Free Arts announces new members of leadership team
Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona announced two new changes to leadership roles, bringing new perspectives and ideas to the organization’s mission and vision through the appointment of Jodie Sprayberry as the Vice President of Philanthropy and Danielle Tefft as the Vice President of Programs.
Jodie Sprayberry brings more than 20 years of experience to her new position as the Vice President of Philanthropy. Inspired by her mother’s volunteer work with the American Cancer Society, Sprayberry began her career in fund development with the United Way of Kern County and has since filled multiple leadership roles and continued to hone her skills to provide support, strategic oversight, and guidance to several nonprofits and community-based organizations.
“I am excited for Jodie to join our team,” said Matt Sandoval, Executive Director of Free Arts. “Her background in leadership, development, and foster care serving agencies will help provide vision and support to an amazing team at Free Arts.”
As the Vice President of Philanthropy, Sprayberry will develop and integrate strategic fundraising strategies for the organization and grow relationships with key community partners to increase Free Arts’s connections and impact.
Danielle Tefft has been part of the Free Arts family for one year, moving to the role of Vice Presidents of Programs after serving as a Program Director. Tefft has led nonprofit programs throughout the Valley for more than 20 years, including mentoring, prevention and advocacy work. Her work at Free Arts combines her education and experience as a licensed baccalaureate social worker with her passion as an artist to build strong programs to help transform children’s trauma to resilience through the arts.
“Daneille has excelled at reinvigorating agency partnerships, expanding volunteer engagement, and implementing resilience building programs,” said Sandoval. “Her more than 20 years of experience in mentoring and human services will provide an exciting vision for Free Arts programs statewide.”
Harvard Investments adds 3 key staff members
Harvard Investments continues its strategic growth by hiring a Division Controller; and a Director of Planning and Financial Analyst for Estrella Development Company.
Jennifer Meyers joins Estrella Development as Director of Planning after 26 years as a land planning consultant, most recently serving as a Principal at Norris Design. Branden Lamb joins Estrella Development as a Financial Analyst from New Home Co., where he was a Division Coordinator.
Melissa Ely, CPA, CGMA, CTP, brings 20 years of industry accounting experience, joining Harvard Investments as Division Controller.
Jennifer Meyers will oversee all planning, design, and entitlements of future development within the master-planned community of Estrella in Goodyear, Arizona.
Prior to joining Estrella, her duties at Norris Design included design and entitlements for a wide variety of project types including master-planned communities, multifamily residential, industrial, build-to-rent, and commercial.
A native of Palo Alto, California, Meyers earned a bachelor of science degree in landscape architecture from Arizona State University. Meyers is involved with industry development group Valley Partnership.
Branden Lamb is responsible for assisting in the construction and analysis of business plans, budgets, forecasts, and tracking and reporting financial metrics for Estrella Development. At New Home Co., he supported the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis in reviewing quarterly and annual forecasts, preparing gross margin variance analysis comments, and managing the general and administrative budget.
A native of Phoenix, Lamb earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from ASU. He holds an Arizona real estate salesperson license. He volunteers with Phoenix Pride and Trees Matter.
In her role as Division Controller, Melissa Ely will oversee land development accounting for Harvard Investments. She joins the firm from Shelter Asset Management, where she served as Construction Controller. She worked for RED Development as Director of Project Accounting and DMB Associates as Accounting Manager.
A native of Southern California, Ely moved to Arizona when she was in junior high school. She earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from ASU. She is a member of AZCREW and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICAP).
Ely gives back to the community as a member of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun, a philanthropic group of women who donate locally and connect personally to benefit Arizona charities.
NAI Horizon announces addition of Lance Sherwood
NAI Horizon is pleased to announce the addition of retail specialist Lance Sherwood, LEED AP B+C, as a Senior Associate.
Sherwood holds the designation of LEED AP BD+C from the U.S. Green Building Council. He holds real estate licenses in Arizona and Montana and is a member of ICSC.
Sherwood specializes in retail and retail land opportunities in both Arizona and Montana. He will work with developers, investors, and tenants in the purchase, sale, or lease of land, shopping centers, and retail spaces.
“We are excited to have Lance join our team,” said NAI Horizon CEO/Designated Broker, Terry Martin-Denning. “His unique background gives him a skillset that brings tremendous value to our clients.”
Sherwood brings a diverse background with 30 years of experience, starting in architecture, moving into development with Weingarten Realty, and then as a
commercial real estate agent with Willis Property Company. For six years, he represented clients in the purchase, lease, and sale of real estate in the education, land, and commercial sectors.
