The Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ) team is led by dedicated staff with various backgrounds. Our goal is to provide athletes with opportunities, promote awareness, and provide support to the community.
Special Olympics Arizona Staff
Executives
Jamie Heckerman
President and CEO
Doug Taylor
Chief Financial Officer
PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS
Ben Wrubel
Vice President, Programs
Ryan Betcher
Director, Sports & Health
Rubett Garcia
Director, Mountain & Northern Monument Area
Sean Williams
Sr. Manager, Valley Region
Jaycob Mace
Coordinator, Palo Verde Area
Sean Whitley
Manager, Coronado Area
Mandy Evans
Director, River Area
Mary Nielsen
Manager, River Area
Thomas Miranda
Manager, Unified Sports
Gianna Zola
Manager, Health & Athlete Leadership
Summer Burgess
Coordinator, Health Programs
Saul Lugo
Coordinator, Athlete Leadership
Payton Bergmann
Sr. Coordinator, Unified Champion Schools
Shelby Evenson
Director, Event Operations
Rachel K
Coordinator, Administrative
Kim Christensen
Assistant, Program Administrative
DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING
Lisa Ball
Director, Regional Development
Meghan Mullin
Manager, Development
Tiffany Kepney
Specialist, Administration
Keri Cordon
Manager, Grants
Tarren Kramer
Coordinator, Donor Relations
Kyle Garbett
Specialist, Program Operations
Heather Turkes
Sr. Coordinator, Volunteer Engagement
Julie Calabro
Development Specialist
Mike Burnett
Director, Law Enforcement Torch Run
Joe Curran
Coordinator, Law Enforcement Torch Run
Marina Shulman
Coordinator, Law Enforcement Torch Run
Finance
Mary Christensen
Director, Finance
Marketing & Communications
Amanda Metcalf, MPH
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
Interested in any of our open positions? Apply here!
Greg Geist | BMO Harris Bank N.A. | Chair
Ben Goetter | Mortenson | Governance Committee Chair
Jeremiah Foster | Resolute Commercial | Finance Committee Chair
David Funkhouser III | Spencer Fane LLP | Fundraising Committee Chair
Sean Conkey | SOAZ Athlete | Athlete Leadership Council Chair
Trisha Larson | Morgan Stanley | Member at Large
Casey Strunk | Strunk Insurance Group, Inc. | Past Chair
DéMario Vaughn | Mercy Care
Phil Calihan III | Leclair Calihan
Mike Dellosa | Arizona Diamondbacks
Jason Ferentheil | UPS
Maria Chavoya | Arizona Complete Health
Laurie Ganzermiller |United Healthcare
Dr. Rena Szabo | Banner Medical Group
Barry Saunders | Community Leader
Mark Witthar | Sanderson Ford
Laurie Rasanen | Voya Financial
