Melissa Cordero is a Marketing Manager at Sonoran Institute with a decade of experience in campaigns, social media, and content creation. Beyond marketing, Melissa is a skilled helicopter pilot and retired rugby player who is a native of the island of Guam. They also serve as a board member in the Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce and are enthusiastic about contributing their expertise to the Tucson Ward 1 Participatory Budget Steering Committee for community-driven progress.

Angel is a naturalist, conservationist, educator, and lifelong Tucsonan. His work with Tucson Clean and Beautiful and other organizations, centers on land-based education, environmental restoration, community action, and empowerment. When he’s not working, Angel enjoys exploring canyons, climbing, taking photos, and sharing meals with loved ones.

Elizabeth Miller (they/she) is passionate about mutual aid, LGBTQIA+ health and wellness, and supporting local. They first got connected to Ward 1 through their work and has really enjoyed the collaborative proposal development process that happens in participatory budgeting. Elizabeth has lived in Tucson for nearly 10 years now but still enjoys getting to cool off in the summer months by visiting family in Flagstaff. Elizabeth also operates their own small baking business of outside of their nonprofit work and spends most of their free time with their dog, Golden Nugget.

Though I was born in Phoenix, I’ve called Tucson home for over 12 years. I quickly became a part of this unique city by attending its bilingual schools and playing in its mariachi groups. Now, I’m in my 4th year at the University of Arizona, pursuing dual degrees in Leadership and Learning Innovations and Spanish. In my free time, I like to explore new places to eat, go to community events, and try out new things to learn and do.

Lisa Floran (she/her) moved to Tucson from Chicago in 2018 and fell hard for the desert sunsets, hot dogs, and community. She is passionate about local policy engagement and excited to keep working with Ward 1 on this growing PB effort! She lives in Ward 3, works in Ward 1, and can often be found biking, writing, reading, or aerial dancing all around town.

Though she originally hails from Yuma, Lizbeth has lived in Tucson for the past 6 years and has no plans on leaving soon. After receiving her B.S. in Natural Resources from the U of A, she now works as a Next Generation Ranger at Saguaro National Park. She focuses her time on interpretation, where she bridges the gap between the resources and the people to make the park a more accessible and inclusive place. Part of her interest in participatory budgeting is connecting with the community she serves. Most days, you’ll find her at the Red Hills Visitor Center, unless she’s out exploring the surrounding mountains looking for lizards.

Flor Espinoza-Burruel is a first generation Tucsonan who grew up in the Southside, and whose family migrated from Hermosillo, Sonora. Flor is emerged out of the ethnic studies struggle here in Tucson, and she has been passionate about social justice since. Most recently, she worked at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona connecting clients and volunteers to community resources.

The west side of Tucson has been my home for over 30 years. Growing up in the Midwest, I dreamed of living in this special desert area. I have been a full-time Realtor for over 17 years. My passion is helping people buy their dream homes and sellers to fulfill their next life goals. Through the years I have enjoyed volunteering with community-minded groups. I currently volunteer with Fourth Avenue Coalition, where we work in collaboration to make our neighborhoods great places to live, work, and play for everyone.

I’m a born and raised Tucsonan, having lived within the City of South Tucson my whole life. I became involved with Ward 1’s Budget de la Gente program after I heard about it at Cholla High School, hoping to learn more about the processes that take place behind closed doors and determine how city funds are used. I then became a youth intern and through that internship, I obtained the role of Outreach Coordinator for Budget de la Gente, Cycle 2. I am currently starting my 1st year at the University of Arizona, majoring in Mexican-American Studies and Political Science.

Michael completed his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Public Policy at the University of California San Diego and completed his Master's in Public Policy at the University of Arizona. Michael is a Marine Corps Veteran who served overseas in Afghanistan and aboard the USS Makin Island supporting operations in Africa and the Middle East. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends and family, attending community events, gardening, landscaping, running, and reading.

Eddie was born and raised on the Southside of Tucson, and is a proud product of public education. At a very young age, Eddie learned how to advocate for himself and his community. Growing up with a single mom, Eddie began to understand the structural inequalities that are holding so many of us back. This is why taking part in community service projects in Southside neighborhoods, working on local political campaigns, and raising money for foundations that help working families has been his work for the past four years.