Leadership Alliance Board

Carolyn Balster Evani has been a Phoenix resident for 30 years. A graduate of Knox College and the University of Michigan Law School, she practiced law in Detroit and Phoenix, focusing on corporate transactional/securities law and insurance defense. Carolyn has enjoyed working with numerous Valley nonprofits, serving as President of the Junior League of Phoenix, Inc., the Phoenix chapters of the ARCS Foundation Inc. and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Inc, and as Chair of the Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure. She and her husband of 34 years, Venkata Evani, MD are the parents of two adult children. Carolyn and Venkata are committed to supporting student success at ASU West. Together they created the Robert E. and Margaret Anne Balster Memorial Scholarship in honor of Carolyn’s parents, who were champions of educational inclusivity and mentoring.

Paul A. Smiley is the Founder and President of Sonoran Technology and Professional Services located in Goodyear Arizona. Sonoran Technology was recognized as one of the most successful and fast-growing small businesses in the U.S. providing professional service support to the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and other federal agencies. By the end of 2022, Sonoran Technology will have over 250 employees working in 20 states and at overseas military bases. Mr. Smiley volunteers his time as an active and highly engaged board member for U.S. Small Business Administration’s “Boots-to-Business" Program, Estrella Mountain Community College President’s Advisory Board, West Valley Defense Alliance Board, at-large contributor to the Arizona Chapter of the Tuskegee Airman. Mr. Smiley is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with over 1,900 flying hours in the E-3 AWACS aircraft. He is a combat veteran of OPERATION DESERT STORM, served twice as a Squadron Commander, Deputy Group Commander, and Pentagon action officer. Lt. Col Smiley is a graduate and former instructor at the Air Force's prestigious Fighter Weapons School.

Robbin M. Coulon, Esq., is Director of Legal Services for the Area Agency on Aging, Region One, offering legal advice and assistance to older adults, family caregivers, refugees, individuals with disabilities, and victims of elder abuse or late-life domestic violence.  Ms. Coulon was previously a managing attorney with the Arizona Center for Disability Law and a senior trial attorney with the Arizona Civil Rights Division.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University and a Juris Doctor from the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.  

Ms. Coulon is a member of several professional and community organizations including the American Inns of Court, Arizona Black Bar Association, ASU West Campus Leadership Alliance, the African American Women's Giving & Empowerment Circle, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., the Diocese of Phoenix Black Catholic Ministry, and the City of Phoenix Mayor’s African American Advisory Council.  She has served in various board and leadership positions with the Arizona Women Lawyers Association, the National Conference of Women Bar Associations & Foundation, Arizona Career Development Center, JUSTA Center, and the Black Theatre Troupe.  She currently serves as Chair of the Arizona Community Foundation Board of Directors.

Mr. Hawksworth brings over 40 years of experience providing strategic advisory services to business enterprises, government and non-profits. After beginning his career with Andersen Consulting (Accenture), he became the founder of MSS in 1986.  Until he retired in 2020, as CEO/President, he set the vision for each of the MSS operating units and works with his leadership team to continuously transform the MSS offerings to incorporate the latest techniques and tools to meet the needs of the customer.   Mr. Hawksworth was directly responsible for company policy, management practices and corporate development.

Mr. Hawksworth is active in the community supporting both education and economic development.  Supporting economic development and the business community, Michael was engaged in the Greater Phoenix Economic Council since its inception and the Arizona Technology Council and its predecessor organization, Arizona Software Association. Michael also has been recognized in 2016, 2017 and 2018 as a Sun Devil 100 Awardee business leader by the ASU Alumni Association.

Judy Lynn is the Director of Republic Bank of Arizona and a community volunteer. She has been a Valley resident since 1975.  An alumnus of ASU, she received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies in 2000 and her master’s degree in the same program in 2008. With the help of ASU New College faculty, the Ed and Judy Lynn scholarship was created in 2012 to aid students in the Master of Arts Communication Studies program and help them achieve their scholastic goals.

She serves on the Board of Directors for Republic Bank of Arizona, a local community bank with a focus on small business. She also has been active in the non-profit world for over twenty-five years, lending leadership and support to Assistance League of Phoenix and Phoenix Friends of the Arizona Cancer Center. She enjoys her spare time by reading, cooking and hiking our beautiful Valley trails.

Deborah Pearson serves as the Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer for OneAZ Credit Union. Deborah leads OneAZ’s marketing strategies and drives the Credit Union’s brand awareness and loyalty campaigns. She collaborates with stakeholders throughout the Credit Union to establish OneAZ’s market presence and member engagement. Deborah has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Deborah is also President of the OneAZ Community Foundation. She obtained a master’s degree in Administrative Studies from the University of South Dakota. She was named to the 2020 List of Most Influential Women in Arizona Business by Arizona Business Magazine.

Mrs. Virginia A. Saldivar is the Founder and President of Metro Accounting and Professional Services located in Goodyear Arizona. Metro provides professional service support to the U.S. Air Force, Army, General Services Administration and other federal agencies. In addition, Metro provides tax and accounting services to small businesses and individuals.  By the end of 2022, Metro will have over 100 employees working in 10 states and at overseas military bases.  
Mrs. Saldivar has previously volunteered as a co-leader for the Girl Scouts and an assistant coach for the City of Goodyear Recreation Center’s youth girls’ volleyball program.  She has also volunteered her time helping small businesses start up their company and set up their accounting systems, while making herself available for any questions along the way.        
Mrs. Saldivar is a graduate of University of Phoenix, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Masters of Business Administration.  She has over 20 years of leadership, management, accounting, finance and income tax experience.  She also has over 10 years of federal government contracting experience as a Chief Financial Officer and contract specialist.

Dr. Jana Schwartz is the Vice President of Student Affairs at Paradise Valley Community College. She has worked in higher education for her entire career serving students at community colleges, four-year public universities, and at private colleges. She believes strongly in the power of education to transform the lives of students, their families, and our collective communities. She is a proud mom of two boys who are growing too fast and spends a lot of her free time on a soccer pitch cheering them on. Dr. Schwartz’s educational credentials include a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado, an M.A. in Student Development in Postsecondary Education from the University of Iowa, and a B.A. in Psychology from Central College.

Dr. Anne Suzuki is the Dean of Student Development at Chandler Gilbert Community College. She has over 23 years of experience working in higher education at two- and four-year institutions in Academic and Student Affairs. Institutions where she worked include: Arizona State University, UCSC, USF, UA, PVCC and Pima Community College. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies from the University of Arizona, a Master’s degree in International and Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco, and her Doctorate of Education from Arizona State University.

Edward Vasko is the Director of the Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity (Division of Research and Economic Development) at Boise State University. Edward is an active member on university advisory councils, working with universities to develop curriculum that more quickly enable our highly needed Cybersecurity workforce ready to help defend the nation’s critical data and assets. Appointed by Arizona’s Governor, Edward held a Commissioner role in Arizona’s Commission for Post-Secondary Education from 2015-2019. He was also appointed as the co-Chair of Arizona’s Cyber Team (ACT) Workforce Development Committee. He is a graduate of Arizona State University and multi-year recipient of ASU’s Sun Devil 100 business leadership award.

Bill Vandenbosch is a member of Healthcare Committee, WESTMARC. Over 30 years of experience in various senior management positions at Arizona Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Banner Healthcare and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Served on the Board of One AZ Credit Union and Valley Leadership.