Meet Our Team

Get to know us! We are proud of the leadership our Board of Directors provides to ensure that we are a preeminent community service agency in Phoenix that promotes women’s economic empowerment and the elimination of racism across Maricopa County. Our team is dedicated to creating a community that is equitable and inclusive for all.

Board of Directors

Leanna Taylor

Co- Chair
Chief Executive Officer
The Arizona Pet Project

Giselle Leyva Corella

Co- Chair
VP/Commercial Portfolio Manager
Bell Bank

Roxanne Wingate

Treasurer
Senior Community Relations Specialist
Cox Communications

Bianca Vargas

Secretary
Staff Accountant
St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance

Dr. Tara Nkrumah

Scientist/STEM Educator, Assistant Professor
Arizona State University

Victoria B. Franks

Vice President, Multicultural Affairs and Community Outreach
Midwestern University

Tijuani Phelps-Jackson

Ph.D Candidate & Impact AZ Fellow
Arizona State University CSRD

Kelly Chung Mukherjee

Director, Technical Program Management, Broadband & Digital Inclusion
Arizona State University

JOIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

YWCA Team

Debbie Esparza, CEO

Debbie’s commitment to YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women began more than 20 years ago as a donor, volunteer, and national YWCA board member. She is thrilled to come full circle as CEO.

Debbie brings a diverse leadership perspective to this role with experiences in banking, consulting, entrepreneurship, academia, and 20 years in non-profit executive leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Finance and MBA emphasizing Entrepreneurship and Venture Management from the University of Southern California.

Her personal philanthropy supports LGBTQ+ issues, female empowerment, and leadership endeavors. She is active in Latina Giving Circle and is on the board of North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association.

Imelda Aguilera

Advancement Coordinator

602.258.0990, ext. 207

Olivia Bartholomaei

Program Coordinator

602.258.0990, ext. 204

Stephanie Spearman

Office Coordinator

602.258.0990, ext. 100

Alexis Hermosillo

Impact & Evaluation Manager

623.931.7436, ext. 103

Katy Engels

Human Resources Manager

602.258.0990, ext. 212

Shomari Jackson

Project Director – Systems Change Initiative

623.931.7436, ext. 203

Yvonne Sanchez

Program Manager – Meals on Wheels

623.931.7436, ext 214

Lona
Lee

Executive Liaison

602.258.0990, ext. 213

Beatrice Lopez-Parra

Senior Center Program Assistant

623.931.7436, ext. 102

Genevieve Villegas

Advancement Director

602.258.0990,ext. 208

Kathy Saunders

Senior Center Director

623.931.7436, ext. 104

Angela Salazar

Equity Programs Director

602.258.0990, ext. 105

Georgia Simmering

Administrative Coordinator

602.258.0990, ext. 220

Arnold Davis

Food Service Manager

602.258.0990, ext. 206

Hanna Flores

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

602.258.0990, ext. 108

Natalie Washington

Equity Coordinator

602.258.0990, ext. 202

Vianey De Anda

Marketing & Communications Director

602.258.0990, ext. 107

SENIOR PROGRAMS TEAM

Home-Delivered Meals Drivers

Victoria Draper

Bonnie Kovnesky

Cypress Esparza

Edwin Jimenez

Martina Lopez

Judy Pikop

Ralph Pikop

Peter Schuler

Robert de la Vara

Robert Bitah (Volunteer)

Dan Boyle (Volunteer)

Mary Katz (Volunteer)

John Knoll (Volunteer)

Starlean Marsh (Volunteer)

Food Service Assistants

Ginger Cabrera

Johnny Garza

Fadwa Hamdan

Branden Mason

Primrose Moone

Kay Seibel

Doris Thomas

JOIN OUR TEAM

There are many ways to get involved with YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix

Your voice matters as we stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen communities. Whether you have time, talents, or treasures to contribute, learn how you can plug in to the YWCA community.

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