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
Cherri Marrese, President
President/Owner
Corporate Air Mechanical Services
LaCinda Smoot Lewis, Vice President
Co-Owner/Business Manager
EFY Enterprises LLC
Doreen Cott, Secretary
Director of Economic Development
Town of Queen Creek
Joyce McKinney, Treasurer
Retired
IBM
Sandra Hudson, Past President
CEO Trust and Wealth Management
TrustBank
Imelda Castro
Retired
Intel
Rhonda Curtis
Branch President
First International Bank and Trust
Donna Golub
Manager, Supply Chain
The Boeing Company
Denise Hayes
Sr. Content and Marketing Strategist
Salt River Project
Dr. Maria Hesse
Faculty, Higher Education
Arizona State University
Jenna Kahl
Associate Vice President
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Julia Marreel
Retired
Hotel Management
Kim Moyers
Director of Cultural Development
City of Chandler
Jackie Orcutt
Senior Vice President
CBRE
Dr. Pushpa Ramakrishna
Director, STEAM and Sustainability
Maricopa Community Colleges
Julie Soave
Chief of Staff, Technical Assistant
Intel Corporation
Nancy Uko
Owner and Attorney
Regain Law Firm
Emeritus Board Members
Kathleen Dowler
Director of Community Health
Dignity Health
Caryn Gose
Retired
Salt River Project
Janice Parker
Workforce Development Consultant
Employees
Stacie Dana
Senior Coordinator
Service Area
Our service area includes the cities and towns of Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, 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.