Welcome from Chuck Peterson, Executive Director
Friends, as we start this new year, I am excited to let you know about what is happening here at Southwest Center. The number of events we have planned as well as the programs and services we provide and the ongoing changes led us to believe that a monthly email to keep you all up-to-date and informed was the obvious next step.
I am excited to welcome our new Director of Development and Communications and introduce you to our new board members. I would also like to announce the kick-off of our strategic planning process and relay the sad news of the passing of our dear friend and benefactor Richard Stahl.
A Letter from Our New Director of Development and Communications
Dear Southwest Center Community,
My name is Julie Winslett Wagoner (she/her), and I am honored to join Southwest Center as its new Director of Development and Communications. I have dedicated more than 20 years to raising support to help nonprofit organizations advance their mission, programs, and capacity. Most recently, you might have seen me at Desert Botanical Garden, where I led its business and foundation giving program for the past decade.
I am also excited to announce Emily Halling (she/her) as our new Government Grants and Contract Manager. Emily has been a vital part of Southwest Center’s Community Services team since June 2018 and brings with her more than four years of experience in HIV/STI prevention and testing.
This is an exciting time to be part of Southwest Center as we lay the groundwork for a dynamic future through our strategic plan (see below). I look forward to sharing more about our plans for the future with you as they progress.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my first few weeks at Southwest Center, and I look forward to getting to know our donors, volunteers, and community over the coming months.
With gratitude,
Julie
Meet Our New Board Members
We would not be here today without the leadership and support of our board. Their guidance and leadership has been and continues to be instrumental during this period of transition for Southwest Center.
To our four outgoing members, thank you is not enough
Chad Wolver, served 6 years and is the outgoing Board Treasurer
Councilwoman Debra Stark, served 6 years
Peter Rodriguez, served 3 years and is the outgoing Board Chair
Deryck Lavelle, served 3 years and is the outgoing Board Vice Chair
We are excited to invite a new class of board members in 2021 that reflects the diversity of our clients, patients, and staff
New 2021 Board Officers
Pamela Schembs, Chair
Jeff Ryel, Vice Chair
Abran Villegas, Treasurer
Becky Lutz, Secretary
New 2021 Board Members
Abran Villegas
George Childs
Jerry Diaz
Tabitha Fischer
Daniel Packard
RJ Shannon
Southwest Center’s Strategic Planning Kicks Off
We are excited to announce that we have already made the first steps in the strategic planning process by not only engaging Joseph Barretto as our planning consultant but by forming the strategic planning committee.
Over the next few months, we will be holding a series of forward-thinking conversations that will provide our stakeholders, donors, and members of the community an opportunity to engage and provide input to our strategic direction and priorities for the next five years.
Central to the planning process will be how we can continue to grow, lead in the area of LGBTQ wellness and HIV prevention and care while living in a rapidly changing environment.
Our goal is to have a community-informed plan that responds to the needs of the LGBTQ community in The Valley and beyond.
We hope to have the plan completed by July 2021.
Strategic Planning Committee
Co-Chairs
Chuck Peterson, Executive Director
Jerry Diaz, Member of the Board of Directors
SWC Staff
Rocko Cook, Director of Community Services
Mars Sarossy, Prevention Projects Coordinator
Crystal Cordova, HIV Tester & Linkage to Care Specialist
Casey Simon, Sr. Director of Healthcare Operations
Chel’sea Ryan, Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor and Manager
Robert Carter, Registered Dietitian
Board of Directors
Pamela Schembs, Chairperson, Board of Directors
RJ Shannon, Member, Board of Directors
Wes Foster, Member, Board of Directors
Tabitha Fischer, Member Board of Directors
George Childs, Member, Board of Directors
Abran Villegas, Treasurer, Board of Directors
Planning Consultant
Joseph J. Barretto
Tribute to Richard Stahl
As you may have heard, our dear friend Richard Stahl passed away on January 3rd.
Richard was a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and fought to support HIV/AIDS causes by contributing and volunteering to local organizations year over year. Back when Southwest Center was Phoenix Body Positive, Richard’s generosity enabled us to transform from a fledgling organization to the current state we are in now, enabling us to expand our reach to more members of the community.
On behalf of everyone at Southwest Center, we’d like to thank Richard for his positivity, altruism, and unwavering support. He got our feet off the ground, supporting us when it felt like there weren’t many people in our corner. None of this would have happened without Richard.
Join us in honoring Richard today as we celebrate his life and legacy.