Strengthening Southern Arizona Communities Through Health, Access, and Connection
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Joseph Gill, M.A.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Joseph has a distinguished and extensive background of education, training, work experience, and leadership spanning over 30 years. He was born and raised in Summit, New Jersey, and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, NJ. Joseph then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Monmouth University with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminal justice with a focus on leadership, management, and advanced statistics. During high school and throughout college, Joseph worked as a line cook at several famous NJ restaurants and moved up to Sous Chef by the time he completed graduate school.
After graduate school, Joseph joined the Lakewood Police Department (NJ) as a Crime Analyst and Statistician. He conducted crime data analysis and GIS-based mapping to identify patterns and support strategic policing efforts. He developed data-driven crime prevention strategies, secured funding through successful grant writing, and trained officers on crime analysis tools and techniques. His work enhanced intelligence-led policing and improved resource allocation and crime reduction efforts.
Joseph was then hired as a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration and graduated from the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, VA. He was initially assigned to the Newark, NJ Field Division in a street task force group, then transferred to the Miami, FL Field Division where he was assigned to a Title-III wiretap group, a Tactical Diversion Squad (TDS), and to Operation BAT in Georgetown and Andros Island, Bahamas. He was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent (GS-1811-14) in 2012 and transferred to the Phoenix Field Division, Arizona where he retired in 2018. He received numerous awards from DEA, local governments, and private organizations while he served with DEA.
After retiring from the DEA, Joseph worked as an Operations Manager for the TJX Companies in Tucson, AZ. During this time, Joseph earned his Master Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma, as well as certifications in Project Management, Agile, and Scrum Master.
In 2020, Joseph was hired by Amistades, a small, family-run agency that is 'Hispanic led and Hispanic serving' that serves Tucson, as the Director. Joseph was responsible for all programs, supervising all staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers, and running the day-to-day operations of the agency. He oversaw grant prospecting, writing, and management and ultimately increased the agency's operational budget by 300% in his time there. Joseph also provided high-level strategic, financial, technical, operational, cultural, legal, and managerial guidance and training to the executive staff, finance team, and Board. Joseph resigned from his position as Director on Independence Day, July 4th, 2024 to officially open the Arizona Border Alliance.
Joseph has also volunteered as a suicide counselor since 2018 with the Crisis Text Line and has helped hundreds of people through crisis situations.
As the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of the Arizona Border Alliance, Joseph is responsible for developing and executing the organization’s strategic vision and long-term objectives.
Alexandra Boneo
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Alexandra is a bilingual and bicultural Latina from the border region of Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. She graduated from Cochise College with an associate degree in computer applications and attended the University of Arizona for her bachelor’s degree in education. Alex has always been involved in the community and has volunteered all her life to help causes that she believes in.
Alex has over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector and is known throughout Southern Arizona and Mexico for everything she has accomplished for the border areas of Arizona. Alex has presented at numerous conferences throughout the United States and in Mexico on US/Mexico relations, Trauma-Informed Care, border communities, substance abuse prevention, and other issues she is passionate about. Two major conferences that Alex presented at were the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Conference and the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) National Conference.
Throughout the years of work and voluntarism, she has partnered with many agencies and leaders such as the City of Douglas, Frontera de Cristo, Budget and Finance Council, the Binational Health Council (COBINA), St Vincent DePaul, Leaders Across Borders, Douglas Area Food Bank, Douglas for Stronger Families Council, Douglas Turning Point, and countless others. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Legacy Foundation and has represented the southeastern part of Cochise County since 2021 in an effort to promote population health and community wellness throughout southeast Arizona.
Along with the community work, Alex is passionate about food. In 2017 she founded the Blueberry Café in Downtown Douglas which serves healthy, creative food and coffee sourced from Chiapas, Mexico. Being awarded Best of Douglas and several other community recognitions, Blueberry Café is a safe community space where information and resources get distributed as well as bringing food and community together. Her work experience and skills in the last 20 years come from working at Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS) as a Prevention Specialist, where she developed and translated culturally appropriate programs, curricula, and resources. At The Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she developed outreach and speaking skills, and at a small nonprofit where she was responsible for the Douglas office, program compliance and reporting, and the supervision of all staff, contractors, and volunteers.
Currently, as Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of the Arizona Border Alliance, Alex is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency to ensure the agency runs smoothly and efficiently, as well as high-level coordination with other agencies on both sides of the border.
Elsa Orozco
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Elsa is deeply committed to the communities of Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora. She believes that these towns are interconnected and actively work for the well-being and future of their residents. Through her efforts, she aims to enhance awareness and education within the communities that the Arizona Border Alliance serves.
With over seven years of experience in prevention and non-profit initiatives, Elsa has played a pivotal role in fostering a healthy and educated community. She has established a dedicated group focused on community wellness and has also formed a support network for parents and caregivers, emphasizing the importance of information sharing and education. Additionally, Elsa coordinates the S.A.D.D. Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions), where she facilitates numerous meetings and events, including the Annual Youth Conference and Teen Nights.
Elsa has found great fulfillment in working with youth, beginning with her role as an instructional aide at Raul H. Castro Learning Center – PPEP Tec High School. She developed a strong passion for supporting students in achieving their goals and guiding them towards making healthy choices. Inspired by the dedication of Norma Loreto, the current Math Teacher, and her genuine care for students, Elsa is motivated to contribute positively to the youth in her community. She recognizes her responsibility to foster and promote a healthier environment for the upcoming generation of teenagers.
As a Latina raised in Douglas and Agua Prieta, Elsa takes pride in her heritage and strives to impart cultural values and traditions to her three children. She is the first member of her family to attend university and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public health at Grand Canyon University.
Elsa was one of the founding Board Members of the Arizona Border Alliance and resigned from the board to work for ABA and support our communities directly.
Andrea Duarte-Ybarra
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & OUTREACH
Andrea is a first-generation college graduate who earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona in 2022. Prior to that, in 2018, she completed a certification in Marketing and Photography from the Los Angeles School of Photography.
Originally from Nogales, Arizona—a culturally rich border town—Andrea has long demonstrated a deep commitment to community service. For over a decade, she has volunteered her time supporting local events and nonprofit organizations. During her undergraduate studies, she served as a Project Coordinator with AmeriCorps and continued her engagement with several Tucson-area nonprofits.
With over seven years of experience in marketing and outreach, including work with numerous businesses in Southern Arizona, Andrea brings a strong background in community engagement, fundraising, and strategic communication. She is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, which strengthens her ability to connect with and serve diverse border populations.
As the Director of Marketing and Outreach at the Arizona Border Alliance, she is actively contributing to the organization’s growth and expansion, with a dedicated focus on supporting and uplifting Arizona’s border communities.