Our Team

Joining the Higher Ground team means more than accepting a role— It’s a commitment to reaching Higher Ground, together. These individuals strive to honor and empower themselves, others, and the community each day.

  • Jansen Azarias-Suzumoto

    Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

  • Barbara Azarias

    Executive Volunteer & Co-Founder

  • Rema Hamdan

    Chief Operating Officer

  • Dallas Lara Valencia

    Chief Quality Officer

  • Rosa Lee Barbeau

    Office Manager

  • Jean McKnight- Guymon

    Development Coordinator

  • Brittany Taylor

    Project Coordinator

  • JT Salah

    Data Entry Specialist

  • Ramon Sarmiento

    San Miguel Intern

  • Samantha Trujillo Lino

    San Miguel Intern

  • Claudio Guzman

    San Miguel Intern

  • Mia Bermudez Murrieta

    San Miguel Intern

  • Mariafernanda Mange

    San Miguel Intern

  • Genesis Pinueals

    San Miguel Intern

  • Esiquio "Zeke" Lara

    Restart SMART Volunteer

  • Cristian Morales Reyes

    Restart SMART Volunteer

  • Cheryl Lopez

    Restart SMART Volunteer

  • Ashley Pelzner

    Student Support Specialist Volunteer

  • Isabel Alarcon

    Restart SMART Volunteer

  • Yolanda Huynh

    Site Director

  • Joe Archuleta

    Family Support Specialist

  • Korena Barron

    Student Support Specialist

Consultants & On-Site Partners

  • Tim Sumner & Steve Owen

    Tucson Dojo

  • Michael DiMaria

    Business and Government Consultant