leadership team
Ashish Patel, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Ashish Patel, a seasoned neonatologist with over a decade of experience serving the Valley community, brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to his work. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Patel has been deeply involved in palliative care and neonatal abstinence care initiatives within the Banner Healthcare System. Currently serving as the Medical Director of the NICU at Banner Gateway Medical Center and holding a position as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine, Dr. Patel is committed to advancing the field of neonatology and improving outcomes for newborns and their families.
In his personal life, Dr. Patel finds solace in reading and enjoys staying active through playing basketball. Residing in Phoenix with his wife and daughter, he is deeply rooted in the community he serves.
Looking ahead, Dr. Patel eagerly anticipates joining Jacob’s Team as Medical Director, where he is enthusiastic about meeting the clinical team and collaborating to further the organization’s mission. He is particularly eager to contribute to the growth of the organization, starting with outreach within the medical community to reach more mothers and babies in need. Dr. Patel is well-versed in the Eat, Sleep, and Console program and looks forward to working closely with our moms and babies. With his passion for patient-centered care and commitment to excellence, Dr. Patel is poised to make a significant impact in his new role at Jacob’s Team.
Lyndsey Steele, BS
Associate Director
Lyndsey Steele earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Human Development with an emphasis in infancy from ASU in 2007, launching her career in the Early Intervention Program. Two years later, she established her own practice, which served children and adults with developmental disabilities. Under her leadership, the practice impacted thousands of individuals and their families, earning numerous accolades including the Small Business Award for Community Impact and recognition as one of the Largest Phoenix-Area Women-Owned Businesses. Lyndsey was honored as one of Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2019 and received the Bright Futures Compass Women in Business Award. After twelve successful years, she sold her practice to spend more time with her husband and four children. During this period, she discovered Jacob’s Hope, where she initially applied to be a baby cuddler. Her extensive business background quickly became apparent, and she soon began supporting the organization in more impactful ways.
Passionate about supporting vulnerable and underserved populations, Lyndsey found Jacob’s Hope to be a natural and meaningful transition in her career. Since joining Jacob’s Hope in the fall of 2022, Lyndsey has become the Associate Director and has been instrumental in securing over $500,000 in grants and foundational funding, significantly expanding the prenatal program, and enhancing the organization’s ability to provide comprehensive care. In her free time, she enjoys woodworking, home renovation projects, and traveling with her family. For five years, she served on the executive board of a large local nonprofit, PVMoM, which supports mothers and families of multiples.
Lyndsey Mathiowetz, BSN, RNC-NICU
Hospital Liaison
Lyndsey has been a NICU nurse since 2001 and brings a wide array of infant and family experiences to Jacob’s Hope. She looks forward to sharing her expertise with the babies, families and staff at Jacob’s Hope.
I have loved babies for as long as I can remember and my only career goal was to become a NICU nurse. I graduated from nursing school in 2001 and I started my first job in a NICU in Denver shortly after. I have worked in several NICUs over the last 20 plus years but the last several years have taken a turn as far as the patient population I have seen. There are many babies that are in the NICU because their drug withdrawal is so severe that they require medication and/or feeding tubes. My heart has been absolutely broken when I am caring for these babies because often I have been assigned 2-3 other patients and I have to leave them to care for my other patients. I had been following facilities like ours over the last few years and in January of 2022, I decided to take the leap by joining the nursing team. I quickly regained the passion for my career again. I felt like I was finally able to give the babies and their families the time and care they deserved. I love our team at Jacob’s Hope and I am so excited for the future!
Samantha Higgins, MC. LPC
Behavioral Health Director
Samantha Higgins, LPC, was born and raised in West Monroe, Louisiana, and has been living in Arizona since 2017. She is happily married and the proud parent of twin boys who are about to celebrate their 10th birthday. Samantha holds a Master’s degree in Community Counseling with a specialty in Substance Abuse. Her professional journey spans many years of experience working at methadone clinics, where she developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges women face in overcoming substance use disorders. Samantha has had the privilege of working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping them navigate their own paths to recovery. Now, as a member of the Jacob’s Hope team, Samantha is excited to bring her knowledge and expertise to further the organization’s mission. She looks forward to making a meaningful impact and connecting with the team to support the babies and families served by Jacob’s Hope.
Kathryn McCormack, CHW
Social Service Liaison
Kathryn McCormack discovered her passion for social services as a teenager while volunteering with the ACLU, where she witnessed true compassion and the defense of equality. Throughout her career, Kathryn has sought opportunities to deepen her understanding of how discrimination impacts diverse populations. She spent four years as a behavioral health technician in psychiatric inpatient hospitals, facilitating patient and family process groups. Recognizing the common link between mental illness and addiction, she transitioned into substance abuse treatment, working for three years as a substance abuse specialist with high-risk outpatient clients.
To address the need for more comprehensive and holistic treatment, Kathryn expanded her focus to include homeless outreach, refugee resettlement, and community development, gaining valuable insight into the barriers to sobriety and stability. Kathryn is dedicated to bringing awareness, understanding, compassion, and hope through her work with Jacob’s Hope.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Jo Jones, Board President
Executive Director
Jo’s commitment to improve the lives of Arizona’s most fragile stems from her own experience, as a mother of five children—four of which are adopted, including her beloved Jake. She has been involved with foster care and adoption for almost 29 years, serving on the AZ Supreme Court Foster Care Review Board for over 15 years. Determined. Impactful. Jacob’s Hope fuels Jo’s passion for the tiniest infants and families in need of a fresh start.
Cynthia Handy, BS, Vice President
Director of Revenue Cycle Management, MIND 24-7
Cynthia has worked in the mental health field in Arizona for 20 years as a director of claims and billing for several behavioral health agencies. Cynthia served as a founding board member for a local adoption agency. She volunteered as an AZ Supreme Court Foster Care Board member for almost 20 years.
As a foster mother for four years, Cynthia knows firsthand the challenges and rewards of caring for substance exposed infants. It is easy to see how foster care and adoption hold a special place in her heart. Cynthia enjoys reading, hiking, and cooking in her spare time.
William Letizia, CISA, CISSP, Treasurer
Data Analytics Audit Manager- Executive Director, Wells Fargo
Chelsea Bernabe
Realtor + Team Lead – The Avenue Collective
Lindsey is a former Mesa Public School teacher who recently decided to stay at home with her young daughter and infant son. She loves kids and is passionate about working with at-risk children. She and her husband were also foster parents for two years. Lindsey remembers growing up with Jacob and looks back fondly on the way he loved others so well. Lindsey has a desire to see kids grow up with a strong support system. She believes that Jacob’s Hope is a necessary step for that to become a reality in the lives of these infants.
BOARD MEMBERS
Michael J. Lucherini, MD, MS
Physician, Summit Medicine and Pediatrics
Massachusetts born and raised, Dr. Michael Lucherini’s extensive education includes multiple degrees from Brown University and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. In 1998, he and his wife, Mary Ellen, made their home in Mesa. He began a combined residency in internal medicine and pediatrics in Phoenix hospitals. Dr Lucherini has been in private practice for over 20 years.
In 2013, he launched his Direct Access Medicine® practice, Summit Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Mike and Mary Ellen love life and are very proud of their two beautiful daughters whose education and careers are rising to great success.
Tobin Cookman, BA, MBA
Senior Vice President Human Resources, ON Semiconductor
Tobin is a former Human Resources executive who recently retired from his corporate job to spend time with his wife Jennifer, their children, grandchildren and to give back to the community. Tobin and Jennifer have provided long term foster care and foster respite care for NAS babies the past few years. Tobin has a desire and passion to see NAS babies thrive within a strong and loving support system. The care provided by employees and volunteers at Jacob’s Hope align to Tobin’s passion. He believes that Jacob’s Hope provides the specialized, attentive and compassionate care NAS babies require and deserve. Tobin enjoys running, hiking and spending time in the outdoors with his wife Jennifer.
Angela Pon, CHC
Chief Compliance Officer, MIND 24/7
Angela Pon, MIND 24-7’s Chief Compliance Officer, has dedicated her career to making a difference through mental health services. Angela has served in health care leadership for over 16 years. Prior to joining MIND 24-7, Angela was Director of Quality and Compliance for a multi-state mental health and crisis services organization. Before that, she served as the Administrative Director of an integrated and behavioral health nonprofit organization spanning the state of Arizona. In her current role, Angela oversees the creation of policy, ensures compliance with regulatory bodies and partner requirements, licensing facilities, and overall clinical quality of services. She has extensive experience in working with accreditation bodies such as The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
As the mother of two small children, creating healthy and strong families is near and dear to her heart.
Angela holds a Certification in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) and earned her Six Sigma Green Belt in 2017. She also is a former certified youth and adult mental health first aid instructor and former volunteer for Doctors of the World.
Brian Jones, MA Ed, M Div
Retired Educator
As a resident of Arizona for over 59 years, Brian enjoyed a 28-year career as an elementary school teacher. He retired in 2014 and established an independent painting contracting company. He serves alongside his wife, Jo, on the board for Jacob’s Hope. Brian is Jacob’s father, so this center is near and dear to his heart. Being involved in foster care and adoption has given him the skills needed to help these newborns. He brings a caring heart for babies and a nice warm lap for them, as well. Jacob’s Hope is dedicated to Brian and Jo’s son, and will always be a very important part of their lives.
Lynda Riford, MBA, ICP-MKG
Marketing Director, Southwest Behavioral Health Services
Lynda Riford brings over 25 years of dedicated experience in the behavioral health field to our board. Her extensive career has been marked by a strong commitment to mental health advocacy, community education, and program development. Lynda holds an ICP-MKG certification, showcasing her expertise in strategic marketing within the health sector. This knowledge allows her to adapt strategies and drive innovative campaigns that resonate with evolving member needs.
As a former certified adult and youth mental health first aid instructor, Lynda has been instrumental in equipping individuals and organizations with the tools to recognize and address mental health challenges. Her training efforts have empowered countless community members to foster supportive environments for those in need.
Lynda’s passion for mental health, coupled with her extensive experience and leadership skills, positions her as a vital contributor to our board. She is particularly passionate about Jacob’s Hope and its dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable populations and ensuring that every child has the best possible start, and she is committed to fostering innovative solutions that enhance the well-being of individuals and families in our community.
Ray Villa
Retired Police Lieutenant
Ramiro “Ray” Villa was the former Executive Director for the Community Alliance Against
Family Abuse (CAAFA) in Apache Junction. CAAFA supported survivors of Domestic and Sexual
Violence through comprehensive serves. Prior to that he worked for the Mesa Police
Department for over 7 years as the Community Partnership Administrator, overseeing the
Community Engagement Division. Ray has diverse background in the City of Mesa and Police
Leadership. Prior to coming to the Mesa Police Department, Ray was the Neighborhood
Services Department Director for the City of Mesa where he served for over 3 years. Other
positions he has held in the City of Mesa; Code Compliance Director and Neighborhood
Outreach Director. He for the City of Mesa for over 14 years.
Ray has also held other management positions in two other cities. He was the Housing and
Revitalization Manager for the City of Fresno, California (3 yrs.) and the Neighborhood
Programs Administrator for the City of Chandler, Arizona (1.5 yrs.).
Ray is also a retired Police Lieutenant for the City of Chandler Police Department where he
served for 21 years. He was a crisis negotiator for the SWAT Team for 18 yrs. and served most
of his career in criminal investigations.
Ray attended the University of Phoenix and Northern Arizona University. Ray speaks fluent
Spanish.
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Larry Brewer
Change a life today
It doesn’t take much to change a life,
Get in touch today and start making the difference.
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
– Matthew 25:40.
