Positive Paths leadership consists of dedicated, forward-thinking trailblazers committed to advocating and providing services for women and their families to enhance the economic stability and security of the East Valley community. In 2014, Positive Paths became an independent non-profit organization with a vision to encourage others to invest in the futures of East Valley women in need, and to support women to be resilient and positive contributors to their communities. We believe that empowering women to be key change agents is an essential element to achieving a world that works for everyone. In fact, studies show that when women are supported and empowered, all of society benefits – families are healthier, more children complete elementary and high school and go on to trade school or college, productivity improves and incomes increase. In short, communities are strengthened. Join us as we strive to improve our community by providing the needed education, mentoring, and professional development skills for women to obtain economic security for themselves, their families, and our community!

Board of Directors

LaCinda Smoot Lewis, President
Co-Owner/Business Manager
EFY Enterprises LLC

Dr. Maria Hesse, Vice President
Retired
Arizona State University

Joyce McKinney, Treasurer
Retired
IBM

Julie Garrison, Secretary
Director of Program Management,
Chief of Staff to the CTO
Verra Mobility

Ada Anaeme
Director, Rehabilitation Services
Dignity Health, East Valley

Imelda Castro
Retired
Intel

 

Rhonda Curtis
Branch President
First International Bank & Trust

Denise Hayes
Retired
Salt River Project

Sandra Hudson
CEO Trust and Wealth Management,
President, TrustBank AZ
TrustBank

Jill Jensen
Retired
Intel

Julia Marreel
Retired
Hotel Management

Jackie Orcutt
Senior Vice President
CBRE

Jen Shirkani
Principal"
Penumbra Group

Charissa Wagner
Senior Vice President,
People Operations, Development and Acquisition
Taylor-Morrison

Emeritus Board Members

Kathleen Dowler
Director of Community Health
Dignity Health

Caryn Gose
Retired
Salt River Project

Janice Parker
Workforce Development Consultant

 

Employees

Kate Hastings, Executive Director

Jessica Pace, Programs and Services Manager

Service Area

Our service area includes the cities and towns of Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Guadelupe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Higley, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Apache Junction, and unincorporated areas within these community boundaries.

For the purposes of our Scholarship and Mentoring program, women must be residents of one of these communities at the time of application and continuously while involved.

greater phoenix colored map