OUR GUIDING VALUES
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We believe in the strength of communities and that they have the power to independently fight for social justice for all.
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We believe solutions should be community-based and that everyone, regardless of race, gender, language, and education, has a place at the table.
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We believe communities are already extraordinary and can develop leadership from within to continue their path forward.
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We believe in learning from history and other communities, with the ability to create and manage knowledge for power.
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We believe in striving to be the best version of ourselves in order to serve our people and communities.
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We believe in building relationships with communities by prioritizing trust and respect.
OUR TEAM
SHELLEY JACKSON
She/Her
Executive Director
LIZ SALAZAR
She/Her
Operations Director
EMILY NUÑEZ-EDDY
She/Her/Ella
Programs Design Manager
VICTORIA VILLALBA
She/Her/Ella
Research & Data Manager
BRANDON WARREN
He/Him/His
Political Manager
GRECIA WHARTON
She/Her/Ella
Operations Manager
PAULETTE
She/Her/Ella
Senior Political and Talent Coordinator
THANIA BETANCOURT-ALCÁZAR
She/Her/Ella
Marketing & Comms
Coordinator
KYLE MARINSHAW
He/Him/His
Data & Research Specialist
ALGA MENGESHA
She/Her
Administrative and Executive Associate
TRINITY MIRACLE
She/They
Social Media & Comms Coordinator
DESIREE PEREZ
They/Them
Data & Research Coordinator
MAHER OSMAN
He/Him/His
Development Coordinator
LUIS ÁVILA
He/Him/Él
Board Member & Instituto Founder
TOREY DOLAN
She/Her
Board Member & 2021 Instituto Monzón Fellowship Alum
EVA MASADIEGO
She/Her
Board Member
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OUR INSPIRATION
We believe that every community has the inherent leadership, capacity, and resources to create its own self-determined solutions. All it takes to build power is facilitate connections and training.
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OUR MISSION
Instituto's mission is to build sustained political power with low-income and communities of color in Arizona.
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OUR VISION
Looking ahead to 2027, low-income and communities of color will become the majority of the population in Arizona. We envision a state where low-income and communities of color will have the political power to address the issues that matter the most so they can thrive and live a life of dignity.