About Us
Helios Education Foundation is focused on creating opportunities for individuals in Arizona and Florida to succeed in postsecondary education by advancing the academic preparedness of all students and fostering a high-expectation, college-going culture. Through a decade of strategic partnership and investment, Helios has identified Early Grade Success, College and Career Readiness and Postsecondary Completion as the three most critical reform priorities in achieving our long-term goal.
As an engaged foundation, embedded in communities across both states, the Foundation is contributing its expertise and financial resources to better prepare students for college and career and to compete successfully in a global economy. The Foundation’s approach to reforming education systems in Arizona is built around four key categories: strategic investing, building and reforming systems, public and political will building and collaborating and convening.
Since 2006, Helios has invested close to $170 million in education-related programs and initiatives in Arizona and Florida.
Board of Directors
- Vince Roig
- Founding Chairman
- Paul J. Luna
- President & CEO
- Don Aripoli, Ph.D.
- Director
- Mark Fernandez
- Director
- Tom Herndon
- Director
- Vada Manager
- Director
- Ioanna T. Morfessis, Ph.D.
- Director
- Jane Roig
- Director
- Maria Sastre
- Director
- Steven Wheeler
- Director
“It is an imperative for us to ensure that all students are educated to their full potential and ready for success in college and career.”
Vince Roig, Founding Chairman, Helios Education Foundation
Executive Office
- Paul J. Luna
- President and CEO
- Barbara Ryan Thompson
- Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
- Tammi L. Crum
- Executive Services Director
- Jennifer Mariscal
- Administrative Support Assistant
- Susan Muehlberger
- Executive Assistant to the COO, CFO and Chairman
We believe education changes lives and strengthens communities.
Community Impact
- Linda Thompson
- Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer
- Stacy Carlson, Ph.D.
- Vice President and Program Director, College and Career Readiness
- Claudia Clair
- Senior Administrative Assistant for CIO & Community Impact
- Braulio Colón
- Vice President and Program Directory, Postsecondary Completion
- Georgette De Salvo
- Administrative Assistant
- Erika Morse
- Program Specialist
- Julie Norwood
- Program Specialist
- Karen J. Ortiz, Ph.D.
- Vice President and Program Director, Early Grade Success
We believe education is an investment, not an expense.
Finance & Administration
- Michael Chesin
- Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- Noel McClain
- Human Capital and Workplace Operations Director
- Patricia Palicz
- Accountant
We believe every student, regardless of zip code, deserves a high-quality education.
Marketing & Communications
- Ian Smith
- Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer
- Rebecca Lindgren
- Marketing Communications Director
- Grace Maseda, APR
- Marketing Communications Director
- Anaiis Ballesteros
- Marketing Communications Coordinator
- Janice Pilkenton
- Executive Assistant to the CCO and CPO
We believe we will achieve our mission through partnership and collaboration.
Policy, Research and Evaluation
- Charles Hokanson
- Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer
- Paul G. Perrault, Ph.D.
- Vice President & Director of Research & Evaluation
- Michelle Boehm
- Research and Evaluation Analyst