ABOUT US

Maria Martin, a TUSD graduate with Tucson roots, is excited to join the Lapan College and Career Club (LC3) as the Executive Director, where she will foster student support and guide the organization with a thoughtful and strategic approach. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northern Arizona University, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership with a concentration on community colleges and higher education from Northern Arizona University. Maria's career has focused on innovative student support strategies for historically marginalized student populations and scaling support programs statewide. Before joining LC3, she served six years at the Dorrance Foundation for Education and seven years at the Arizona Community Foundation, leveraging private funds to serve youth in Arizona as they pursue higher education. At LC3, Maria will lead organizational alignment, community relationships, and goal execution. She will integrate equity into all aspects of the organization's work and connect community members, change makers, and resources to support lasting community impact. She empowers team members to collaborate effectively and enhance efficiency to spark purpose and passion within the organization. Maria leans on a holistic and open approach for positive change and uses creative strategies to implement data-driven solutions. Outside of work, she writes and presents on the intersections of first-generation college students' lived experience, mothering women, and university support initiatives. She finds joy and laughter in spending time with her husband, her daughter, and their pets – a dog, a cat, and a flock of chickens.

Tammy Bonner, a Tucson native, pursued her studies in Organizational Leadership at Arizona State University and Instructional Design and Technology at the University of Maryland Global Campus. After a successful career in the dental industry as a site administrator and professional relations coordinator, she transitioned to Career and Technical Education (CTE). As the director of a statewide curriculum consortium, Tammy led a team dedicated to supporting curriculum development and training for CTE teachers. Tammy is delighted to join the Lapan College and Career Club team as the Director of Operations. Her extensive experience in both corporate and educational settings, combined with her strong academic background, equips her with the skills and knowledge to excel in this role. She is excited to bring her expertise and passion for education to support the mission of the Lapan College and Career Club. Tammy enjoys spending quality time with her husband, daughters, and their growing families outside of work.

Juan Franco, a proud southwest native, was born and raised in Naco, AZ. After earning his associate’s degree from Cochise Community College, he continued his education at the University of Arizona – Bear Down! – where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. Education has always been at the heart of Juan’s family. His father dedicated over 40 years to the profession, first as a teacher and later as an administrator. Inspired by his father’s legacy, Juan has dedicated his life to education and serving the community. With over a decade of experience in education, program management, youth development, and leadership, Juan has made a lasting impact on countless students and programs. He began his career as a Teen Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Bisbee, where he fostered a positive and supportive environment for teens, modeled leadership, and ensured safety and quality in all programming. Juan also served as a teacher assistant with a specialized focus on supporting students diagnosed with severe behavioral and emotional disorders. In this capacity, he provided individualized academic and emotional support, implemented behavior intervention plans, and collaborated closely with teachers, counselors, and families to foster a supportive learning environment tailored to each student's unique needs. Juan then spent 12 years teaching at local schools Borton Magnet and CE Rose, where he focused on creating inclusive and welcoming environments for his students to learn and thrive. He also served as a 21st CCLC Coordinator with Tucson Unified School District, overseeing the daily operations of a comprehensive after-school program for K-8 students and ensuring alignment with academic standards and grant requirements. Having grown up in a predominantly Hispanic and rural community, Juan has a deep understanding of the diverse needs of students from varied cultural, economic, and academic backgrounds. He is excited to continue his work serving students in the Wakefield community. He is deeply passionate about the mission of the Lapan College & Career Club, and is excited to bring his program management skills, leadership experience, and dedication to student success to the LC3. Outside of his professional life, Juan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, toddler, and soon-to-be newborn. Family adventures are his greatest joy, along with indulging in good food, watching sports (especially basketball), and embracing the rewarding experience of being a father.

Denise Valenzuela was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. Valenzuela has dedicated her life to the healthcare field for over 24 years. She is passionate about going above and beyond to help others and providing the resources to do so. In 2023, she transitioned to a new career with the Lapan College and Career Club working as the Business Data Manager." It has been so gratifying to see how the Lapan College and Career Club impacts the community and how grateful they are.

Celisa is thrilled to join the welcoming and inspiring Lapan community as the High School College and Career Program Manager with deep roots in Tucson, Arizona. Born and raised on the Southside, Celisa attended local magnet schools, including Davis Bilingual, Booth-Fickett, and Tucson High School. After earning a soccer scholarship, she pursued higher education in Mesa, AZ, and Chicago, IL, earning a bachelor’s degree before returning to Tucson to start a family business, the local coffee truck Calle Coffee. Driven by a passion for serving others, Celisa transitioned into education, delivering motivational speeches and teaching at Pistor Middle School, then at Pueblo High School for a decade. During this time, she taught a variety of subjects, including AVID, ELD, English, Math, and Journalism, helping countless students achieve their academic and personal goals. Celisa also served as a head soccer coach and mentor, fostering students' growth both on and off the field by instilling teamwork, discipline, and confidence. Recently earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University, Celisa now brings a wealth of experience, mentorship, and dedication to the Lapan College and Career program. Committed to empowering youth, she strives to create opportunities that inspire students to succeed academically, socially, and professionally. Celisa considers her family to be her greatest achievement. She cherishes her role as a mother to her two children, a loving partner to her fiancé and is grateful for their unwavering support. Cariños!

Edgar Toledo was born in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico but raised in the Wakefield neighborhood on Tucson’s south side. He graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Edgar is a Lapan Scholar alumnus, having attended CE Rose, Wakefield Middle School and Pueblo High School. With his booming radio personality style voice, infectious laugh, and passion for working with children, Edgar has been an unforgettable leader in the Lapan program since he first joined as a sixth grader at Wakefield. During his years at Pueblo High School, Toledo performed with and was the president of the nationally recognized Mariachi Aztlán performing ensemble. He was a member of the “Road Warriors” cycling team and was elected Pueblo’s first “Mr. Warrior” in 2012 during his senior year. Edgar also volunteered with “Tierra y Libertad” as a community development agent, promoting community gardens, street art and murals and other community development initiatives in the Wakefield neighborhood. He volunteered for four summers at the Lapan Center during his college years, providing leadership for the Lapan Soccer Scholar League, the gardening program and in making improvements to the Lapan Center as a cabinet maker and painter. At college he spent weekends working with kids clubs in the Phoenix area that targeted at-risk children. He also played the clarinet in the GCU pep band and was an RA in one of the GCU dorms. After graduating from college, Toledo developed expertise in customer service as an agent with Farmers Insurance Exchange, rising to become an auto claims adjuster and a mentor to other team members. In August of 2024, the Lapan College & Career Club was fortunate to recruit Edgar as the Program Coordinator for Middle School Engagement. He provides leadership to all of the Lapan after-school programs and is the liaison to the schools that partner with the Lapan College & Career Club in the Wakefield community. Edgar is the proud father of three beautiful children who are his pride, joy and inspiration.

Raised in Nogales, a border town connecting Arizona to Mexico, Liliana Sofia Leon’s upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for multiculturalism and global perspectives. The unique cultural blend of Nogales sparked her early interest in exploring different cultures, which led her to pursue academic and professional opportunities that expanded her worldview. Liliana graduated from Nogales High School and continued her education at Pima Community College in Tucson. During her time at Pima, she was fortunate to secure an internship that allowed her to spend a year in Barcelona, Spain, teaching English. This immersive experience abroad deepened her passion for working with children and inspired her to focus on child development. Upon returning in 2020, she worked as a child caregiver for four years, honing her skills in mentorship and support. In 2020, Liliana transferred to the University of Arizona, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a minor in Marketing in 2023. The intersection of creativity and strategy is where Liliana thrives, and she combined these passions throughout her academic career. During this time, she also launched a photography freelance business, which she continues to manage on weekends, further developing her creative and entrepreneurial skills. Now, as the Executive Assistant at the Lapan College and Career Club, Liliana channels her love for working with students into meaningful contributions. She is responsible for the club’s marketing efforts, working to expand its reach and engage more students in its programs. Liliana is particularly drawn to Lapan’s multicultural environment, which resonates with her own background, and she takes great pride in inspiring students to broaden their horizons. Her goal is to encourage them to explore new cultures, take risks, and recognize that the sky's the limit. Liliana is excited to be part of the Lapan College and Career Club, where she can combine her passion for creativity, working with students, and promoting multicultural understanding.