Interviews Archives - Live & Learn AZ

Walk Like A Boss, Not Like A Girl: An Interview with Casey Sanders

gettingraphic On May 17, 2021 / Interviews, Live and Learn Arizona

This past week, I had an amazing opportunity to interview Casey Sanders. She is the VP Site Underwriting Manager at Bank of America, and she also sits on the Board of Directors of Live & Learn. Casey has held many leadership positions and takes on many responsibilities. In our interview, we talked about how she got to where she is today, and why Live & Learn is so important to her. What motivated you to get involved with Live & Learn? Being a single mom played a role. My son is 21 years old, and I’ve always been a single

Meet the Team: Joselena “Jocce” Cordero, Lead Client Coordinator

gettingraphic On April 15, 2021 / Interviews

What is your role? What are your primary responsibilities? My role at Live & Learn is Lead Client Coordinator. On a daily basis I meet with clients (virtually), guide them through a monthly Action Plan, provide them with resources, document their success, and more. As the Lead Client Coordinator, I am also here to offer support and guidance to other Client Coordinators. When and how did you get involved with Live & Learn? I began as an intern for Live & Learn my senior year of undergrad (fall 2019) and have been around ever since! As an intern, I worked

Meet the Team: Iris – Community Engagement Manager

gettingraphic On February 17, 2021 / Interviews, Live and Learn Arizona

Why are you passionate about Live & Learn? I am passionate about the program because it works. I can attest to that from personal experience. It not only helped me become financially independent and be the first one in my family to earn a high school and college degree. It also helped me find my true passion, strengthening our communities so that every one receives the services they need to reach their full potential. When and how did you get involved with Live & Learn? I joined Live & Learn in 2012 as a client. I was fortunate enough to

Meet the Team: Stephanie – Program and Client Manager

gettingraphic On January 20, 2021 / Interviews, Live and Learn Arizona

What is your role? What are your primary responsibilities? I am the Program and Client Manager. My job is to support the Client Coordinators who work directly with the women in our program. I build relationships in the community with other nonprofits, schools, and businesses so that Live & Learn women can access resources, earn certifications and degrees, and secure jobs. When and how did you get involved with Live & Learn? In 2016, I was finishing my degree in Nonprofit Management at Arizona State University and did my internship with Live & Learn. That turned into a paid position

Leading People to a Better Place: Interview with Allison Mullady

gettingraphic On October 29, 2020 / Community Champions, Interviews, Live and Learn Arizona

Leading People to a Better Place: Interview with Allison Mullady Allison Mullady, Ph.D. Program Manager Design Studio for Community Solutions Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions Arizona State University This past week, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Allison Mullady, a member of Live & Learn’s Board of Directors. She works at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University. Below, you can read our interview. Q: What did you want to do when you went into college? Did you change your career field at any point? I always wanted to go

Female Entrepreneur Elected Live & Learn Board Chairperson

gettingraphic On June 4, 2020 / Community Champions, Interviews, Live and Learn Arizona

Susanne Johnson was unanimously voted to serve as Chairperson of the Live & Learn Board of Directors in November 2019. Ms. Johnson is an inspiring entrepreneur with an admirable work ethic and a passion for what she does. She is currently the founder and owner of Verbena Sky, but she began her career in banking and auditing, followed by several years building digital products at technology companies. Then, Ms. Johnson founded her own company, inspired by a desire to boost women’s confidence. VerbenaSky.com Verbena Sky is an online accessory business that showcases a wide variety of jewelry, bags, and home

Meet Our Board Members: Alverta McKenzie

gettingraphic On February 10, 2020 / Interviews, Live and Learn Arizona

Alverta McKenzie has dedicated her life to helping children and families. She has become an expert in the field and spent her career mentoring others to succeed in the same field. Alverta has worked in the field of Children and Family services as a teacher and a professional. She has devoted her life’s work to bolstering the field of Children and Family Studies, bettering the foundation of our community and making the world a better place for the next generation. Early Life and First Career Alverta is originally from New Haven, Connecticut, where she spent time in the foster care

Homeless Court Forgives Those Trying to Do Better

gettingraphic On January 20, 2020 / Discussing the Issues, Interviews, Live and Learn Arizona, Success Stories

As a teenager, Elizabeth and her mother did not have the greatest relationship. At the early age of 17 years old, Elizabeth was no longer welcomed into her mother’s home. She had no choice but to find somewhere else to live. Along the way, Elizabeth face obstacles and make choices that would affect her life negatively down the road, one of them being dropping out of high school. In her mid 20s, Elizabeth decided to turn her life around and began making positive changes as she is now a single mother of two. At the age of 25, she began

Reflections from a Client Coordinator: Part 2

gettingraphic On August 5, 2019 / Discussing the Issues, Interviews, Live and Learn Arizona

Ruby Cervantes joined Live & Learn as a Client Coordinator in spring 2017. During her two-and-a-half years with Live & Learn, Ruby helped over 200 women journey out of poverty. This is the second part of an interview Ruby gave just before she left Live & Learn in July 2019. What was your biggest challenge during your time at Live & Learn? The biggest challenge has really come towards the end of my time here. We’re seeing community funding get tighter, not just for Live & Learn but for everyone. In the past year, I’m seeing community partners less able

Reflections from a Client Coordinator: Part 1

gettingraphic On July 30, 2019 / Discussing the Issues, Interviews, Live and Learn Arizona

Ruby Cervantes joined Live & Learn as a Client Coordinator in spring 2017. During her two-and-a-half years with Live & Learn, Ruby helped over 200 women journey out of poverty. Just before leaving in July 2019, Ruby shared her reflections on her time at Live & Learn, the struggles faced by women in our community, and the lessons she will be taking with her. How did you first get involved with Live & Learn, and what drew you to the organization? I worked as a Family Support Specialist at Southwest Human Development, and I would meet with the families to

Interviews