in Early Childhood Education, Andrea aspired to be a leader of change in her community. Filling positions as a Child Development Manager, an Assistant Director in Foster Care, and now an Outreach Director for CalvaryPHX, Andrea is passionate about children, families in need, and seeing community transformation. She believes in shining in the places where people are needed the most – in the schools, in the homes, and in the hearts of families.

Mike Groeger
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Vice President, Group Commercial and Specialty Sales

In his role as vice president of commercial group and specialty sales for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), Mike leads a team of sales professionals dedicated to serving clients’ needs throughout the state.

In this role, Mike’s primary responsibility is to drive revenue and sustain his high-performing team for the BCBSAZ Commercial Segment. He leads both sales and service, while overseeing external engagement on the commercial side of the organization for all segments:

● Small Business
● Middle Market
● Large Group
● Specialty Business

With more than 20 years of healthcare industry experience, Mike possesses a wealth of expertise in strategic sales execution, product development, team organization, marketing, public relations, and operations.

Prior to re-joining BCBSAZ in 2018, Mike led the national employer solutions team for the Banner | Aetna joint venture. Earlier, he was responsible for building healthcare purchasing coalitions in the private equity sector through his national role at United Healthcare and worked in Sales Management at BCBSAZ.

Mike has a proven track record of successfully leading teams to exceed year-over-year growth and profitability projections as well as achieving high customer satisfaction and retention rates.

Danielle Lerner
Formerly with ABC15
Former Anchor and Reporter

Danielle Lerner is an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist turned lifestyle host, media consultant and full-time mom. After more than 15 years working in local news, Danielle stepped away from the anchor desk last year to utilize her skill set in new ways and spend more time with family.

For the past 15 years, Danielle spent much of her career at the anchor desk. Most recently, she spent more than seven years as a news anchor and reporter at ABC15 in Phoenix, Arizona. She received two Emmy awards and several nominations during that time, but her work took on more importance than ever as lead education reporter in 2020. Helping school communities across the state navigate the COVID-19 pandemic cemented Danielle’s passion for highlighting all of the good happening in our schools.

In early 2022, she stepped away from the anchor desk to utilize her extensive communications expertise in new ways helping businesses and nonprofits across the county achieve their communications goals.

Danielle and her husband, Al, both grew up in the valley of the sun and she is a proud Chaparral High School graduate. They have three daughters, ages 6 and under, and gained an entirely new appreciation for schools, teachers, staff, and administrators as their oldest entered kindergarten this year. When she’s not doing school pick up or chasing a toddler, you can find Danielle hosting Arizona Living on Cox Media’s Yurview channel sharing the best of Arizona’s people and places.

Nancy Parra-Quinlan
Kino Junior High School (Mesa Public Schools)
STEM/CTE Teacher, Arizona 2022 Teacher of the Year

Nancy Parra-Quinlan is the 2022 Arizona State Teacher of the Year and the 2022 Air& Space Force Association/Rolls-Royce National Teacher of the Year. She is a STEM/CTE teacher at Kino Junior High School in the Mesa Public School District. She started the STEM program at Kino and teaches robotics, engineering, aeronautics and biomedical/forensics classes to 7th and 8th grade students. Ms. Parra-Quinlan is also the director of the Mesa School District Aerospace Academy summer program which provides 6th and 7th graders with experiences in flight and space activities. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education- Bilingual/Multicultural and ESL, master’s degree in Elementary Education, and an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Northern Arizona University. She is a National Board-Certified Teacher in Career and Technical Education. Ms. Parra-Quinlan’s 30-year teaching career has always been advocated for students in Title I schools. She lives in Mesa with her husband, Dan, and has three children. Her two dogs, Olaf and Bear, are therapy dogs with the Mesa Schools’ Paws and Peers program and they attend school with her several days a week for the social-emotional well-being of her students. She works towards equity in STEM for women and students of color since they are underrepresented in STEM careers.

Dr. Joe Roselle

This very special award honors a leader with a courageous heart who sees the genius, passion, and love in other people, gathers those people together, and works to unleash their collective power for positive change in the world around them. Dr. Roselle is a visionary leader who honors the leadership of others around him, finds a way to move forward in the most challenging of circumstances, and celebrates the successes of his students and community.

As the Laveen District Community Engagement Coordinator, Dr. Roselle helped his community identify the core needs of the Laveen students, educators and community, and used the School Connect CAFE model to solve community-based problems with community-based solutions. At the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic, Dr. Roselle innovated by gathering his community together to do a CAFE online. Together the Laveen Community Action Committee held food distributions, town halls, COVID 19 testing & immunizations and a Youth Summit that built their community connectedness in a way they had never experienced before. This year, Dr. Roselle and the Laveen Community Action Committee hosted their first in person CAFE, and they saw their growth explode. It is a great privilege to honor Dr. Joe Roselle with the Founder’s Heart Award!

Antonya Williams
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Executive VP of Operations

McCarthy Building Companies has one goal: to be the best builder in America. It’s a burning, never ending desire to help their clients maximize their outcomes—and exceed their strategic goals. Though their goal is a bit aspirational, their values are what drives them every day. They have respect for the work they do and the people who do it, and are recognized for being honest and following through on commitments. They believe in the power of teamwork and sharing credit. They are fully committed and have a reputation for doing whatever it takes to get the job done. They also love to give back to schools throughout Arizona. Their teams serve schools with projects during Love Our Schools Days, mentor high school students in construction through ACE Mentoring, provide leadership to school district foundations and provide hands on STEM activities. They invest in students, because they know the entire community benefits when our students succeed.

Antonya Williams is the Executive VP of Operations for McCarthy Building Companies. She is the Business Unit Leader overseeing McCarthy’s Education Building Group which is focused on K12 and Higher Education markets. Antonya guides a large, diverse team on project strategies, teaming, and delivering solutions for complex construction projects. She is the executive sponsor for McCarthy’s Heart Hats program which focuses on community giving, and McCarthy Partnership for women. She is most proud of the work she has done related to creating inclusive and engaged cultures at work and building support for mentoring programs. Her notable accomplishments include being named one of Engineering News Record’s National Top 20 under 40 in 2017 and one of AZ Business and AZRE magazines’ Most Influential Women in Arizona in 2018. She serves as the chairman for the Arizona affiliate of the ACE Mentoring program which just hosted their 2023 ACE Showcase last night!

Julie Phillips
National Charity League, Inc.
Philanthropy Partner NCL Liaison

Started in 1997, National Charity League is a unique nonprofit that brings mothers and daughters together to develop leadership skills through service in their local community. Currently, they have 291 chapters throughout the United States with over 200,000 members. It is the largest non-profit mother-daughter volunteer force of its kind that serves local communities. The Moon Valley Chapter has been working alongside School Connect since 2018. From building packets for the School Connect Summit, putting on Minit2Winit, providing school supplies for students in need, serving educators during Teacher Appreciation Week, or volunteering at a school for Love Our Schools Day, National Charity League is making a difference for a huge number of schools in their area, and School Connect could not be more grateful for the opportunity to partner with them.

Dick Foreman
Arizona Business & Education Coalition (ABEC)
President & CEO

The Arizona Business & Education Coalition (ABEC) was founded in 2002 after voters passed Proposition 301, a ballot initiative which put more money into Arizona’s public K-12 classrooms. Many of those same business and education leaders who came together to support Proposition 301, founded ABEC. Today, supporters of ABEC are a statewide representation of school districts, higher education institutions, business and education associations, small and large corporations, philanthropic and community organizations, state government agencies, and individual community leaders. ABEC was formed by leaders who understand that our future economic success is directly linked to the success of our K-12 schools. Education is a shared responsibility among all community stakeholders: the family unit, the educational provider and future employers. In its commitment to improve student achievement and strengthen the state’s future workforce, ABEC has realized that there is a need and strong interest from various stakeholders for more quality partnerships between schools and businesses. Such quality partnerships will ultimately lead to improved student achievement and a stronger work force of tomorrow.

Dick Foreman has been with ABEC since October of 2014. He is a long time Arizona business advocate and leader who also has considerable experience in a wide variety of educational institutions, programs and campaigns. Dick is passionate about the value and strength of public education, as demonstrated by his heart-felt service to public education while he was engaged in the business community! Dick believes strongly in the collaboration of business and education to support not only a vibrant, healthy economy but also to create a thriving citizenry.

Nadine & Jimmy Alauria
3A Automotive & Diesel Repair
Owners

Jimmy & Nadine Alauria are owners of the 3a Automotive & Diesel Repair which has been family-owned and operated since 1957. They specialize in honest and friendly auto repair and diesel truck service provided by experienced professionals. They are also founding members of the Hatcher Urban Business Coalition. This is a group of business owners, property owners & residents along Hatcher Rd in Sunnyslope who work together to revitalize their community.

Jimmy & Nadine have been incredibly generous in providing a vehicle for educators in need and Patricia Wharton, a 4th grade teacher at Sunnyslope who received a car from them, had this to say.
“Jimmy and Nadine Alauria are just amazing, truly amazing! I met them during a very special and incredible occasion. In 2019 I was struggling with a car. My son was using mine to work, so I had to wait for my husband to pick me up every day. It was a very challenging time for me. 3a Auto furnished a car every year and they ask people in the community of Sunnyslope to nominate people that might need a car, but who also give back to the community. They gave me a Jeep after someone nominated me. Jimmy and Nadine surprised me at school, brought their work team, and celebrated here at the school. It was such a beautiful day! They do that every year. They have supported events with pizza, oil change coupons, donations for Folkloric dancing class, gift cards, and many other things! They are part of every single community event and are very involved with anything Mountain View School and Sunnyslope Elementary need.”

Jerome Parker
First Christian Church
Community Pastor

First Christian Church advocates for the voiceless and is committed to serving people from all walks of life, from the underserved and disenfranchised to the privileged and influential. FCC serves and partners with several influential coalitions, networks, municipalities and organizations which share the same passion for the betterment of the community as a whole. They have been a partner with School Connect from its inception, bringing long term partnerships to schools that have been deeply changed by them.
Jerome Parker became involved with School Connect when he attended the School Connect Summit and met Jill Sarraino, who was the principal of Palo Verde Middle School. When he joined the team at First Christian Church, he immediately became a School Champion for several schools in their neighborhood. He plays with Mountain View students during lunch times, brings inspirational messages to school staff, and provides a multitude of volunteers who serve these schools in powerful ways year round. As a School Champion he has invested incredible time, energy and resources into students, families and educators and is deeply loved and appreciated by each one!

Battalion Chief Dave Wagner, Chief Larry Rooney and Team
Avondale Fire and Medical

In 2019, Avondale Fire & Medical Fire Chief, Larry Rooney, attended an Avondale District Café where he heard about the need for students at Avondale Middle School to be mentored. This started out as a pilot program with the Avondale fire fighters, and has developed into a full-fledged community outreach program. Today these fire fighters are role models as they mentor middle school students through their academic and social journeys. There are also many projects the fire fighters and students do together. From learning to garden for Love Our Schools Day, to playing kickball games and experiencing fire station tours, Avondale Fire & Medical is a part of daily life at Avondale Middle School. During COVID 19 the fire fighters even conducted home visits to their mentees to make sure their students were safe and healthy. The success of this program has spurred the implementation of similar programs at other schools in the district. Avondale Elementary School District is proud of the bond our fire fighters have forged with their students, the school and the community!

Patricia Wharton & Sierra Swartz

Patricia is a bilingual 4th grade teacher at Sunnyslope School in the Washington Elementary School District. She has been with the school district for over 12 years and is also the 21st Century Community Outreach Specialist at her current school. Patricia is dedicated to providing family engagement opportunities, building community partnerships, and securing volunteers and donations for Sunnyslope School students, families, and staff members. In 2012, she won the Esperanza Latino Teacher Award, which was one of the biggest honors of her life. In 2014, she was awarded the Lamp of Learning Award which is the highest recognition given by the Washington Elementary School District. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Patricia moved to the United States in 2000. Her husband Will is a chess master and an educator teaching math for the Cave Creek Unified School District. They have three children: Julian (26), Alberto (23), and Jimena (15). In her free time she enjoys playing volleyball. Patricia graduated from Arizona State University in 2009 with a BA in Education and a BLE/SEI endorsement. In 2020, she received her Master’s Degree in Leadership from Norther Arizona University.

Mr. Efrain Casillas

The Director of Los Tigres de Tolleson is Mr. Efrain Casillas. He has also been awarded by various organizations including the Music Teacher of Excellence Award from the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation Award, the Esperanza Latino Teacher Award from Chicano Por La Causa, and the Phoenix Arts Hero Award for 2022. Mr. Casillas was also featured on the Kelly Clarkson show in 2020.

Mariachi Los Tigres De Tolleson

Since 2012, the Tolleson Elementary School District Mariachi Band, Los Tigres De Tolleson, has been captivating audiences throughout Tolleson and the Phoenix area with their energetic performances, strong vocals, exciting melodies, and the execution of traditional and contemporary arrangements alike. Los Tigres de Tolleson appeals to audiences of all generations and heritages. Los Tigres de Tolleson have performed at many prestigious events and venues, such as the Phoenix Convention Center, the AzCASE Conference, the Wild Horse Pass Casino, the Indian Baseball Field, the Diamondback baseball field for their Hispanic Heritage month, Estrella Mountain Community College, and the Kids at Hope Institute. Their most recent and notable performance was at Disneyland in California. Winners of Choice Award at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference in 2017 and 1st place runner-up in 2018, and 2019, they have also won the hearts of audiences at the American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA) and at the Arizona Association of Latinos Administrators, Superintendents (AzALAS), and The Arizona State Board of Education. Los Tigres De Tolleson takes great pride in being one of the finest elementary school mariachi bands in the area and consistently serves as a role model for upcoming mariachi musicians from public schools. Because of this, they were featured on Telemundo for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Dr. Jim Dean

Dr. Jim Dean was approved as Dysart Schools Superintendent in October 2022. He has been with Dysart since 2005, previously serving as a Principal, Director of Public Relations, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Assistant Superintendent for Support Services. Dean has also served as a principal, assistant principal, teacher and high school coach in other districts prior to joining Dysart. In 2020, Dean was named a Distinguished Administrator for the Education Services Division by Arizona School Administrators (ASA) for his dedication and leadership towards students, staff and colleagues. Dean participates in a variety of educational and community organizations and is currently serving as the President of the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Executive Board. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Acacia University, Masters in Educational Leadership from University of Phoenix and a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. Dean’s doctoral research focused on training models for aspiring school administrators.

Dr. Irvin Leon Scott

Dr. Irvin Scott joined the faculty of Harvard Graduate School of Education during the summer of 2016. At Harvard, Irvin’s concentration is Educational Leadership as well as Faith and Education Partnerships. Before coming to Harvard, Irvin served for five years as the deputy director for K–12 education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he led the investment of $300 million in initiatives focused on transforming how teachers are recruited, developed, and rewarded. This work was built on existing efforts that were occurring in the Gates Foundation’s Intensive Partnership. At the Foundation, Scott also led a team to initiate the Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers experience, which has become a teacher-driven movement and can be found in a majority of states across the country. Look up #ECET2 to learn more. This teacher-led effort involves bringing thousands of teachers together to collaborate with their peers, engage in teacher leadership, and celebrate the profession. In an effort to address educational inequities in the U.S., Dr. Scott also led an effort at the Foundation to build strong partnerships and deeper engagement between faith-based organizations that serve underrepresented students, families, and communities. Over his nearly 30 years in Education, Scott has been Chief Academic Officer and Assistant Superintendent of High Schools for Boston Public Schools; a High School Principal at McCaskey East High School in Lancaster, PA; and a High School English Teacher at McCaskey High School – the job he’s loved the most. Irvin and his wife Kisha have three sons, and now three daughters – married to his sons, as well as two little grandsons!

Megan Hamburgh

Megan Hamburgh became the principal at Rogers Ranch School in July of 2020. Mrs. Hamburgh served in the field of education since 2005, beginning her career as a 1st grade teacher. Ms. Hamburgh has served in the capacity of classroom teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal prior to beginning her role as Principal in 2020. She has been the recipient of the Pinnacle of Leadership, Westside Impact Teacher of the Year, along with her staff received the A+ School of Excellence Award and this year Rogers Ranch earned an “A” rating by the Department of Education based on the 2021-2022 AASA scores. Serving the Rogers Ranch community is an extreme honor. We work diligently at Rogers Ranch to provide an exceptional educational experience for our students. Our vision and mission define our actions and commitment to student success. Over the past two years we have been working to build our STEM program which is the signature program for the district school. This has been an undertaking as we want to truly embody all that STEM represents. Through partnerships and opportunities that have been provided we have been working to build our program. Rogers Ranch is an incredible school that I am beyond proud to have the privilege of leading.

Dr. Joe Roselle

Dr. Roselle has been an active educator for over 20 years. His philosophy is to solve community based problems with community based solutions. Dr. Roselle consistently applies his experience and the knowledge acquired from his three advanced degrees in education to bring people together. Dr. Roselle currently serves as the Chairperson for the City of Phoenix’s Youth and Education Commission, the President of the Laveen Lions, the President of the South Mountain and Laveen Chamber of Commerce, and the Facilitator of the Laveen Community Action Committee.

Dr. Jeff Sprout

Dr. Jeff Sprout became the Superintendent of the Laveen School District in July 2020. A career educator, Dr. Sprout has served in Phoenix for 31 years in positions including classroom teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Education Award for teaching; Rodel Exemplary Principal Award; and, along with his staff, received the A+ School of Excellence Award “It is an honor to serve the students, staff, families, and community of Laveen. I am committed to our schools being the best option for every child in pre-K through eighth grade, including instructional excellence, signature programs, and innovatively solving the challenges we face as a District and community and celebrating our successes.”

Micah C. Nicholas

Originally from New Iberia, LA, Micah currently serves as the Love Our Schools Community and Family Engagement coordinator for United Way of Acadiana In this role, he works to lead CAFÉ efforts to increase, organize, and coordinate community-based resources in support of principals’ strategies for increased community engagement on their campuses. Micah has a degree in Psychology from Sewanee: The University of the South and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration. During the pandemic, he also completed University of South Florida’s Diversity and Inclusion & Inclusive and Ethical Leadership certificate programs. As a strategic thinker, facilitator, and youth development advocate, Micah works to connect the dots between developing the next generation and improving the communities they live in through community involvement. When Micah isn’t working in his official capacity, he is busy lending his skills to other nonprofit organizations in the area.

Be Kind Crew Member SASHAY

SASHAY is a Kindness Concierge for The Be Kind People Project. She is a triple threat actress, dancer, and singer! She has performed as a professional Princess and made magic as a Fairy-Godmother-in -Training at Walt Disney World. SASHAY didn’t start dancing until age 16 and currently teaches multiple styles of dance/musical theater at Bender Performing Arts. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, crafting, and going on world-wide adventures. SASHAY’S favorite Pledge Skill is “BE A FRIEND” because when you show up and are there for those around you, it gives your friends the support they need to accomplish anything!

Be Kind Crew Member TK

TK is a Kindness Concierge for The Be Kind People Project. TK is a dance artist from Phoenix, Arizona. She trained in ballet, modern, jazz, improvisation and composition before attending and graduating from Arizona State University with a BFA in Dance and a Certificate in Ethics. TK enjoys finding creative ways to make a difference and putting on a great show while doing it! When TK is not dancing you can find her playing solitaire or rewatching Criminal Minds. TK’s favorite Pledge Skill is “BE RESPONSIBLE” because it helps her take accountability and get things done!

Be Kind Crew Member SUNNY

SUNNY is the National Manager of Online Learning and THE BE KIND CREW Performance Scheduler at The Be Kind People Project. Her responsibilities include managing the development of over 75+ monthly curriculum pieces for BE KIND Break Premium, overseeing the National BE KIND Education Council and Youth Advisory Board, developing content for virtual learning programs, and scheduling THE BE KIND CREW. She has been a part of THE BE KIND CREW since 2015 and joined BE KIND full-time as the School Wellness Programs and Events Coordinator in 2017 after she achieved her BS in Nutrition/Dietetics. Her favorite Be Kind Pledge Skill is “BE ENCOURAGING” because we all have the power to use our voice and our actions to empower those around us!

Be Kind Crew Member AKELLZ

AKELLZ is the Director of Creative Content and BE KIND CREW Experiences. He comes to us by way of NY and graduated with both a BFA in dance and BA in theatre from Arizona State University. He is now teaching dance at the college/university level and oversees creative elements of school assembly content, crew choreography, scripts, and event-specific needs at The Be Kind People Project. Anthony is a strong believer in leaving enough room for dessert, staying hydrated, and dabbling in different outlets to re-discover and activate different parts of yourself; creating and learning new things. AKELLZ’s favorite part of The Be Kind Pledge is “BE HONEST” because being honest allows one to make more authentic choices and build more aligned connections and pathways in life.

Be Kind Crew Member LUX

LUX is the Director of In-Person Learning and THE BE KIND CREW Operations for The Be Kind People Project. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2015 with a BA in History. She has been a part of The Be Kind People Project since 2011. In addition to THE BE KIND CREW, LUX also dances for Elektrolytes, winners of America’s Best Dance Crew. With them, LUX won the Gold Medal for the United States at Hip Hop International in 2018 and 2021. LUX’s favorite part of The Be Kind Pledge is “BE SUPPORTIVE” because she believes support is a two-way street; the stronger the support, the stronger your friendship will be!

Sharisse Nunes

Sharisse Nunes, Lead Teacher, Falcon Hill Elementary School: Eighteen years of education, experience, and collaboration has shaped Sharisse into a passionate and innovative educator. Her foundational values are teaching through respect and celebration of cultural diversity in the classroom and community. Sharisse leads and mentors through action, collaborative conversations, reflective feedback among colleagues, teammates, and student teachers. Sharisse has been a part of team-based models and sharing rosters of learners all with the mindset of deeper and personalized learning through the support of ASU’s Next Education Workforce for two years. In the classroom, Sharisse has taught 3rd – 6th grades in Mesa, Arizona. She has mentored 8 student teachers from Arizona State University. She is a top 10 finalist for Arizona Teacher of the Year in 2020. Sharisse earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and her Masters of Education Curriculum and Instruction Reading from Grand Canyon University.

Korbi Adams
Senior Program Manager, Next Education Workforce Initiative

As Senior Program Manager on the Next Education Workforce team, Korbi leads the design and implementation of systems and resources that support dual capacity building toward a thriving community and school ecosystem. Korbi creates sustainable roles for community educators to help deepen and personalize student learning, develops resources, and fosters partnerships to help build networks of people that support young people in learning environments. Before joining ASU, Korbi was the Director of Education and School Programs at Childsplay, a Theatre for young Audiences. There she worked with teams of artists to create arts-integration projects with educators and young people throughout the state of Arizona. She was Co-Director on multiple large scale research projects investigating the connection between play-based learning and language and literacy development. Korbi has over a decade of experience in collaborative program management, professional development design, and facilitating learning with adults and young people. She has a BA in Music and Nonprofit Leadership and Management from ASU and is currently completing a Masters degree in Learning Sciences with ASU.

Dr. Lisa McCray Cannon
Senior Program Manager, Next Education Workforce

As a Senior Program Manager with the Next Education Workforce initiative, Lisa supports and collaborates with P12 partners in Arizona and California to create team-based models where multiple educators wrap around shared rosters of learners. Her work is centered around helping teams use distributed expertise to determine how they can best meet the needs of all learners by supporting teams to design deeper and personalized learning. Prior to joining the next Education Workforce team, Lisa served as a school principal for 7 years. During her tenure as principal, Lisa built team-based models at her school. In addition to implementing team-based models, Lisa led her school in becoming the first PBL school in the district. In addition to school leadership, Lisa was a K-12 instructional coach and professional development specialist for 14 years. As a classroom teacher, Lisa taught 3rd – 9th grade in Washington, North Carolina and Arizona. In addition to her role as a dedicated educator, Lisa is a founding member of the East Valley Alliance of Black School Educators, a community-based organization that is equity focused. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Dance from the University of Washington, her Masters of Education from City University and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from Arizona State University.

Laura Toenjes

Laura Toenjes brings more than 25 years of educational experience to her role as Kyrene Superintendent. She grew up in Gilbert, AZ and went on to graduate from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in communications and aspirations for law school. After graduation she accepted a position in the Gilbert School District and fell in love with teaching and learning. She immediately enrolled in an education program to get her teaching certification and went on to complete a master’s degree in elementary education and a dual master’s degree in administration/supervision and curriculum/instruction. Ms. Toenjes joined Kyrene in the 2016-17 school year as Assistant Superintendent, overseeing the School Effectiveness department which includes: school supervision, curriculum and assessment, professional development, and federal programs & outreach. She has had the fortunate experience to work in multiple positions in all levels of the education system from classroom teacher to principal, to district administration, to county and state-level administration, across the state of Arizona. Through these experiences, she has witnessed inequities in funding and resources and is a strong advocate for access and inclusion in public education. As a lifelong learner, she has high standards for herself, educators and students, along with a commitment to do what it takes to ensure their greatest chance for success, as she truly believes in the power of education to change the life of every child and that we each have a personal responsibility to ensure every child has equitable access to a high-quality education. Ms. Toenjes is a Chandler resident and is the proud mother of two boys who have both chosen paths to serve and protect others. Her oldest son Seth is a wildland firefighter, and her youngest son Ethan is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps.

Dr. David Dumon

Dr. David Dumon serves as the superintendent of Altar Valley School District. He began his career in 1995 as a social studies teacher at Alhambra School District in Phoenix. In 2000, Dr. Dumon started his administrative career at Surprise Elementary, a K – 8 school, in Dysart Unified School District. He spent the next 14 years in Dysart, most of which was as the principal at Surprise Elementary. His school’s achievements were recognized in 2012 when he was selected for the Arizona School Administrator, Distinguished Administrator Award – Elementary Division and honored as a finalist for the Rodel Exemplary Principal Award.
As superintendent of Altar Valley, Dr. Dumon has focused on ensuring schools run efficiently and allocating resources appropriately, while always considering what is best for kids. Dr. Dumon is committed to maintaining small class sizes and offering free, full-day pre-school and kindergarten. In 2022, Dr. Dumon was awarded the All Arizona Superintendent Award for Small Districts and completed his certification for American Association for School Administrators (AASA) National Superintendent Certification.
Dr. Dumon is a three-time graduate of Arizona State University where he received his bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees. He lives in Tucson with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.

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Hope Bustos

As President, Hope is responsible for overseeing all operations of Brushfire Tacos y Tapas along with administration, accounts payable/receivables, and human resources. She is a proud recipient of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Prior to coming onboard with Brushfire Tacos, Hope was a licensed insurance and financial service agent who worked alongside her Father Clint Berkey (Founder) for over 8 years. Hope and her family relocated to Phoenix, AZ in 2014 to launch and manage Brushfire’s start-up along with managing additional family-owned entities in Arizona. She is the driving force behind our emerging and developing business systems. Hope works closely with the Founder and banking interests for prospective future Brushfire locations and investments. She has two amazing boys ages 17 and 3, loves to go on coffee dates with friends and always has a positive attitude that does not quit until a problem is solved.

Brian Capistran

Mr. Brian Capistran was born and raised in Glendale, Arizona. He attended elementary school in the Glendale Elementary School District and graduated from Glendale High School within the Glendale Union High School District. Mr. Capistran is currently the Superintendent of the Glendale Union High School District where he manages the day-to-day operations and the growth and development of an award-winning district. Superintendent Capistran has spent his entire career serving the GUHSD community. Over the past 27 years, he has applied his professional preparation and extensive experience as a teacher and leader to make significant contributions to the success of the Glendale Union High School District. Mr. Capistran began his teaching career at Sunnyslope High School. He would later become the principal at Apollo High School. Superintendent Capistran also served GUHSD as an assistant principal, school safety administrator, assistant superintendent of student services, and associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction before becoming Superintendent of the Glendale Union High School District in 2015. Throughout his career, Superintendent Capistran has sought opportunities to make meaningful contributions to GUHSD, the cities of Phoenix and Glendale, and the state of Arizona by serving on local and state-level committees, commissions, and boards. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Business and Education Coalition. He served six years on the AZ Commission for Post-Secondary Education, is a member of (ASA), the Arizona Superintendents Association Legislative Review Group, and was recently elected to be the President of the ASA Superintendents Division for the 2022-2023 school year. On July 1, he began a three-year term serving in a national position as a member of the board of directors for AASA/The School Superintendents Association.

Dr. Gregory Wyman

Greg Wyman has been an educator for thirty-seven years in Arizona. During his career he has been a teacher, principal, associate superintendent and superintendent. Greg is currently Superintendent for the J.O. Combs Unified School District, a suburban K-12 district with 4,400students in ten schools. Greg has also served as superintendent for the Snowflake Unified School District, Apache Junction Unified School District and the Payson Unified School District. During his career Greg has demonstrated innovative leadership in a variety of aspects of education. This innovative leadership includes a sustainability initiative, which connected real time data from energy saving devices with multi-disciplinary curricula. He also implemented innovative technology in the classroom. Innovation with curriculum includes his current work with personalized student learning through the #FORWARD initiative. Greg has written numerous articles and presented at state and national conferences on innovation and K-12 education. For his work he received national recognition as a recipient of the AASA President’s Technology award in February 2005. This year he was awarded the Arizona School Administrators Association A ll Arizona Superintendent for Mid-Sized School Districts. Greg is active in promoting public education and serves on numerous boards. He has served as President of the Arizona School Administrators Association (ASA) and Vice President –Education for the Arizona Business Education Coalition (ABEC). In addition, Greg has served on community boards including several Chamber of Commerce and the Superstition Mountain Rotary Club and the Joe Foss Institute. Currently Greg is the Treasurer and Board Member for a Prostate Cancer Organization, Prostate Onsite Project (POP).

Dr. Lupita Ley Hightower

Dr. Hightower is Arizona’s Superintendent of the Year for 2022 and has worked in education for over 26 years in various roles and has served as superintendent for the last 12 years. As an immigrant starting school in the U.S. in the 7th grade, she credits her success to the many believers including family and educators. Her greatest accomplishment is bringing more learning opportunities to students especially in cases where they would otherwise not have them. She is a treasure hunter who searches for the talents, skills and intelligence that exist in all children and youth without exception. Dr. Hightower is proud to serve on the Board of Trustees for Grand Canyon University and served as past President for Arizona School Administrators and the Arizona Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (AzALAS) and past executive committee member for AASA. In 2019, Dr. Hightower received the National Latinx Superintendent of the Year among other humbling recognitions including Arizona School Administrators Superintendent Award for Mid-Size Districts.

Dr. Perry Berry

Dr. Perry Berry Dr. Perry Berry is the Superintendent of Queen Creek Unified School District. He has over 20years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, coach, principal, and district administrator. He currently serves one of the fastest-growing school districts in Arizona, prioritizing college and career readiness and leadership development for more than 14 thousandpreschool-12th grade students. Dr. Berry says his ultimate goal is to positively impact young people and prepare them for the lives they will lead after school. He is humbled to serve so many great people within the Queen Creek and East Mesa community.

Brian E. Mueller

Brian E. Mueller envisions GCU not just as an institution for higher learning, but also as an instrument for change to bring more highly educated, critically thinking, entrepreneurially minded graduates into our community. As the university’s president, Mr. Mueller is progressive and anticipatory in an industry that is slow in adapting to change. To fulfill this vision, Mr. Mueller uses his five-point plan to revitalize west Phoenix by 1) Developing a STEM workforce that attracts businesses to the area, 2) Creating jobs for local residents, 3) Supporting K-12 education, 4) Making the surrounding neighborhood safer through a $1.6 million partnership with the Phoenix Police Department, and 5) Helping hundreds of homeowners in the community through a first-of-its-kind partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Tracey Beal

As Founder & CEO of School Connect, Tracey Beal helps local schools build dynamic partnerships among faith, business, government, and non-profit organizations. This model of strategic collaboration helps schools accomplish measurable goals while fostering win/win partnerships. In the spring of 2015, the US Department of Education and the Arizona Department of Education recognized the exceptional results of the collaborative model at Palo Verde Middle School in the Washington Elementary School District. To date, School Connect has facilitated partnerships in more than 700 public and charter schools in Arizona. School Connect hosts an annual Summit at Grand Canyon University where top leaders from each of these sectors gather to learn best practices about collaboration with schools. The School Connect model is now being used in several cities including Orange County, CA; Modesto, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Oklahoma City, OK; San Antonio, TX; Fort Wayne, IN; Appleton, WI; Chicago, IL; and Lafayette, LA. Tracey is a member of the Arizona 21st CCLC Vision Team, Superintendent Hoffman’s Technology Council, Arizona Broadband Network Task Force, Leadership West, Global Leadership Summit Team, ACE Mentoring Board, Grand Canyon University Advisory Board, and the Phoenix Mayor’s Youth and Education Commission. Tracey is married to David and has 4 grown children and 7 grandchildren.

Sara Wyffels

Sara Wyffels, the 2021 Arizona Teacher of the year is a Spanish teacher at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona. Wyffels currently teaches Spanish level 2 for Chandler Online Academy. Wyffels is a national board-certified teacher who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Western Washington University and her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Portland. The ignition for her language learning journey was sparked by her study a broad experience in college. She is passionate about teaching the power of human connections through the Spanish language. Wyffels learned Spanish as a second language, which has shown her the power of human connections, adventure, and the beauty of the human spirit, which are themes integrated in her Spanish classes. She considers herself and her students to be global citizens who have the ability to make a positive difference in the world every day. She has risen as a teacher leader in her school. Wyffels reminds her students and colleagues that communication must value listening as much as speaking. Since earning her national board certification Wyffels has embarked on a journey for equity and access in her class, school, and district. She has taken on different teacher leadership roles as opportunities to grow and collaborate. With the COVID-19 school closures Wyffels has collaborated with her department and focused on opportunities to innovate and reinvent their classrooms. She leads her classroom and school with integrity, honesty, and positivity.

Dr. Quintin Boyce

Dr. Quintin Boyce was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and has been an educator since 2002. He attended Arizona State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2001, a Master’s degree in Secondary Education in 2004 and his Doctorate in 2012. In 2005, Dr. Boyce began working in the Phoenix Union High School District as a teacher at South Mountain High School and Bioscience High School where he taught Biology, Chemistry, and Forensics. In 2012, he moved from the classroom into school level administration as Principal of Bioscience High School and later moved to Camelback High School to serve as the Principal. Dr. Boyce then held a district-level position as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, at Phoenix Union High School District. In 2019, Dr. Boyce joined the Roosevelt School District’s Executive Leadership Team as the interim Chief Administrative Officer and became the eventual Superintendent. In November of 2022, Dr. Boyce joined the Educational Outreach team at Arizona State University to lead K-12 school partnerships. Boyce is married and has three daughters and a son. He enjoys remaining active in his community and engaging in recreational sports.

Quincy Natay

Quincy Natay is a lifelong resident of Chinle, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. After graduating from Chinle High School in 1983, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1988 at Northern Arizona University (NAU), and then earned an MBA also at NAU in 2001. He became superintendent of Chinle Unified School District in 2013. With a cohesive school board and staff, under his leadership pre-pandemic students produced the highest academic pass rates of any reservation district in Arizona, also surpassing many non-reservation districts. Once known as “failing,” multiple schools and grade levels demonstrated the opportunity gap in reservation schools can be eliminated. Now CUSD schools are poised to quickly recover that same trajectory. During his 32-year career in education, he has influenced state and federal legislation that continues to benefit reservation districts. He has served on the NAFIS board (National Association of Federally Impacted Schools) for many years and is currently the board secretary. He has been a longstanding member of the NIISA board (National Indian Impacted Schools Association) and is now the board president. In 2022 his career achievements have led to recognition as the first Native American to earn the Arizona School Administrator’s AZ Superintendent of the Year and selection as one of four finalists for the AASA’s National Superintendent of the Year.

Kareem Neal

Kareem Neal is a self-contained special education teacher in Phoenix, AZ. He has taught students with cognitive delays for 25 years. He is the recipient of the 2019 Arizona Teacher of the Year. Kareem was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Northern Arizona University for his contributions to special education in Arizona. He is a 2019-2021 Understood Teacher Fellow. He is also on the board of directors for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. He helped pilot the National Network of State Teachers of the Year Mentorship program. Kareem’s passion is connecting all students in schools, springing from his awareness that students with learning differences did not truly feel like members of their school communities. This led him to evaluate his own educational journey and how students in black communities often did not feel like education spaces were for them. He is now a restorative justice trainer for the Phoenix Union High School District. He focuses on building community through eliminating bias that comes from lack of connection with people who are different from each other. This work has led him to winning the Arizona Education Association’s Diversity Grant and the Maryvale Revitalization Committee’s Educator Excellence Award and being named vice president of the Phoenix Union High School District’s Black Alliance. Kareem’s academic journey was filled with adults who let him know that he was capable, which he attributes to being a lifetime learner. Too many students aren’t afforded that same opportunity and Kareem is working tirelessly to change that.

Scott Davis M.Ed., LPC, LCDC

Scott Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a Master of Education in counseling, both from the University of North Texas. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. Prior to joining The Meadows, Davis was director of clinical services for the Enterhealth treatment program in Van Alstyne, Texas. He was also a case manager and eating disorder program director for the Sante Center for Healing in Argyle, Texas, and regional director of outpatient services for Phoenix House of Texas in Dallas.

Davis has experience treating patients and military personnel who have substance use disorders, sex addiction, eating disorders, and trauma. In addition, he has training in such modalities as neurofeedback, brain mapping, EMDR, CBT, motivational interviewing, challenge course, ropes facilitation, and the interplay among brain development, neurology, and trauma recovery.

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Dr. Carol Lippert

Dr. Carol Lippert has 30 years of experience in the field of education. She is currently employed with Grand Canyon Education as the Assistance Vice President for K-12 Outreach and Support. In this role, she extends outreach to K-12 districts and schools through high-quality professional development and student engagement opportunities. She is also a commissioner on the City of Phoenix Youth in Education Commission as well as an advisory board member for Cognia’s Arizona advisory committee. Carol also works as an adjunct professor for Grand Canyon University teaching courses in both educational administration and masters in teaching programs.

Previously, Carol held the position of Associate Superintendent for the High Academic Standards for Students Division at the Arizona Department of Education. In this role, she oversaw K-12 Academic Standards, Early Childhood Education, the Office of English Language Acquisition Services, Gifted Education, and Career and Technical Education. She has also served as the Principal of Washington High School in the Glendale Union High School District GUHSD. Under her leadership, Washington was recognized as an Arizona Education Foundation A+ School, a Silver Medal School by US News and World Reports, an All Subjects Higher Performing School by the Arizona Business & Education Coalition ABEC, and one of the Top Schools in the USA by topschoolsintheusa.com. Prior to obtaining the principalship, Carol held various Assistant Principal posts for the GUHSD.

In 2006, Carol was awarded the National Association for Secondary School Principals Assistant Principal of the Year for the State of Arizona. She received this award in part for her work in bringing college and career programs to her school with the creation of special events which linked businesses and colleges to the school. Preceding Carol’s work as an administrator, she taught science at both the high school and middle school level and was an educational consultant for Susan Kovalik and Associates.

Dr. Betsy Hargrove

Dr. Betsy Hargrove has been the Superintendent of the Avondale Elementary School District (AESD) since 2012. Previously she served as the Assistant Superintendent for the district from 2009 to 2012.

She provides ongoing leadership in creating a positive climate of high expectations for all involved with the educational programs of the district. She also works to engage in the continuous improvement of the Avondale educational community by implementing and monitoring the achievement of district goals and mission for every student to grow as a thinker, problem solver, and communicator to pursue a future without limits. Ensuring this mission is reached, Dr. Hargrove and her team actively seek opportunities to build relationships with community stakeholders, business people, and civic leaders to make connections within the district and sites. Continuous improvement is the central focus of the Avondale School District.

The Avondale Elementary School District has embedded a continuous improvement focus in all systems throughout the organization. The layering of high yield instructional practices, job-embedded professional development, focused and collaborative accountability, and teacher and leader empowerment has demonstrated ongoing success. The result is that AESD has outperformed the state in growth in achievement four years in a row.

Dr. Hargrove has presented at the American Educational Research Association, Character Education Forum, National Staff Development Council Mega Conference, TAP National Conferences, 21st Century STEM Conference, Arizona School Administrators, National School Board Association, U.S. News STEM Solutions National Leadership Conference, the School Connect Summit, and American Association of School Administrators to share this approach and highlight the successes of the Avondale Elementary School District.
Beyond the shared professional and academic accomplishments of the entire AESD community, Dr. Hargrove is most proud of her two daughters, Morgan and Clare.

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Heidi Vega

Heidi Vega serves as the Director of Communications for the Arizona School Boards Association in Phoenix, which serves all school board members, superintendents, and school districts across the state. Her time with ASBA has provided a wealth of professional development in policy, advocacy, and state level initiatives, such as diversity and equity, to better understand the different disparities students face.

Before that, she served as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement with the Deer Valley Unified School District, one of the largest school districts in Arizona spanning over 367 square miles in five different cities, through many initiatives including mass communications, crisis situations, marketing campaigns, community outreach and more.

In 2020, she served as Vice President of Diversity Engagement for the National School Public Relations while keynoting on the importance of equity in public schools for all children across the nation. She is a past chapter president of the Arizona School Public Relations Association. Heidi was named a “35 Under 35” honoree in 2012 by the National School Public Relations Association and was recognized as one of NSPRA’s 2014-15 Front-Runners.

Most recently, Heidi completed her certificate program in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. Heidi grew up in west Glendale in a high poverty neighborhood where she attended public school in the Glendale Elementary School District and is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Dan Steffen

Dan has had the privilege of serving in ministry since 1988 and was ordained in 1995. He joined the staff of Pure Heart in 2000, serving as the Associate Teaching Pastor. In 2005 Dan accepted the role of Senior Pastor. He has a Masters of Theology degree from Gateway Bible College. Dan and his wife, Nicole, were married in August of 1998. Together they have three children, Joshua, Luke, and Abigail.

Nedda Shafir

Nedda Shafir has been in the field of education for many decades with experience as an elementary teacher, curriculum specialist, adjunct university professor, author, district administrator and public information officer. She has utilized her expertise in the areas of public relations, communications, marketing, business partnerships, community engagement, customer service, media training and crisis management to help businesses, non-profit organizations, schools and districts.

Nedda has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, is a Reading Specialist and is credentialed as a school administrator. She has done educational consulting and presentations nationwide in the areas of communications, community engagement, crisis management, public relations, leadership, strength-based coaching and language arts.

Nedda has a passion for creating sustainable change and assisting organizations in developing strength-based systems of success and has been honored for her work in the area of school public relations and volunteering.

Her volunteer activities include:

☑ Member of Leadership West Class XXIV
☑ Former Chair of the City of Phoenix Youth and Education Commission
☑ Past President of the Arizona School Public Relations Association
☑ Board member of STEM Sports
☑ Board member of Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life
☑ Board member of School Connect AZ

Dr. Mike Richardson

Dr. Mike Richardson is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and Fuller Theological Seminary. He has served in leadership roles and consulted in church, parachurch, and educational organizations, and he has been a speaker and teacher in seminars, conferences, and churches in different parts of the world. For the last 11 years Mike has been on the faculty of the College of Theology at Grand Canyon University. In addition to undergraduate students, he also teaches in the Seminary and Doctoral College for Grand Canyon. Mike and his wife Carol reside in Phoenix, Arizona, near to their 3 adult children, two of which, along with their spouses, have provided three grandchildren … so far.

Ric Pringle

Ric Pringle is best described as a “family man” – his pride and joy is rooted in a marriage of almost 50 years, and he’s “Dad” to five offspring and “Papa Ric” to 12 grandchildren.

Secondarily, Ric is a retired corporate attorney with a career of about 40 years. As senior executive, his role was that of serving on the leadership team for each business for which he was employed. A practitioner of “servant leadership,” he is a strong believer in delegation and empowerment and says micromanagement impedes operational efficiencies and slows staff development and growth.

A transplanted Illinoisan (and graduate of the University of Illinois), Ric is a daily consumer of digital tidbits of the Chicago Tribune. But his love of sunshine, blue skies, and desert makes Arizona his now-permanent home and makes for an ardent fan of the Cardinals.

Linda Livermore

Linda Livermore has a true calling for service and children! Her volunteer efforts have been her driving force during most of her adult life. Her heartfelt desire to help people grow and become their best selves led her to a life of public service including ongoing volunteer work with churches, public schools, service to small groups, financial counseling, and time with local resource centers.

When her three children were young, she was very active in the public schools they attended. Continuing in this tradition, she will again volunteer in the fall of 2022 as her oldest grandson begins kindergarten.

When Linda is not busy giving her time and effort to various projects and groups, she enjoys time well spent with her husband Kent, her three children, and four grandchildren. Family means everything and they are the joy of her life! Linda lives in Peoria, Arizona and attended Arizona State University graduating with a BA in Communications.

Dean Kuest

Since 1990, Dean Kuest has been a part of the vision and ministry of Central Christian Church of Arizona, Currently, he serves as the Glendale Campus Pastor. Dean is also an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Hope International University where he thoroughly enjoys teaching courses on Team Building and Servant Leadership alongside his father, who is a professor there as well.

Dean is on a life-long journey of discovering how his passion for teaching and leading others can best be used as a peacemaker in an increasingly polarized world. He pursues this work through leading guided discussions on conflict resolution as well as leading discovery trips each year to Israel/Palestine or a learning journey through our Southern States.

He and his wife, Leslie just eclipsed the 30-year marriage mark! They have five sons, four daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. If he is not at church, you can probably find him in a coffee shop, a local school or at a baseball diamond somewhere in the Valley of the Sun.

Jennifer Johnson, E.d. D.

Dr. Jennifer Johnson is a retired educator, having served Arizona public education for more than 4 decades as a teacher, high school principal, school district superintendent, Deputy Superintendent for the Arizona Department of Education and as an Assistant Vice President for Academic Alliances at Grand Canyon University.

As an Arizona native, parent of Arizona graduates and wife of a career teacher, Jennifer has seen schools evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of students and families. Proud to have been engaged with School Connect for over 6 years, she proudly serves as the President of the School Connect Board of Directors. Bringing together educators, parents, community representatives and students in communities across Arizona and beyond, in order to support the meaningful and positive achievements of students and teachers, helps to build the strong communities we all want for our neighborhoods and country.

Jennifer is proud to share her time, expertise and passion with everyone who helps to create villages where every student can recognize and cultivate their true potential.

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