Meet Our
Board of Directors

Jamey Zurawski is Chief Operating Officer and co-owner of Design Works Gaming (DWG), bringing more than 25 years of experience in business-to-business commercial sales and marketing within the gaming industry. As a business owner for more than two decades, she has helped lead and grow a company with more than 60 employees while developing expertise in leadership, operations, and organizational growth.

Jamey Zurawski earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and holds multiple domestic and international gaming licenses. In addition to her professional leadership experience, she has served as an Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scout troop leader and as an Army and Navy Academy ANAPA Phoenix liaison. She joined the AZA United board in 2018.

Jamey brings expertise in business leadership, sales and marketing, mentorship, talent development, and organizational management. She is particularly passionate about helping young professionals develop their leadership potential and creating environments where individuals can thrive and contribute their unique strengths.

Her connection to the autism community began when her nephew was diagnosed with autism at eight years old and deepened through close friends whose children are on the spectrum, as well as through employees at DWG. These experiences helped her recognize the unique talents and strengths that many neurodivergent individuals bring to the workplace and community.

As Board Chair, Jamey is passionate about sharing a positive perspective on autism and helping others see the potential, strengths, and opportunities that exist beyond a diagnosis. She is inspired by the impact AZA United has on individuals and families and is committed to advancing the organization’s mission across Arizona.

Outside of her professional and board service, Jamey enjoys traveling, physical training, and cooking.

Stacy Harkins is Managing Director of Enterprise Business Resiliency at Wells Fargo Bank and brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry to her role on the AZA United Governing Board. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles across front-office operations, business operations, and business resiliency, developing deep expertise in organizational leadership and strategic execution.

Stacy Harkins earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and joined the AZA United board in 2020. Her career has included leadership roles in strategic program management, serving as South Asia Head of Treasury Management Client Service, and leading an Early Talent Program for Technology and Operations.

Stacy brings expertise in risk management, international leadership, strategic change management, program execution, and client service. Her experience leading complex organizations and large-scale initiatives provides valuable insight and guidance to AZA United’s continued growth and impact.

As Vice Chair of the Governing Board, Stacy is passionate about supporting a mission she strongly believes in and advancing the work of an organization dedicated to meaningful service and advocacy for the autism community. She is committed to helping AZA United expand its impact and support individuals and families across Arizona.

Outside of her professional and board service, Stacy enjoys scuba diving and camping.

Mary Jo Jerde is a retired Senior Vice President from UnitedHealth Group, bringing more than four decades of healthcare leadership experience to her role on the AZA United Governing Board. She has served in progressive nursing and executive leadership positions for 46 years, including over a decade as Director at the Barrow Neurological Institute, where she helped launch innovative programs to better serve the community.

Mary Jo holds an MBA and is a Registered Nurse and Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN). She currently serves on the Creighton University Council of Regents and the Finance Committee for the American Academy of Nursing, and has held numerous leadership roles across healthcare and academic organizations.

Although she does not have a direct family connection to autism, Mary Jo has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with complex healthcare needs and is deeply committed to improving access to care. Her passion for advocacy is rooted in her extensive experience navigating healthcare systems and supporting individuals and families in need of coordinated, community-based services.

Mary Jo brings strengths in financial oversight, corporate strategy, and mission-driven leadership. As Treasurer, she leverages her expertise in both healthcare and finance to support AZA United’s sustainability and growth, while helping guide strategic decision-making across the organization.

She is passionate about serving the Arizona community and supporting AZA United’s mission, which closely aligns with her lifelong commitment to service and care for others. Outside of her board service, Mary Jo enjoys traveling, golfing, and volunteering in the community.

Sara Presler is an attorney and strategic leader in the cannabis industry, serving as legal counsel for licensed operators engaged in cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations. She is on the Board of the Arizona Dispensaries Association, having previously served as its President and Compliance Chair. Known as an industry liaison between state regulators and cannabis businesses, Sara ensures compliant, professional, and health-focused solutions. She has been a licensed attorney for over 20 years, frequently presenting at Continuing Legal Education seminars with a specialty focus on cannabis law and ethics.

Sara began her career in public service with clerkships through the Michigan Attorney General, Michigan State University, and the Michigan Department of Education and Administrative Law. She also represented low-income clients in a rental housing clinic, where she was designated as a supervisor by her second year. Following these experiences, Sara worked as a public defender in Coconino County, Arizona, representing abused children and mental health patients within the criminal system. She taught Business Law and Ethics for six semesters at Northern Arizona University and served as an adjunct instructor in Constitutional Law for Coconino Community College.

Sara was twice elected Mayor of Flagstaff, Arizona, serving as the youngest person and first woman to hold that office. During her tenure, she led the city to achieve a balanced budget, established landmark policies between the City and the Navajo Nation, and implemented significant public safety measures to support firefighters and police. At various points in her career, Sara has held law licenses with the Hopi Tribe and the Hualapai Tribe. She has also served as General Counsel for a global wind turbine company, CEO of a privately held medical company, and CEO of the Arizona Foundation for Women, where she guided the nonprofit to strategically partner with the Arizona Community Foundation. Throughout her career, Sara has served on numerous local, state, and regional commissions, including the Coconino County Bar Association, the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission, the Public Safety Retirement Board, the Governor’s Homeland Security Council, and the Governor’s Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women.

Currently, Sara serves as the Board Secretary for Arizona Autism United. She volunteers with her local school district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council, as well as school override and bond measures. Sara is also a Girl Scout troop leader for 13 Brownies, including her daughter, and serves as an adult volunteer for her three sons’ Cub Scout Pack. Sara resides in Gilbert, Arizona, with her wife, Ali, and their children. In her free time, Sara enjoys beach vacations, baking in the kitchen, and watching movies.

Sarah McLeod is Chief Executive Officer of Activate Health and brings 20 years of marketing, communications, and media relations experience to her role on the AZA United Leadership Board. Throughout her career, she has led comprehensive marketing initiatives across the healthcare ecosystem, supporting specialty pharmacies, payer organizations, health technology companies, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations.

Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Prior to leading Activate Health, she held marketing leadership roles with both Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial organizations, including Univita Health, CIGNA Voluntary, and University of Wisconsin Health – Hospitals and Clinics.

Sarah is an active member of the healthcare business community and participates in national nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing women in leadership and improving the healthcare industry. She has received numerous awards recognizing her organizational leadership and marketing expertise, including honors from the American Marketing Association, the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, and the IABC Phoenix Chapter. She was also named one of the Top 50 Women CEOs of 2025, recognized in AZ Big Media’s 2026 Who’s Who in Arizona Healthcare, and received AZ Central’s “Who’s Next” award.

Sarah brings expertise in strategic communications, public relations, healthcare marketing, brand development, and organizational leadership to the board. She is passionate about amplifying the amazing work being done by AZA United and helping raise awareness of the organization through proactive internal and external communications.

Outside of her professional and board service, Sarah enjoys international travel with her family and spending time at her children’s sporting events.

Jessica Flores is a strategic consulting professional with experience in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, investment and asset management, business transformation, organizational change management, and customer and employee experience strategy. She currently works with Bain & Company in a strategic consulting capacity and brings a strong business strategy lens to her service on the AZA United board.

Jessica Flores joined the AZA United board in 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia and also holds an Arizona Real Estate License.

Her professional background includes 15 years of strategic planning experience, 12 years in organizational change management, 12 years in customer and employee experience strategy, 10 years in private equity, 10 years in mergers and acquisitions, and experience in both commercial and residential real estate.

Jessica Flores has also served in nonprofit leadership, including as Treasurer of the Associate Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club, Scottsdale Chapter from 2016 to 2018. Jessica has led organizational transformation projects for Fortune 500 organizations in the healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, and higher education space.

She is personally connected to AZA United’s mission through her family’s autism journey. Her nephew is autistic, and she has shared that the road to his diagnosis was very difficult for her family. That experience deepened her appreciation for the importance of accessible resources and support for the autism community.

As a board member, Jessica Flores is honored to support AZA United’s continued growth and impact. She is especially passionate about helping strengthen the organization so more families can find the guidance, services, and support they need.

Outside of her professional and board service, Jessica Flores enjoys hydroponic gardening and hot yoga.

Pamela Dewey is a retired Registered Nurse with extensive experience in clinical care, case management, and healthcare leadership. Over the course of her career, she held nursing and research management roles at St. Joseph’s Hospital/Dignity Health, with 23 years in nursing and clinical research management, six years in case management, and nine years providing direct patient care.

Pamela holds a Master’s degree in Business Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She also spent 16 years specializing in neurorehabilitation, where she played a key role in developing a pediatric acute rehabilitation program and advancing coordinated care for individuals with complex needs.

She brings a strong foundation in clinical expertise, research leadership, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her background enables her to support informed decision-making and drive meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery and outcomes.

Pamela has a personal connection to AZA United through her grandson, who was diagnosed with autism at age three and received ABA therapy, as well as ongoing speech and occupational therapy services through AZA United. Her family’s experience has deeply shaped her commitment to supporting high-quality, compassionate care for children and families navigating autism services.

As a Leadership Board Member, Pamela is passionate about giving back and supporting AZA United’s mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families. She is especially driven by her desire to advocate for the needs of others and to contribute to a program that has had such a positive impact on her own family.

Outside of her board service, Pamela enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, restoring furniture, and scrapbooking.

Ann Kobylko joined the AZA United Leadership Board in 2025 and currently serves as an AZA Parent Provider. Her professional background includes more than 10 years of experience in sales, as well as experience in management, event coordination, and aesthetics. She is also a licensed aesthetician.

Throughout her career, Ann has developed strengths in client relations, client education, and community ambassadorship. Her experience building relationships and supporting individuals and families brings a valuable perspective to the AZA United board.

Ann’s connection to AZA United is deeply personal. She is an autism mom whose oldest son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age three. As an AZA United client family, she has seen firsthand how the organization lives out its mission and supports children and families throughout their autism journey.

Ann chose to serve on the board because she wants to help AZA United continue to grow and thrive so that other families can have the same positive experience her family has had. She is passionate about supporting the autism community and helping ensure that individuals and families have access to the services and resources they need.

Outside of her board service, Ann enjoys spending quality time with her family, singing, and songwriting.

Neely Burkhardt is the Chief Marketing Officer at Polaris Rx, with nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare marketing and communications. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Magellan Health, where she led strategic initiatives to strengthen outreach, engagement, and organizational growth.

Neely holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing and International Business from the University of Arizona. Her professional expertise centers on connecting families, providers, and communities through effective communication strategies that improve access to care and resources.

She brings a deeply personal connection to AZA United’s mission. Her son was diagnosed with autism at 18 months old, and she credits AZA United with helping change the trajectory of his life. This experience fuels her passion for ensuring that other families can access the same high-quality support and life-changing services.

As an Honorary Board Member, Neely is dedicated to strengthening awareness, expanding community connections, and amplifying AZA United’s impact across Arizona. She is especially passionate about connecting families and organizations to the resources they need to thrive.

Outside of her professional and board roles, Neely enjoys watching her children play sports, hiking, and traveling.

Melissa Hulke is an Executive Director, Market Development Officer for Aetna’s West Region. She is a results-oriented leader with experience leading strategic planning, driving growth, ensuring operational excellence, and overseeing financial performance. She has broad healthcare experience including managed care, pharmacy benefits management, and healthcare consulting for payers, hospitals, health systems, providers, and pharmacy benefit managers. Melissa is a Certified Public Accountant and serves on AZA United’s finance committee. She has a Bachelors of Science degree in Economics and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Melissa has close friends with children on the autism spectrum.