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The TYP Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of new board members and ambassadors as part of our ongoing commitment to growth, sustainability, and service in the Greater Tucson community.
Under the continued leadership of Board President Emilia Eldridge, Human Resources and Organizational Development Manager at The University of Arizona, our board will continue to support our work as the voice of young professionals in our area, helping our members thrive personally and professionally.
Emilia has been a mainstay on our leadership team and has provided sound leadership over the past year as we transitioned from one Executive Director to the other.
We’re honored these board members will join Emilia on the Executive Committee:
- Moises Gomez (Vice President), Business Outreach and Resource Manager at Local First Arizona
- Jean Montano (Secretary), Senior Manager, Inside Sales & Customer Experience at Republic Services
- Anthony Clarke (Treasurer), Principal Financial Analyst (Development) at Raytheon
- Danielle Raines (Member at Large), Associate Director of Development, College of Engineering at the University of Arizona
- Mike Plunkett (Member at Large), Founder and Creative Principal at Good Boy Bentley Creative
TYP thanks Devon Underwood for her final year of committed service to TYP as Immediate Past Board President as well as Josh Bedyk for his two years of committed service as our Treasurer.
“We are at an exciting juncture in our organization’s journey,” Eldridge said. “The outgoing Executive team played a critical role in supporting Jessica Sueskind during her transition into the Executive Director position over the last year. Their continued support and leadership allowed for sustained growth in our membership and increased member engagement through our committees and programming. We are excited for what is to come and know that TYP will continue to thrive for years to come.”
TYP also welcomed five new board members this month:
- Caroline Lewis, Community Engagement Manager at the Pima County Health Department
- Logan Kiefer, People Analyst at Mister Car Wash
- Tina Toro Evans Co-Owner & CEO of Malama ia Floral Design
- Desirai Svetcov, Senior Manager at Blackhawk Network Inc.
- Carlson Factory, Assistant Director, Information Technology at the University of Arizona
These accomplished leaders bring a wealth of experience and expertise and their diverse perspectives will be invaluable as we adapt and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
In addition to our new board members, we are thrilled to introduce our FY25 Ambassadors. They will champion our commitment to creating a platform for authentic connections for our members and help us expand our reach and impact.
The Ambassador Team will be led by Jill Sommers, Marketing Communications Coordinator at Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona. She has been a rockstar ambassador over the last year and will bring a new energy to the team in her new role as Ambassador Captain.
Joining Jill for his second term as an Ambassador is Arthur Jordan.
And joining the team for their first term are:
- Jake Blumenthal, Wealth Management Advisor & Portfolio Analyst at Meridian Wealth Management
- Joe Nearhouse, IT Project Manager at the City of Tucson
- Gus Zepeda, Membership Relations at Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Wesley Schaeppi, Director of Operations at Fortress MSP
- Tyler Thorp, Program and Community Manager at Startup Tucson
- Emilliya Dale, Clinical Network Recruiter at American Speciality Health
- Sarah Fries, Operations Support Supervisor at Southwest Gas
TYP is deeply grateful to two off-boarding Board members for their service and contributions over the last three years: Melissa Sarmiento Ayala (University of Arizona, College of Engineering), and Melissa San Angelo (Gust Rosenfeld, PLC). And our two off-boarding Ambassadors, Holly Barnett (Grand Canyon University) and Debbie Mueller (C Suite Wellness), for their great work over the last year.
TYP Announces Organizational Change, Thanks Helena Riggins for Her Service
In response to the evolving needs of our organization and to ensure our long-term sustainability, we have made the difficult decision to eliminate the Member Experience Director position.
As we restructure, we remain committed to serving our members effectively and efficiently, ensuring that every resource is maximized for their benefit.
In her role as Member Experience Director, Helena Riggins has played a huge role in the growth of TYP over the last two years and we are so sad to see her go.
“Helena’s dedication and leadership have been invaluable to our organization,” said Jessica Sueskind, Executive Director. “Her incredible work has set a strong foundation for us to build upon. I am grateful for her support during my transition and am optimistic about our future. Together, with our new board members, ambassadors, and the entire community, we will continue to grow and make a significant impact.”
As we move forward, TYP remains dedicated to our mission to build community connections, foster personal and professional growth, and advocate for new ideas, perspectives, and policies that shape the future of our region. We look forward to the contributions of our new leadership and the continued support of our community, partners, and members.
For more information about our new board members, ambassadors, and ongoing initiatives, please visit the website at: TucsonYoungProfessionals.com.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Emilia Eldridge
President, Tucson Young Professionals
contactus@tucsonyoungprofessionals.com
