Ashley Ohland
Officer, Chandler Police
Growing up, Ashley Ohland set two goals for herself—to play Division 1 college golf and serve in law enforcement. She has achieved them both.
In 2020, she joined the Chandler Police Department, where she now serves as a field training officer. In this role, she trains, mentors, and evaluates new officers as they begin their careers, helping establish the professional standards and expectations of the department through direct coaching and example.
She has also played a key role in community-focused initiatives. For the past three years, she planned and led the Aspire Academy, a program designed to introduce young women to careers in public safety through hands-on experience and mentorship, reflecting a commitment to developing future leaders and strengthening connections between the department and the community.
“Being a Chandler police officer means stepping into moments most people spend their lives trying to avoid. I often show up on someone’s worst day. I provide calm in chaos, compassion in pain, and dignity when someone feels powerless. While the badge carries authority, its greatest power is humanity.”
Corinne Bocchino
Firefighter Paramedic, Chandler Fire
Corinne Bocchino feels blessed to have been hired by the Chandler Fire Department in 2021. After a lengthy career in the fitness industry, she felt the need to serve the community in a different way, and began a 14-month training program with the Valley Women’s Firefighter Society. Beyond responding to both fire and medical 911 calls, she contributes to the department during hiring processes, and by mentoring interns, teaching paramedic school and EMS training, whenever asked.
Bocchino has mentored many young women through the Aspire Academy, the joint effort between police and fire that introduces girls to public safety careers.
“Seeing these girls grow in confidence at such a young age and try out a career I didn’t myself try for until the age of 30, is always inspiring and rewarding.”
Something you may not know?
"I'm pretty good at outdoor sports! I enjoy snowboarding and kayaking with my significant other, who is also a firefighter, and his three sons on my off days."
Dr. Erin Carr-Jordan
President/CEO, IDIA
Through her leadership at the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration, Dr. Erin Carr-Jordan is transforming access to digital opportunities in Chandler. Through her nonprofit, she ensures anyone can have the technology, skills, and support needed to thrive in today’s digital world through community tech hubs called Hives. IDIA partners with the city, CUSD, AZCEND, and other local nonprofits.
“For me, giving back is not about programs. It is about being present. It is about making sure people in our community are healthy, safe, and able to access education and good jobs without feeling alone in the process.”
“When an 80-year-old woman sends her first email, a kiddo starts to read, a parent cries when they got a device that is their own, people get good jobs and worry less, or they learn to clear their email, or earn their GED, or a student gets into college. All of it is why I do this and magically, something new happens every day!”
Lisa Cimino
USAF Veteran, Community Impact Volunteer
Moving from the Midwest to Chandler to retire in 2011, Lisa Cimino has continued a lifetime of service through ministry, military service, and community-building.
“Chandler is where I’ve been able to continue the work I love—ministry, military service, and community-building. I didn't come here to start over; I’m sharing everything I’ve learned over the years with a city I’ve truly grown to love and call home.”
She expresses that commitment through her work with the Chandler-Gilbert YMCA, Chandler Community Fellowship, the USO, and the Air National Guard.
She credits her mother, her faith, and a lifetime of public service with shaping who she is.
“I learned community isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you build.”
Cimino plans to continue that legacy by creating a community outreach model that combines faith, mental wellness, and practical family support.
Something you may not know?
“While I’ve had the honor of performing the National Anthem over 500 times since 2013, I spent seven years volunteering as a chaplain in a behavioral health hospital.”
Susan Crabtree
Interior Designer
Susan Crabtree is an Arizona native whose many family members have lived and worked in Chandler for over 80 years.
“The fact that my parents grew up here and raised their families here gives me a sense of comfort. I also like the sense of small town within a big city vibe that Chandler has.”
Inspired by her parents and their volunteer work, she was taught the impact one person can have serving local charities and is currently on the board of the Chandler Museum. She also follows in the footsteps of her grandmother, Kay, by serving the Chandler Service Club for the past nine years.
As the mother of two boys, Crabtree understands the need for a home to be as functional as it is beautiful, and she founded Puerta Bella Interior Design in 2002.
“A family’s home should tell their story and be a reflection of what’s important to them.”
Something you may not know?
“My grandmother, Mona Ruiz, was the first female police officer in Chandler, and her profound impact on the community inspires me every day!”
Jacque Dobson
CFO, Off-Five
Jacque Dobson’s commitment to Chandler reflects both deep roots and meaningful impact. Her nominator writes, “She builds connections within the community and embodies the kindness and small-town spirit that makes this city special. She does not simply live in Chandler, she invests in its future!”
Her dedication to youth has been especially impactful through her work with ICAN as a volunteer, mentor, and board member, championing opportunities for young people, expanding community partnerships, and strengthening fundraising efforts.
“I plan to stay with the Dream Team for ICAN as I love to do fundraising for great causes.”
For five years, she coached basketball teams for the Boys & Girls Clubs and was involved in fundraising for Pop Warner Youth Football. She is currently helping launch a mentorship initiative designed to guide students from high school through college. Her passion for education, access, and long-term success for youth is unwavering. Like her mom and dad, Dobson served in the Army and Army National Guard, so veteran causes are also important to her.
Ines Honne
Principal, CUSD
Ines Honne has spent 30 years in education, 25 years of which were in the Chandler Unified School District, and has served the community in many roles, particularly in the Title 1 sector.
“As someone who learned English as a second language, I am deeply passionate about supporting multilingual learners and their families, so they feel seen, valued, and empowered in our schools.”
She works to build strong partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to support the students and families.
Her nominator writes, “Her passion for education shines in every interaction. She greets students with warmth, encourages them to embrace challenges (and lets them know they are not alone in them), and inspires them to reach their full potential. Under her guidance, Hartford has become a place of curiosity, creativity, and confidence.”
Something you may not know?
“I was also born with pigeon toes and spent my first few years in therapy, wearing braces and special shoes, teaching me perseverance, gratitude, and compassion.
Ruthie Infante-Maya
Neighborhood Coordinator, LIVE LOVE
A dedicated advocate for social justice and equality, Ruthie Infante-Maya has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all Chandler residents, particularly those in the high-crime Armstrong neighborhood, empowering marginalized groups, bridging cultural divides, and advocating for equitable access to resources.
When her family moved to Chandler from the city to escape domestic violence and crime, she soon began volunteering at the Salvation Army. Having been recipients of assistance themselves numerous times, she found the experience of serving very fulfilling.
“By uniting people and offering support, we can alleviate the stress and challenges faced by many.”
Last year, she received the prestigious MLK Spirit of Unity Award. Her leadership in housing advocacy, community organizing, and policy initiatives reflects Dr. King’s vision of justice and unity. Her compassion and commitment to building understanding across language and cultural barriers exemplify the transformative power of what she is able to accomplish. Chandler is a more inclusive and thriving community through her unwavering dedication.
Something you may not know? She has 12 sisters!
Julie Lazzara, PHD
Psychology Professor, Chandler-Gilbert Community College
After the passing of her son, Dr. Julie Lazzara channeled the tremendous loss of her child by founding a nonprofit, Landon’s Legacy Foundation. The mission is to support individuals facing disabilities and rare diseases through advocacy, caregiver education, and creating inclusive spaces. They also provide scholarships to students going into related fields through the Chandler Education Foundation and Maricopa Community College’s Foundation.
When asked who inspired her to make a difference in your community, Lazzara wrote, “My son, Landon, was my greatest teacher. Despite being non-verbal and facing the immense challenges of epilepsy, his joy was contagious. He taught me that community is a safety net we build for one another. After he passed, I realized that while we couldn't change the tragedy of losing him, we could make positive changes for families like ours by providing resources, training, and other support.”
The true reward for her is the feeling that her son is still doing good through this work, even though his time on earth was short.
Shelley Mayes
Chief Nurse & Operating Officer, Banner Health
Throughout her 25 years of diverse nursing experience, Shelley Mayes has been an inspiring leader who leads change with vision and purpose and puts community service at the forefront.
“Her dedication to advancing nursing practices and her ability to inspire others to embrace change has made a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape in Chandler and beyond,” writes her nominator.
Growing up in a single-parent home, this small-town girl paid her own way through nursing school, receiving the highest honors, and rose to be a healthcare executive, demonstrating that education, along with determination and perseverance, can truly transform lives—“a fact that often surprises those who only knew me in my early years.”
Mayes currently serves on the board of directors for the Chandler Chamber of CommerceandAtlas Healthcare Surgical Center Chandler. She has also presented research and evidence-based practice projects locally and nationally.
“Working with patients and staff, I have been a part of many meaningful moments—both in triumph and sorrow.”
Jenny Miller
Program Support Liason, Chandler Gilbert Arc
Jenny Miller has deep roots in Chandler, having grown up in the community that continues to shape her today.
Miller’s journey hasn’t been linear.
“There was a season when I lost my way. During that time, I took from this city instead of giving to it. The same streets that raised me became the backdrop of my rock bottom. It is where I found recovery, rebuilding a life grounded in faith, accountability, and service.”
She has since grown professionally, building a career with Chandler Gilbert Arc, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to accompanying people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they build meaningful, self-directed lives in their communities. Miller was also selected for the Chandler Chamber Foundation Leadership Institute and has been appointed to the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities.
“Chandler is not just where I live. It is where I grew up, where I stumbled, where I healed, where I am raising my children. and where I now serve.”
Something you may not know?
“I unapologetically love the color purple.”
Peggy Schlesinger
Retired, Intel
Southside Village was the first Chandler neighborhood to apply for Historical Neighborhood status, and Peggy Schelsinger worked closely with the City of Chandler Historic Preservation Organization to define the process for obtaining this designation. She was instrumental in getting this original Chandler Black and Latinx community designated as the First Historical Neighborhood in Chandler, which had been a 20-year effort.
Schlesinger has also served as secretary to Chandler4Change since its inception and has been an elected member of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Chandler for over 20 years, a global religion founded in 19th-century Persia promoting equality, world peace, and the elimination of prejudice. Her involvement in local committees, charities, and causes over the years is too numerous to mention.
“Unity in diversity is what we should all progress towards for a more peaceful existence. I like to reach out to people who are different from me because they are much more interesting than the people who are just like me.”
Wendy Bruno Thomson
Founder, TTG Healthcare Advisors
“My parents instilled in my siblings and me that community involvement was a core responsibility and obligation. I saw, firsthand, the impact of their involvement and the power of their legacy.”
In addition to building a successful Chandler-based business, Bruno Thomson co-founded a nonprofit with her parents and siblings, called the Find Sunshine Foundation. Through the foundation, they’ve assisted families who were financially impacted by unexpected death or illness, single parents, youth athletes, and students who demonstrate commitment but need resources to accomplish their purpose.
She has served on several community boards, including the Chandler Education Foundation, Positive Paths, and ASU HeaLab, while also supporting many organizations like Chandler Service Club, Chandler Museum, and Desert Cancer Foundation. She’s an advocate for the Chandler Unified School District and its staff and educators.
Her nominator writes, “Wendy is such a positive role model for women. She raised her children, built a strong company, and remains steadfast in her involvement in the Chandler community and commitment to helping others.”
What’s on her bucket list?
“Assisting a dozen students to attend and graduate college in some fashion.”
Vicki VandenHeuvel
RN, Chandler Regional
Vicki VandenHeuvel has cared for Chandler babies and their families for over 37 years. But for the last 20 years, she has cared for families experiencing perinatal loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, and early neonatal loss. She works closely with Heaven’s Hummingbirds, a Dignity Health East Valley Foundation nonprofit that offers a bridge between hospital and home.
“Little did I know that our God would have such a beautiful, purpose-filled earthly life job for me!”
The process of healing broken hearts truly takes a village to make a bereavement program flourish, but many in our community encircle her to help heal the broken-hearted. People, churches, schools, the city, local charities, and too many community groups to mention make angel gowns, memory boxes, painted rocks, teddy bears, or wreaths to comfort families.
“I pull many people in to hold my hand as I hold others.”
Her nominator writes, “I always say she should be called St. Vicki! She works tirelessly at Chandler Hospital with people going through the hardest days of their lives.”
Susan Whitaker
Retired, Volunteer
Susan Whitaker has always been involved in volunteering. She seems to be everywhere, helping the Chandler Elks Lodge, Chandler Center of the Arts, Maricopa County Animal Control, and Maricopa County Elections, just to name a few. She is also very active with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, but anything involving dogs or veterans are her favorite causes, along with being a Great Aunt to her three nephews.
An Arizona native, after serving in the Army and then the Army Reserves, she returned to Chandler with her husband to be near family in 1995.
She remembers a moment when she realized her efforts were truly making a difference.
“The Chandler Elks Veterans Committee received a grant, and we were able to buy new furniture for a group of veterans who had just moved into new housing. A female veteran who had four children shared with me that it was the first time she and her children had a table big enough for all of them to sit together for meals. They now had things of their own.”
La’Von Woods
Retired, Volunteer
LaVon Woods is truly a cornerstone of Chandler, coming from one of the city’s original families.
“My great-grandfather was the first Black man to live in Chandler.”
She has played an instrumental role in preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Chandler by honoring the legacy and contributions of African Americans to the community. Her work ensures that important stories and histories continue to be recognized and remembered.
Woods volunteers wherever there is a need she can fill and has been a driving force for change in our community by actively working in cooperation with the City of Chandler, producing the Black History and Juneteenth Celebrations. She also worked with city officials to get the historical designation for the South Village neighborhood. Through her church, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist, her influence has shaped generations of youth and families.
Her nominator writes, “She has worked tirelessly in her lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and community impact, meeting both spiritual and practical needs.”
Photographed in Downtown Ocotilllo.