Board of Directors
Pat Jansen
President
Born in Michigan, Pat Jansen earned her master’s degree at Oakland University and worked for General Motors for nearly three decades as a senior manager in Global Component Capacity Management. Once she and her husband, Joe, retired, they moved to Sedona and immediately became involved in the local community.
Jansen has served as an adjunct professor at Yavapai Community College and became affiliated with the Arizona Community Foundation’s Sedona Board of Advisors, the Sedona Public Library Board of Directors, Steps to Recovery Board of Directors, and the Desert Star Community School Board, where she also serves as president.
Val Wilson
Vice President
Originally from Compton, California, Val Wilson earned her bachelor's degree in political science from UC-Irvine. She completed the Organizational Leadership/Servant Leadership Institute Program at Chapman University, then received her master's degree in organizational leadership from Point Loma Nazarene University.
Wilson spent 30 years working for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, retiring as a Bureau Commander and is currently an adjunct professor for California State University-Long Beach in their Center for Criminal Justice Research & Training program.
Now in Sedona, Wilson serves as Chair, Board of Advisors for the Arizona Community Foundation-Sedona/Verde Valley, and is an elected official of Yavapai County as a board member for the Red Rock Road Enhancement Maintenance District.
Nikkie Pruitt
Treasurer
Nikkie Pruitt is currently Vice President and Branch Manager for Foothills Bank in Cottonwood, Arizona. In addition to her nearly 30 years of experience in banking, the Cottonwood native also serves as Board President for the Verde Valley Senior Citizens' Association, and Board Secretary for Steps to Recovery Homes.
Michelle Barry
Secretary
Michelle Barry is a local public relations and communications strategist who owns Mesmerize Media Consulting. She moved to the Verde Valley in 2017 and earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Salve Regina University.
The Portland, Maine, native has held leadership roles at leading Boston public relations agencies, including Lewis PR, Metis Communications and Bridgeview Marketing, and has overseen award-winning public relations campaigns for other nonprofits including The Joyful Heart Foundation, Peace and Paws Dog Rescue, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Elizabeth LeMaster
Board Member
Elizabeth LeMaster is currently the Pastor for Sedona United Methodist Church after spending more than two decades as a litigation paralegal and forensic accountant.
Originally from West Virginia, LeMaster earned a paralegal certificate from George Washington University before acquiring her bachelor's degree in individualized study in legal administration. She went on to earn a master's in divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in ministry and church leadership excellence from the same institution.
In addition to her duties within the church, LeMaster currently serves as Board Treasurer for PFLAG, is a Unify Sedona volunteer, and is part of the Verde Valley Community Development Organization Board and Affordable Housing Task Force.
Miranda Fisher
Board Member
Miranda Fisher is currently the Town Manager for the Town of Camp Verde. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and technical communications from Colorado State University, a master's degree in public administration from Penn State University, and a doctorate in public administration from California Baptist University.
The Colorado native is currently involved with Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation, is a board member for the Community Development Institute, is the secretary and treasurer for Spectrum Healthcare Group and the President of the Camp Verde Kiwanis Club.