Laura Couret

Current Profession(s): Principal at Joseph Zito Elementary

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): As a principal in a Title 1 school, my focus goes beyond the traditional duties of managing a building and staff. I take pride in supporting the needs of our teachers, students, and families while maintaining high expectations and motivating everyone. The pressures we face in education today are immense, but I believe that the way we work together, can elevate us and allow us to serve our diverse community.

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): Growing up in a rural migrant community as the daughter of immigrant parents, I was fortunate to have many loving teachers who made me feel capable. Their encouragement inspired me to develop my leadership skills, leading me to where I am today, serving students and families in similar circumstances that I was raised in. My mother has been my exemplar of servant leadership.

What is your education / training background? My journey started in the Gadsden District, where I began working as a paraprofessional. Over time, I served as a paraprofessional, librarian, English as a Second Language teacher, and eventually was invited to take on administrative roles across multiple schools. Now, I proudly serve as a principal in an urban, high-needs area of Phoenix.

Advice you'd give to your younger self: I would tell my younger self to avoid acting out of selfish ambition. Instead, focus on valuing others above personal interests, give generously, and stay grounded in humility.

Who has influenced you? My parents, with their limited formal education, deeply influenced my belief system. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to have wise mentors. But in my personal life, I find my greatest inspiration in Jesus Christ, whose example I strive to follow daily.

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): I dedicate one weekend a month to serving in medical missions through Christ's Church of the Valley. As a translator for medical professionals serving those in need in Rocky Point, Mexico, this work grounds me and reminds me of the blessings in my own life.

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: I humbly accept this spotlight, but I must credit the success of my leadership to the dedicated staff at our school. They are the true heroes, working in the classrooms to ensure that our students achieve at high levels under the highest pressures our profession has ever experienced.

Joseph Ortiz

Current Profession(s): Head Football Coach at Perry High School

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): I am the head football coach at Perry High School. I run the football program and I teach in the PE department at Perry!

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): I started coaching at 19 and began working my way up. I spent 10 years as an offensive coordinator before being blessed with the opportunity to become the head football coach at Cactus High School. Four successful years later, I applied for the head coaching position at Perry and became the first Hispanic head coach in the history of the Chandler Unified School District.

What is your education / training background?: I went to Saint Mary's High School, studied at ASU, and am currently attending GCU. I have been coaching for 19 seasons but never played college football—I just worked my tail off to get to this point.

Advice you'd give to your younger self: Trust the process and put in the hours and time to perfect your craft. It will all workout. Don't give up and keep fighting for your dream.

Who has influenced you?: My parents, grandparents, Coach Zubey at Higley High School, and so many more mentors that have helped me in my path to becoming a head coach.

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): My favorite hobby is cooking. I love to cook, golf, fish and hang out with family and friends. I also am a big movie and TV show buff.

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: I am very honored by this. My grandpa passed away last year, and I just want to make him proud. Receiving this acknowledgment would have meant the world to him. So, thank you for that.

Petra Fimbres

Current Profession(s): Founder | Executive Director | VP of Development

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): I am dedicated to empowering underserved communities by raising awareness of health disparities and mentoring students, athletes, and artists. As the Founder and Executive Director of LatinaStrong® Foundation and Frida's Garden, I promote health equity and provide spaces for personal and professional growth. As VP of Development for Simba's Helping Hands, I oversee fundraising and strategic partnerships to support programs that foster empathy, creativity, and social responsibility, with a focus on helping youth achieve self-sustainability and positively impact their communities. Additionally, as the Business and Community Liaison for Orthopedic Spine Surgery Specialist Dr. Nima Salari, I merge my passion for healthcare with marketing strategies to ensure the community has access to specialized medical care.

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): My journey has been fueled by a passion for community empowerment through health equity and mentorship. Early in my career, I recognized the healthcare disparities affecting underserved communities, particularly Latinos, which led me to found LatinaStrong® Foundation in 2013. LatinaStrong® serves as a platform to educate Latinas and their families about physical and mental health and social services through a supportive network of experts. Specifically, LatinaStrong® engages Latino communities via grassroots events, programmatic initiatives, social media, and collaborations with health experts to provide culturally relevant education and health information.

As my interests expanded, I was drawn to the arts and mentoring students and athletes, which inspired the creation of Frida's Garden. Through Frida's Garden, I've created a space where athletes and artists can thrive by integrating health, business principles, and mentorship to help them build a sustainable foundation. The BRACE program within Frida's Garden provides critical resources on social determinants of health, legal, and business education.

Currently, as VP of Development for Simba's Helping Hands, I oversee fundraising and strategic partnerships to support programs that foster future leaders through creative and life skills.

My career has been shaped by a commitment to breaking down barriers and advancing equity, and I continue to work with organizations like the National Hispanic Medical Association, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Maricopa County Medical Society, and Los Abogados to expand my impact.

My background in community outreach also led me to my role as Business and Community Liaison for Dr. Nima Salari, where I contribute to medical marketing, helping bridge the gap between healthcare providers and the community.

In all my roles and activities, my goal is to empower, inspire, and educate individuals. These roles demonstrate my dedication to serving, leading, and driving positive change in the community.

Advice you'd give to your younger self: #1 Prioritize self-care. You can't pour from an empty cup. Take time for your own well-being so you have the energy and resilience to keep making a difference for your family and community.

Trust your instincts. You have a strong sense of purpose and a deep passion for helping others—don't be afraid to follow that, even when the path seems unclear. Your intuition will guide you to the right opportunities.

Form genuine relationships. Building genuine relationships and collaborating is key to amplifying the impact of a common goal. Surround yourself with people who share your values and lift you up. Collaborating with others will open doors and amplify your impact.

Who has influenced you?:

My parents: George and Josie Fimbres.

My children: Jacob and Cheyenne Camarena.

My mentors and friends: Anabell C Thompson, MariaElena Gonzalez, Dr Ricardo Correa, Dr. Erica Montes, Cindy Villanueva, Anna Antillon, Sandra Luna, and Javier Grajeda.

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): My work is a natural extension of my passions. However, I love playing golf, traveling, watching sports and relaxing at home with my two pups.

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: It's been an exciting and productive year for Frida's Garden, LatinaStrong®, and Simba's Helping Hands, with significant milestones achieved along the way. Here are some key highlights I'd like to share:

In May, LatinaStrong® hosted its 7th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Brunch in partnership with The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation's #BreastBelieve initiative, alongside Impact One, Elite Plastics Surgery, Arizona Injury Network, and Sergio Escamilla, Esq. We had over 100 attendees and provided 32 3D mammograms, along with a bilingual education panel.

LatinaStrong® will host the 3rd Annual Latino Health Equity Summit at The Sanctuary Resort on September 28th, bringing together grassroots organizations, healthcare professionals, students, and community leaders. At these peer-to-peer educational roundtables, we'll address inequities and collaborate on innovative solutions and strategies to enhance health equity.

Simba's Helping Hands Founder, Andrelton Simmons, co-hosted a Baseball Camp where he shared his knowledge, experience, and the fundamentals of baseball with the next generation of players.

Frida's Garden organized six "Salud y Arte" classes this year, with the most recent focusing on raising awareness about athletes and mental health.

On September 15th, at 1:10 PM, Frida's Garden Artists will showcase their work at section 106 during the Arizona D-backs game.

On October 7th at 6:00 PM, Frida's Garden and LatinaStrong® will host a Breast Cancer Awareness event at Frida's Garden.

There's so much great work happening! If you'd like to be part of any of these community events, email: connect@latinastrong.org.

Melinda Cadena

Current Profession(s): Executive Director at Angels on Patrol

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): I am privileged to serve as the Executive Director of Angels on Patrol, a remarkable nonprofit that partners with law enforcement to assist families in crisis and at-risk youth across our community. Every day, I witness officers demonstrating extraordinary acts of kindness and support. In my role, I manage the organization's daily operations, ensuring we have the partnerships and resources necessary to achieve our mission and vision. My focus is on empowering law enforcement to continue serving our community beyond their scope, by providing them the tools and support they need to help those they encounter in need during their on-duty hours.

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): I am a native of Phoenix, AZ, and after graduating college, I felt called to give back to my community. I was fortunate to start my career with an organization dedicated to serving the very community I grew up in. I find fulfillment and great joy in helping others, and in all my roles, that's been my guiding purpose. About 9 years ago, I came across Angels on Patrol and instantly connected with its mission. It resonated deeply with me, and I knew I had to be a part of it. I believed in it so much that I took a pay cut and started working part-time. Angels on Patrol serves both my community and the first responders I admire. As a proud first-generation American, I cherish the opportunity to give back to my country through this work.

What is your education / training background?: I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and have an extensive background in working with families and children in need. My previous roles as a Counselor, Child and Family Team Coach, Behavioral Health Assessor, and Victim Advocate, have given me deep insight into family dynamics and the unique challenges they face. These experiences, prior to moving into management, taught me the importance of staying connected to the needs of the community. Even now, I continue to answer direct requests from officers and work alongside families, helping them stabilize their crises and connect with essential resources.

Advice you'd give to your younger self: Believe in yourself and always stay true to who you are, don't let the world dictate your value. Remember, you are a child of God, deeply loved beyond what you can imagine—walk confidently in that truth. Never stop laughing or dancing, especially in the tough times. Challenges will pass, and with time, you will emerge stronger and better than before.

Who has influenced you?: Many people have influenced me throughout my life, but the first influence was my mother. She is a gentle soul who always sees the good in everyone and has dedicated her life to her family, consistently putting others before herself without complaint or a second thought. I aspire to one day have a heart as selfless as hers.

Today, my greatest influences are my children and husband. I admire their dedication, discipline, passion, and how they embrace challenges with perseverance and optimism. I am especially inspired by their walk, growing love and deepening relationship with God. Their unconditional love, support, and encouragement profoundly shape and uplift me every day. When I think I can't, they tell me I can!

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): I'm passionate about becoming the best version of myself. I fail daily, but keep trying. To achieve that, I make it a point to surround myself with kind, fun, and positive people. And of course, I couldn't be my best without plenty of food, laughter, music, and dancing!

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: I'm passionate about becoming the best version of myself. I fail daily, but keep trying. To achieve that, I make it a point to surround myself with kind, fun, and positive people. And of course, I couldn't be my best without plenty of food, laughter, music, and dancing!

Martin Herrera

Current Profession(s): Deputy Chief at Glendale Fire Department

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): I provide senior advisor roles for incident commanders during high hazard incidents that include fire operations, hazardous materials, technical rescue and violent situations.

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): I started my career as a firefighter with the Glendale Fire Department in 1997, working my way through the ranks to my current position. I was encouraged to pursue a career in the fire service after a chance meeting with a firefighter who invited me to go on a "ride along" to see if I would be interested.

What is your education / training background?: I have a background in hazardous materials and have held my Paramedic certification for the past 30 years. I have held positions as Division Chief over Training, Health and Wellness, SWAT team paramedics, and Threat Liaison Officers. I currently oversee operational readiness as a "Shift Commander," maintaining the status of our all-hazards assets and providing hazard zone support for our Battalion Chiefs.

Advice you'd give to your younger self: Enjoy every drop of this career and try everything because it'll go by fast.

Who has influenced you?: The list of people who have influenced me is long and prestigious, too lengthy to write here. However, I must acknowledge my parents and the drive they instilled in me. I also recognize the members of the fire service who came before me and laid the foundation of service to the people and communities we protect and serve.

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): Passing along knowledge and experience to our younger leaders and newer firefighters is crucial. I aim to share everything I have learned—both positively and negatively—throughout my career to help them achieve success in their careers and personal lives.

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: Never stop learning and growing, and always share everything you know with those who come after you.