Meet the Team

Kathleen was born and raised in Holbrook, Arizona and graduated from Holbrook High School. She gained her BS in Nonprofit Management from Arizona State University. Raised by parents who had a strong desire to serve the community, this trait has been passed on and Kathleen has been a part of many different organizations through the years, including Kiwanis, Navajo County Historical Society, Holbrook Chamber of Commerce, Holbrook Foundation, and Care for Life, Little Colorado Medical Center Board Member, and is the current mayor of Holbrook. One of her favorite hobbies is volunteerwork. Kathleen’s career has centered around non-profit, construction, community development, and workforce development. 

Linda is the editor of a regional newspaper with more than 18 years of experience in the field, along with extensive experience in retail management and the hospitality industry. She is a founding member of the Joseph City Foundation and the Holbrook Foundation. She has also served on the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology governing board and Joseph City Unified School District Governing board, serving as president for a year. Linda is a member of RealAZ a nonprofit organization of community leaders to market, promote, and enhance the business community inside Navajo and Apache County communities. She is also a board member for the Local Emergency Planning Committee for Navajo County.

Amber is a compassionate, relationally-driven leader with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a lifelong passion for youth advocacy. She combines a deep clinical understanding of adolescent development with the real-world, daily insights of raising two children on the cusp of their teenage years. Adept at creating psychologically safe, inclusive environments where young people feel seen, heard and supported. She is skilled at building strong partnerships with families, schools and community stakeholders to provide holistic mentorship, positive behavioral support, and empowering developmental programs.

Talaina was born and raised in rural Arizona and has gained experience from her studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northern Arizona University. She has worked as a journalist in her community for over a decade and spends her free time renovating an old Route 66 cafe into a community space, where she houses artists passing through and makes art of her own. Talaina enjoys volunteer work and community involvement.

Lyndzi is passionate about empowering the next generation through education and entrepreneurship. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from Brigham Young University Idaho. Since joining Grow Arizona in July 2023, Lyndzi has been dedicated to supporting youth in Holbrook and Joseph City, Arizona, focusing on post-secondary preparation, internships, and entrepreneurship classes. Her commitment to fostering skills and opportunities for young people helps them navigate their futures with confidence. Lyndzi believes in the power of mentorship and is excited to continue making a positive impact in her community.

Nathan is a proud community leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for Indigenous youth from rural Round Rock, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. He is the Founder of the Northern Arizona Soldiers Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through basketball, education, wellness and community development. A graduate of Holbrook High School and Mesa Community College, Nathan earned his Associate in Arts degree and has dedicated the past seven years to working with Navajo youth and Indigenous communities. Through basketball camps, youth programs, mental health awareness initiatives, and cultural preservation efforts, Nathan works to create positive opportunities for young people.

Brandon has served Northeastern Arizona for over a decade, providing technologically focused solutions. As the Regional Manager for Essential Data Control Systems, he assisted local government and rural farmers to maintain and implement further modern systems for local and long-distance communications, allowing for automatic and remote control of infrastructure and equipment, as well as connection to the global internet in remote areas. He has built his career on the concept of efficient and effective measures for his local community to leverage what modern technology has to offer.

Aiva is our AI-powered virtual assistant, developed to support our team with quick access to information, resources, and routine task assistance. Designed for internal use, Aiva helps streamline workflows, reduce response times, and enhance overall efficiency across departments.

From answering frequently asked questions to guiding staff through internal systems and processes, Aiva is available 24/7 to assist with day-to-day operations. Her presence reflects our commitment to leveraging smart technology to empower our workforce and improve organizational productivity