Board of Directors
The AzAEYC Board of Directors oversees the actions and promotes the mission and goals of NAEYC in Arizona. In working to advance the early childhood profession, the AzAEYC Board of Directors supports all who care for, educate and work on behalf of young children.
Liz Gonzalez is an award-winning educator, advocate, and author with a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives. She holds an Ed.S. in Social Justice from the University of Arizona and degrees in Educational Leadership and English Education from Northern Arizona University.
Throughout her career, Liz has championed equity and access across the Pre-K–12 and higher education continuum. She has led gifted and talented programs, supported curriculum design, and contributed to state-level policy efforts, including co-authoring Arizona House Bills. Her leadership has been recognized nationally and internationally for its impact on service-learning and global education initiatives.
Liz proudly serves as President of the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (AzAEYC), sits on Arizona’s PBIS Board, and is a Commissioner on the Mayor’s Youth and Education Commission. She leads with vision, justice, and heart—always centering children, families, and educators.
Anthony Flores is an early childhood educator with over five years of experience and currently serves as the Lead Pre-K Teacher at Risen Savior.
He mentors aspiring educators through the Arizona Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Pathway and contributes to his school’s leadership team through the Pyramid Model Consortium.
Anthony is deeply committed to advocacy for young children, families, and early learning professionals across Arizona.
Dr. Victoria Damjanovic has dedicated more than 30 years to the early childhood education field. She currently serves as an assistant professor of early childhood education and early childhood special education at Northern Arizona University.
Victoria’s work is grounded in advancing equitable, high-quality early learning systems and supporting the educators who serve young children and families. Prior to relocating to Arizona, she served for two years on the Florida Chapter of NAEYC (FLAEYC) board.
Her passion for strengthening the early childhood workforce continues to guide her leadership and advocacy efforts across Arizona
Deb Heim Martinez is a longtime early childhood educator, coach, and leader with more than 35 years of experience supporting children, families, and early learning professionals. She believes early care and education is foundational to lifelong success, as critical brain development and learning pathways are formed during the earliest years.
Deb brings a deep commitment to hands-on, play-based learning and whole-child education, with a focus on nature-based learning, STEAM, outdoor exploration, and developmentally appropriate practices. In addition to her work in caregiving and coaching roles, she serves as a college professor, supporting educators at the beginning of their careers and equipping them with strategies for growth, sustainability, and long-term success in the field.
As Vice President of Professional Development, Deb contributes strong organizational skills, collaborative leadership, and a passion for inclusive dialogue. She values diverse perspectives and works to ensure every voice is heard and strengths are amplified. Deb is dedicated to advancing AzAEYC’s mission by fostering collaboration, providing actionable professional learning opportunities, and building supportive communities that strengthen Arizona’s early childhood workforce.
Jorge Sanchez is a dedicated early care and education professional whose work centers on advancing equity, economic mobility, and positive outcomes for children and families. He views early care and education as a cornerstone for lifelong success, recognizing its critical role in supporting both children and the adults who care for them through a two-generation approach.
Through years of direct service in the field, Jorge has developed strong communication and organizational skills, allowing him to effectively engage diverse audiences and support collaborative, team-based work. His experience includes coaching and talent development, with a focus on strength-based strategies and adult learning to support the professional growth of early childhood educators.
Jorge also brings leadership, project management, and grant reporting experience to his role, including work in quality improvement planning and program assessment. As Vice President of Advocacy, he is committed to supporting AzAEYC’s mission and collaborating with fellow board members to strengthen and elevate the early childhood education community across Arizona.
Pilar Kelley is an early childhood education leader, entrepreneur, and advocate with more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, director, and founder. Her work is rooted in the belief that early care and education lays the foundation for lifelong learning, emotional wellbeing, and strong, connected communities.
Throughout her career, Pilar has focused on nurturing how children think—not just what they think—by supporting critical thinking, creativity, resilience, and social-emotional development in culturally responsive learning environments. She emphasizes the importance of strong relationships with children and families, recognizing early educators as trusted partners during some of the most formative years of a child’s life.
Pilar brings extensive experience in partnership cultivation, fundraising, organizational growth, and systems development. As the founder and CEO of multi-site early childhood programs, she has led teams through growth and transition, built sustainable operations, and designed fundraising initiatives that supported educator training, family engagement, and program expansion. Her strengths include strategic planning, curriculum design, mentorship, and team building, with a bilingual English–Spanish skill set that supports inclusive community engagement.
As Vice President of Development, Pilar is committed to advancing AzAEYC’s mission by strengthening partnerships, expanding resources, and elevating the early childhood profession. She is particularly passionate about advocacy for equitable compensation, professional recognition, and high-quality professional development, helping ensure that early educators—and the children and families they serve—have the support they need to thrive.
Harry Clapek brings extensive financial and operational expertise to the AzAEYC Board. He previously served in senior accounting and leadership roles within U.S. and international manufacturing companies, most recently as General Accounting Manager and Assistant Controller with the Chamberlain Group, Inc. (retired).
His experience includes managing U.S. and Mexican accounting departments, customs operations, budgeting, and auditing. Harry has also served in numerous community leadership roles, including school district governing boards, education foundations, HOAs, and nonprofit organizations.
Harry’s financial stewardship supports AzAEYC’s mission and long-term sustainability.
Dr. Björg LeSueur has more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education and currently serves as a clinical associate professor of Early Childhood Studies at Arizona State University.
Her work centers on empowering educators through collaboration, professional development, and advocacy for equitable systems. Björg is deeply committed to advancing the role of educators as foundational to children’s long-term success.
She brings a strong focus on educator well-being, leadership development, and systemic change to her role on the AzAEYC Board.
Kim Hatt is an early childhood professional with more than 18 years of experience supporting children, families, and educators. She currently serves as an Assessment Supervisor and Statewide Trainer for the Quality First program at Southwest Human Development.
Kim is also an adjunct faculty member, supporting early childhood coursework at Mesa Community College and Rio Salado College. Her work emphasizes inclusive practices, support for dual language learners, and services for children with exceptional learning needs.
Through her leadership with AzAEYC and community partnerships, Kim advocates for equitable access to high-quality early learning opportunities across Arizona.
Darcy Heath is an early childhood education and equity professional with experience spanning teaching, program management, training, research, and leadership development. She currently serves as a Research Manager at Teaching Strategies.
Darcy’s work focuses on strengthening early childhood systems, improving access to high-quality services, and advocating for policies that support educators, children, and families.
As a member of the AzAEYC Board, she is committed to collaborative, systems-level change that improves outcomes for young children across Arizona.
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Bridget Newton is an early childhood educator committed to supporting young children’s learning, social-emotional development, and sense of belonging during the most formative years of life. She views early care and education as the foundation for how children understand the world and their place within it, recognizing its critical role in building cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
With experience in both Pre-K and first-grade settings, Bridget brings a strong understanding of early learning continuity and the importance of family engagement. She values quality early education as a way to foster curiosity, confidence, positive relationships, and readiness for lifelong learning.
As a Member-at-Large, Bridget contributes strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, along with a deep commitment to equity and high-quality learning opportunities for all children. She is passionate about professional development and the sense of community fostered through NAEYC and AzAEYC, inspired by opportunities for educators to learn, connect, and grow together. Bridget is dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission and making a meaningful impact for children, families, and educators across Arizona.
Harveen Ciochetto is an early childhood education professional and leader who believes early care and education lays the foundation for lifelong learning, well-being, and success. She emphasizes the critical importance of the first five years of life, when rapid brain development supports the growth of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills that shape a child’s future and sense of belonging.
With more than 25 years of experience in the field, Harveen brings a comprehensive perspective informed by her work as a classroom teacher, director, and child care center owner. Her strengths include program development, staff training and coaching, strategic leadership, and building strong partnerships between schools, families, and communities. She approaches her work as a reflective and collaborative leader, committed to elevating professionalism across the early childhood sector.
As a Member-at-Large, Harveen is deeply aligned with the mission of NAEYC and AzAEYC to advance a well-supported, well-compensated, and respected early childhood profession. She is passionate about strengthening professional standards, promoting equitable access to high-quality early learning, and advocating for workforce development and compensation reform to ensure every child in Arizona receives the care and education they deserve.
Dr. Theresa Christensen is a leader and advocate committed to advancing early care and education as essential infrastructure for thriving communities. She emphasizes the critical role early learning plays in lifelong success, workforce readiness, and economic stability, noting its impact on brain development, educational attainment, and reduced reliance on social systems.
Theresa brings a strong background in advocacy, policy strategy, and community leadership to her role. She has worked closely with city councils across the West Valley to align local priorities with state and national early childhood goals, collaborating with partners such as First Things First, the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Quality First, and NAEYC. Her work with regional organizations and chambers has helped position childcare as a key driver of workforce development and economic growth.
As Maricopa Chapter Chair, Theresa is passionate about strengthening the early childhood profession by amplifying educator voices, advancing compensation, and building sustainable professional pathways. She is dedicated to bridging practitioners, policymakers, and employers to ensure early learning is recognized as a cornerstone of Arizona’s economic and community development strategies.
