Meet Our Team

Alessandra Navidad joined the Arizona Animal Welfare League as President & CEO in March 2021. Under her leadership, AAWL has embraced innovative approaches to community engagement at the state’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter, including training pet health “promotoras” to increase pet care knowledge in Phoenix’s Latinx communities. Navidad’s background in social justice advocacy has influenced AAWL strategies focused on more empathetic, inclusive, and collaborative efforts to expand behavior and adoption programs to keep pet families together and provide more affordable, accessible vet care for pet owners.

Navidad shares a home in South Phoenix with her husband, Alex, their four kids (ages 16-19) and a pitty rescue named Charli, and Olie, their cattle dog rescue. Alessandra graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. She was born and raised in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Brazil and Argentina and speaks fluent Spanish and Portuguese.

Claudia Vazquez is the Vice President of Administration at the Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL), where she leads initiatives focused on strengthening organizational culture, staff engagement, and operational effectiveness. With over 20 years of experience in community centered nonprofit leadership, Claudia brings a people first approach that connects strong internal teams with meaningful community impact. She is passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces and building systems that empower staff to better serve animals, families, and the communities AAWL supports.

Katie joined the AAWL team in July 2024 after spending eight years in human service organizations and two years in sales. Her background in innovative organizations, curiosity in people, along with her lifetime love of animals lends itself perfectly to philanthropy at AAWL.

Growing up, Katie had the absolute joy of having dogs, a horse, a turtle, and many fish (and one day hopes to have goats and chickens). Katie enjoys hosting dogs in her office as well as visiting them around our campus. When she is not at work, she’s enjoying her home in North Phoenix, which she shares with her husband, Garrett, her son, Jack (3 years old), her rescue dog, Chula (a pittie/shepherd mix), and rescue black cat, Spaghetti.

Julie joined the AAWL team in November 2025. She comes from Seattle Humane where she has spent the last decade in various leadership roles. Most recently, overseeing their Pet Resource Center where she managed intake, shelter diversion, and adoptions. Julie is a graduate of America’s Teaching Zoo where she gained hands-on experience in positive reinforcement, enrichment, and population management. She is passionate about building strong teams, supporting lifesaving programs, and creating smooth pathways for pets and the people who love them.

Dr. TJ Smith is part of the team advancing AAWL’s lifesaving mission. A full bio is coming soon.

Vice President, Finance, Semarchy

Robert joined AAWL’s Board of Directors in 2019 and currently serves as the Board Chair, having previously served terms as Vice Chair and Treasurer.

Robert has over 23 years of experience in corporate finance, including technology, medical, commercial real estate and financial investments. As Vice President of Finance for Semarchy, Robert oversees strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting for an international data management software organization. Prior to joining Semarchy, Robert was Head of Finance at Unity Physician Services, where he oversaw financial operations and strategic initiatives for multiple medical business lines.

Earlier in his career, Robert oversaw forecasting and analytics at leading commercial real estate and financial services firms. He started his career with Ernst & Young, performing audit support, financial analysis and supporting industry research within the transaction advisory practice.

Supporting animals in need has always been important to Robert. He grew up in a family that always had rescue dogs in the house. After he adopted his first dog from a local animal shelter, the experience moved him to the point of becoming a regular volunteer where he helped walk and socialize dogs, eventually becoming a volunteer dog adoption counselor. In March of 2022, his family adopted their current dog, a 12-week-old cockapoo, who was rescued from a puppy mill by AAWL and one of their rescue partners.

In his spare time, Robert is a youth softball coach and enjoys creating memories with his wife Alison, daughters Emily and Hannah, and their beloved dog, Charlie.

Client Services Manager/Associate VP, Carollo Engineers, Inc.

Cindy Pries grew up in eastern Iowa and attended Iowa State University, initially aspiring to become a veterinarian. After volunteering at a local clinic, she discovered a stronger passion for problem-solving through engineering and shifted her focus to civil engineering. She and her husband, Jeff, have lived in Phoenix since 2008 and are grateful to call it home. Cindy has been a member of the AAWL League since 2023. She shares her life with two dogs—Uwe, a lively 7-month-old miniature schnauzer, and Oliver, a loyal 13-year-old dalmatian/poodle mix who was born deaf. Professionally, Cindy works at Carollo Engineers, where she provides water, wastewater, and reuse solutions to clients in the microelectronics and semiconductor industries. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and exploring local breweries.

President of JLZ Associates

Jeffrey L. Zonis is a dog lover who has been involved with local rescues for the past 20 years. He rescued two pups from Arizona Humane Society, including his beloved 14-year-old multi-mix who loves to run/swim at the beach and play fetch. Jeffrey has recently retired as President and CEO of JLZ Associates. He has over 50 years’ experience as a CEO, CFO, and management consultant. Jeffrey earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1970. He completed his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh in 1972 and his Masters in Public Administration in 1978. He is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). Jeffrey spent twenty-seven years in a traditional career track, learning much about leadership, management, finance, organizational development and culture, fund raising, board development, human resources, lobbying and technology until he relocated to Arizona and started his own consulting firm. Jeffrey enjoys travel, jogging, movies, reading, and time with friends.

Dr. Karen D. Johnson is a seasoned nonprofit executive and leader with a career focused on advancing youth and education-focused organizations. She served for 27 years as Vice President of University Relations at Midwestern University, overseeing admissions, marketing, development, and alumni relations across two campuses. In 2021, she became President & CEO of New Pathways for Youth in Phoenix, which supports over 600 teens through 1:1 mentoring and personal development programming. Under her leadership, the organization rebranded as “Level Up,” launched the Level Up Academy, implemented an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion policy, and raised over $3 million annually to expand services. Karen also mentors a youth in the program. She has served as Board President for two Phoenix nonprofits and chaired several major fundraising events and campaigns. She holds degrees from the College of Wooster, Northwestern University, and Loyola University Chicago. A resident of Arizona since 2000, she lives in Glendale with her two dogs and two cats.

Christina Mercado-Gonzalez currently serves as the Executive Director, NABEDC, (pronounced “Nah Bed See”), which is a project of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (AZHCC) that assists businesses with building scale and capacity, increasing revenue, creating and retaining jobs. She previously served as Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at the AZHCC. She has over twenty years of experience in client services and as a results oriented multicultural marketing and advertising professional, specializing in the U.S. Hispanic market. She began her career at Anheuser-Busch Inc. She then held senior level client service roles at several Hispanic and multicultural focused advertising agencies working on a variety of local and national brands. Christina is an Arizona native and received her Master’s degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and her BS in business administration from the University of Arizona. She has been actively involved in the community and has served in leadership positions in a variety of local organizations and currently serves on the Arizona Diamondbacks Los D-Backs Ambassador Council and President of Global Ties. She is excited about AAWL’s work in the community for animals and people and has a rescue pup named Ginger and a kitty cat Coqui.

Terri Calderón is a lifelong community volunteer with over 25 years of professional experience in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and grantmaking. She retired as CEO of Social Venture Partners Arizona after 13 years of cultivating philanthropists and strengthening local nonprofits. A Scottsdale native and ASU graduate in Elementary Education and Library Science, Terri began her career as a teacher and librarian before moving into nonprofit leadership through volunteer work.

Her career includes leadership roles at The Volunteer Center, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Office of Governor Janet Napolitano. She has served on several nonprofit boards, including Healthy Futures US, Arizona Grantmakers Forum (Board Chair), and the Arizona Educational Foundation. Her community involvement includes ASU Women in Philanthropy, Valley Leadership, and volunteering with AAWL.

Terri is a proud mother of three grown daughters and grandmother (“GiGi”) to nine. She lives in Phoenix with her husband, Ernest, and their quirky rescue pets—Charlie the dog and cats Jack and Daisy.

MacKenzie (Kenzie) Hamann is an avid animal advocate and a professional in commercial brokerage and real estate development. She has been involved with various animal welfare initiatives, including co-founding a local dog training company focused on keeping dogs with behavioral concerns in their homes. Kenzie graduated from NAU and started her career in commercial construction. She then decided to pursue retail brokerage at Phoenix Commercial Advisors where she built a portfolio in both tenant and landlord representation. Currently, she is the Managing Partner of T-MAC Development Company, where she is involved in all aspects of the development process—from site selection to disposition of leased assets. Kenzie is an active member of ULI, ICSC, AZCREW, NAIOP and AAED. She is known for her ability to build strong partnerships with local governments, communities and clients. Kenzie and her husband, Brent, currently have two rescue pitties, Coco and Goose, who absolutely adore their little boy, Hudson.

Jim Erickson was raised on a dairy farm in the Midwest, where caring for animals was part of daily life. From an early age, he developed a deep respect for animal welfare, responsibility, and stewardship—values that continue to guide him today. For many years, Jim and his wife, Jennifer, have filled their home with rescue animals. They currently share their home with one dog and two cats, continuing their long-standing commitment to adoption and animal advocacy.

Jim is the founder and owner of Turnout Beverage Company, a Phoenix-based business that manages multiple craft beer brands distributed throughout Arizona. He previously built and scaled Walter Station Brewery, transforming the startup brewery into what is now Turnout Beverage Company. His experience in entrepreneurship, operations, and financial leadership brings strategic insight and governance experience to the board.

Jim is proud to support the mission of the Arizona Animal Welfare League and contribute to the organization’s continued growth and life-saving impact across Arizona.

Amit has been passionate about animals since childhood and even considered veterinary school before ultimately pursuing a career in medicine. He has spent more than 15 years volunteering with AAWL. He spent every weekend walking dogs until he became a proud “foster failure” during the COVID pandemic and adopted his beloved dog, Jack.

He remains deeply committed to animal welfare, contributing through hands-on volunteer work, charitable donations, and active involvement in fundraising initiatives. Professionally, Amit has served as an orthopedic surgeon for over 15 years before retiring from clinical practice in 2024.

Outside of work and his passion for animals, he enjoys exploring new places, hiking and mountain biking in the outdoors, yoga, reading a good book, and investing in innovative startups.

Alex was raised in a family that valued both compassion for animals and community service, which led her to seek out animal rescue organizations at a young age. That foundation grew into years of hands-on volunteering and fostering, and the adoption of four beloved rescue pets.

Since relocating to Phoenix in 2021, she has been seeking a meaningful way to reconnect with the animal welfare community, which led her to AAWL.

In her professional life, Alex works as a fiduciary to oversee the financial well-being of more than 90 families. Her background includes investment oversight, risk management, and long-term financial planning.

Donna J. Velcio currently oversees the independent medical evaluation and expert witness practice of Gerald F. Schwartzberg, M.D. She brings over 35 years of combined legal and corporate experience, previously serving as a corporate and transactional paralegal for General Mills Restaurant Group, as well as for prominent international law firms in Columbus, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; and Phoenix, Arizona. As an independent business consultant, Donna has successfully managed, negotiated, and closed complex corporate, real estate, and financial transactions for both public and private entities.

She has served as a docent at the Phoenix Art Museum and on the National Docent Symposium Steering Committee, as well as a member of the Lincoln Hospital underwriting committee and a Ball Chairperson. Donna has volunteered with the Arizona Humane Society, where she helped socialize and walk dogs, and personally trained her Labrador Retrievers, Steffie and Millie, to earn their AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificates. The dogs also served as therapy animals for seniors in extended care facilities. Currently, Donna volunteers with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as a decoy for the K-9 Explosive Detection Unit, supporting TSA handlers and their canine partners in maintaining high standards of public safety.