52 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE | 53 5 A.M. >> TAKING TIME TO FOCUS I’m an early riser and set aside time in the morning to pray and meditate to get myself focused for the day. Depending on the day and how early my meetings are, I also try to go to the gym for a cardio workout. I check emails before I head out the door to my day job as director of alumni, corporate and foundation relations at Estrella Mountain Community College. 8 A.M. >> SERVICE DRIVEN BY THE HEART In my role at the college, I have the opportunity to serve on nonprofit boards. I have served on the West Valley Arts Council board of directors for six years, with half that time as board chair. West Valley Arts Council and the college have been partners for more than 20 years on Gallery 37, a summer youth public art program. High school students receive college credit and a cash stipend for their work with a professional artist to design, develop and install a permanent piece of public art for a West Valley city. West Valley Arts Council is near and dear to my heart and resonates with me because I have a passion for arts and culture. I grew up in an environment where the arts were supported and encouraged. My sister was an artist, and I grew up playing music. I was not very good, but I support it and want the quality of life to increase in the West Valley. I want West Valley residents to have access to arts and culture and utilize the West Valley Arts Council as a vehicle for exposing their families to arts and culture and for artists to have an outlet to support their work. It’s the perfect blend of representing the college on the board and my love of arts and culture. 10:45 A.M. >> AN INVISIBLE WEIGHT The West Valley Arts Council is at an interesting spot in the lifecycle of a nonprofit. We are strategically increasing our board to 11 members in an effort to support the sustainability of the organization by making sure fundraising and revenue exist to secure it into the future. People’s livelihoods are connected to this operation, and you feel a heavy responsibility and weight of it all. One of my responsibilities as board chair is to lead the board and serve as a good liaison between the board and our executive director, Michael Denson, ensuring we are on the same page and moving in the same direction when it comes to the organization’s vision and strategic plan. I focus on the nuts and bolts of running a board meeting, which includes meeting with Michael one week before BY JULIE COLEMAN Board chair of West Valley Arts Council A Day With JONATHAN ROBLES OFFICE DOORS