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

Veteran Delivery Manager & Lead IT Recruiter, DISYS

Nick Bielinski currently serves as the Veteran Delivery Manager & Lead IT Recruiter in Arizona for DISYS. (Digital Intelligence Systems) Prior to DISYS, he worked within Information Technology Services since 2012. Before a career in IT, Nick serviced 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, which he also served as the President of the Student Veterans Association. Nick has been serving on the PWDB since 2018 and continues to be a community partner and advocate for Workforce Development and Veteran Initiatives here in Arizona and throughout the Country.

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.

Bethany Woodard

HR Consultant/Founder

Bethany Woodard has worked informally in partnership with the City of Phoenix in previous years and was honored to join the Workforce Development Board in late 2017. She is currently the Founder of The MADDOX Group, an independent consulting firm focused on HR, culture and corporate social responsibility as well as a full time Community Engagement Leader for Thrivent Financial. In both of these roles, she has the ability to bridge together community partners, nonprofit organizations and members of the public to align their personal and corporate visions to their social missions in order to create more thoughtful and intentional impact. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Arizona State University and has pursued graduate studies and professional development from The University of Phoenix and Stanford Center for Professional Development in the areas of Organizational Development, Innovation, Emotional Intelligence and Compassion Research. As a partner of the Global Charter for Compassion, founded by Karen Armstrong and awarded by TED, Bethany is a part of a global mission to create more awareness and education to the public on compassionate action in the community for the advancement of society. She has worked to develop relationships with several private corporations and public foundations to collaborate and advise on sustainable solutions to ending poverty and increasing workforce and educational opportunities to Arizona's most vulnerable populations.

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”.