Board Members

District 1: Dr. Nicole Barraza 

Nicole P. Barraza is originally from Nogales, Sonora and is a graduate of Salpointe Catholic High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wellesley College, and her master’s and Ph.D. from Stanford University in Sociolinguistics and Modern Peninsular Literature.

Prior to joining SALC, Barraza was an adjunct faculty member at Pima Community College.

Nicole was a member of the inaugural Civic & Political Leadership Academy cohort and is a 2020 Flinn-Brown Fellow. In 2022 she was selected by the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation to join the Fellows Council. Nicole also serves on the Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments and the St. Cyril School Advisory Board. She previously served on a magistrate merit selection panel for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona in 2022 and 2023 and on the Board of Tucson Young Professionals.

Elected November 2024 - December 2026

Email: 
triel_bog@pima.edu

District 2: Theresa Riel

Theresa Riel graduated from Sabino High School in '82 and then traveled with UpWithPeople, an organization for youth whose musical performances promoted diversity, racial equality, and positive thinking nationally and internationally. The experience gave her valuable knowledge and skills in building bridges of communication and understanding between all people.

Theresa studied at the University of Arizona, earning a BA in 1987 and an MA in Teaching and Teacher Education/Mathematics in 1995. She taught math for 33 years throughout Southern Arizona, spending the last 23 years on the faculty of Pima Community College. Her teaching experience taught her that every student can learn mathematics if taught in ways that accord with their individual learning styles.

While at PCC, she took courses in welding, classical guitar, woodworking and watercolor.

Theresa is active in the Tucson community, serving as president of the Rosemont West Neighborhood Association and as a Big Sister for the Big Brothers and Sisters of Southern Arizona. She is a regular volunteer for Sister Jose Women’s Shelter, a shelter for women experiencing homelessness.

Theresa is the mother of two amazing young men who have given her by far the best experience and most significant accomplishment of her life.

Elected November 2022 - December 2028

District 3: Kristen Ann Randall

Kristen Randall is an accomplished public servant with a diverse background in science, small business, and community advocacy. With over a decade of experience as a scientist in southern Arizona, Kristen transitioned to public service, focusing on housing, substance abuse recovery, civil mediation, and addressing domestic violence.

A community college graduate, Kristen earned her associate’s degree in environmental studies while balancing single motherhood and two jobs. This educational foundation led to a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a career with the Department of the Interior. In public service, Kristen ran for Constable, where she developed collaborative programs to prevent evictions and support families at risk of homelessness. As the court administrator at the Green Valley Justice Court, she launched Arizona’s first pre-adjudicated DUI treatment program, oversaw the development of a new Justice Center to assist justice-involved individuals, and helped build a domestic violence treatment protocol to address the root causes of intimate partner violence to reduce recidivism.

She now works for Pima County as a manager for an environmental regulatory agency. Kristen has received several accolades, including the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson Women’s Leadership Award (2022) and the US Department of Justice FBI Community Service Award (2021). She serves on the board of Arivaca Helping Hearts and is a Mom to two.

Elected November 2024 - December 2030

Email: 
gtaylor23_bog@pima.edu

District 4:  Greg Taylor

Greg is a dedicated professional committed to enhancing Arizona's social service safety net and the overall quality of life for its residents. As the Regional Vice President, Community Affairs, at Arizona Complete Health, he spearheads impactful initiatives in corporate social responsibility, improving community health outcomes, and community engagement.

With a focus on supporting children, families, and vulnerable adults, Greg's career includes leadership roles as Chief Community and Public Relations Officer at Community Partners, Inc. and Public Relations and Communications Director at Magellan Health Services of Arizona. Since 2011, he has diligently stewarded investments totaling approximately $40 million towards community-based social service organizations.

Greg's dedication extends to public service, serving as the board chair as an elected member of the Pima Community College Governing Board and holding positions on the boards of the Tucson Metro Chamber and the American Heart Association Western States Affiliates. Greg has also served on the boards of Heartsounds: Mother and Infant Care, Mobile Meals of Tucson, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson, American Heart Association Southern Arizona Affiliate, and the Children’s Museum Tucson. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America recognized Greg in 2022 with a National Service to Youth Award and in 2023 the University of Arizona Zuckerman College of Public Health granted Greg their Distinguished Citizen Award, a testament to his commitment to making a positive impact on Arizona's communities.

Greg's proficiency in public relations and marketing has garnered acclaim from industry associations, including the International Association of Business Communicators, Health Information Resource Center, and the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals. Greg earned his bachelor's degree with honors in American Studies from Stanford University.

Elected November 2022 - December 2028

District 5: Karla Bernal Morales

Karla Bernal Morales is the Vice President of the Arizona Technology Council, where she oversees the Council’s Southern Arizona operations. In her role, Morales drives member recruitment, secures sponsorships, and ensures the success of key events, educational forums, and technology-focused conferences. With over 27 years of leadership experience spanning the region’s education, nonprofit, and government sectors, Morales brings unparalleled expertise and dedication to advancing the Council’s mission. Formerly, Karla was the Director of the Office of Multicultural Advancement in the Office of the Provost at the University of Arizona. In her role, Karla served as the liaison for the University’s Diversity Councils and facilitated the relationship between the state and local community with the university senior leadership and campus partners to advance diversity, equity & inclusion efforts on campus. In her previous role, Karla supported the University of Arizona’s government and community relations for the southern Arizona region.

Karla is a data and impact-driven professional. She began her public service career volunteering at a local community center. Karla worked for the State of Arizona for over 17 years with the Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility and assisted thousands of Arizona families to receive state and federally funded assistance for nutritional assistance, employment training, childcare benefits, and medical assistance. During her tenure at United Way of Tucson & Southern Arizona, Karla raised over eight million dollars to support programs that directly impacted the community in the areas of education, financial stability, and health.

Morales currently serves on several community boards, including the Pima County Workforce Investment Board, Campus Research Corporation, Tucson Airport Authority, Second Sky, Earn to Learn, College of Engineering Dean’s Council, & is the Chairwoman Emeritus of the Board for the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She holds a Bachelor of Science in education with a minor in bilingual studies from The University of Arizona and an MBA from Eller College of Management.

Elected November 2024 - December 2030