Community Led by Community
Our Philosophy
An all-volunteer Board of Directors works closely with the DeafBlind community to collectively discern and choose new directions for the organization. We will expand to officers and staff in 2021. It is believed this model of shared ownership and shared authority will allow DeafBlind Retreat of Arizona (DBRAZ) to truly work as community for the community.
Board
(Acts as Advisors and help with Fundraising)
Andrew
Cohen
2023-2024
Bonnie Faye
Gibson-Brydon
2024-2025
Earl
Terry
2024-2025
Katie
Sienko
2024-2025
Mark
Mellenger
2023-2024
Petula
Oster
2023-2024
Shawn
Whitley
2024-2025
Officers
(Runs the organization and report to the Board)
Krista
Caudill
President
(2025)
Casey
Hassett
Vice President
(2025)
Ashley
Dillard
Treasurer
(2023 - 2024)
Alexandra
Thornburg
Secretary
(2024 - 2025)
Retreat Team 2024
(Runs the retreat and report to the officers)
Blaise
Davis
DeafBlind
Coordinator
Victoria
Urshan
Volunteer
Coordinator
Lauren
Raley
Accommodation Coordinator
Past Leaders
- 2023
- Board: Richard Vanover (4 years)
- Officers: Andrew Cohen (President), Caryn Tenin (Vice President), and Mark Mellenger (Secretary)
- Retreat Team: Krista Caudill (DeafBlind Coordinator), Pablo Felix (Volunteer Coordinator), and Martin Greenburg (Facilities & Accommodation & Transportation) Coordinator
- 2022
- Board: Brenda Barrett-Rodriguez (3 years) and Laura Ellington-Pierre (3 years)
- Officers: Brenda Barrett-Rodriguez (Vice President) and Casey Hassett (Treasurer)
- Retreat Team: Caryn Tenin (DeafBlind Coordinator), Alex Thornburg (Volunteer Coordinator), and Ashley Dillard (Facilities & Accommodation & Transportation) Coordinator
- 2021
- Board: Kelly Brittingham (2 years)
- Officers: Richard Vanover (Treasurer)
- Retreat Team: Andrew Cohen & Mark Mellenger (DeafBlind Coordinator), Brenda Barrett-Rodriguez & Laura Ellington-Pierre (Volunteer Coordinator), and Kelly Brittingham (Facilities & Accommodation & Transportation) Coordinator
- 2020
- Postponed due to COVID