Our Leadership
We have 100+ years of leadership experience.
The Solari Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team are dedicated to empowering others in their transformation from hope to health. That also means creating an environment where our staff is empowered to use their skills and talents to help others.
We put our decades of experience in crisis and human services to work creating comforting and supportive processes and data-driven programs that guide people to live healthier lives.
Board of Directors
Michael Horn
Commander, Tempe Police
Chair
Troy Lauterbach
President/CEO of NovaSource
Vice Chair
Anna Maria Maldonado
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Phoenix International Consultants
Secretary
Dennis Bourgeois
EVP Regional Sales Manager Consumer Banking, UMB Bank (Retired)
Treasurer
Jim Balman
Technology Executive (Retired)
Member
April Dickerson
CEO, Recovery Empowerment Network
Member
Mike Shore
President/CEO, HOM
Member
Josephine Jones
Public Fiduciary/Director
Member
Saul Blair
Retired Healthcare Executive
Member
Toni Poroda
Consultant, Headwaters, LLC
Member
Neal Thomas
President, Comtrans
Emeritus Member
Chief Executive Leadership
Justin is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in crisis systems, recovery-oriented systems of care, peer integration, non-profit organizational leadership and development. His expertise also includes developing sustainable, effective and efficient healthcare programs and systems. He has served as a behavioral health administrator, executive, network/program developer, direct practitioner and project manager within the public behavioral health and child welfare system for more than 15 years.
Justin earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Social Work from Arizona State University and holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. Justin is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of Arizona, Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Certified Peer Support Specialist in the State of Arizona, Certified Crisis Interventionist by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Fellow with the National Center for Crisis Management and the American College of Healthcare Executives. Justin also serves on the International Council for Helplines Board of Directors.
Andrew is responsible for day-to-day business operations of Solari’s Community Support and Crisis Response Network services, including the contact center. Andrew is a licensed attorney and prior to joining team Solari, he practiced in the areas of mental health, guardianship, conservatorship and probate.
Andrew graduated with honors from the University of California Los Angeles where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law with a certificate in Family Law and Social Justice. Andrew was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in 2008 and is certified in healthcare compliance by the Health Care Compliance Association. Additionally, Andrew is a member of the Elder Law, Mental Health and Special Needs (ELMHSN) Section of the State Bar of Arizona. Finally, Andrew has served as the Co-Chair of the American Association of Suicidology’s Crisis Services Committee Since 2018.
Andrew and his partner Shannon have three children Amelie, Abigail and Benjamin. They have five chickens and a dog, Obi. Andrew and his family are huge soccer fans and are members of Phoenix Rising supporter section. The family loves camping in Northern Arizona and taking trips to Southern California beaches every summer.
Tom is responsible for the oversight and leadership of Solari’s financial operations which include the finance and billing teams. He is a results-driven financial management executive with expansive experience in budgeting and financial reporting, while developing and motivating skilled teams, building business relationships and effectively interacting with stakeholders at all levels. Tom has a wealth of experience in the healthcare industry, and has worked at integrated healthcare systems, medical groups and insurance companies. He has re-engineered key workflow processes, successfully implemented new practice management systems and developed financial record keeping systems with key performance indicators.
Tom graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He is married with three adult children, an avid Green Bay Packer Football fan and enjoys hiking, golfing, and is an amateur gardener.
Mark is responsible for Solari’s information technology and business intelligence strategy and performance. Mark defines technology strategy ensuring alignment with organizational goals and patient experience. He is an award winner for customer experience, program delivery, and crisis management. Mark has vast experience transforming business operations and delivery processes through innovative digital solutions, at companies such as Kaiser Permanente, Cisco, Veritas and Verisign.
Mark graduated with honors from University of Cardiff in Wales, United Kingdom, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems. He also holds a Diploma of Marketing and attended the London School of Business in England. Outside of work, Mark enjoys time with his wife of 22 years Debi, rescuing Australian Shepherds and spending as much time hiking, biking and kayaking around Arizona.
Beth oversees Solari’s marketing, communications, community engagement, training and education programs. She is a dynamic leader with clinical mental health, suicide prevention, communications, and employee engagement expertise. Beth was a Phoenix Business Journal Health Care Hero Finalist and ranked as one of two top Mental Health First Aid instructors in the state of Arizona.
Beth has been in the mental health field for more than 15 years. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), International Council for Helplines crisis center examiner, and is trained in performing psychological autopsy investigations. Beth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling from Argosy University. She currently serves as a member of Mental Health America of Arizona’s Board of Directors. Her clinical background fuels her passion for effective communications and marketing to reduce stigma of mental illness and connect individuals to care.
Beth, her husband Jimmy, and their son enjoy traveling, camping, and golfing together. The family also includes three pets with people names. Beth also enjoys interior design, true crime documentaries and cheering on her hometown team, the Minnesota Vikings!
Julie is responsible for day-to-day business operations of Solari’s Community Support and Crisis Response Network services, including the contact center, ECS, and SDOH programs. Julie has worked in behavioral health non-profit administration for more than 15 years, with extensive experience in project and systems management.
Julie graduated with honors from Arizona State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She is also a certified Project Management Professional. Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and dog. Julie also enjoys reading, skiing, and traveling.
Senior Leadership
Omayra Torres
Vice President, Finance
She/Her
Tara Bingdazzo
Sr. Director, Eligibility and Care Services & Homeless Management Information Systems
She/Her
read moreTara oversees the programs of Community Support Network at Solari, which includes Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Eligibility and Care Services, 2-1-1 Arizona, Homeless Management Information Systems, MobilizeAZ and the Be Connected support line.
Tara joined the team in 2015 to oversee the Serious Mental Illness (SMI) determination process and implement operations statewide. A significant amount of time was dedicated to traveling the state during this time to learn about the various communities and populations we would serve. Since then, Tara has been responsible for the operational oversight of additional community support lines of business that Solari has acquired, expanding resources to continue building Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) services for all Arizonans.
Tara has worked in public behavioral health in Maricopa County since 2004. Tara worked in direct care with the SMI population for five of those years and helped to implement one of the initial Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams. Tara worked in Quality Improvement at the Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) level in complaints, grievances and appeals, becoming well-versed in member rights. From there, Tara moved on to RBHA System of Care, where she played a vital role in integrated care implementation.
Outside of work, Tara enjoys exploring hiking opportunities around the world, being creative in the kitchen and spending time with her dogs.
Ty oversees the specialty programs of Community Support Network at Solari, which includes the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), CSN Resource Systems, and the 211 Specialty Navigation Programs. He is an innovator in the human services sector specializing in inspiring change in systems of care to enhance the quality and efficiency of services delivered. As an expert in human services and data management, Ty serves on the Maricopa Continuum of Care Committee on Homelessness, the Arizona Health Improvement Plan Implementation Team and the Maricopa County Community Action Agency Commission.
Ty has been in the human services field for more than 15 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. Ty is a Flinn Scholar and was named Young Man of the Year for the City of Phoenix.
Ty has two daughters, Cecilia and Isabelle, and two dogs, Carmel and Stella. The family has a variety of interests including cooking, board games, hiking, swimming and participating in their local church community.
Thomas oversees Solari’s marketing, internal and external communications, and education teams. He has more than 20 years of experience as a marketing and communications professional and began his career as a journalist, earning several writing awards. He has overseen numerous, statewide, multi-platform marketing campaigns to great success at Solari and in previous positions. He makes regular media appearances, in English and Spanish, on behalf of the company as well as coordinating Solari’s participation in national and local news coverage in print, broadcast, and digital media.
Thomas has lived and worked abroad in Spain and Colombia, and with his fluent Spanish, serves as the bilingual voice of Solari and its programs on multiple interactive voice response phone systems.
He is certified in Mental Health First Aid and is passionate about Solari’s mission of Inspiring Hope. Thomas is a Phoenix native and graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Communications. He enjoys leisure time with his wife and their four children and being outdoors.
Cassie Villegas
Senior Director, Contact Center Operations and Clinical Services
She/Her
Directors
Advisory Council
Cori Reese
Area Director, AZ, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Advisory Council Member
Michael Schafer, PhD
Professor, ASU, School of Social Work
Advisory Council Member
William Riley, PhD
Professor, ASU Health Care Delivery
Advisory Council Member
Shana Ellis
Executive Director, ASU Homeless Action Nexus
Advisory Council Member
Candy Espino
CEO, Arizona Council
Advisory Council Member
Jessica Westmiller
Crisis Intervention Coordinator
Advisory Council Member
Josh Mozell
Attorney, FRGA Law
Advisory Council Member
Heather Carter
Executive VP, Greater Phoenix Leadership
Advisory Council Member
Melissa Kotrys
CEO, Contexture
Advisory Council Member
Amy Schwabenlender
Executive Director, Human Services Campus
Advisory Council Member
Sabrina Taylor
CIT Coordinator, Phoenix PD
Advisory Council Member
Bonnie Temme
Community Relations Program Manager, SRP
Advisory Council Member
Angela Schultz
Director of Constituent Affairs, Senator Kyrsten Sinema
Advisory Council Member
Michelle Moorhead
Executive Director, Teen Lifeline
Advisory Council Member
Tamara Player
CEO, Polara Health
Advisory Council Member
Mark Miller
Fire Battalion Chief Deputy, Phoenix Fire Department (Retired)
Advisory Council Member
Michael Pooley
Chief of Police, Apache Junction
Advisory Council Member
Pedro Cons
CEO, Adelante Healthcare
Advisory Council Member
Dr. Milton Mattox
Chief Technology Officer, Castle Shield
Advisory Council Member
Melissa Kowalski
Advisory Council Member
Sumir Bahl
Vice President, Bank of the West
Advisory Council Member
Tomas Leon
President, Equity Health Foundation
Advisory Council Member
Solari is more than
our name.
We keep our mission of “Inspiring Hope” short and simple because we believe in making a difference in every way we can.
Whether it’s by running our own programs, partnering with others on their programs, or providing consulting services and technology solutions, we make services accessible to those who need them most.