Meet the Team

Laura Capello - President & Chief Executive Officer

Laura Capello joined Big Brothers Big Sisters in May 2011 as Vice President of Marketing and Development and is very familiar with the agency as she served in a similar capacity from March 1998 until Feb 2005. Prior to her return to the organization, she served as the Manager of Community Relations and Special Projects at the Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. She also worked as a consultant for four years helping several nonprofit and for profit clients with their marketing and special event’s needs, including Mesa Arts Center, the Celebrity Fight Night Foundation, The Arthritis Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Chaparral Suites, Eight, Arizona PBS and Luke Air force Base.

Laura believes giving back is one of the most important things she can do, so she continues to stay active in her community. As a member of Valley Leadership Class XXV, she stays involved with its Leadership Institute and served as class chair for two years. She also serves on the board of Jobs for Arizona Graduates, a nonprofit that runs programs for High School Students that helps them stay in school, and Beads of Courage, an arts-in-medicine program that helps children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Laura holds a bachelors degree in Journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and is pursuing her masters degree from the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.

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.

Susan Wiltfong - Vice President of Programs

Susan brings more than 25 years of experience in helping Arizona youth to her current position as Vice President of Programs. 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.

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 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 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 detail 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 currently serves on the Diversity Committee for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

Kerri Kaczmarczyk  - Director of Community Resources

Kerri Kaczmarczyk returned to BBBSAZ in 2017 to connect parents, Bigs and Littles with community resources and educational opportunities to help create strong match relationships. Kerri’s first role with the agency was from 2008-2012, during which she recruited youth and mentors for BBBSAZ programs and created business and community relationships. Prior to her current position, Kerri managed corporate partnerships for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and worked at APS to support the company’s corporate giving and employee volunteer programs.

Kerri completed the Contributions Academy Forum through the Association of Corporate Contributions Professions and the Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy through the ASU Lodestar Center. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism at Arizona State University (go Sun Devils!) Kerri volunteers with numerous community organizations and has served as a Big Sister to two Littles through the site-based and community-based programs.

Danielle Tefft - Director of Programs

Danielle Tefft has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona since June 2000. Having earned her degree at Northern Arizona University, Danielle holds a bachelors degree in Social Work, and is a licensed BSW. Her primary focus in practice for the past 20+ years has been working with children, youth, and families in the non-profit arena. Her experience includes crisis intervention, community mental health, LGBTQ advocacy, volunteer-based mentoring, as well as working with animal-welfare organizations. She actively engages in her community through the arts, community partnerships and professional affiliations, in addition to volunteering with local animal-welfare and youth organizations.

Debbie Smith - Director of Programs

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.    

Adrian Jamieson - Director of Development

Adrian Jamieson moved to Arizona in 2013 to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Administration at ASU and has since been an active member of the Arizona nonprofit community. Adrian brings a strong background in development, volunteer management, and community partnerships.

Before joining BBBSAZ, Adrian most recently served as the Resource and Program Development Manager at Voices for CASA Children and prior to that worked with Inspire Arizona, a youth development program focused on building civic engagement among high school students. Dedicated to serving Arizona’s children, Adrian has a heart for missions that serve those who are most vulnerable. Adrian is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and currently represents BBBSAZ on the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee for the City of Phoenix. Adrian is also a Board member for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Arizona and serves as a Rookie member of Suns Charities 88.

Devin Del Palacio - Director of Community Outreach

Devin Del Palacio has served in various community and elected positions throughout the Phoenix Metro Valley. Devin was raised by a single mother, and due to financial situations, attended 8 different public schools while growing up. He was taught the value of hard work from a young age, and raised to take positive action in his community. Seeking the opportunity to give back, Devin began work as a Community Organizer in 2012, working for the next few years to empower and register 34,000 minority voters in South and West Phoenix.

In 2014, Devin became the first African American to serve on the Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board and immediately took office as Vice President. Devin has been recognized by the Cesar Chavez Foundation, The City of Phoenix, NASA-JPL and the Arizona School Board Association for his commitment to creating equitable schools and safe neighborhoods through collaborative efforts. In 2017, Devin was recognized by the Greater Phoenix Urban League Top 40 under 40 in public service. Devin has also taken a national leadership role with the National School Board Association serving as Chairman-Elect for the National Black Council of School Board Members.

Administration

Gina Trotter
Sr. VP of Operations
[email protected]
602-393-4124

Susan Wiltfong
VP of Programs
[email protected]saz.org
602-393-4116

Development & Marketing

Devin Del Palacio
Director of Community Outreach
[email protected]
602-393-4132

Thomas Shull
Development Manager
[email protected]
602-393-4133

Program

Andrea Talbot
Big Futures Program Specialist
[email protected]
602-393-4137

Brenda Leon
Program Specialist
[email protected]
602-393-4104

Debbie Smith
Director of Programs
[email protected]

Ionia Wilson
Enrollment & Matching Specialist
[email protected]

Juliana Rengifo
Enrollment/Match Specialist
[email protected]

Morgan Downs
Program Specialist
[email protected]

Rosie Ronnow
Program Specialist
[email protected]

Clothing Donation Center - 602-230-8900