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Staff Leadership |
Fresh Start Foundations | ||||
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Scroll down or click below for information on our staff.
Barbara Ralston
Prior to founding Camelback Community Bank, she was the President of Continental Service Corporation, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer for Chase Bank of Arizona and Phoenix Area President for First Interstate Bank. One of Fresh Start’s most significant leaders prior to her current position, and clearly one of our most diligent fundraisers, Barbara Ralston is also a shining example of what a great board member and donor can be. After chairing three terms as Board Chair, Barbara stepped into the role of Co-Chair of the Women’s Resource Center in 2000 taking on the Capital Campaign responsibilities for the building of the Women’s Resource Center and first three years operational budget. Barbara pulled together a stellar team to help her and led the charge to raise nearly $7 million in a short 18 months. Barbara also serves on many other boards including The Helios Education Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, nFocus, Arizona Town Hall, Teach for America and Great Hearts Preparatory Academies. Over the years Barbara Ralston has been recognized a number of times both locally and nationally for her dedication to community and for her professional success. She received the Women of Distinction award in 2000, the ATHENA award from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in 1998, Woman of the Year presented by Valley Leadership in 1996, the Golden Heart award sponsored by Today’s Arizona Woman Magazine and World of Today and Tomorrow award from the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Girl Scouts of America; both in 1997. In 2004 she was named one of the top 50 women bankers nationally by American Banker Magazine.
Ms. Lee has an extensive background in law, which includes work at several local and national law offices, and is trained in the Collaborative Divorce Model. Ms. Lee has conducted parenting seminars and collaborated with parents to establish communication strategies for children experiencing high conflict divorce. She also piloted a multiple intelligence summer camp for lower elementary students. Ms. Lee is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Law and received undergraduate degrees in Journalism and Philosophy from Arizona State University. Her combined expertise, integrity and passion for Fresh Start’s mission are instrumental to its success.
Joseph O'Brien, CPA Joe O'Brien began his education with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Later, he gained his Masters in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico and his CPA certification from the State of Arizona. Joe's combined experience in auditing as well as financial management is a great addition to the Fresh Start team.
Lenore Parker, Ph.D.
Debbie Simons
Debbie has worked with numerous charities both locally and nationally. In the past three years, she chaired 3 events raising more than $5 million dollars. Debbie brings the unique perspective of being a past sponsor, committee member and co-chair for the Fresh Start Fashion Gala.
Debbie resides in Scottsdale and has three children. In her free time she enjoys scuba diving, which she has been doing for 12 years.
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Our Founders Pat Petznick and Beverly Stewart
Even as young teens, Pat and Beverly wanted to help women, who like their grandmother, suddenly became the sole support of their families. Over the years, the Arizona natives became ardent community activists on behalf of women. In 1992, Pat Petznick and Beverly Stewart were in a position to personally and professionally reach out to women in need. The initial offering was a day of pampering at Rolf’s Salon, then co-owned by Pat, Beverly and Rolf Lohse. The women theorized that a new hair style and personalized make-up were immediate ways to boost one’s confidence and increase self-esteem. Each month 20 women from shelters and social service agencies were invited to “A Fresh Start Day of Beauty at Rolf’s.” This core Fresh Start service remains in place today through Rolf’s Salon as well as through the Self-Esteem Room at the Foundation’s Women’s Resource Center.
Board of Directors Chairs 1995 Sandy Cowen Miller ( 2 terms) 1997 Barbara Ralston (3 terms) 2000 Marlene Klotz Collins (2 terms) 2002 Michelle Kerrick (1 term) 2003 Barbara Hoffnagle (2 terms) 2005 Mary Upchurch (2 terms) |
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After serving as interim CEO for 6 months, Barbara officially accepted the position of Fresh Start’s President and CEO in January of 2008. Professionally, Barbara has had a banking career that spans over 30 years. She founded Camelback Community Bank in 1998 and has been serving as its board chair since retiring in 2004. 
Natalie Young Lee brings to Fresh Start a sincere desire to empower and positively impact the women we serve. Ms. Lee has been with Fresh Start since 2003 where she sat on the Fresh Start Auxiliary Board for two years and served as the chair of the Program Committee. In 2005, she was first hired by Fresh Start as the Legal Program Director. As the Legal Program Director, she developed the parenting through divorce series and collaborated with various community members to establish an internal self-directed center for domestic relations issues.
Lenore Parker, Ph.D. joined Fresh Start in 2006 and is responsible for Strategic Initiatives related to the work of both the Foundation and the Jewell McFarland Lewis Women’s Resource Center. She was previously President/CEO of Grace Consulting, LLC, which is a for-profit company providing capacity building services to nonprofit organizations both locally and nationally.
Debbie Simons comes to Fresh Start with 11 years of experience in marketing & community relations and a strong sales background. She was senior marketing manager of community relations for Westcor Shopping Center and was responsible for working on cause-related projects at the corporate and property level. 