Meet the Team

Our Be Connected team hails from different backgrounds and experiences. We are united in our mission to connect Arizona’s service members, veterans, their families and communities. Meet some of our team members, who represent hundreds of people across Arizona working every day to build support for all who serve.

Implementation Leadership Team

Wanda Wright

Col (Ret) Wanda Wright

Director
Office for Military and Veteran Academic Engagement Arizona State University
Nicola Winkel

Nicola Winkel, MPA

Project Director
Arizona Coalition for Military Families
Thomas Winkel

Thomas Winkel, MA, LPC

Director
Arizona Coalition for Military Families

Be Connected Partner Leadership Team

Blake Chaffee

Blake Chaffee

Vice President
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Jean Gurga

Jean Gurga

Director
Northern Arizona VA Health Care System
Jennifer Gutowski

Jennifer Gutowski

Director
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
Chris Norton

Chris Norton

Director
Phoenix VA Regional Office

Alyshia Smith

Director
Phoenix VA Health Care System

Be Connected Direct Service Teams

We invite you to meet the incredible team members who answer the phone and work in the community to provide resource connection, reduce barriers and share support with service members, veterans & their families. Meet the Be Connected team.

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Be Connected and ConnectVeterans.org are provided in partnership by:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Special thanks to the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family for their partnership and support.

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