Jenalyn immigrated from the Philippines as an infant and grew up navigating both Filipino and American cultures in Tucson, Arizona. Raised by a single mother, she learned early on the importance of adaptability, resilience, and bridging cultural gaps in systems. Her upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for community, service, and advocacy—values that have guided her throughout her career.
At 18, Jenalyn joined the Arizona Army National Guard, where she served for 20 years. Her military career took her from driving trucks across the country to disaster relief to working in aviation as a flight medic and health administrator. Her last assignment was in the Arizona ARNG Inspector General’s office, where she retired as a Sergeant First Class. Throughout this time, she earned her Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and built a career in healthcare operations in the private sector. Passionate about ensuring equitable access to care, she focuses on innovative solutions to improve healthcare delivery and cultural competency in underserved communities.
Jenalyn is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, advocating for change, and creating robust support networks to remove barriers for those who face the same challenges she experienced with her mom and sister.
Jenalyn’s hobbies include photography, baking, traveling, and exploring new culinary experiences. She currently resides in Sahuarita, Arizona, with her partner, Abe, and her 10-year-old son, Linc.
Jamie Leon-Guerrero (she/her) is a dynamic nonprofit leader with a proven track record in fundraising, marketing, and community engagement. As Nonprofit Development Manager at Greater Tucson Leadership (GTL) since August 2022, she has revitalized sponsorship packages and increased fundraising through creative strategies, including social media marketing, grant writing, and event planning. An alumna of GTL’s Lead Tucson and Civic and Political Leadership Academy, Class of 2023, Jamie is committed to developing leaders and fostering civic engagement.
Jamie serves as Vice-Chair of the APIDA Fund of Southern Arizona advisory board, championing the empowerment and advancement of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American community. She is also an advisory board member for the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning, reflecting her commitment to environmental education and sustainability. As a United Way of Tucson Women United and the Junior League of Tucson member, she helps drive meaningful community change.
Her professional certifications include the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Leadership Institute, completed in May 2024, and a Social Media Marketing Specialization from Northwestern University. She is pursuing her CFRE certification to enhance her impact in the nonprofit sector. Jamie was recognized with the 2016 Pima County Attorney’s “Voice of Courage” Award and a 2020 National Crime Victims’ Service “Special Courage” nomination and has co-presented at major conferences, advocating for victims’ rights.
Jamie enjoys hiking, dancing, and spending time with her family outside of work, including her two dogs, Kury and Ryce (named after her favorite foods), daughter, and grandchildren in Guam.
Denise Uyehara is an award-winning performance artist, writer, and director whose work has been presented across the U.S. and in London, Vancouver, and Helsinki. She serves as the Program Manager of artist Services for The Southwest Folklife Alliance in Tucson.
When Richard moved to Tucson from New York in 2013, he was intent on doing something positive for his new community. Since relocating, he served nine years on the Board of Catholic Community Services, including a two-year term as its President, ten years on the Tucson Medical Center Ethics Committee and, until the pandemic came along, as a hospice volunteer. He looks forward to doing more through his service to CFSA and its constituents.
Dr. Jeannie K. Lee is Associate Dean of Student Services and Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science at the University of Arizona (U of A) R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. She is also a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine at the U of A College of Medicine-Tucson and a research associate and faculty at the Arizona Center on Aging. Dr. Lee has board certifications in pharmacotherapy and geriatric pharmacy and is a Fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the American Geriatrics Society. For over 25 years, she has worked to provide patient care in interprofessional teams, conducted research with older adults and underserved populations, mentored diverse students/professionals, and served the communities. As an immigrant Korean American woman, wife, mom, and teacher, she is passionate about fostering belonging and well-being, inspiring people to be courageous leaders, and serving with grace and gratitude.
With over 25 years of dedicated experience in the field of psychotherapy, Dr. Steve Lee is a seasoned psychotherapist. He holds a Doctor of Behavioral Health and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. As an immigrant from South Korea, his journey in mental health has been driven by a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate their unique challenges and achieve emotional well-being. Throughout his career, Dr. Lee has served countless individuals to regain their mental and emotional well-being. He works in both public non-profit and private clinical practice settings in Tucson, Arizona.
Leslie is Principal of Ladies of the Court, and President of Dynasty Pearls. Retired from a corporate career of developing Asian DEI forums and building State Farm’s coalitions with national Asian American Pacific Islander organizations, today she provides services to individuals and organizations on leadership development, funding strategies, and personal financial management. She is President of OCA Greater Tucson and serves on the National Board of OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates.
A major theme in her professional life is developing leadership and self-determination in women of color. A certified tennis professional, Leslie’s current women’s empowerment project, Ladies of the Court, provides pro bono private tennis lessons around the country to women players 50 years and better.
She is Past National President OCA. She serves on the Board, Center for Asian Pacific American Women (CAPAW), and League of Women Voters Greater Tucson. Leslie is a 2003 Fellow of CAPAW’s signature program, Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute. She is a Lifetime Member of the US Professional Tennis Association, and is a Certified Pearl Specialist. Leslie has lived and studied extensively in East Asia. She holds a PhD in Educational Administration of Higher Education.
Katerina Retwaiut (she/her) is excited to support the Tucson APIDA community as a proud Micronesian! Though she spent her early childhood in her Pacific Island home, Saipan, she has grown to also call the desert home.
Katerina brings a strong commitment and passion for serving the community. After serving in AmeriCorps for two years, she obtained her Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Management from the University of Arizona. She stayed in the AmeriCorps world, but now as a Program Manager. Katerina supports youth volunteers, oversees program evaluation, and manages communications efforts. Additionally, she enjoys strengthening the community as a board member of the Junior League of Tucson and volunteering with Make A Wish Arizona.
In her free time, you can find Katerina keeping up with the latest pop culture, taste-testing new coffee shops, getting to the top of the Duolingo leaderboard, reading, or scrapbooking.