Leadership & Staff

Sybil Francis, Ph.D.
Chair, President & CEO, Center for the Future of Arizona

Amanda Burke, Ed.D.
Executive Vice President

Ellen R. Babby, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow

Melanie Baca
Project Manager

Aaron Ball, Ed.D.
Director, College & Career Pathways Liaison, Southern Arizona

Erika Barajas
Program Coordinator, Sr., Operations

Pat Beaty
Senior Fellow

Jessi Black
Manager, Business Operations

Peter Boyle
Senior Director of Education

Sharon Brady, Ph.D.
Grant Proposal Writer

Deja Broughton
Coordinator, Operations

Evelyn Casuga
Director, Community & Economic Prosperity

Ian Dowdy, AICP, MBA
Director, Strategic Data Initiatives

Cindy Erwin
Director, College & Career Pathways

Esmeralda Franco
Senior Aide to the President & CEO

Steve Goldstein
Senior Fellow

Jennifer Hernandez
Project Manager, College & Career Pathways–Northern Arizona

Jaclyn Hoerner
Director, Development

Holly Kurtz
Director, Workforce Development

Robert Luster
Director, Information Technology

Erin McGehean
Project Manager, College & Career Pathways, Western Maricopa County

Megan McWenie
Director, Operations

Tennille Penaloza-Hagen
Project Manager, Workforce Development

Larry E. Penley, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow

Lin Phillips
Executive Assistant

Moises Pimentel
Project Manager, College & Career Pathways–Southwest Arizona

Chloe Ranshaw
Manager, Marketing & Communications

Joseph Sprietsma
Project Manager, College & Career Pathways–Southeast Arizona

Kristi Tate
Director, Civic Health Initiatives

KaRa Lyn Thompson
Senior Program Coordinator – Civic Health

Heather Thornton
Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications

Maya Watts
Project Manager Career Exploration

Yardley Zamorano
Digital Communications Specialist
Board & Advisors
CFA benefits from the expertise of its Board and Advisors in an effort to create a stronger and brighter future for our state.