Our Team
Staff and Board of Directors
CCC&Y’s team of committed and knowledgeable individuals is driven by purpose and mission.
Virginia Watahomigie
Executive Director
virginia@coconinokids.org
Virginia, who joined CCC&Y in September 2016, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology (minor in Family Studies) and a Master’s degree in Administration (Leadership Emphasis) from Northern Arizona University. Virginia has worked in the child welfare, behavioral health, and prevention fields for two decades with expertise in trauma-informed and resiliency building systems, crisis de-escalation, leadership strategies, human stress, regulation, and behavior management. She began her career in Southern Arizona working in a children’s residential treatment program and ultimately was the program director for the agency’s foster care, therapeutic foster care and ICPC (interstate compact) programs across five counties. She additionally holds certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Virginia is the proud mother of a daughter who graduated with dual degrees from Cornell University and Master’s Degrees from UA and ASU.
Frank Moraga
Outreach Coordinator
frank@coconinokids.org
Frank Moraga has extensive experience in the communications, education, and nonprofit sectors, most recently serving as director of special projects for Shooting Star Communications LLC, based in Flagstaff. This follows a career in the newspaper industry in Southern California where he progressed from being an environmental/community/business reporter to business editor, director of diversity and general manager of a Hispanic-serving publication. In Northern Arizona, he has been part of website development and marketing efforts for such local nonprofits and community-serving organizations as Flagstaff Communicators, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC). He has co-taught classes in communications and leadership at Coconino Community College and helped launch and raise funds for a communications scholarship program for youth and taught summer and other high school workshops on communications for at-risk youth. In his position, Frank is connecting with parents, community members, and providers about current, critical issues impacting students and informing and engaging stakeholders around Arizona’s education system.
Executive Committee of the Board
Andrea Meronuck, MA, LPC, SEP
Clinical Director, Northland Family Help Center/ Owner, New Moon Facilitation
President
“I serve with CCC&Y because the coalition is a place where the community can come together and explore a shared passion for the wellbeing of children in the county, and take action toward our collective goals of a thriving community. Together we are able to creatively make space for efforts toward healing what needs to be healed, and as well as make space for growing a greater experience of safety, prosperity, connection, confidence, and joy in the youth of our community.”
Kimberly Sevier, MA
Children’s System of Care Clinical Program Specialist, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Vice President
“I have a passion for supporting and working with the youth that have challenges in our community. Being on the CCC&Y board allows for community member engagement working together to provide our youth with the opportunities needed to increase their chances in becoming successful young adults.”
Laura Rosensweet, M.Ed
Community Impact Manager, Education Forward AZ
Secretary
“My entire career has been spent helping our most vulnerable youth be connected to education and services through my work as a teacher in behavior intervention. I’m excited to serve on the CCC&Y board and work with the community to support families and kids in living their best lives.”
Peter Van Wyck, BA
Regional Director, First Things First
Interim Treasurer (Past President)
“Serving on the CCC&Y Board allows me to have a direct, tangible impact on children throughout Coconino. With CCC&Y we can strengthen and develop our community while also improving the lives of our youth and their families.”
Board of Directors
Carrie Dallas
Navajo Nation, Division of Behavioral Mental Health, Regional Behavioral Health Authority - Tuba City Office
“I love my work in the area of youth prevention. By sharing Native American cultural practices, I am enabled to share traditional values and principles of living a good life. I believe in sharing cultural knowledge with youth. Today, numerous Native American curriculums are based on “Culture is healing.” Culture is increasingly being utilized in prevention and intervention programs. I am living proof of the healing that cultural values, principles and practices bring to a human being. I am a survivor of numerous social determinants and this is what drives me in supporting today’s youth. I pray for a good life for each and every young person. I have always been drawn to traditional stories, teachings and practices. I will always share what was shared with me, with the next generation.
Jennifer Hernandez
Project Manager, Center for the Future of Arizona
“It is an honor to serve on the board of the Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth, which for decades, has demonstrated leadership in coordinating community conversations, events and public education that promotes the wellbeing of families and advocates for positive change for our children and youth.”
Sandra (Sandy) Diehl, J.D.
Coconino County Public Defender
“I have spent my entire career working with and for children and families in Coconino County. CCC&Y has a long history of educating, supporting and engaging our community in ways that enhance the abilities of our citizens and families to lead happy, healthy and productive lives. I am appreciative of the work that CCC&Y does each and every day.”
Cymbre Lauing
Owner, Big Water Bakery
“CCC&Y has done so much for engaging and enriching the community, and feeling like I can play a part in that growth is both professionally and personally fulfilling. I have always enjoyed helping and caring for others, and I am so proud to work with like-minded individuals and organizations like CCC&Y to further those goals.”
Sandra Quintanilla
Dependency Program Coordinator, Coconino County Juvenile Court
“One of the things I have been called to do is to assist families in all the ways available to me at any given juncture. The CCC&Y vision for Coconino County families works toward this ideal every day and serving on the Board allows me to advocate for all families on a broader scale. I’m honored to work with this team of compassionate community members.”
Ophelia Goatson, MSW
Community Member
“My passion and heart has always been dedicated to families and children, and the mission of my work has lived in empowering and educating to create healthy communities. CCC&Y aligns with my personal goals to advocate for families and children.”
Rene RedDay
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona
“CCCY ensures I am informed of both community issues facing families with children and local strategies being implemented to support their success. I strongly believe healthy communities are created when organizations collaborate to foster family resilience.”
Andrea Merrihew
Division Manager, Community Action, Coconino County
“I am honored to serve on the CCC&Y board and to have the opportunity to support our mission of creating better lives for children and families in Coconino County. I have focused most of my career working with children and youth, and I am always inspired by their incredible insight and resilience, even in times of crisis. I am passionate about supporting and advocating for vulnerable children, youth, and families in our community, and in helping them identify their strengths and develop their voice. It is important that we have authentic conversations and hear their voices as we work towards ensuring Coconino County remains a place of positive engagement and inclusion, a community where everyone can thrive. I am honored to serve on the CCC&Y board and to have this opportunity to support our mission of creating better lives for children and families in Coconino County.”
Completion of full terms and retired from board service since 2016
Theresa Kulpinski
Sandra Diehl (*returned to service)
Lina Wallen
Peggy Sheldon- Scurlock
Beya Thayer
Paula Stefani
Mary McKell
Julianne Hartzell