Who We Are

January has a longstanding record of leading change, influencing policy for the well-being of children and families. She most recently served as the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, appointed by the President, and confirmed with bi-partisan support in the U.S. Senate. As the Assistant Secretary, she worked to strengthen child care accessibility; child welfare prevention and safety; and economic stability supports in cities, towns, and tribal communities across the country that support the ability of families to not just safely survive, but to thrive. January has led an Arizona legal aid center, and has worked for the Honorable Janet Napolitano as a cabinet member and an advisor. Her public service history includes serving as assistant director at the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and interim director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS). Contreras earned her undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Arizona.

For over 15 years, Curry has managed fundraising and communications initiatives in her senior leadership roles for children and family organizations in Ohio and Arizona. In doing so, she was responsible for raising millions for the most vulnerable children in our communities. Damita has promoted affordable housing programs with President Clinton and created awareness for women’s health across the country. She has also received multiple communication awards for excellence in video, event, and collateral production from the Telly Awards, International Special Events Society, and American Marketing Association. Damita holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kent State University.

Jennifer J. Burns serves as Director of Government Relations & Health Policy for Children’s Action Alliance.  As a dedicated advocate, Jennifer has expanded access to quality health care in rural and medically underserved areas of Arizona. From 2003 to 2009, she served as an Arizona State Representative, representing much of rural Southern Arizona. After her legislative tenure, Jennifer worked as a Government Relations Consultant with MHC Healthcare and the Marana Chamber of Commerce. She was honored to be one of two staffers for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s Civil Discourse & Civic Engagement project, which focused on government reform. Most recently, Jennifer served as the Senior Director of Government & Media Relations at the Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers.

Jennifer holds multiple degrees from The University of Arizona, including a Juris Doctorate, a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in Health Policy, and bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Political Science.

Michelle serves as the Southern Arizona Director of CAA. In that role, she facilitates community-based organizing efforts to elevate voices of child advocates from across Southern Arizonans who are seeking to improve the status of children’s health, education, and safety in Arizona. Michelle is a proud two-time alumnus from the University of Arizona having earned her Master’s in Public Administration in 2011 and her Bachelor’s in Political Science in 1994, with a minor in Spanish.

Geraldine advances the Arizona Center for Economic Progress’ work by advocating for a sound fiscal policy through budget and tax-related projects. She joins the AZCenter after serving as a Senior Paralegal for Community Legal Services where she provided legal assistance and administrative hearing representation to Arizonans facing adverse Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and Social Security disability benefit eligibility and overpayment determinations. Geraldine holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree in International Politics with a certification in Asian Studies from Georgetown University.

Jason works to further the mission of Children’s Action Alliance by ensuring the organization and team has the resources, tools, and procedures to effectively build coalitions and change policies that improve the lives of children and families. Beginning as a history teacher in the Phoenix Union School District, Jason discovered his calling within the nonprofit sector and has been for helping underserved youth populations through interventions and advocacy, since 1999. Like many nonprofit professionals, Jason has experience in many roles and has advanced important work as a Direct Service Provider, Program Manager, Grant Writer, and Executive Director. Jason is a native Arizonan who grew up in the Valley and attended Northern Arizona University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in education.

Joseph serves as the Director of the Arizona Center for Economic Progress. He brings years of experience in state and local taxation. Joseph began his career as a corporate tax analyst at the Arizona Department of Revenue and has worked as a tax consultant at KPMG. He holds his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Taxation from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Economics from George Mason University. Additionally, Joseph brings a background in political organizing, community mediation, and nonprofit arts leadership. Joseph believes it’s important to focus on the narratives that make up the Arizona economy as he works to create a fairer tax code and a more inclusive Arizona economy.

Luisa is a multimedia artist and advocate for the youth with a Bachelor’s degree from ASU in Film studies, focused on documentary work. She continues to explore film, graphic design and writing through her Colombian culture and local communities. With many years of experience in videography, digital marketing, and project management, Luisa is consistently learning how to utilize her talents to become a bridge for others. Prior to CAA and AZCenter, her experiences working with various nonprofit in the arts and youth sectors have expanded her focus toward a commitment to helping future generations.

Holly serves as a Policy Associate at Children’s Action Alliance, where she leads efforts to advance policies that improve affordable healthcare access, strengthen child welfare, and support early childhood education. Her dedication to public service is deeply rooted in her academic and professional experiences, driven by a commitment to tackling critical issues such as economic inequality and social justice. With a strong background in the legal field, she is passionate about advocating for equitable and impactful policies at both the local and national levels. Holly recently graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree of Public Policy and Public Service.

Nathan furthers the Arizona Center for Economic Progress by providing research advocating for a budget and policy that works to advance the well-being of communities across Arizona. Nathan previously interned with the SouthWest Fair Housing Council investigating racial and ethnic mortgage lending disparities in the Phoenix and Tucson Metropolitan areas. He holds a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning from Arizona State University, where he gained experience in data analysis through various research projects. Nathan hopes to further equity across Arizona through advocacy and analysis in his work.

Ashley M. Anderson currently serves as a Senior Human Resource Professional for Creighton University Phoenix Health Sciences Campus. She brings over 8 years of Human Resources experience working in various industries to the board. Her expertise spans across Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Training and Development, and more. She also consults with small and medium businesses on HR needs as they arise. She also sits on the Board of the National Association for African Americans in Human Resources, State of Arizona Chapter. Ashley holds an MBA with emphasis in Management from American Intercontinental University.

Thomas Cody serves as the dedicated Executive Director for the Navajo Division of Social Services since January 2023, leading efforts to enhance the well-being of Navajo Nation communities. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing indigenous populations, Thomas employs strategic leadership to address social welfare issues and empower individuals and families. His commitment to cultural sensitivity and community engagement drives innovative programs aimed at improving lives across the Navajo Nation. Thomas previously served as Director of Casey Family Programs where he worked to support youth, families and improve foster care in Phoenix. With a wealth of experience in social services and a passion for advocacy, Thomas Cody is instrumental in fostering positive change and resilience within the Navajo community.

Joanie Flatt is owner and president of Flatt & Associates, Ltd, public relations and public affairs, a company she founded in 1981 in Mesa. Over the years, the firm has served a wide variety of clients in business, social services, and education. Joanie was named the 2019 Shelley Award Honoree for her innovative work in supporting public policy beneficial to the arts and culture in Arizona.

Joseph Garcia is the Vice President of Public Policy at Chicanos Por La Causa and Executive Director of Sí Se Vota CPL Action Fund. Previously, he was at the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, where he founded the Latino Public Policy Center. Garcia has an extensive career as a newspaper editor, reporter, and columnist and has taught journalism at ASU and the University of Arizona. Recognized for his public service and research, Garcia has received multiple awards, including being named one of Axios’ Five Most Influential Leaders in 2023.

Marisol is the President of the Arizona Education Association (AEA). She previously served as the AEA Vice President and on the AEA Board of Directors, chairing statewide committees, and co-founding the AEA Latino Outreach Cadre. As a veteran middle-school social studies teacher in the Isaac School District, she remains committed to her students and their community. She worked tirelessly to make sure students are safe, engaged in learning, and empowered to find their voice in their community. As the former local president of the Isaac District Education Association, she developed the association’s reputation as a strong voice and advocate for students and teachers throughout the community. Marisol comes from a family of educators; both her parents are accomplished authors and educators who have worked in public education for over 40 years. She is the proud mother of a teenage son. Marisol earned her BA in Political Science from the University of California at San Diego and a teaching credential from San Francisco State University.

Jessica Garard is the esteemed Designated Broker at Best Flagstaff Homes Realty, a premier local real estate brokerage established in 2020. With her leadership and proficiency, Jessica’s practice consistently ranking in the top 5% regionally. As President of the Northern Arizona Association of REALTORS, she advocates for over 600 members, fostering their growth and facilitating vital community connections. A proactive member of REPAC, Jessica champions private property rights, contributing to the removal of burdensome rental taxes. Her expertise garners local media attention and invitations to industry panels. Dedicated to ethical conduct, she serves on the Professional Standards Committee for the Arizona Association of REALTORS. Beyond her professional roles, Jessica’s philanthropy spans organizing community drives and supporting workforce housing initiatives, reflecting her deep commitment to Flagstaff’s well-being and residents.

Jack Gibson’s career in public broadcasting spans over forty years and demonstrates the ideals of using media as a resource to educate, inform, and inspire audiences. Since 2006, Jack has served as the CEO of Arizona Public Media (AZPM), an editorially independent, nonprofit public service of the University of Arizona. AZPM provides three television program services, three radio services, and a variety of online program offerings at azpm.org, to audiences throughout Southern Arizona and beyond.

Nora Hannah is a nonprofit organizational consultant and community leader with experience in building successful teams, creating consistent operating models, and achieving goals. Nora has an extensive background in civic engagement, nonprofit leadership, finance, and organizational alignment. She is active in the greater Phoenix community and received the Athena Award as Businesswoman of the Year from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

David Higuera has years of experience in public policy, education and youth development. He currently serves as chief of staff for Supervisor Matt Heinz on the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and prior to that, co-founded and co-directed the IDEA School in Tucson, a nonprofit K-8 independent school focused on social-emotional development, learning through inquiry, and being accessible to all families regardless of income. David is committed to the notion that policies that address the needs of children and families lead to better outcomes for every member of our community, and that effective public policy must focus on equity.

Mark Kendall is Vice President, Legal Services, and oversees CopperPoint’s Legal Services Division. He has been with CopperPoint for over 20 years and is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and a certified specialist in workers’ compensation. Mark is past co-chair of the workers compensation section of the State Bar of Arizona and of the Arizona Workers Compensation Defense Counsel Association.

As the first Associate Superintendent of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Arizona Department of Education, Ms. Erica Maxwell has more than 25 years as a certified educator. In her education tenure, Maxwell has served as an administrator, adjunct faculty member at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and as a faculty associate at Arizona State University. Maxwell is also the co-founder of the annual Arizona Multicultural Education Conference and founder of Club READ (Reading Experiences Appreciating Diversity), which is a summer literacy initiative in Chandler. In addition to her educational equity consulting work, she hosted public forums for the Arizona State University’s Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, as well as for the Arizona Department of Education; Healing Racism Series, Mesa Community College Educators Academy, Scottsdale’s Cross-Cultural Communication Series and the Seventh Annual Future Educator’s Conference. In her free time, Erica enjoys going to the movies, reading, traveling, hiking, and exploring the amazing beauty unique to Arizona. She cherishes time with her children, friends, and relatives. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she resides in Chandler with her two teenage children.

Ayensa I. Millan has years of experience handling criminal and immigration matters and is the founder of CIMA Law Group, PC. Her commitment and dedication stem from her own personal experiences; knowing firsthand the struggles and needs of the immigrant community. Ayensa volunteers with various community organizations and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers. She also hosts two radio shows giving legal advice and information on criminal and immigration matters.

Thom Reilly is a professor in the School of Public Affairs and co-director for the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University. He is the former chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education, chief executive officer/county manager for Clark County, Nevada (the Las Vegas Valley), and head of the child-welfare system for Nevada. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Julie Spilsbury, serving as Councilmember for District 2 since January 2021, brings a wealth of community engagement and entrepreneurial experience to the Mesa City Council. A proud product of Mesa Public Schools, she has dedicated over two decades to local education, earning accolades for her volunteerism. Raised by educators, Julie’s passion for supporting educational leaders is deeply rooted. With strong ties to District 2, where they’ve raised their six children, Julie’s commitment to her community is unwavering. Her tenure on the Council, elected in August 2020, underscores her dedication to serving the needs of Mesa residents until January 2025. With a love for music and family time, Julie’s dedication to Mesa’s well-being is matched only by her enthusiasm for enriching the lives of those around her. She pursued her education at Brigham Young University, furthering her commitment to lifelong learning and community service.

Wendy Valenzuela works for Arizona Public Service as the Government Affairs Representative for State & Local Affairs. Prior to her role at APS, Wendy served as Chief of Staff for a council office at the City of Phoenix for two years. She serves on the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Executive Leadership committee, the Maricopa Community College Foundation Board, and the Phoenix Theatre Board.