Paul Valdez brings a broad and strategic background in higher education and community engagement to his role as Chair of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund Advisory Board. His career spans faculty development, residential life, civic engagement, community-based learning, and technology commercialization, giving him a systems-level perspective on mission-driven work. 

Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Paleontology from Bowling Green State University and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University. He is deeply committed to the Tucson community, where he champions inclusive, community-centered initiatives. Outside of his professional and civic work, Paul enjoys hiking, pottery, and playing kickball. 

Dex Blue is a Senior Change Manager at AAA, where they lead organizational transformation initiatives focused on technology, process, and people. With a background in change strategy, communications, AI, and cross-functional leadership, Dex brings a people-centered approach to complex organizational change.

Dex also serves as a board member of the AAA Mountain West Group Inclusion and Belonging Council, where they help advance inclusive workplace initiatives across the organization. Most recently, they partnered with AAA’s Real Estate team to implement an Inclusive Spaces Checklist supporting more than 40 planned office remodels in 2026.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund Advisory Board, Dex is passionate about advancing equity, visibility, and community investment for LGBTQ+ individuals across Southern Arizona and beyond.

Outside of work, Dex enjoys swimming, following women’s rugby, writing speculative fiction, and exploring the Southwest.

Miguel A. Cruz Ramos (he, him, él) is an international multidisciplinary business leader with a proven track record of building profitable strategic partnerships across diverse industries — and across borders. Born and professionally shaped in Mexico, Miguel earned his B.Sc. in Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnique from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Before completing his degree, he was already making his mark as Head of the Center of Epidemiological Investigations for a binational U.S.– Mexico animal health program — becoming the youngest Epidemiologist at the Mexican-American Commission for the Screwworm Eradication Program, covering Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. That early achievement opened doors to a consulting role with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, with assignments at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, and in Tripoli, Libya.

Having lived in three countries and worked across eight, Miguel brings a rare depth of global perspective to everything he does. When he followed his heart to the United States, he embarked on a remarkable professional reinvention, spanning more than 30 years of meaningful impact across biosciences, financial services, healthcare, branding, marketing, and public relations. That journey extended into international consulting and training operations across Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.

As his family grew, Miguel turned his focus closer to home — channeling his creativity and analytical acuity into the vibrant multicultural markets of Tucson and Phoenix. His passion for human-centered design fuels branding and marketing campaigns that consistently go beyond the expected.

Miguel is also a committed contributor to Pima County’s nonprofit sector, with a particular focus on organizations serving multicultural communities — bridging corporate strategy and community purpose to drive inclusive growth, cultural relevance, and lasting impact.

Hattie Groskind is a philanthropic leader with deep expertise in strategy, operations, and program development. For more than 12 years, she has strengthened mission-driven organizations through a blend of analytical rigor and relationship-centered leadership. Her work spans nonprofit leadership, grantmaking, fundraising, community engagement, communications, and data systems. 

Hattie holds a Bachelor of Science in Care, Health, and Society from the University of Arizona, with minors in Public Health and Social Leadership. She has built and scaled programs and partnered with more than 120 nonprofits across Southern Arizona. As a trusted advisor and consultant, she specializes in organizational infrastructure, database management, trust-based philanthropy, grantmaking strategy, and cross-sector partnership development.  

A skilled facilitator and communicator, Hattie translates complex ideas into clear, actionable strategies and builds strong, values-aligned partnerships across diverse stakeholders. 

Outside of her professional work, Hattie teaches horseback riding and remains deeply connected to the equine community, bringing her commitment to safety, education, and care into every aspect of her work. 

Kara Jones has 20 years of experience leading participatory processes for assessment, evaluation, program planning, organizational development, and social impact, primarily in health and community development. She currently leads non-profit and government evaluation projects and teams at the consulting firm LeCroy & Milligan Associates. Kara holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Master’s degree in International Development and Information Science, and also served in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua. 

Jay Richter (he/him) draws on his experience as an attorney at Verizon, where he partners with B2B sales teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences while problem-solving and championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.  At MicroEdge, he was introduced to philanthropic operations- learning how foundations and nonprofits optimize grants management workflows with GIFTS(r) software.  He hopes to apply this to his work supporting the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund. Holding a BA in business management, a JD, and membership in the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, Jay blends legal acumen with a passion for social justice, including immigration support and LGBTQ+ advocacy. He volunteers with Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation and enjoys Tucson’s thriving LGBTQ+ community. 

Marissa Sites was born and raised in Tucson. She is a 2003 graduate of the University of Arizona and a 2008 graduate of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. After graduating from law school, Marissa returned to Tucson and worked as a Judicial Law Clerk at the Pima County Juvenile and Superior Courts. Marissa gained litigation and negotiation experience as an attorney at the Pima County Attorney’s and Public Defender’s Offices. She also worked in the corporate legal department at MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas. Prior to joining the Tohono O’odham Nation Office of the Attorney General, Marissa was an Associate Attorney at Karp & Weiss, PC, where she practiced in the civil arena, representing parties primarily in family, juvenile, and probate law matters. Marissa joined the Office of the Attorney General in 2022 and is assigned to represent several Divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Child Welfare Services and Adult Protective Services Divisions, as well as the Department of Public Safety. In addition to serving on the Alliance Fund Advisory Board, she is a member of Corazon del Barrio’s board. Marissa also volunteers, including overseeing an LGBTQIA+ legal clinic, and is active in social justice causes. In her free time, Marissa likes spending time with friends and family and traveling. 

Chris Smith was born and raised in Tucson and started his Human Resources work in Portland, Oregon. Chris’ experience includes the service industry, banking & finance, and regulatory compliance, leading into People Operations and investigatory work in higher education and nonprofits. He brings this experience to his work with the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund. 

A dynamic leader, Chris believes in clear, direct communication and expectations, and allowing staff to perform to their highest potential. Chris holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is a Senior Certified Human Resources Professional (SPHR and SHRM-SCP). Additionally, Chris is a licensed Private Investigator in Arizona. Outside the office, Chris is a freelance flutist and dog dad to fluffy Pomeranians. 

Michael is a nonprofit and public health professional serving as Executive Director of Reveille Men’s Chorus, Southern Arizona’s LGBTQ+ chorus organization with a 31-year history of Changing Lives Through Music. Under their leadership, Reveille has experienced significant organizational growth through expanded community partnerships, audience development initiatives, increased fundraising, and greater visibility across Southern Arizona.

In addition to their work with Reveille, Michael serves in public health with the Pima County Health Department, where they support youth wellness and prevention initiatives. Their professional background bridges arts leadership, community engagement, LGBTQ+ advocacy, public health, and nonprofit development.

Michael is passionate about building affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals feel seen, valued, and connected. They believe deeply in the power of collaboration, storytelling, and the arts to strengthen communities and improve lives. Through their work, they strive to create sustainable pathways for LGBTQ+ organizations and leaders to thrive across Arizona.

Amy Amoroso
aamoroso@cfsaz.org
(she/her/ella)

Amy Amoroso’s unique experience includes working with and for Native American tribes in natural and cultural resource conservation, teaching technical and environmental writing, and, most recently, as Development Director for a bi-national conservation nonprofit based in Tucson. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, a self-designed interdisciplinary major covering history, culture, and politics, and the contemporary experience of indigenous peoples, and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies with a focus on communications from Antioch University.

Amy’s experience includes serving on nonprofit boards, facilitating and bi-national and multicultural convenings, managing a tribally funded regional grants program, managing a tribal language reintroduction program, and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement programs and projects.

As Senior Community Impact Manager for CFSA, she supports the African American Legacy Fund, the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund, and the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Fund, along with supporting the evolving needs of our vibrant community as a member of the community impact team.

When not working, Amy can be found on stage with improv teams, in a coffee shop writing poetry, hiking in Arizona’s Sky Islands, or traveling the world with her husband, John, and son, Marco.