Meet the Team

Laura Capello - President & Chief Executive Officer

Gina Trotter - Sr. Vice President of Operations

Gina has been a part of the BBBSAZ team since August 1996 and has served in a variety of roles including working directly with matches, recruiting volunteers, and developing special programs. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors in Psychology and earned her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Phoenix. Gina is a member of Class II of the ASU Lodestar Center Generation Next Leadership Academy and earned her Program Manager Certification through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in 2012.

A Big Sister herself, Gina understands the power of mentoring and how it touches lives. She has been matched with 4 Little Sisters over the course of 20 years, with her longest and most recent match lasting 9 years. She is proud to be a part of the BBBSAZ mission and believes that helping children realize their potential is essential for a community to thrive.

Debbie Smith - Vice President of Impact & Innovation

Debbie Smith has been a part of the BBBSAZ team since September 2007 and has served in a variety of roles including working directly with matches, recruiting volunteers, and facilitated various training's for volunteers, parents/guardians and staff.   She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors in Family Studies and Nonprofit Leadership and Management.  Debbie also completed the Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy through ASU Lodestar Center.  Debbie is a Big Sister through the site based program and strongly believes in the power of mentoring.   

Jessica Whitney - Vice President of Development & Marketing

Jessica Whitney has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona since 2008. Her initial role included organizing and executing all fundraising events from Paul's Car Wash to the annual Gala. After serving as a Big Sister to two different Little Sisters, Jessica's passion for the mission of BBBS continued to grow. Jessica now directs and oversees all fundraising, recruitment, and marketing activities.

Before becoming a team member at BBBSAZ, Jessica worked as a corporate Event Planner. She managed travel arrangements, accommodations, and events for clients bringing anywhere from 5 to 1,500 guests into the Phoenix area. She thoroughly enjoys detailed work and is never afraid to get her hands dirty. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the Hugh Downs School of Communication at Arizona State University. Jessica was named one of Phoenix Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 in 2017. She was honored to be recognized as a Sun Devil 100 in both 2021 and 2022. Jessica served a two-year term as the Diversity Chair for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and is the current AFP Greater Arizona Chapter President 2022.

When she is not out networking and fundraising, Jessica is at home with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. She loves trying new restaurants, watching movies, and singing as loudly as possible.

Andrea Petrof - Director of Community Based Engagement

David Reynolds - Director of Donation Center

Jolie Armstrong - Director of Community Based Programs

Jolie joined the BBBSAZ family in 2005 and served in her role as a Bilingual Program Specialist until 2010. She returned in 2021 and has since held several roles including Big Futures Program Specialist, Big Futures Program Manager, and Director of Community Based Programs. Jolie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Masters of Science in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She has been a Big Sister to four Littles in the Site Based and Community Based Programs. Jolie has a passion for Trauma Informed Care and believes in the power and impact that mentoring has on the youth and families that are served through the agency. 

Morgan Titus - Director of Big Futures Program

Morgan Titus joined the BBBSAZ team in July 2019. She has served in a variety of roles including working directly with matches supporting a caseload, managing events and training for Bigs as well as improving match retention. She now oversees the Big Futures Program supporting High School Littles reach their full potential for their future whether it be Employment, Enlistment or Enrollment.

Her understanding of the power of mentorship grew during her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in North Macedonia from 2016 to 2018. Learning Macedonian [almost] fluently, she taught English to underserved populations, hosted English clubs and authored a USAID grant to support the multicultural efforts in her city. Morgan’s passion for photography and videography allowed her to create promotional materials for businesses in villages across the country that didn’t have the means to do so otherwise as well as secure funds from donors to improve road conditions related to child safety.

Originally from Minnesota, Morgan graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Child Advocacy from Winona State University in 2015. She completed the American Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy through ASU Lodestar Center. Morgan is a Big Sister who enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, paddle boarding or camping, is an avid reader and any time she can spend with friends and family.

Patrick Phillips - Director of Community Outreach

Patrick is excited to bring his 15+ years of customer service and leadership experience to the BBBSAZ Team. As a former small business owner in the Valley, he understands the importance of building strong and equitable relationships in order to truly raise all ships. In his role as Director of Community Outreach, Patrick oversees all volunteer recruitment efforts. It is his goal to connect with residents and businesses of Maricopa & Pinal county to find a match for every Little. He is a strong advocate for youth protection and believes that every child deserves to be seen and heard. In his down time, you’ll find him out on a hike on South Mountain, kayaking down the Salt River, or looking for the next big culinary adventure with his life partner Caila.

Susan Wiltfong - Director of Grants Administration

Susan brings more than 25 years of experience in helping Arizona youth to her current position as Director of Grants Administration. Before joining Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, she worked at the Phoenix Crisis Nursery, Boswell Hospital Child Development Center and the Nebraska Child Crisis Center. Susan has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and the Family from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (Go Big Red). Having been a Big Sister in college Susan learned early on in her career the positive impact having a mentor can make in a young person's life.

Through her tenure with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, she has held many different positions within the organization including case management, staff supervision and grant coordination. Susan feels privileged to work with the dedicated staff and volunteers at the agency. Susan is married to her husband Tom and has two children, Allison and Phillip.

Administration

Shirley Shauver
Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
sshauver@bbbsaz.org

Development & Marketing

Holly Erickson
Development/Marketing Assistant
herickson@bbbsaz.org

Susan Wiltfong
Director of Grants Administration
swiltfong@bbbsaz.org

Program

Bobbi Nez
Sr. Program Specialist/Tribal Partnership Coordinator
bnez@bbbsaz.org
602-769-7463

Debbie Smith
VP of Impact & Innovation
dsmith@bbbsaz.org
602-393-4136

Erika Tapia
Site Based Program Specialist
etapia@bbbsaz.org

Jennifer Booth
Sr. Big Futures Program Specialist
jbooth@bbbsaz.org
602-393-2912

Kaycee Torres
Community Based Program Manager
ktorres@bbbsaz.org

Morgan Titus
Director of Big Futures Program
mtitus@bbbsaz.org

Tyshaya Lowe
Enrollment & Matching Specialist
tlowe@bbbsaz.org

Clothing Donation Center - 602-230-8900