Board of Directors
Our board members have diverse backgrounds, but all share a passion for helping the Scottsdale community be the best it can be. Learn about each one below.
Steve Helm, President
Mary Jung, Vice President
Rosemary Gannon, Secretary
Mark Hayes, Treasurer
“I am grateful to have learned about Partners for Paiute when I was part of Scottsdale Leadership, Class 37. As a longtime member of the Scottsdale community, I am proud to help serve those who have, for one reason or another, found themselves at the Pauite Neighborhood Center. As a new member of the board, I am amazed at how incredibly quickly the Board acts to provide emergency assistance to so many of our community members.”
Ashley grew up in Oklahoma but has been a resident of Arizona since 1988. Currently, Ashley is serving as a Commissioner on the City of Scottsdale Human Relations Commission and has served on numerous other boards and committees, including the YMCA, HomeBase, the Arizona Association of Criminal Justice, and the Fiesta Bowl Committee. Ashley and her daughter, Madelaine, founded Maddie’s Daddy Foundation, a 501(c)(3), which raises funds to provide grief counseling to children who have lost a parent. Ashley is the President of Adams & Associates, PLC, a criminal defense law firm in Scottsdale.
Ashley Adams
"Through my volunteerism I have personally been able to see the impact I can make by committing to make a difference in this lifetime. I believe that through compassion, humility and hard work we can all improve and transform communities. I was introduced to Partners for Paiute through Scottsdale Leadership Class 33. I came out of my experience with a greater understanding of the organization and needs from the community, right here in my own backyard! I look forward to enhancing programs and delivering opportunities that build up our community."
In 1994 Tomas was recruited to the US to play college soccer from his hometown of Västerås Sweden. Tomas went on to graduate with a B.S in Business Administration and an MBA from University of La Verne. He began his career with State Farm in 1998 and during the past 20+ years with the company he has held a variety of positions taking him through a vast portion of the country while earning his ChFC (Charter Financial Consultant) designation. In 2013 Tomas moved his family to Arizona to lead a 12 state Talent Acquisition team with State Farm.
Tomas Frodis
"Paiute Neighborhood Center and the community of youth, families, volunteers and staff have a special place in my heart. My children, Alexandra and Luke, were involved with summer programs at Paiute Neighborhood Center when they were young teens. They returned each summer throughout their college years to volunteer at Paiute. The community and the program staff at Paiute helped shaped their view of empathy and confidence. They were the “village” that helped to raise my children."
Rosemary grew up in Scottsdale and is retired from SRP (Salt River Project). During her career at SRP Rosemary managed corporate contributions, volunteerism, and various community relations programs.
Rosemary previously served on the Board of Partners for Paiute (1997-2000) as well as the board of several other nonprofits including: American Red Cross-Grand Canyon chapter, Tempe Arts Center, Volunteer Center of Maricopa County and Ryan House. She currently volunteers with Treasures for Teachers and For Goodness Cakes.
Rosemary Gannon
"My ongoing mission is for communities to have a safe, healthy, happy, equitable, peaceful and sustainable place to live, play, work and pray. My life’s mission is to provide those living in Arizona and the in the Scottsdale Communities including Paiute Neighborhood Center with the best possible resources and opportunities to improve their lives and the lives of others. It is my honor and privilege to continue to serve the Paiute Neighborhood as a Board Member of the Partners for Paiute Board. Together we can make a difference…one person at a time."
Marisue Garganta has lived and serviced Arizonans and the nation through her efforts as a former Director of Community Health Integration and Community Benefit at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. In that role, she oversaw the nonprofit requirements for community health and community benefit, as well as acting as an organizer of Arizona Communities of Care, a network of local nonprofit organizations that partner with Dignity Health to meet social determinants of health for the working poor and people experiencing homelessness. Marisue also served on the board of directors for the Maricopa Association of Governments Continuum of Care Committee, Advisory Council for the American Hospital Association, Catholic Charities of Arizona, Foundation for Senior Living, Keogh Health Connections, Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Advisory, and many other nonprofit organizations. She has lived in Scottsdale since 1977 and serves the community through her consulting efforts. She also continues to volunteer her services to improve the lives of others.
Marisue (Maria-Suzette) Garganta
"I joined the Partners for Paiute Board so that I could become a more effective advocate in my local community and was instantly amazed and humbled by the diversity of work that Partners for Paiute does for our community. I am truly grateful to have found an organization that offers immediate individualized support that acts as a hand up and not a hand out. As a member of the greater Scottsdale community, it’s my privilege to serve alongside my fellow board members as we strive to improve and support our community by focusing on those that need it most."
Mark was born in Tucson Arizona; however, he attended Coronado High School and Scottsdale Community College here in South Scottsdale. He is an award-winning General Manager for Element by Westin Scottsdale at Sky Song. Starting with is first job as a customer advocate for a non-profit, he has always had a passion for helping others which has greatly influenced his work over the last 10 years in hospitality. Mark is proud graduate of Scottsdale Leadership, where he continues to serve on multiple advisory committees.
Mark Hayes
"I am passionate about Partners for Paiute and the Paiute Neighborhood Center. I have a history of serving organizations with a broad Valley outreach. Partners for Paiute provides the opportunity to focus on the needs of a local organization and to make a difference for the families served by the Paiute Neighborhood Center. I am honored to contribute to this valuable cause."
Steve grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Major in Economics. He spent 10 years in the retail business before joining the Taubman Company in 1980 and beginning a career in the shopping center management and development industry.
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Some of his projects include The Mall At Short Hills in New Jersey, Cherry Creek in Denver, Great Lakes Crossing in Detroit, Dolphin Mall in Miami, and many others. In 2005, Steve and his wife relocated from Detroit to Phoenix and for the next 10 years he managed Scottsdale Fashion Square.
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Steve retired in 2014 and spend time volunteering for The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Ryan House and now the Board of Partners for Paiute. He has also volunteered for St. Mary’s Food Bank, The Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul and Paz de Cristo.
Steve Helm
"Partners for Paiute supports individuals and families for whom other options are limited or exhausted. It is rewarding to know that Partners for Paiute fills a gap in the continuum of care with a level of urgency. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my community and work alongside my colleagues on the Board."
As the Director, Community Impact at Honor Health, Mary Jung is responsible for integrating community health improvement strategies with health system strategies to improve patient outcomes and the well-being of the community. Mary is an award winning business executive and government and community relations leader with over 30 years' experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Previously Mary focused on community well-being and economic empowerment through higher education, economic development, and entrepreneurship. Mary has a retired Certified Public Accountant license and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco.
Mary Jung
"I am passionate about community health and promoting healthy living. I joined Partners for Paiute to learn more about community needs, improve the quality of services, and to serve as an advisor that supports the activities and growth of the Paiute campus."
Kathy was born and raised in Phoenix and moved to beautiful Scottsdale over 35 years ago! She loves the community of Scottsdale and is especially passionate about helping our youth. Kathy volunteered with the AZ Cactus-Pine Girl Scout Council for 15 years in various leadership/community positions. She has also been a mentor thru Mentor Kids USA for the past 10 years. Kathy served on the board of the Realtor Premier Marketing Group as the director of Community Outreach. She was previously the President of the Greater Phoenix Association of Health Underwriters and served on that board for 7 years. Kathy has been a realtor in Scottsdale for the past 15 years and loves helping people find homes in this great city!
Kathy Loeffler
"It is an honor and a privilege to give back to a community that I grew up in and which truly enriched my life! I admire the diversity of Partners for Paiute outreach to provide funding and support for people of all ages, ethnicities and situations all with the spirit of community, enriching lives and providing life changing opportunities in mind. The City of Scottsdale and the people who live and work in this city have long been “near and dear” to my heart! I’m a longtime resident with a strong desire to see this community thrive through giving back in this wonderful capacity."
Pam is a principal of Blend Marketing, coming to the board with vast experience in creative, high-impact advertising and marketing programs for countless retailers and shopping centers.
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In addition, Pam has extensive experience with retailers, restaurants, gourmet groceries, hotels and non-profit organizations. Pam is passionate about her commitments to charitable organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, Hospice, Golden Retriever Rescue and Childsplay. She has served on the Auxiliary Board of The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale and has co-chaired the 2010 and 2011 Visions of Sugarplums holiday events. Pam has also been active on the Hope Ball Committee that benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Arizona.
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Pam's family moved to Scottsdale from the Chicago Area the summer before she started high school. She graduated from Scottsdale High and stayed in state for college, graduating from Arizona State University.
Pam Longbine
"Two years ago, I knew very little about Partners for Pauite. Through networking and serving on the City of Scottsdale Human Services Commission, I gained an awareness of this organization and its importance to serving residents in the surrounding neighborhoods. I have a strong passion to give back and help improve the lives of residents in our community and Partners for Pauite speaks directly to me."
Roger Lurie has professionally served as an Executive Director and most recently, consultant for Information Technology at Arizona State University, with over 37 years of dedicated service. Roger is very passionate about his work in community services, serving as a volunteer career coach at the Vista Del Camino Career Center, member of the Human Services Commission, Board member of the Scottsdale Housing Authority, Board member for Partners for Pauite and Lead Steward in the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Roger also serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, providing friendship and advocacy for children that have been removed from their parents’ homes due to abuse or neglect. He also recently completed the Valley Leadership program and is coordinating activities to recruit and retain CASA’s in the state of Arizona.
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In Roger’s free time, he enjoys bicycling, swimming, hiking and spending time with his wife, Barbara, grown sons, Richard and Chris, daughter in law Kelsy and grandsons, Emmett and Joey.
Roger Lurie
"I love helping others - making a difference in someone’s life. I truly receive far more in return than I ever could give as a volunteer. I worked with the Paiute Neighborhood Center (PNC) on my Class 33 Scottsdale Leadership project. So joining the Partner's for Paiute board was a great extension from that, and it allowed me to continue to help a wide variety of people with different needs, from kids, to the hungry or homeless, to seniors in need, etc. I am excited to bring my non-profit, development, and leadership skills to a great non-profit board that is filled with wonderful people – people who are dedicated to improving the lives of our Scottsdale community members."
Charles was raised in a Navy family, and was lucky to have grown up in both Hawaii and San Diego – twice each. He earned his B.A. and M.A. from San Diego State University, and then moved to Arizona in 1992 to attend Arizona State University (ASU) to pursue his doctorate in Communication. While planning to stay in AZ for three years – 30 years later, clearly Charles has made the Valley his home. Charles worked for Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, and has been the Development Director at Scottsdale Community College since 2013. Charles also enjoys teaching communication classes as an adjunct faculty member at Mesa Community College. Charles has been an active volunteer for a variety of Valley nonprofits, including: Furever Friends Rescue, Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Clubs (Phx, Mesa, Scottsdale), Special Olympics, Scottsdale Charros, and many more.
Charles Silver
"I previously served on the board for Partners for Paiute. At the time of joining I knew very little about the community needs but wanted to serve. Spending time at the Paiute Neighborhood Center campus and working with the agencies I gained an appreciation for our community and the difference an organization like PFP can make. I love the new focus on “just in time“ individual grants. It meets a need not filled and allows us to immediately see and feel the impact of our work."
Susan Wain was SVP, Head of Claims, for Nationwide Insurance Company until her retirement in 2013. Since then she has worked as an independent consultant in the insurance field. During her 40 year career Susan has held various leadership roles. Susan earned her BA from SUNY at Oswego and her Masters in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She holds a Casualty Claims Law Associate designation and is a certified Advanced Associate for Emergenetics, a leadership and group development tool.
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Susan is active in the community and has served on numerous boards including: St. Mary’s Food Bank. She previously served as a director on Candeo Schools Governing Board, Board President for Partners for Paiute, Creative Women of Pinnacle Peak, and the International Association of Claim Professionals. In 2022 Susan joined the newly formed Women’s Collective and rejoined the Partners for Paiute Board. In addition, Susan has been involved in humanitarian work in Kenya and serves on the Kibera Girls Education Fund Board.
Susan Wain
I first learned about the Paiute Neighborhood Center (PNC) in 2007 from a colleague at Harris Bank. As a lifelong Scottsdale resident, I have witnessed firsthand the community’s commitment to helping others. When I had the chance to volunteer, PNC was the first organization I wanted to be involved with. I am impressed by the staff's dedication to serving the community.
Raoul Zubia, is a lifelong resident of Scottsdale and graduate of Coronado High School, and retired banker. As a devoted community activist and volunteer, he has served as Chair of the Scottsdale Human Services Commission, former board member at Scottsdale Leadership, and is a member of The Charro Foundation and the Parada Del Sol Committee. He served as Vice Chair of the Protect and Preserve Scottsdale Task Force and has been the President of Partners for Paiute, providing funding and resources to community members in need. In 2021, he received Scottsdale Leadership’s Hodges Award, and in 2024, he was inducted into the Scottsdale History Hall of Fame.