**MISSION:**
Our mission is two-fold: (1) celebrate diversity and (2) highlight the opportunities that are created through higher education. As a community of business professionals and educators, we value and recognize the benefits of honoring individuals and organizations that embrace diversity. In addition, we see the value of inspiring youth to reach their full potential through education.
The West Valley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.

azwestvalleyfoundation.org

Si Se Puede!

Since its inception, the West Valley Foundation has honored individuals and organizations that believe in diversity and the value of an education. The organization’s signature yearly event is the Cesar Chavez breakfast held in Glendale, Arizona to commemorate the work of one of America’s iconic civil rights leaders. In March 2024, the organization will hold a Cesar Chavez Celebration of Excellence Scholarship Awards Dinner. We believe in embracing and advancing the possibilities of our diverse community through the promotion of higher education opportunities.

**“DIVERSITY”**
Diversity means more than just acknowledging and embracing individual identities. Diversity is a set of conscious practices that involve acceptance and respect. It means understanding and appreciating that everyone is unique and recognizing our individual differences of humanity, cultures, and the natural environment.

Matin Samaniego, Founder & President West Valley Foundation
"I believe that each person's culture and traditions should be respected and honored with an understanding that we should strive to celebrate our contributions as a community and business professionals."
Petra Falcon, Executive Director of Promise Arizona & Tio Tachias, who was elected to Coconio Country Board of Supervisors in 1964 and was re-elected six times, were honored at the Cesar Chavez Breakfast.

West Valley Foundation Celebration of Excellence & Scholarship Dinner

Help us support the next generation of leaders!

**West Valley Foundation Leadership Team**

Our leadership team brings years of community and professional experience. Our team members represent organizations that see the value in advancing the possibilities of our diverse population and advancing the educational opportunities of our youth.

azwestvalleyfoundation.org

Adolfo Gamez is the former mayor of Tolleson, Arizona, a graduate of Northern Arizona University, and the creator of the Tolleson Teen Council. It is a program that is recognized throughout the country as one of the most innovative youth initiatives. He currently serves as a Councilman on the Tolleson City Council.

Michelle Alcantar, Director of Community and Business Partnerships at Glendale Community College.

Jamie Aldama is Vice Mayor of Glendale, Arizona, and formerly served as Councilmember representing the city’s Ocotillo District. He is a graduate of Glendale University, Hispanic Leadership West Institute, and serves on the Governing Board of the Glendale Elementary School District.

Jacqueline Aguilar, Security National Mortgage Company
Mortgage Loan Originator

Omar Romandia is an alumnus of Arizona State University, the Hispanic Leadership Institute-West, and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on educational policies that impact access to higher education among historically marginalized students.

Ervin Cutwright is a graduate of Arizona State University and Glendale Community College, where he was an All-American football player. He is a former coach, collegiate and professional athlete, licensed minister, and active community member. He is on the boards of the Arizona Community Foundation, West Valley Foundation, Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation, Arizona African American Advisory Board of Faith Base Leaders, and board chair of the Northwest Black History Committee.

Jonathan Robles is the Director of Alumni, Corporate, and Foundation Relations at Estrella Mountain Community College and a member of the board of directors of the West Valley Foundation. Robles earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Public Health in Health Administration and Policy from the University of Arizona.