Our Team

Executive Leadership

  • Ricardo M. Jasso
    Founder & Chief Executive Officer
    Over a career spanning close to 50 years, Ricardo has distinguished himself as a visionary community leader, advocate, educator/mentor, behavioral...
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  • Claudia Jasso
    Chief Development Officer
    Claudia keeps Amistades productive and on track to reach its goals as its Chief Development Officer. She provides leadership to...
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Program Leadership

  • Joseph M. Gill
    Director of Programs
    Joseph was born in Summit, New Jersey, and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, NJ. He...
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  • Alexandra Boneo
    Project Manager - Cochise County
    Alexandra Boneo is from the Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora border communities. She has over 15 years of experience...
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  • Jessica Varela
    Project Manager - Pima County
    Jessica was born in Bellflower California and was raised in the border town of Nogales AZ. She started her career...
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Administrative Services

  • Melissa Gomez
    Special Projects Manager
    Melissa Gomez was born in Los Angeles, California, however has a strong tie to the Tucson community. She holds Bachelors...
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  • Patricia Chiquete
    Finance Manager
    ...
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  • Isabel Boisvert
    Executive Services Coordinator
    Isabel Boisvert was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, but grew up in La Grange Park, Illinois. She is currently attending...
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  • Gilda Gonzales
    Staff Accountant
    Gilda Gonzales is the Staff Accountant at Amistades. She was born and raised in the Philippines. She earned her Bachelor...
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Pima County Program Staff

  • Denisse Luna
    Project Coordinator
    Denisse Luna was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She earned her associates degree at Pima Community College then transferred...
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  • Gabriel Tsai
    Project Specialist
    Gabriel was born and raised in Avondale, Arizona, and is currently attending the University of Arizona Honors College. He is...
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  • Gianna Mattio
    Lead Epidemiologist
    Gianna is originally from Melrose Park, Illinois but moved to Arizona with her family at the age of 8. She...
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  • Maria Alvidrez
    Project Coordinator
    Maria was born in Tucson, Arizona then moved to Nogales, Sonora with her family when she was young. She spent...
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  • Arielle Guerrero
    Lead Navigator
    Arielle Guerrero was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. She is currently obtaining her bachelor’s degree in public health and...
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  • Zayra Ortiz-Medrano
    Project Coordinator
    Zayra Ortiz-Medrano was born in Tucson, AZ, and raised in Fronteras, Sonora, Mx, located 45 minutes from the southern border....
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  • Annahi Montes de Oca
    Project Coordinator
    Annahi Montes de Oca was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. She completed her Associates in Liberal Arts at Pima...
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Cochise County Program Staff

  • Elsa Orozco
    Project Coordinator
    Elsa Orozco was born and raised in the wonderful border communities of Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta, Sonora. She has...
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  • Cristal Mazon
    Street Outreach Coordinator
    Cristal Mazon was born and raised in the border town of Douglas, AZ and earned her Associate’s Degree in Business...
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  • Laura Franco
    Prevention Specialist
    Laura Franco was born and raised in Douglas, Arizona, and graduated from The University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree...
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  • Eduardo Lucio Gonzalez
    Project Specialist
    Eduardo Lucio Gonzalez was born and raised in Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico. Mr. Lucio graduated from Colegio de Bachilleres #6 High...
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Pinal County Program Staff

  • Sharon Boyd
    Youth Coalition Liaison
    Sharon Boyd has been the Director of Coolidge Youth Coalition since 2009. The Coalition has administered two Drug Free Community...
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Board of Directors

Carlos Gonzalez, Aztlan Associates
Chairman

Manuel Medina, Multicultural Associates
Vice Chairman

Juan Ibarra, The Catholic University of America
Secretary & Treasurer

Ricardo M. Jasso, Amistades, Inc.
Director

Steve Torres, AZ Dept. of Economic Security
Director

Blanca Varela, Community Advocate
Director

Miguel Flores Jr., Holistic Wellness Counseling & Consultant Services
Director

PAST BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ernie Feliz, Felicia Granillo-Mendivil, Claudia Jasso, Harry Kressler , Jazlín Ladriere, Francesca LoMonaco, Francisco Moreno, Clara Ortiz, Rene Salgado, Magdalena Santos