UWYC Staff
UWYC is proud to have dedicated local innovators and community champions on our staff. They work to support the United Way mission: to improve lives and build strong communities throughout Yavapai County.
David grew up in the Prescott area. After serving in the US Army and receiving a Non-Profit Management degree from Arizona State University, he eventually found his way back to the area. Most recently he served as Executive Director of New Horizons Disability Empowerment Center in Prescott Valley before coming to United Way of Yavapai County in 2023. He was formally the owner of the Devil’s Pantry Restaurant in Prescott as well as working with Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, West Side Food Bank and Valley of the Sun United Way in Phoenix, and Boys and Girls Club of Scottsdale.
David comes to UWYC with a vision, supported by the Board, of revitalizing our local UW community through a focused plan of working closely with communities to bring solutions to bear on our largest challenges, engaging the community in results based fund development and fund distribution. Leading a staff of 3 dedicated people, we plan to bring 1000s of local residents into the fold of community Builders; focusing on what we have in common, avoiding the political fury of division, and creating a strong, caring, results focused community of givers and growers.
Dave is married to Amy, and together they have 4 children, and 3 grand children.
Gary Janchik - Communications Manager
Gary has been a resident of Yavapai County for 30 years. He formerly served as Communications Director for Prescott Area Habitat For Humanity and as Grant Writer & Contract Administrator for New Horizons Disability Empowerment Center. Gary received his education at Northern Illinois University and has continued his professional development locally at Yavapai College.
After 15 years of operating his own business, Gary jumped into the non profit world in 2007 and never looked back. His career focus is “bringing together people, resources and organizations to improve lives and build better communities.”
Gary and his wife of 35 years live in rural Yavapai County where they enjoy mountain biking, hiking and spoiling their dogs. Hobbies include bird watching, astronomy, gardening, espresso and roasting exotic coffees from around the world.
Gail Foos - Bookkeeper
After a long and successful career as a software designer, developer and support specialist for business and manufacturing applications, Gail and her husband of 40 years decided to retire to the Prescott area, settling in Prescott Valley in late 2021. Having been raised in the upper Midwest, Gail was looking forward to the change of seasons – but without the extremes; so far, Mother Nature has been doing the shoveling for her!
While living in the Central Coast area of California, Gail became involved with non-profits serving the homeless and those in need of food and services. She served as Treasurer and Grants Administrator for a local homeless shelter, and learned a great deal about the financial needs, as well as responsibilities, of organizations who were serving those who had nowhere else to turn. While working an interim job at the SLO County Food Bank, she also became involved with a local group that was campaigning for additional facilities and services to the homeless in the northern area of the county. In addition to these non-profits, Gail used her math skills, as well as input from her CFO husband, during a 3-year term as bookkeeper and Treasurer for their church.
When UWYC advertised for a bookkeeper, Gail jumped at the opportunity to get back to work, exercise her brain, and serve the community. She is very grateful to be working with the wonderful team at United Way of Yavapai
County.
Kristen Evans
I am an Arizona native, born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. Growing up, my family moved around frequently, and I spent most of my school years in Wichita, Kansas. After living in Phoenix and Tucson since 2008, I moved back to Kansas three years ago to experience a different pace of life, as an adult. However, the heart wants what the heart wants, and after a visit to Arizona in July 2024, I realized my soul was craving the warmth and energy of my home state.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a Gala for United Way of Yavapai County, and I quickly fell in love with the people and the mission. Soon after my return, my name came up in a conversation about filling a key position within the organization. When the opportunity was presented, I knew immediately this was exactly where I was meant to be. In October 2024, I was thrilled to accept the role in Program and Events Managing at United Way of Yavapai County.
My professional background is primarily in the hospitality industry, having worked with JW Marriotts as a bartender and server since 2008. Throughout my career, my passion for helping others has always been a driving force, and I am grateful to now apply that passion in the non-profit sector. While in Kansas, I became involved with a local animal rescue, which further fueled my love for community impact and non-profit work. Now, I am excited to continue making a positive difference and contributing to the community I am so proud to call home.
Ready to make a difference?
Join our team today and be part of the United Way difference!
UWYC Board of Directors
UWYC’s Board of Directors is made up of volunteers, including community and business leaders. The Board supports the work of the organization and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. UWYC is honored to work with this esteemed group of individuals who continuously work to support the mission of UWYC.
Meredith Dunlap-Sterrett - President
Meredith Dunlap is Senior Vice President, Northern Arizona Regional Manager for National Bank of Arizona. She has been in the financial services industry for 25 years. She is responsible for 19 branches in Northern Arizona.
She is an Arizona native, born and raised in Dewey. She is actively involved in the communities in Northern Arizona and encourages her teams to be just as involved. Volunteering is something Meredith is passionate about. She strives to inspire our youth of today to be our leaders of tomorrow. She enjoys speaking to teens about leadership and financial literacy.
She currently holds a Board of Directors position with the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce as well as United Way of Yavapai County.
Scott Lewis - Vice President
Scott Lewis is an Associate Teaching Professor with the Strategic Leadership Program at Northern Arizona University, which helps students and professionals develop the mindset, behavior and tools that every great leader needs to succeed. He had led workshops based on this program for the UWYC Center for Organizational Excellence.
After many years in the corporate world, Scott turned his talents to teaching so that he could share his expertise with students and have more time to be with his family. He and wife Mayumi have two sons and a daughter.
The entire family, which moved to Prescott from northern Idaho in 2011, is active in volunteering in the community, specifically at their church and Special Olympic golf. Scott joined the UWYC Board in spring of 2021.
“I was drawn to United Way because I know what they do in the community, the impact they make,” he said. “The beautiful thing is that when you support the United Way, you know it’s local and it’s effective. You can see it from the list of organizations they support.”
“I was drawn to United Way because I know what they do in the community, the impact they make,” he said. “The beautiful thing is that when you support the United Way, you know it’s local and it’s effective. You can see it from the list of organizations they support.”
Katie Kinon-Board Treasurer
Katie has previously served on the UWYC Board from 1997 to 2003 and has a background in finance/mortgages. She currently serves as a Senior Mortgage Consultant at People’s Mortgage and has been in the banking and financial services industry for 30 years. She is a fourth generation Prescottonian and has lived here since 1995. Katie enjoys travel, reading, going to the movies and to live performances of all kinds. She also enjoys watching football, most sports and spending time with family and friends. She is married and has four children and six adorable grandchildren.
Kara Langley - Board Member
Kara D. Langley is Chief Operations Officer and Compliance Officer for Polara Health. She has a background in accounting and has been in healthcare management for over 25 years.
She is a native of Arizona who moved to Prescott with her husband and three children in 2006. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends.
Michelle Kessler - Vice Presiden
Michelle is a second-generation miner who grew up in Idaho before moving to Arizona during high school. She and her husband Rob both work for Freeport-McMoRan and have spent the last fifteen years at various FMI locations in both Arizona and New Mexico. They moved to FMI’s Bagdad location in December of 2016, where she enjoys her role as the Human Resources Manager.
In her spare time, you can find her baking, attending concerts, and spending time with her husband and dogs in the mountains in their Jeep. She is an animal lover who has fostered dogs and cats for several years for humane societies and various rescue organizations. This is Michelle’s first board position and she is excited for the opportunity to make an impact with our organization and our communities.
Irene Winter - Board Member
Bio coming soon.
JoAnne Hilde-Board Secretary
JoAnne is a life-long Arizonan who has from an early age devoted herself to family, children, and education for all children. After moving to Prescott in late 1974 JoAnne served in many child-focused positions. Notable was seven years on the Prescott Unified School District Governing Board as well as local, state and National PTA Boards.
JoAnne advocated for students by serving on the Arizona State Board of Education for four years and continued by serving for eight years with the National State Boards of Education as a mentor to new state board members around the nation.
JoAnne was a business owner in Prescott and then a partner in Search Solutions which assisted Arizona school boards with community-based searches for administrators. JoAnne has been active with UWYC through policy development and committee leadership. Ron and JoAnne who returned to Prescott in 1993 have three sons and six grandchildren who all love Prescott.
Dr. Mark Hokeness
Dr. Mark Hokeness retired to Prescott, Arizona following a 40 year career in the aerospace and defense industry. Mark is an avid aviator having managed programs at McDonnell Douglas, Beechcraft and Raytheon Companies where he directed the development, design, production and test of business and military aircraft as well as advanced weaponry. Dr. Hokeness is certificated in program, finance and capture management. He holds multiple FAA pilots ratings and licenses, a Master‘s of Aeronautical Science and a Doctorate in Management. His interest in foreign cultures and history has taken him to over 55 countries around the world. Mark enjoys mentoring and is actively coaching future aerospace executives.
Justin Teclaw
I grew up all over the place but when my wife and I moved to Prescott in 2010 we found our home. We have two amazing daughters who were both born here and were lucky enough to convince our in-laws in to move here. I enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, and mostly just being outside along with exploring all that beautiful outdoors has to offer.
Terri Denemy
Terri Denemy is the Public Affairs Director with the Town of Chino Valley. She has a diverse background in municipal government, non-profit and private sector management spanning over 30 years. Originally from Michigan, she moved to Arizona in 2002, has had a residence in Yarnell since 2012, and has been with the Town of Chino Valley since fall of 2021. Terri is proud of her native heritage, loves her family and her four-legged fur babies. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and especially loves northern Arizona’s amazing night skies.
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