54 New Leaders Join Impact Maker Teams to Drive Action Across Arizona

April 25, 2026
News and Announcements

We’re excited to welcome 54 new team members into the Impact Maker community, bringing together Valley Leadership alumni, community partners, and leaders committed to taking action on Arizona’s most pressing issues.

Impact Maker is where leadership turns into action. Through this work, leaders come together in collaborative teams to move priority issues forward, advancing real solutions across areas like education, civic engagement, health, workforce development, and more.

This year’s new members represent a growing network of Arizonans ready to roll up their sleeves and contribute their time and expertise. From expanding early literacy efforts to strengthening workforce pathways and advancing stigma-free, recovery-ready workplaces, these leaders are stepping into work that creates tangible impact across our state.

Meet Our Newest Team Members

We’re proud to introduce the newest leaders stepping into this work:

NameTeamTo Do Item
EJ HughesChild Well-BeingFamily Resource Centers
Tennille Penaloza-HagenChild Well-BeingFamily Resource Centers
Hailey ShusterChild Well-BeingFamily Resource Centers
Jennifer TweedyChild Well-BeingFamily Resource Centers
Jennifer FarrarChild Well-BeingJust Ask Mia Chatbot
Kristie JacksonChild Well-BeingJust Ask Mia Chatbot
Marissa JimenezChild Well-BeingJust Ask Mia Chatbot
Sarah MertzChild Well-BeingJust Ask Mia Chatbot
Mo OsifeChild Well-BeingJust Ask Mia Chatbot
Dave BarnesCivic EngagementCivic Discourse
Benjamin RoatCivic EngagementCivic Discourse
Silvia SolisCivic EngagementCivic Discourse
Maddison HughesCivic EngagementPublic Policy Engagement
Morgan JonesCivic EngagementPublic Policy Engagement
Guadalupe Reynoso JimenezCivic EngagementPublic Policy Engagement
Rebeca RodriguezCivic EngagementPublic Policy Engagement
Quin WorksCivic EngagementPublic Policy Engagement
Robert BaransakaCivic EngagementPublic Policy Engagement & Civic Discourse
Austin BatesCivic EngagementPublic Policy Engagement & Civic Discourse
Bridget FitzgibbonsEducationEarly Literacy
Myrlin HepworthEducationEarly Literacy
Kenady JobeEducationEarly Literacy
Anuj MathurEducationEarly Literacy
Dr. Stephen Neal Jr.EducationEarly Literacy
Jack PothastEducationEarly Literacy
Charles CatalanoEducationPostsecondary Access
Lisa GialanellaEducationPostsecondary Access
Michelle Gross-PanicoEducationPostsecondary Access
Alyssa CrijnsEnvironmentalTree Equity Score
Mario MedranoEnvironmentalTree Equity Score
Kyra ArtiseFood & NutritionFood & Nutrition
Isabel HoggattFood & NutritionFood & Nutrition
Cindy QuinteroFood & NutritionFood & Nutrition
Maria ValenzuelaFood & NutritionFood & Nutrition
David WeideFood & NutritionFood & Nutrition
Kent FordeHealthHousing & Healthy Neighborhoods
Hunter FranklinHealthHousing & Healthy Neighborhoods
Paulina Martin ClellandHealthHousing & Healthy Neighborhoods
Samika MendozaHealthHousing & Healthy Neighborhoods
Marlana MurdockHealthHousing & Healthy Neighborhoods
Riley HubbardHealthOpioid Stigma Reduction
George nolanHealthOpioid Stigma Reduction
David PerezHealthOpioid Stigma Reduction
Isabel CampanaJobs & EconomyWorkforce Development
Martha CarterJobs & EconomyWorkforce Development
Sean McMahonJobs & EconomyWorkforce Development
Anaid MorenoJobs & EconomyWorkforce Development
Christopher ThompsonJobs & EconomyWorkforce Development
La Monique WadeJobs & EconomyWorkforce Development
Charla CarranoRacial JusticeRacial Justice
Krashanda ClevelandRacial JusticeRacial Justice
Kate MayeskiRacial JusticeRacial Justice
Niki TapiaRacial JusticeRacial Justice
Corbin WrightRacial JusticeRacial Justice