Now in its 12th year, the VYP Board of Directors helps identify content, speakers, venues, and community partnerships for VYP and promotes among their networks. Get to know our new board members and why they are excited to be involved with VYP.
Veronica Aguilar, Teach for America: 
- What’s your favorite thing to do in Phoenix and why? My favorite thing to do in Phoenix is go to spring training games and any events/festivals in the springtime!
- What is your favorite local restaurant? Cien Agaves, Gadzooks and The Henry
- What is your hometown? Scottsdale, AZ
- What is one of your current favorite shows or movies? Chicago Med, rewatching 24, Topgun: Maverick, any Marvel/Avengers movie!
- If you had a month of free time to learn a new hobby, what would it be? Get back into rock climbing
- What’s your favorite movie theatre candy or snack? Cookie dough bites and popcorn
- If you were handed a plane ticket to fly anywhere in the world, where would you go? Italy
- What was your dream profession growing up? Being a teacher!
- Who in your life has inspired you most? My mother and father has inspired me the most! They inspire me to keep going, not give up and follow my passions.
- What inspires you to be involved with groups like VYP, outside of your normal work responsibilities? I am eager to contribute to the overall mission of Valley Young Professionals to drive positive change in my home state. I am excited to join the board, strengthen my leadership skills and lead as a young, female changemaker and entrepreneur. I care deeply about my hometown and want to dedicate my time to inspire and bring together diverse leaders across the valley to become changemaker and trailblazers on societal issues.
Danny De Hoog, Maricopa County:
- What’s your favorite thing to do in Phoenix and why? I love to try new restaurants!
- What is your favorite local restaurant? The Rokerij
- What is your hometown? Hesperia, CA
- What is one of your current favorite shows or movies? My favorite movie/show of all time is the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice. My go-to show is the Challenge.
- If you had a month of free time to learn a new hobby, what would it be? Gardening
- What’s your favorite movie theatre candy or snack? Popcorn
- If you were handed a plane ticket to fly anywhere in the world, where would you go? Any city in Italy that has a beautiful winery and homemade pasta!
- What was your dream profession growing up? A chef
- Who in your life has inspired you most? My Dad! He is the epitome of patience and kindness and I am always striving to be more like him.
- What inspires you to be involved with groups like VYP, outside of your normal work responsibilities? The COVID pandemic changed the workplace for many young professionals. I joined VYP because believe that young professionals (including myself) need networking opportunities more than ever as we return to our versions of the new normal.
Brittany Dugan, Intel:
- What’s your favorite thing to do in Phoenix and why? I love to hike around the valley. There are trails for everyone from beginners to experts and they provide these incredible views of the entire valley!
- What is your favorite local restaurant? Pokitrition! Best sushi burritos ever, I think I eat there almost once a week 🙂
- What is your hometown? Mankato, MN
- What is one of your current favorite shows or movies? It’s not a recent show but I am obsessed with The Office. I watch an episode almost every day, have read books about the show and listen to podcasts about the show. It’s a true master piece and I love it haha
- If you had a month of free time to learn a new hobby, what would it be? I would love to learn a new language!
- What’s your favorite movie theatre candy or snack? At the movie theater i have to have popcorn (who can resist that smell?!) but for candy my favorites are Hot Tamales Nerd Gummy Clusters.
- If you were handed a plane ticket to fly anywhere in the world, where would you go? This is tough as there are so many amazing places I would love to visit! Right now I’d have to go with Egypt or Bali.
- What was your dream profession growing up? I wanted to work at Crayola and make/name the crayons and markers.
- Who in your life has inspired you most? While Covid shut down the world these last couple of years, I have actually found it to be inspiring. It reminded me that life is short and nothing is guaranteed in life therefore you should strive to do what makes you happy in every aspect of your life. Go on that trip, text your mom that you love her, grab dinner with that friend you haven’t seen for months, leave your job if you’re not happy, ask for that raise!
- What inspires you to be involved with groups like VYP, outside of your normal work responsibilities? I love meeting new people, building new connections and exploring Arizona. YPC does all of those things and more!
Murphy Raine, TGEN
- What is your favorite local restaurant? The Parlor or Clever Koi
- What is your hometown? Phoenix! I’m 5th generation Arizonian.
- What is one of your current favorite books? Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari. It’s an investigative journalistic look at the history of the war on drugs.
- If you had a month of free time to learn a new hobby, what would it be? Rather than learn a new hobby, I would want to spend a month honing my woodworking skills. I currently build furniture, but I would love to be able to remodel a whole house by myself one day.
- What inspires you to be involved with groups like VYP, outside of your normal work responsibilities? The ability to connect with like-minded people across industries, ranks, and professions. But mostly, I enjoy connecting people who together can make great ideas come to fruition.
Marina Sandoval, Valleywise Health Foundation:
- What’s your favorite thing to do in Phoenix and why? My favorite thing to do in Phoenix is exploring new restaurants and bars with family and friends. There’s so many new places to try and I’ve barely scratched the surface!
- What is your favorite local restaurant? This is a tough question, but I will say that I’m currently craving mariscos from Playa Hermosa on 16th and Garfield.
- What is your hometown? Rockford, IL
- What is one of your current favorite shows or movies? I know I’m late to the party, but I just finished the Dynasty series on Netflix.
- If you had a month of free time to learn a new hobby, what would it be? If I had a month of free time, I would work on my salsa and bachata skills. I love watching the pros on the dance floor who make it seem so effortless.
- What’s your favorite movie theatre candy or snack? Popcorn
- If you were handed a plane ticket to fly anywhere in the world, where would you go? It’s next on my bucket list!
- What was your dream profession growing up? My dream profession growing up was to become an Obstetrician.
- Who in your life has inspired you most? My mom. She was a single mom of three children, juggled a career, and made it to most of our sporting/school events.
- What inspires you to be involved with groups like VYP, outside of your normal work responsibilities? I truly enjoy being around like-minded individuals who not only seek to grow both personally and professionally, but lift others to help them succeed as well.
You must be logged in to post a comment.