Meet our 2026-2027 Board of Directors
Senior Associate, Policy and Government Affairs, Molera Alvarez
As a fifth generation Arizonan, Rex is driven by a passion for Arizona. From the deserts and farmlands, Red Rocks to White Mountains, Bisbee to Bullhead. Not only Arizona’s rich natural heritage, but the tenacious culture we inherited and strive to keep alive. Arizonans come from unique, tough, resilient stock and Rex’s hope is that through his work in Policy and Governance, we can maintain and propagate a future just bright as the one that brought him up.
Senior Manager, Client Advisory & Accounting Services, REDW Advisors & CPAs
Dedicated to empowering Native American communities through expert financial leadership, Marcus brings over a decade of specialized experience in public accounting and advisory services for tribal governments, enterprises, and healthcare organizations. As Senior Manager of Client Advisory Services at REDW Advisors & CPAs, Marcus leads a team delivering tailored accounting solutions, outsourced CFO/Controller services, audit preparation, and compliance training—enabling clients to thrive within complex regulatory environments.
Beyond his core professional role, he serves as Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Valley Young Professionals, where he spearhead programs for leadership development, business networking, and professional advancement.
His commitment also extends to governance and strategy as a member of the Board of Managers for Quivera Enterprises, LLC, a tribally-owned holding company focused on advancing economic opportunities and sustainability for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.
Sr. Manager, Client + Team Enablement, Ideas Collide
Jazmine is an operations and administrative leader who excels at turning ideas into organized, actionable outcomes. She is committed to community impact and collaboration, and brings clarity, structure, and creativity to every role she serves.
Jazmine is the Senior Manager of Client + Team Enablement at Ideas Collide, where she partners with executive leadership to streamline operations, strengthen communication, and support organizational alignment. Her career has included roles in executive enablement, philanthropy, and nonprofit program management, including work with evolvedMD and Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona.
Jazmine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications + Nonprofit Studies from Arizona State University and is currently a Mentor for Young & Empowered (Y&E). She is the previous Chair of the Million Dollar Teacher Project Adult Field Trip (2024), supporting a fundraiser that generated $75,000. She has also been awarded Visionary of the Year (2023), contributing to a team effort that raised $540,000 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Jazmine excels at professional development in strategic thinking, project management, leadership, and communication.
Fun Fact: She lived in the Bronx for two years after college, serving low‑income seniors while living within the same means as the community she supported, earning just $280 a month. During that time, she mastered budget travel and attended live tapings of more than five major TV shows, including Saturday Night Live!
Vice President Local Government Relations, Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs
A proud North Dakota native and graduate of North Dakota State University (Go Bison!), Rachelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and History.
Giles served as a Staff Assistant and Research Analyst in the office of North Dakota Governor John Hoeven. In 2009, Hoeven appointed her to the State Board of Higher Education where she served until 2010 when she joined the Governor Hoeven’s 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate as the Assistant Director of New Media and Research. Following a successful campaign, she continued in the Senator’s regional office as Special Projects Coordinator.
In 2012, Rachelle worked with the Romney for President Campaign advance team to plan events and coordinate local and national media during their national bus tour. From there, she finished out the election cycle as Campaign Manager for a competitive race in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District.
Immediately prior to joining Goodman Schwartz in 2013, Rachelle served as the Research Analyst for Phoenix Councilwoman Thelda Williams, coordinating district events and assisting constituents with neighborhood issues and city services.
A life-long animal lover, Rachelle and her husband have three extremely spoiled and extra large rescue pups (Jules, Vivi, and Jon). They split their time renovating their 1920s dream home in historic Downtown Phoenix and overlanding in the Southwest. An avid traveler, she (finally) completed her goal of visiting all 50 states in 2023 – on to countries!
Executive Director, Compass Canyon Builders
Brian Hennesy is a construction and development executive with more than 19 years of experience across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. His background includes work as a subcontractor, general contractor, designer, agency CM, owner’s rep, and developer, giving him a practical understanding of projects from early planning and underwriting through construction, closeout, warranty, and long-term operations.
He currently serves as Executive Director of Compass Canyon Builders, where he focuses on project strategy, financial oversight, team development, risk management, and the implementation of effective project controls.
Brian holds a Certified Construction Manager designation, a USACE Construction Quality Management certification, and an Arizona KB-1 General Contractor license.
Brian has a habit of choosing hobbies where gravity, horsepower, or rushing water can become an active participant. His favorite hobby is to travel abroad and help improve communities that need it most, in a way that provides true, lasting support.
Director of Development and Community Support, The Be Kind People Project
Ethan Hoover is a Phoenix-based community builder who turns big ideas into real impact. By day, he works at The Be Kind People Project; by night, he’s probably building partnerships, enjoying the arts and sports, or finding his next great idea.
A Pennsylvania native at heart, Ethan blends grit, humor, and a knack for relationships—balancing purpose-driven work, big-picture thinking, and dad life (with two kids soon in the mix).
Enterprise Strategy Consultant, American Express
Mario Medrano is an Enterprise Strategy Consultant at American Express, where he shapes acquisition strategies and strengthens relationships with the company’s largest enterprise clients. A proud graduate of Valley Leadership and an active community leader, he serves on several nonprofit boards, leadership groups, and civic commissions spanning Latino professional empowerment, arts and culture, conservation, and community engagement. He is passionate about connecting people and organizations to help strengthen the fabric of the Greater Phoenix community.
An Arizona native and first-generation college graduate, Mario earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. Outside of work, you’ll often find him exploring new cities, visiting cultural institutions, hiking Arizona trails, or enjoying locally owned restaurants across The Valley. Fun fact: he shares that during a recent trip to Tokyo, he was bitten by a meerkat and ended up needing an emergency tetanus shot; an experience that has permanently earned a spot in his “Two Truths and a Lie” lineup.
Dean, Ingram Honors College, Grand Canyon University
Dr. Breanna Naegeli is a dynamic leader, educator, and performance psychologist with over 17 years of experience developing high-impact programs and people. She serves as Dean of the Ingram Honors College at Grand Canyon University, where she scaled the college from 59 inaugural students to more than 3,400 in less than 12 years, establishing it as a nationally recognized, innovation-driven academic ecosystem. She holds a PhD in Performance Psychology, along with Master’s degrees in Organizational Leadership and Sport & Exercise Psychology, and is deeply committed to mentorship and leadership development.
Dr. Naegeli is also the Founder and Owner of Peak Performance Consulting, LLC, providing mental performance coaching to elite athletes, executives, and high performers. Her work has earned recognition including Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40, AZ Big Media Most Influential Women in Arizona, and Young ATHENA Finalist by the Greater Phoenix Chamber.
Dr. Naegeli is married to her husband, Preston, and has 3 children – Mila, Liam and Maddox.
Senior Regulatory Policy Strategy Analyst, Salt River Project
Kaitlyn Neff is a Senior Regulatory Policy Strategy Analyst at Salt River Project (SRP), where she helps shape the organization’s engagement with the Arizona Corporation Commission and provides strategic guidance on energy policy and regulatory affairs, including major transmission and generation initiatives. Before joining SRP, she served in several leadership roles with the Arizona State Senate, including Interim Director of Research and Deputy Director of Research. Kaitlyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Humanities from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri. She also serves as a public member of the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments.
Fun fact: Kaitlyn’s favorite holiday is Halloween, and each year she recruits her husband, Matthew, and their rescue dog, Pringle, into an increasingly elaborate family costume theme to welcome nearly 1000 trick-or-treaters to their neighborhood.
Community Relations Coordinator, City of Phoenix - Office of the Mayor
Michael Pissos is the Community Relations Coordinator in the Office of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. A graduate of Kent State University, Michael received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He originally got his start working in law enforcement back home near Cleveland, Ohio, where he was born and raised.
Michael joined the United States Army Reserve in January of 2021. Not long after finishing training, he relocated to Phoenix where he eventually continued his law enforcement career. Michael furthered his education at George Washington University with a master’s degree in political management. During this same time period, he transitioned careers and began working for a political based out of Washington, D.C. After spending time working on a local congressional campaign, he was hired as Campaign Coordinator for the Mayor Kate Gallego’s re-election campaign. Following her re-election in 2024, he began working for Mayor Gallego in City Hall where he currently serves today.
Outside of work, Michael loves to travel, play and watch his favorite sports, and he considers himself a foodie. One fun fact about Michael is that he has seen Elton John—his favorite artist—four times in concert!
Policy Analyst, EPCOR
Jesus Rendon is a proud first-generation Arizona native who currently serves as a Policy Analyst at EPCOR. In this role, he supports EPCOR’s government affairs, stakeholder engagement, and community relations efforts across Arizona, helping advance the company’s mission of providing safe, reliable water services to the communities it serves. Jesus brings a well-rounded perspective to his work, drawing on experience from both the public and private sectors.
Prior to joining EPCOR, Jesus worked in Washington, D.C., where he held roles with former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, The White House, and Walmart’s Government Affairs team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Philosophy from Arizona State University. A fun fact about Jesus: while he may need a quick refresher on a few of them, he can still name most if not all 50 states and their capitals if asked. He’s also a self-proclaimed tacos, wings and hot dog aficionado, always on the lookout for the next great spot to try.
Marketing Manager, Clear Channel Outdoor
As the Marketing Manager for Clear Channel Outdoor, Kelsie lead strategic marketing initiatives across the Phoenix and Tucson markets, partnering with local businesses and our sales teams to create data-driven out-of-home advertising campaigns that help brands connect with their audiences and drive measurable results. Kelsie’s role allows her to combine creativity with consumer insights, market research, and innovative advertising solutions to help businesses of all sizes grow their presence throughout Arizona.
She is passionate about supporting the Valley’s business community and creating meaningful connections between people and organizations. She has been an active member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Valley Young Professionals for over a year and currently serves on the VYP Board, where she helps plan networking events, build relationships with community partners, and create opportunities for young professionals to connect, grow, and develop as future leaders.
Kelsie earned both her Master of Business Administration and bachelor’s degree in communications from Grand Canyon University. She is honored to have been recognized as a Grand Canyon University 30 Under 30 recipient and to have received a Spotlight Award for Excellence at Clear Channel Outdoor in recognition of her contributions and commitment to marketing excellence. Whether she is collaborating with clients, supporting local businesses, or volunteering through VYP, Kelsie is driven by a passion for building relationships, strengthening our community, and making a positive impact throughout the Valley.
Fun Fact: Kelsie been featured on a billboard in Times Square, an unforgettable, full-circle moment made possible by the incredible company she works for, Clear Channel Outdoor!
Professional Speaker, Witavation
Sasha Simmons is a leadership keynote speaker, author of The Unbuilt, and founder of Witavation™, a professional development and training company dedicated to helping leaders build without a blueprint and turn discomfort into power.
With more than 13 years of experience across communications, leadership development, and organizational strategy, Sasha has built and led high-impact programs that connect people, purpose, and performance.
Known as The Witavator™, Sasha brings a sharp, human-centered approach to modern leadership. Her work focuses on what it takes to lead in moments of uncertainty, transition, and growth, when clarity is limited and the pressure to perform is high. Rather than offering surface-level motivation, she combines wit, lived experience, and strategic insight to help leaders build confidence, communicate with authority, and create momentum in real time.
Through keynotes, workshops, and facilitation, Sasha teaches leaders how to navigate complexity, make decisions under pressure by using her Power Mapping Process.
Her core philosophy centers on building without a blueprint, equipping individuals and organizations to lead, adapt, and grow in environments where the path forward is not clearly defined.
Sasha holds a Master of Public Health from the University of North Florida. Her insights have been featured by Chase Bank for Business, Blavity, and iHeart Radio’s Go Courageously.
Director of Community Engagement, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
Lauren Smith, MPH, CFRE, is the Director of Community Engagement at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), where she brings extensive experience in fundraising, relationship-building, and developing impactful corporate and foundation partnerships. Throughout her career, Lauren has worked closely with local, regional, and national companies to create meaningful partnerships that drive community engagement, volunteerism, sponsorships, and long-term philanthropic investment. She has successfully secured nearly $20 million in corporate and foundation funding. Lauren obtained her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation in 2020 and leads a team focused on strengthening corporate partnerships, expanding community engagement initiatives, and formalizing innovative volunteer programs in support of SARRC’s mission to advance research and provide a lifetime of support for individuals with autism and their families.
Lauren served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)- Greater Arizona Chapter from 2021–2025, including serving as Chapter President in 2024. She previously co-chaired the AFP–Greater Arizona Chapter Professional Mentoring Program and continues to serve as a mentor for both the mentoring program and Young & Empowered Women. Lauren is currently the Chair of the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Valley Young Professionals Board of Directors. In recognition of her leadership and service to the community, Lauren received the University of Missouri Griffiths Leadership Society for Women Emerging Leader Award in 2025 and the 2026 Mizzou Recent Alumni Honoree Award.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri–Columbia and a Master of Public Health from the University of Arizona. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, two children, and chocolate lab.
Area Sales Manager, Pacific Hospitality Group
Natalie Vittitow is the Sales Manager with Pacific Hospitality Group. She represents Hyatt Place Phoenix/Downtown and AC Hotel Phoenix Tempe/Downtown.
Natalie works with organizations looking for hotel accommodations, meeting space, and private dining, helping connect them with the property that best fits their needs. Throughout her career, She’s had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of groups, including corporate meetings, entertainment, large conventions, weddings, and social events, and she truly enjoys building relationships and showcasing everything Arizona has to offer.
She is originally from Washington State but moved to Arizona to attend Grand Canyon University. She quickly realized she much preferred sunshine over rain, and decided to stay and has proudly called the Valley home ever since.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find Natalie at a spin class, hiking when the weather cooperates, or checking out a new local restaurant with friends.
A fun fact about Natalie is that she shares her birthday with her daughter. Since it’s a birthday for both of them, she feels completely justified in planning an over-the-top celebration every year. “If you know me, you know I’m a little extra anyway!”
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If your employer is not a Chamber member, you can become a member of the VYP program for $150 per year. Complete the membership application and send to Carly Kastner at ckastner@phoenixchamber.com or fax to 602.321.4946.
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