Leadership

LEADERSHIP

Dr. Michael Olguín, Executive Director

Michael Olguín joined Tucson Youth Development (TYD) in 2017 as the Academic Interventionist for ACE and YouthWorks, quickly advancing to the roles of College and Career Readiness Advisor and later, Interim Principal. Dr. Olguín became the Principal at YouthWorks in 2019 and continued serving in that capacity until being named Executive Director in January 2021. Prior to his time with TYD, Dr. Olguín spent 14 years as a Teacher and Academic Interventionist with the Sunnyside Unified School District, the majority of these years being spent in alternative education at STAR Academic Center (now Star Academic High School). As a teenager, his first employment occurred through a TYD youth program. Dr. Olguín holds Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Secondary Education (History) and Religious Studies, a Master’s of Science in Mexican American and Raza Studies, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching and Teacher Education, all from the University of Arizona. Dr. Olguín's dissertation, Discussing Nuance: Teacher Phenotype and US-Born Mexican Origin Youth, explores how US-Born Mexican Origin/Chicanx/Latinx youth perceive teacher phenotype.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Larry Lucero, President

Larry Lucero retired as Senior Director of Government and External Affairs for Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and UniSource Energy Services (UES), whose influence spans throughout the state of Arizona. His professional responsibilities included developing the company’s legislative agenda and priorities; influencing local, state and federal policy, government relations; directing state-wide business recruitment and retention, and directing a staff of government relations and economic development professionals.

Jose Arias, Vice President/Secretary

Jose is a Vice President Business Banker at First Citizens Bank. He helps Tucson business owners grow by offering financial solutions like providing access to financing towards working capital, commercial real estate, equipment, business and practice acquisitions, treasury management and other business banking services. The industries he has most experience with are Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Veterinary), Professional Services (CPA & Law Firms), Manufacturing, Wholesale/Distributing and Transportation. Jose started his banking career in 2006 right after graduating from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Jose is also on the Board of Directors for Greater Tucson Leadership.

Marissa Amezcua, Treasurer

Pronouns: She/they

Marissa is our Treasurer at Tucson Youth Development. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors since April 2018. She was nominated as "Outstanding Youth Nominee" with the Pima County Workforce Investment Board Youth Council in 2014, as part of TYD's After-School & Summer Youth Employment Program from 2011-2013. A California Native transplanted to Sahuarita/Tucson, she's a Collaborator at the IDEA School, creative writer, and plant-based foodie. She has worked in multiple industries including the criminal justice system, immigration, and theatre. Marissa earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Leadership Studies & Practice from the University of Arizona.

“I joined TYD’s After- School & Summer work program in 2011, and built a strong relationship with TYD staff and was encouraged to be a part of the leadership team and the change the organization is creating. My passion is to find ways to improve educational outcomes for underrepresented populations and promote early literacy practice and readiness in education.”

Julie Kudrna

Julie leads performance management and program evaluation efforts at the Pima County Health Department. She has a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in biology. Julie moved to Tucson after two years as a full-time service corps member and has worked in local government and nonprofit organizations on issues of homelessness, juvenile justice, and public health. She also volunteers with the local Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Elizabeth Gaxiola

Elizabeth Astorga Gaxiola is a Latina interdisciplinary scholar and first generation college student. Born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and raised both in her home country and in Nogales, Arizona, located in the US/Mexico border. Her transnational identity has cultivated her research and teaching interests. She started her academic journey at Pima Community College. She later gained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Spanish minor, and her Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Indigenous and Multicultural Education and Language Planning & Policy, at the University of Arizona. She is currently pursuing her doctoral studies in the Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies Department at the University of Arizona with a focus in Social Justice & Diversity and Immigration and Education. Her minor is Mexican American Studies with a focus on the borderlands. Her scholarly interests are immigration, US/Mexico border studies, structural violence against immigrants, immigration and education, youth activism in social movements, social justice and diversity, language maintenance and revitalization, artivism, and arts-based literacies and pedagogies. She is currently a faculty member with the Ethnic, Gender & Transborder Studies/Sociology Department and the Mexican American Studies Discipline Coordinator with Pima Community College. She teaches Mexican American Studies and American Indian Studies.

Reena Joseph

Reena Joseph is currently pursuing her PhD at the College of Education, and is a Graduate Teaching Associate both at the University of Arizona. Her scholarly interests include International and Comparative Education, and Social and Cultural Studies. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration focused in International Business and Finance Management from Lincoln University in California. She worked with General Electrics and has many years of experience working in the Financial Services in various portfolios such as; Collections Services, and Credit Risk and Compliance Management.

Karly Meza

Biography coming soon.

View Board of Director Governance requirements
as required by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools

• • • JOIN THE BOARD • • •

If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors, or to access Board Policies,
contact TYD's administrative office at (520) 623-5843 or by email.