Education & Workforce Development Roundtable

Agendas & Minutes

The purpose and mission of the Education and Workforce Development Roundtable is to serve as a centralized body reporting to the City Council which will streamline and coordinate efforts to advance Mesa’s education and workforce development goals, including but not limited to:

  • Increasing and maintaining enrollment in education programs, including in early childhood, vocational, trade, and postsecondary education programs.
  • Improving completion rates of education, vocational, and trade programs.
  • Achieving higher educational attainment, including increased attainment of professional certifications and licenses and postsecondary degrees.
  • Expanding job opportunities.
  • Building successful careers, a competitive workforce, and a strong local economy.
  • Providing equitable access to work and learning opportunities, resources, and support so that all can participate, prosper, and thrive in Mesa’s vibrant community and workforce.

The Roundtable will work in partnership with experts in education, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and Mesa residents to advance these goals.

The Roundtable has seventeen members: eight standing members and nine appointed members.

Standing Members

  • Superintendent of Mesa Public Schools or designee
  • Superintendent of Gilbert Public Schools or designee
  • Superintendent of Queen Creek Unified School District or designee
  • Superintendent of Higley Unified School District or designee
  • Superintendent of EVIT
  • President of Mesa Community College or designee
  • President of Arizona State University or designee
  • President of Benedictine University or designee
  • President of Mesa Chamber of Commerce or designee

Appointed Members

Nine people selected from the following categories are appointed to the Roundtable by the Mayor and approved by the Council.

  • Up to two members of the City Council
  • One member of the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board
  • Up to three people who are each either: an executive director of an education focused nonprofit organization located in Arizona or designee; an early learning expert; or a professional in the field of diversity and inclusion
  • Up to two executives of businesses with Mesa offices or locations or designees
  • One educator currently employed at a school district or postsecondary education institute serving Mesa residents (this member must be a resident of Mesa)
  • One parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled at a school district serving Mesa residents (this member must be a resident of Mesa
Board Member Role Date Appointed Term Expires
Dr. Perry Berry
Queen Creek Unified School District
Standing Position
Ongoing
Dr. Joseph Foy
Benedictine University
Standing Position
Ongoing
Candice Copple
Arizona State University
Standing Position
Ongoing
Sherry Richards
Higley Unified School District
Standing Position
Ongoing
Dr. Andi Fourlis
Mesa Public Schools
Standing Position
Ongoing
Sally Harrison
Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Standing Position
Ongoing
Dr. Shane McCord
Gilbert Public Schools
Standing Position
Ongoing
Dr. Richard Daniel
Mesa Community College
Standing Position
Ongoing
Dr. Chad Wilson
East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT)
Standing Position
Ongoing
Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia
City of Mesa
Appointed Member 4/22/21 6/30/25
Rich Nickel
Education Forward Arizona
Appointed Member 4/22/21 6/30/26
Dr. Joe O'Reilly
ASU Helios Decision Center
Appointed Member 4/22/21 6/30/26
Councilmember Julie Spilsbury
City of Mesa
Appointed Member 4/22/21 6/30/25
Jenny Robinson
Mesa Public Schools
Appointed Member 4/25/22 6/30/25
Kristin Sorensen
Boeing
Appointed Member 11/2/23 6/30/25
David Williams
Meta
Appointed Member 4/25/22 6/30/25
Vince Yanez
Helios Education Foundation
Appointed Member 4/22/21 6/30/26