AEF STAFF

Kim Graham began her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) in November 2018. Previously, she served as Deputy Director of Louisiana A+ Schools, a nationally known whole-school transformation model focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Graham is the former Director of Education and Community Engagement at The Phoenix Symphony, where she created Mind Over Music, an unprecedented STEAM collaboration between Symphony musicians and teachers. She also expanded the Symphony’s outreach services by establishing the award-winning B-Sharp Music Wellness program, a multi-faceted music wellness experience for healthcare and community facilities that serve individuals experiencing Alzheimer’s, dementia, and homelessness. Graham spent most of her professional career in Tennessee, where she created and designed two nationally known arts integration STEAM initiatives launched during her tenure as Director of Arts Education for the Tennessee Arts Commission. Both programs were cited by the National Governor’s Association as models for states seeking education reform through the arts. Graham is the former Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Arts Education Advisory Group and has taught workshops and served as a panelist for The John F. Kennedy Center, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Arts Education Partnership. In addition to her role as Chief Executive Officer of AEF, Kim serves on the board of Northern Arizona University’s Arizona K12 Center, the National Advisory Council for the University of Phoenix’s College of Education, and has been the Arizona State Coordinator for the National Teacher of the Year program. Early in her career, Kim taught high school and worked as a professional actress, director and playwright for The Renaissance Center and Roxy Regional Theatre, both in Tennessee. A native of Buckhannon, W.V., Kim holds a Master of Arts Degree in Theatre and Speech Communications, a Master of Arts Degree in English, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Arts.

Emily Ramirez-Lara joined the Arizona Educational Foundation in 2023 as Project Coordinator, and currently serves as the AEF® Director of Programs. A first-generation Latina college graduate from Arizona State University, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies with an emphasis in Nonprofit Administration, and previously attended schools in the Glendale Elementary School District and Glendale Union High School District. With a background in education and youth development, Emily made a significant impact as the Co-Director of Unitown, an esteemed leadership and empowerment camp for high school students. In this role, she was instrumental in designing and developing content that guides and inspires young minds to become confident, compassionate, and socially responsible leaders. Emily proudly served with AmeriCorps, honing invaluable skills and contributing to community-driven initiatives. As a College Access Specialist with over four years of expertise, she played a crucial role in guiding students towards achieving their higher education aspirations. Notably, Emily received the prestigious 2021-2022 Achievement Above All Volunteer Award from the GUHSD Governing Board, recognizing her outstanding leadership and exceptional accomplishments within educational settings. As a Contractor for the Phoenix Public Library Foundation, Emily had the privilege of producing captivating videos for the Dinner in the Stacks fundraising event, contributing to raising over $23,000 in support of the Phoenix Public Library. Her multimedia initiatives exemplify a strong commitment to driving social impact. Emily's expertise in Financial Aid has been showcased through professional appearances on Univision, where she shares vital information and empowers individuals through education and access to resources. Outside of her television engagements, Emily recorded Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and educational content for Mayor Kate Gallegos, leaving a positive impact on community awareness and promoting citywide initiatives. In addition to her professional endeavors, Emily pioneered the development of a monthly scholarship highlights series on YouTube, reaching a wider audience and inspiring the pursuit of higher education.

Chance joined the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) as the Director of Development in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in education and nonprofit work. Prior to AEF, he served Arizona students at School Connect and worked in early childhood education at Candelen. His nonprofit career began at the American Cancer Society in Fargo, ND, where he earned regional and per capita fundraising awards. Originally from Aurora, Colorado, Chance began his commitment to education in high school, working in before- and after-school programs and coaching youth sports—a passion he maintained throughout his college years at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He chose MSUM for its esteemed education program and initially pursued a degree in Secondary Education, aiming to become a high school social studies teacher. However, after adapting to shifts in the education landscape, he graduated with bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Legal Studies, along with a minor in Coaching. Currently, Chance is completing his Master’s in Business Administration online at the University of Arizona. When he’s not studying, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Sumaiya, and their two sons, Caleb and Sakic.

Mark Paulsen is a passionate educator with two decades worth of experience in Arizona’s education system. Having served as a classroom teacher, academic coach, and STEM specialist, Mark has dedicated his career to fostering student growth and teacher development. Mark holds a master’s degree in education leadership and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Coming from a family of educators, Mark has always understood the critical impact teachers have on student success. Joining the Arizona Educational Foundation, Mark is driven by a commitment to support schools, educators, and students across the state, ensuring the classrooms are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.

Danielle is an Arizona native and is a product of Arizona public schools. She lived in central Phoenix, northern Arizona, and is now on the east side of the Valley with her husband and daughter. She earned her B.A. in Political Science and Certified Nonprofit Professional credential from Arizona State University. Danielle has years of experience with community engagement, fundraising, volunteer management, event planning, and community training and is committed to strengthening families and communities through education and building bridges between individuals and the resources in their communities. She’s worked at the Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona, Valley of the Sun YMCA, and American Family Insurance. She is excited to join with the Arizona Educational Foundation and increase awareness of our programs, expand our reach into communities, and support all of our programs.

Erik Rendelman is an educator and nonprofit administrator with over fifteen years of experience, working with students of all ages both in and out of the classroom. Graduating from Northern Arizona University with a dual Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education, Erik brings his passion for supporting teachers and schools to Arizona Educational Foundation. With a variety of experience in event management and educational development, Erik is a lifelong learner and dedicated to the AEF mission of highlighting the amazing work of Arizona public schools.

Emilie Saint Amour is a recent graduate from Central Michigan University where she obtained her degrees in Nonprofit and Public Administration, and International Relations. Following graduation, Emilie moved to Arizona to begin her career as a nonprofit professional.

Jonathan Perrone is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) educational expert from Phoenix, AZ. For the past 18 years, Jonathan has led his students, both children and adults, on a journey to discover the wondrous principles and practices in the many fields of science and STEAM. Mr. Perrone’s STEAM programs have offered students the opportunity to engage with topics such as computer science, engineering solutions to real-world problems, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D Printing, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), inquiry science, virtual reality, and much more. In 2019, Jonathan was recognized as an Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) Teacher of the Year Ambassador for Excellence. Currently, Jonathan is the teachSTEM Coordinator for AEF and a STEM Education Faculty at Arizona State University. He is a dedicated educator and a committed father to his elementary-aged daughters, Seraphina and Gianna. He is married to his wonderful wife, Veronica, who is also an educator and professional development provider for early childhood teachers. Jonathan hopes to continue his path in education, striving to bring more innovation and creativity into classrooms at the state and national levels.

Renee Levin is a dedicated advocate for students and teachers throughout Arizona. With a career spanning over two decades at Intel, where she spent 24 years in Public Affairs and 15 years as Community Affairs Manager, Renee played a crucial role in managing community grants and fostering strategic partnerships that supported education. In 2009, she joined the Board of the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF), contributing to the organization's growth and impact on schools across the state. Coming from a family of educators, Renee has always understood the vital role teachers play in shaping the lives of students. After taking early retirement in 2021, she chose to join the staff of AEF, driven by her passion for public education. Renee believes that empowering teachers is one of the most effective ways to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, and she remains committed to supporting the educational community through her work at AEF.