Arizona Coyotes Foundation Adds Four New Members to Board of Directors

The Arizona Coyotes Foundation is growing its Board of Directors, and the recent addition of four members signifies another milestone in its goal of becoming a $1 million-per-year steady state giving organization.
The hard work toward that goal is far from over, but the growing board highlights yet another step in that direction for the Foundation, which awarded over $500,000 to 48 nonprofits last year.
The Foundation recently added Aaron Frazier, Anthony Sharett, Ben Hayes, and Mark Voigt to its Board of Directors, increasing the number of members to 13. The four were identified as potential candidates by current board members, and each received invitations to join following a vetting process that evaluated their current involvement in the community.

The goal was to ensure each new member would be a good fit within the Foundation's pillars of giving, supporting organizations that promote access to education, health and wellness, and economic advancement for underserved and diverse communities.
Alexis Meruelo, Chair of the Foundation's Board of Directors, said she is excited to welcome the new members to the organiation.
"Each one of them are incredible leaders, not only in their respective businesses, but also within the community," Meruelo said. "We are honored, and very proud, to have them join the Coyotes family, and to help us continue serving our local nonprofit organizations within Arizona that deliver the essential programs to underserved, diverse, and underrepresented communities."
Nadia Rivera, the Coyotes' Chief Impact Officer and Executive Director of Foundation and Community Impact, said growing the board is next step in helping the Foundation pursue its goals.
The Foundation hopes to grow its board to 20 by the end of the calendar year, and the newest members will also have a hand in the review process.
"At the end of the day it's about helping us achieve our mission," Rivera said. "Without a strong and solid board, we cannot be successful."
Rivera said the board is already in the process of building its second pool of candidates, and she is excited for what's to come considering the Foundation's reach -- and impact within the community -- will continue to grow.
"Our message is resonating," she said. "The goals that we have set are exciting, realistic, and people are getting behind them."
Meruelo said she's excited with what she has seen from the Foundation since starting as Board Chair in December 2022.
"Each individual that we can continue to bring from Arizona from all different backgrounds and walks of life helps us to expand the mission," she said. "They can be our spokespeople for what we're doing, and what we want to do. Having the addition of these four is the next step.
"From my family to theirs, welcome aboard, we are elated to have you, and we're looking forward to all the great work to come."

About the four new board members:
Aaron Frazier, Partner and VP of Sales and Marketing, American Technology Specialists
Aaron Frazier is a Partner and current VP of Sales and Marketing for American Technology Specialists (ATS) in Tempe, Arizona. ATS is a full-service IT Consulting firm that provides holistic IT Solutions to help small and medium sized business owners to achieve their technology goals. Aaron is a graduate of Arizona State University and in addition to his past involvement as a youth baseball & football coach, Aaron is a member of the Tempe Diablos, ASU Leadership Institute and serves on the Board of Directors for the BBB Pacific Southwest.
Anthony Sharett, President, Pathward, N.A. and Pathward Financial, Inc.
Anthony Sharett is the President of Pathward, N.A. and Pathward Financial, Inc. Prior to being appointed to his current role in October 2021, Sharett was Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Corporate Secretary.
Before joining Pathward, Sharett held legal and business unit leadership positions at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, including as President of Nationwide Pet Insurance and Interim President for Nationwide Bank. Previously, Sharett was a partner at BakerHostetler, where he was the national co-leader of the firm's Financial Service Practice Group.
He holds a J.D. from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Ball State University. Sharett serves on various nonprofit and advisory boards, including as a trustee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, on the boards for the Arizona Community Foundation, Valley of the Sun United Way, and is a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership.
Ben Hayes, President, Freestone Insurance Group
Ben's career as an insurance consultant began in 2009 where he quickly developed a strong clientele in the national account life and disability consulting industry. Working with several of America's largest corporations, Ben has developed business processes and service standards that deliver value back to the stakeholder.
In addition to focusing on insurance consulting, Ben is active within his community. Ben is an advisory board member for the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children, and a member of the Phoenix-based charitable organization, The Thunderbirds.
Mark Voigt, Co-Owner/Principal, Voyager Investment Properties
Mark has been in master planned community development for over 30 years, having developed many communities in Arizona, Colorado, California, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. He started Voyager Investment Properties in 2002, after leading Communities Southwest as Vice President and President for ten years. Prior to Communities Southwest, Mark served as Vice President and President of Land Development for Continental Homes and Amcor Development. His long career in land development was preceded by a career in public service to the City of Phoenix as Management Intern, Assistant to the City Manager, and Chief of Staff to the Mayor and City Council from 1975-1982.
Mark also has a long history serving his community through many leadership roles including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, board member and President; Accel Schools, board member and President; Phoenix Aviation Board; Phoenix Capital Bond Program, committee chairman; New Pathways for Youth, board member and President; Brophy Prep Dad's Club, member and President; New Pathways for Youth Finance Committee; and Phoenix Children Hospital Fund Raising Co-Chair for Beach Ball.