Local Board Members

The Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board (PBWDB) a local workforce development board, approved by the State of Arizona and charged with providing strategic guidance and direction for federal, state, and local workforce development funds and programs. The PBWDB oversees a network of public and private partners, to coordinate a cohesive strategy for talent development within the city.

Daniel Barajas

Director, Industry Partnerships, Maricopa County Community Colleges

Daniel Barajas comes to the Maricopa County Community Colleges District from Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona where he was most recently the Dean of Career and Technical Education for his last seven years there - leading occupational academic programming, continuing education & workforce development, and academic support services. Daniel spent nearly fourteen years at AWC during which time he was also an Associate Dean for Community and Educational Partnership, marrying educational opportunity to business and workforce need. Daniel also spent nearly ten years in the Pima Community College system where he worked for the Center for Training and Development, along with other roles in the Student Services area. In total Daniel brings twenty four years of post-secondary experience to job, collaborating with secondary, university, business and industry partners - in addition to economic development and one-stop systems. Daniel's formal education consists of an undergraduate degree in Business Management and Master's degree in post-secondary Educational Administration. Daniel also brings State leadership experience through a diversity of roles, and has formerly served as the President of the Arizona Occupational Administrators Council (AOAC). Since joining the Maricopa County Community Colleges District as the District Director for Community Partnership and Workforce Development in April of 2016, he has enjoyed affiliation with regional education and business and industry partners, with a recent appointment as Board Member for the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board.

Nick Bielinski, Vice Chair

Channels Specialist, Google People Services (GPS) @Google

Nick Bielinski currently serves as the Channels Specialist at Google w/ their Extended Workforce Program. At Google, Nick supports both YouTube & Google's technical teams to attract/find/retain talent in over 150+ locations. Prior to Google, Nick worked within Information Technology Services since 2012 in the Staffing Industry. Before a career in IT, Nick served in the United States Air Force as a Security Analyst within the National Security Agency. After his military service, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University, where he also served as the President of the Student Veterans Association. Nick has been serving on the PWDB since 2018 and as of 2021 Vice-Chair.

Latasha Causey, Chair

Vice President, Human Resources – Bell Bank

Latasha Causey is the Vice President of Human Resources for Bell Banks South Region markets, with oversight of human resources activities, including culture and diversity efforts, for Bell Bank and its divisions. Causey offices in Phoenix and works with Bell’s team members in Arizona, as well as its mortgage offices in New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Florida. Latasha has over 20 years’ experience in Recruiting and Human Resources leadership. Prior to joining Bell Bank Latasha worked for 12 years at USAA’s North Phoenix Campus. Holding various leadership roles, responsible for strengthening USAA's brand and culture in the Phoenix market. She was also responsible for leading the USAA local Foundation and employee volunteerism in the Phoenix community. During her tenure she was also part of the HR Talent Acquisition team, supporting and leading recruitment efforts across all USAA locations. Latasha has also worked for U-Haul, Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo in various Human Resource leadership roles, having a vast knowledge of the HR and Recruiting fields. Latasha holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Arizona State University, Master of Arts Degree with a concentration in Organizational Management and Professional Human Resources certification (PHR). Latasha is married to her wonderful husband Sullivan; they have two beautiful boys, Sullivan III and Maysn. Latasha is very active in the Phoenix community, being named a 2018 Outstanding Women in Business by Phoenix Business Journal. She is on the Teach for America of AZ, Valley of the Sun United Way, Arizona State University Alumni Association and Mayoral appointment by Mayor Kate Phoenix Workforce Commission Board of Directors.

Steven Cramer

Vice President of Operations and Client Services, Newbridge Technology Solutions, LLC

Steven has been a leader in the contact center industry for over 25 years, leading both domestic and international sites increasing productivity and quality through streamlined processes, procedures, and technology. His ability to successfully lead and manage a customer-centric organization reflects his comprehensive understanding of the Contact Center industry including Workforce Management, Billing Services, Client Retentions, Account Management, IT Support Services and Global Site Management. Through his organizations and industry leadership, he advocates for the advanced development of the contact center industry through effective training and education within local communities. These efforts reflect in his leadership in national, state, and local organizations. Steven’s leadership positions include: Sr. VP Global Operations: Newbridge Technology Solutions President: North American Customer Service Management Assn. (NACSMA) Board Member: International Customer Service Association (ICSA) Board Member: Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board Advisory Board Member: Gateway Community College Co-Chair: City of Phoenix Advanced Business Service Committee (ABS) Mentor, Business Professional: W.P. Carey School of Business Advisory Board Member: Maricopa Community College Committee Member: Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED)

Nick DePorter

Sr. U.S. Public Policy and Government Affairs Manager, LinkedIn

Nick DePorter’s professional experience includes government affairs, higher education leadership and workforce development. Nick is the Senior Lead Manager of Public Policy and Economic Graph at LinkedIn. He is responsible for partnering with policymakers and community stakeholders to create economic opportunity for every member of the workforce. He currently serves as a Board Member for the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), Board Member for the Arizona State University - School of Politics and Global Studies, and Board Member for the City of Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board. Nick served as an elected Councilmember for the Town of Fountain Hills, AZ from 2014-2018. He previously served on the Maricopa County Workforce Development Board, the Chicanos Por La Causa - Integrated Health and Human Services Board, and the Arizona State University - Career and Professional Development Services Advisory Board. Nick holds a BA in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Arizona State University.

Kaaren-Lyn Graves

Senior Business Consultant, Phoenix MBDA Business Center

Kaaren-Lyn Graves, is a Senior Business Consultant with the Phoenix MBDA Business Center, and also serves as a technical/proposal writer for the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Kaaren has proudly served the public and private sectors for twenty five (25) years. During this time, she held leadership positions which leveraged her technical and business writing expertise, project management skills, and overall operations management. Kaaren has numerous achievements and career highlights. While working for the Phoenix MBDA Business Center, she was a contributor to the office being named one of the top performing offices in the United States out of 44 centers nationwide. She has also been able to work on a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and expansion project in California which will impact multiple communities. While working for the State of Arizona (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)), she developed financial forecasting documents resulting in awarded grants, general funds, and monetary awards ranging from $935 thousand dollars to $4 million dollars. She has also created numerous documents consisting of resumes, capability statements, business plans, and marketing documents for her clients worldwide. Kaaren has earned degrees in research and development (“R&D”) and communications with an emphasis in technical writing. She was also certified in biomedical research investigators, Native American research, and social & behavioral research investigations.

Travis Hardin

Communications Consultant, Wells Fargo

Travis Hardin is a native of Columbia, TN., and a Communications Consultant /Assistant Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank & Co. With more than 15 years of leadership experience, learning and sales development Travis continues to implement and execute initiatives which meet the needs of the community. Travis believes he is best served by not sitting back and counting his blessings but by sharing them. Travis lives in Laveen with his wife Sharkea and their daughter Nia. He received a BA from Aquinas College. Travis was elected to the Board in 2013.

Jesus Love

Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa

Jesús Love is the Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County, a community based 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that provides free educational services to adults who desire to learn to read, obtain the High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma, or communicate in English. Upon graduating from Georgetown University, Jesús returned to Mexico where he worked for two large commercial banks, supervising emerging markets and managing international operations. At the advent of the .com boom, Jesús moved to Tucson where he co-founded an e-investment firm servicing foreign national clientele desiring to trade in the U.S. financial markets. He left this successful venture and moved to Phoenix and joined US Bank helping with the expansion from four to sixty-seven branches during his thirteen-year tenure. He lives in Phoenix with his wife Andrea and their teenagers Isabel and Ian. Jesús has always held a deep sense of community and has been involved in educational and philanthropic organizations which currently include Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral, Phoenix Conservatory of Music, St. Mary’s High School, the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board, and the Georgetown University Alumni Admissions.

Melissa Trujillo

Co-founder and President/CEO, Be A Leader Foundation

Melissa Trujillo is Co-founder and President/CEO of the Be A Leader Foundation which she and her husband created in 2002. The Foundation is a platform for young aspiring students and serves as an incubator to develop academic and leadership skills required of elementary and high school students to become college bound, focused and prepared. Melissa has been a steward of education throughout her life and started focusing on helping underprivileged youth with her husband in 1991. As a couple, they committed themselves to helping provide much needed technology in the Roosevelt School District and ultimately created the Roosevelt Community Technology Center to provide free access to computers for all members of the Roosevelt Community. Melissa and her husband, Gary, focus primarily on creating and building the Be A Leader Foundation to support aspiring youth to obtain a college education. Be A Leader is focused on providing college-going programs for over 8,000 students in high need school districts within the Phoenix community. She is an avid supporter of promoting the need to obtain a college education and to provide the mentorship and guidance needed to those who, like herself, must achieve it on their own. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. She and her husband, Gary, reside in Central Phoenix and have two children, Alexander and Sophia.

Dean Van Kirk

Training Director and Apprenticeship Coordinator, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 469

Dean has been a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 469 for over 30 years is currently serving as the Training Director and Apprenticeship Coordinator. In this role he oversees the five-year apprenticeship program for 500 apprentices and upgrade training for more than 3000 journeyman members at Local 469’s state of the art Training Center, located near 29th Avenue and Thomas Rd. in Phoenix. Dean has a long history of mentoring and training young adults and believes that the apprenticeship program should not only train people for the workplace, but also provide them with life skills in areas such as time management, personal finance, and leadership. When Dean’s not at the Training Center, he is usually spending time with his wife Lisa, their 9 children, and 7 grandchildren.

Meghan McGilvra

Director of Enrollment and Community Partnerships, Year Up Arizona

Meghan currently serves as the Director of Enrollment and Community Partnerships at Year Up Arizona where she works to close the Opportunity Divide by creating pathways to opportunity through partnerships and recruitment of young talent. Meghan has spent over 20 years in nonprofits focused on workforce development in the youth sector. Meghan is committed to moving the needle on inequities in education and hiring practices that disproportionally affect opportunity youth. Her experience in Department of Labor contracts, recruitment, social work, pipeline management, and community partnerships has allowed her to have a unique perspective in doing this work. Meghan is a Masters Level Social Worker, serves as Chair of Opportunities for Youth Leadership Council, Co-Chair of Reengagement Center Action Teams, and has had the pleasure of serving on many councils and taskforces focused on Workforce, Youth Development, and Educational Access. Meghan is the mother of two girls, and enjoys a quieter pace with her husband and family when “offline”.

Adam Hawkins

President, Global External Relations

Adam is one of the leading practitioners in social license to operate – the support needed from the community to develop and sustain large-scale projects. He lectures frequently on the subject and has helped clients across the globe develop successful community engagement plans. Adam’s knowledge has proved invaluable for clients seeking to more effectively position their projects with the public. He understands the importance of working with the community, identifying key stakeholders and forging partnerships, including with critical non-government organizations. A fixture in the public affairs, communications, and lobbying community for over a decade, Adam's insight is sought after and trusted by clients across the globe. Adam started his career as a staffer in the United States Senate. Prior to launching Global, Adam worked within two leading public policy firms, assisting clients on issues that included environment; water, natural resources, taxation, HR, commerce, transportation, and public lands. Additionally, Adam spent six years with Rio Tinto, an international mining company with projects on five continents. All this experience has made Adam adept at working with key regulators such as the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mining Safety and Health Administration, and Army Corps of Engineers. Adam graduated with honors from Thunderbird School of Global Management with an International Master of Business Administration and holds a BA/ BS from Arizona State University.

Jeff Clark

President, Arizona State Association of Letter Carriers

Jeff has been a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch #576 since April 14, 1984, and currently serving as President of the Arizona State Association of Letter Carriers/N.A.L.C./AFL-CIO. He was elected to four terms by the delegates representing the 5000 women and men who deliver mail in Arizona. As State President of the NALC, Jeff is responsible for representing & organizing all Arizona Letter Carriers at Biennial Conventions, seminars, trainings, and to guide and direct all activities relating to legislation, PAC funds, community service. NALC is the chief organizer of the nation’s largest one day food drive in the nation. It is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities across America and Arizona. Besides being described as a “Life Long Letter Carrier”, Jeff has had numerous titles and accolades in Arizona. Currently, he also is an Arizona AFL-CIO Executive Board VP helping organizing, mobilizing, representing its Union affiliates with over 185,000 members. Prior elected positions include Arizona Democratic Party Sergeant-At-Arms, Arizona Legislative District 26 Chairman, Arcadia Precinct Committeemen. In all those positions in life, Jeff always had a history of mentoring those younger and newer in the workplace, as well as in the various political arenas of Arizona.

Jon Ellerston

Rehabilitation Services Administration Program Manager, Vocational Rehabilitation

Jon A. Ellerston represents Title IV of the CORE Workforce Partners and is currently a Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Program Manager for Vocational Rehabilitation. Jon has spent the last 28+ years working in education, social services, and pursuing his passion to engage individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain competitive employment. Jon has been a dedicated servant in the public sector in both California and Arizona. His Master of Science Degree in Education (Counseling Emphasis) from San Jose State University started his career as a community college counselor/instructor for Disability Resource Centers in the bay area of California. For the last 20 yrs. he has been employed by Arizona Vocational Rehabilitation Program (AZVR) as a Counselor, Unit Supervisor, Assistant Program Manager, and Region Program Manager. During this time, he has previously served as a board member on the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board and the Maricopa County Workforce Development Board. Jon most recently piloted an Employment Specialist and Job Readiness Training Project for VR clients to be job ready with a resume, interviewing skills, signing up for Arizona Job Connection, connecting with City of Phoenix One Stops, and other Workforce partners. Jon is honored to be selected to represent Vocational Rehabilitation as the Title IV CORE partner on the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board.

Brendan Mahoney

General Counsel, HBI International

Brendan Mahoney currently is General Counsel for HBI International. He served as Mayor Stanton’s Senior Policy Advisor, responsible for economic development, arts and culture, historic preservation, biosciences, aviation, and liaison to the LGBT and Asian communities. Brendan led the Mayor’s team to enact Phoenix’s LGBT non-discrimination ordinance. Brendan earned his J.D. from University of New Mexico, cum laude and Order of the Coif. He graduated from William Paterson University, summa cum laude and studied postgraduate at University of Chicago and Hong Kong Chinese University, majoring in Chinese language and literature. He is bilingual in Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese) and English. Brendan has been active in many facets of community service in Arizona and a passionate advocate for equality for all people. He served as the Chair of the Phoenix Human Relations Commission, on the Multi-Cultural Advisory Board for One Community, was a member of the Arizona Opera Board of Trustees, and was Moderator at First Congregational UCC Phoenix. He also has served on the boards of Leading for Change, Arizona School for the Arts (advisory) Art Works Children's Foundation, Arizona Human Rights Fund (Equality Arizona), One Voice Community Center, Health Education for Latino People, Asian Pacific Community in Action, Full Circle Women's Choir and has provided pro bono legal counsel to many other non-profits such as the Scottsdale International Film Festival, Calle 16, Arizona Women in Tune, Voices of the Desert, Renewal in the Desert, Lambda Phoenix Center, Community Church of Hope and First Congregational United Church of Christ. He served as Moderator of the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ (Arizona, New Mexico, El Paso and Ciudad Juarez), the highest elected position for the more than 50 churches in the Conference, and headed up the team effort for his church to become the first in Phoenix to be immigrant welcoming. Brendan also was a founding member and chair of the Arizona State Bar Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, the first of its kind in the United States, where he worked on revisions to attorney’s ethical rules to prohibit discrimination against LGBT people in the practice of law. He also conceived of and worked on the team for enacting the City of Phoenix Equal Pay Act. Among the many awards Brendan has received are Center for Neighborhood Leadership Unsung Hero 2015; Echo Magazine Hall of Fame 2015; Equality Arizona Lifetime Achievement Award 2014; One Community Spotlight on Success Local Hero 2014; Phoenix Pride Grand Marshall 2014; Phoenix Pride Phil Gordon Spirit Award 2013; and, City of Phoenix Friend of Historic Preservation 2013. Brendan resides in Phoenix with his husband of 26 years, Gordon P. Street, III, where he spends his leisure time cooking, playing the harpsichord, using too much butter in food, and spoiling their two undisciplined and much-loved beagles.

Dawna Cato

Chief Executive Officer, Arizona Nurses Association/Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing

Dawna L. Cato PhD., RN, NPD-BC currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Nurses Association/Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing and Vice-Chair of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation for Practice Transition Accreditation Programs. Dr. Cato has 22 years of nursing experience in the U.S and 3 years in China, where she served as Chief Nursing Officer of a 650-bed specialty hospital. Her background includes a variety of nursing specialties in clinical and leadership roles. She obtained her Bacheolors and Master’s in the Science of Nursing with a specialization in Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University. In 2013, Dr. Cato received PhD with a specialization in Nursing Education from Capella University. Dr. Cato obtained her certification in Nursing Professional Development in 2019. She has held leadership positions as well as voluntary advisory and board positions at local, state, national, and international levels. She is also engaged in presenting and publishing for local, state, national, and international audiences. Dr. Cato’s passion is organizational transformation to advance professional nursing. Her work is focused on implementing best-practice strategies for improved patient outcomes and nurse’s professional growth. These include development and implementation of Nurse Residency Programs, Perioperative Specialty Fellowship Programs and Cardiovascular Specialty Fellowship Programs utilizing the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accreditation standards. Internationally, Dr. Cato She has facilitated frontline leadership workshops and China’s participation in an International Nurse Job Satisfaction Study.

Luke Tate

as Managing Director, Office of Applied Innovation at Arizona State University

Luke Tate serves as Managing Director of the Office of Applied Innovation at Arizona State University. His team leverages emerging scientific, technological, design, and policy innovations to expand access to educational and economic opportunity. He is also Professor of Practice in ASU’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society, the executive director of the ASU-Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence, and a non-resident fellow at the Urban Institute. He recently served on the Biden Presidential Transition Team. Prior to joining ASU, Luke served as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Mobility on President Obama’s White House Domestic Policy Council, where he ran a team working on economic mobility, urban policy, poverty, technology and access to opportunity, open data, housing, homelessness, and long-term disaster recovery. He previously served at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as senior advisor for urban policy, and as special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Luke was a member of the Obama Presidential Transition Team. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, he did community development and educational work in Nicaragua, and worked on community policy in the Office of the Governor of Arizona. He grew up in central Phoenix, Arizona and is a graduate of Harvard University.

Scott Holman

Head of Human Resources, TSMC Arizona

Scott Holman is current the Head of Human Resources at TSMC Arizona. At TSMC Az, Scott is responsible for all Human Resources functions, including: Talent Acquisition (attract, hire, onboard/integrate, develop and retain), Mobility, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Communications, Learning & Development, Employee experience/Site Services (café, gym, wellness, etc.). Scott has 34+ year experience, including 8 years in technical/manufacturing/operations roles at Honeywell, Philips Semiconductors and Intel and over 26 years of Corporate Human Resources Leadership/Managerial experience (with Intel, IM Flash and Micron). During his tenure in the semiconductor industry, Scott has traveled aboard and was an expatriate in China, Malaysia and Japan. He completed his under- graduate degree in Business Administration and earned his Masters degree in Management, with an emphasis in Human Resources Development. Further, Scott is also veteran and served in the United States Air Force. He is married to Connie for over 30+ years and has 4 adult children (3 Sons; Scott Jr, Aaron and Derek) and a Daughter, Jordan) and 3 grandsons (Colton, Oliver and Emmett)