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.