staff and support

The Arizona Border Alliance is supported by a dedicated team of program and administrative staff, specialized contractors, volunteers, interns, and community partners who together make our work possible across Southern Arizona and the borderlands. This integrated support structure allows ABA to operate efficiently, maintain strong accountability, and deliver high quality, community driven programs in diverse and often rural regions.

ABA’s program and administrative staff provide day to day leadership, coordination, and oversight for initiatives spanning health, education, workforce development, food security, and environmental sustainability. In addition, the organization strategically engages qualified contractors and subject matter experts to support program delivery, training, evaluation, and technical assistance. This flexible staffing model ensures responsiveness to community needs while maintaining professional standards and fiscal responsibility.

To strengthen transparency and eliminate conflicts of interest, the Arizona Border Alliance works with two independent external evaluators, one focused on qualitative outcomes and one on quantitative measurement. These evaluators operate separately from program staff and leadership, providing objective analysis that informs continuous improvement, strategic planning, and data driven decision making. External evaluation is a core component of ABA’s commitment to accountability and measurable impact.

Volunteers play a vital role in ABA’s work and are essential to our presence in every county we serve, including collaborative efforts across the border in Mexico. Individuals, families, civic groups, and corporate teams contribute time, skills, and local knowledge that strengthen programs and deepen community trust. Volunteer engagement allows ABA to extend its reach while remaining grounded in the communities it serves.

ABA also partners with colleges and universities across Southern Arizona to offer paid and unpaid internship opportunities. These placements provide students with hands on experience in community centered nonprofit work while supporting ABA’s programs with fresh perspectives, research, and field support. Internships contribute to workforce development and help cultivate the next generation of public service and nonprofit leaders.

At the regional level, ABA convenes and supports four active coalitions that collectively cover all of Southern Arizona. These coalitions bring together local agencies, schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders to coordinate services, share data, and respond collectively to local needs. The coalition model strengthens communication, reduces duplication, and ensures that solutions are locally informed while aligned with regional goals.

Together, ABA’s staff, evaluators, volunteers, interns, contractors, and coalition partners form a comprehensive support system that enables the organization to deliver effective, ethical, and sustainable impact throughout the border region.