CARE Advisory Board

Kiersten Walker has been working as a school psychologist for over 28 years, primarily in the West Valley, after obtaining her Specialist’s Degree in School Psychology from Wichita State University and Emporia State University in Kansas. Kiersten has worked in Pendergast Elementary, Litchfield Elementary, Tolleson Union High School, and Agua Fria Union High School Districts. She served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Association of School Psychologists as well as MPOWRD (a nonprofit delivering a program for peer-to-peer support). This is Kiersten’s eighth year serving on the CARE Coalition Board.  Service delivery of student mental health and well-being, as well as school safety, has consistently been an area of focus in her career.

Director of Training, Program & Quality- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley–Passionate and driven, Tessa is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in youth and program development. With a career spanning over a decade, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to fostering environments of continuous learning and growth. Currently serving as the Director of Training Program and Quality at the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley, Tessa takes charge of employee training, forges vital community partnerships to enhance programs and training, and helps maintain/support operational standards of quality within her organization. Prior to her current role, Tessa served as a Branch Director at the same organization. Tessa has a passion for youth development, leadership, and innovation. She continues to make a lasting impact on the organization and communities she serves through her unwavering dedication in creating safe, positive, and impactful environments for both youth and staff members alike. https://carecoalitionaz.org/available-programs/

Ericka Ciganek currently serves as the Director of Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health in the Glendale Elementary School District. With over 21 years of experience in the nonprofit and education sectors, Ericka has held diverse roles, including school administrator, English Language Learning coach, and classroom teacher. She has also served at the Arizona Department of Education in the area of School Improvement and Innovation, and previously worked in the corporate nonprofit space as a Manager of Leadership Development at Goodwill. Ericka holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Her work spans the full spectrum of education, having worked with students from pre-K through high school. She believes in values-based leadership, an idea stemming from Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead. Outside of her professional life, Ericka is a proud mother of three daughters and enjoys running marathons in her free time.  

Shelly Thome brings over 25 years of experience in education to her role as Director of Exceptional Student Services at West-MEC, where she leads special education, Section 504, and student intervention programs. Her career has spanned roles including social worker, counselor, liaison, and ESS manager—each contributing to her deep expertise in supporting diverse student populations.

A champion for all students, Shelly is the architect of the West-MEC’s multi-tiered systems of support.  She continuously develops and updates systems to ensure all students have the opportunity to participate in high-quality CTE. She actively contributes to national efforts to improve career and technical education (CTE) as Chair of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) CTE for All Mentorship Program. She also serves on both the ACTE Counseling and Career Development Division and the CTE for All Division Policy Committees.

Shelly regularly collaborates with secondary and post-secondary institutions to advance career development and comprehensive student support. A sought-after presenter, she frequently speaks at local, state, regional, and national conferences on topics including mental health and special populations.

In addition to her work in education, Shelly is a Licensed Professional Counselor, providing mental health services in Arizona, Florida, and South Carolina

My extensive experience and previous positions make this the perfect opportunity for me! I get to meet amazing people every day, present to groups of all sizes on a variety of mental health topics, and be creative in educating and connecting with the community. I love animals, and one of my life goals is to pet every dog.  My life motto is Love God, Love People.

My name is Belia Alvarado, please call me Bel. I am a school social worker. I love what I do, and working with students is the best part of my job. I am a proud parent of a 6^th grader. I have lived in Arizona for over seven years, and I am still not accustomed to the heat. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, walking, and traveling. I enjoy helping others and volunteering whenever possible. I joined the Care Coalition because I want to make a positive impact in the community.

Jennifer is a healthcare and community leader with extensive experience in client relations, business development, and youth advocacy. She currently serves as a Business Development Manager at Denova Collaborative Health, where she builds partnerships to expand access to integrated primary care and behavioral health services across Arizona. Jennifer is passionate about creating supportive environments for youth, advancing mental health awareness, and fostering community resiliency. As a CARE Coalition board member, she brings her expertise in collaboration, outreach, and relationship-building to help unite and empower the community to positively impact youth.