Leadership

Board of Directors

Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors who help steward the organization’s mission, partnerships, and long-term vision for rural community development.

Our board brings together community leadership, professional experience, and a shared commitment to strengthening rural communities across the Arizona White Mountains through collaboration, housing solutions, resource connectivity, and practical local action.

Meet the Board

Community leadership guiding rural solutions.

Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation is supported by board members who bring leadership, community insight, and a shared commitment to strengthening rural communities across the White Mountains.

Allison Hephner, Founder and Executive Director of Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation

Founder & Executive Director

Allison Hephner

Allison Hephner is the Founder and Executive Director of Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation (SGCDC), where she brings more than 20 years of experience in community development, public service, nonprofit leadership, and cross-sector collaboration.

Allison specializes in building systems where others often see silos. Under her leadership, SGCDC has secured more than $2.5 million in grant and philanthropic funding to expand affordable workforce housing, strengthen homelessness response, improve access to essential resources, and support rural families and communities.

She led the development of the Arizona Balance of State Continuum of Care structure for Navajo and Apache counties, bringing organizations together to improve regional coordination and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Allison has also built partnerships supporting rapid rehousing, coordinated case management, early childhood education, behavioral health, and RuralAZ.org—a growing resource platform connecting rural residents and service providers with housing and essential community resources.

Her leadership was instrumental in developing SGCDC’s affordable workforce housing initiative in partnership with Blue Ridge Unified School District, creating new housing opportunities for educators and other essential professionals serving the White Mountains.

Before entering community development, Allison served as a firefighter and emergency medical technician and later worked in risk management, public health, and regional systems coordination.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from Grand Canyon University and is a Certified Public Manager through Arizona State University.

Deeply connected to rural Arizona, Allison believes lasting solutions are created by listening to communities, building trusted partnerships, and ensuring that nothing is developed for a community without the people who live and serve there.

Paul Barry

Board Member

Paul Barry, PMP

Paul Barry is an accomplished construction executive, licensed general engineering contractor, and Project Management Professional with more than 40 years of experience leading complex infrastructure, utility, and community development projects throughout Arizona and the Southwest.

His expertise spans project management, strategic planning, business operations, construction management, and organizational leadership.

As the owner and Project Manager of Eagle Group Western, Paul has overseen a diverse portfolio of projects including water and wastewater treatment facilities, utility infrastructure, commercial buildings, renewable energy developments, subdivision development, and public works projects.

Throughout his career, he has successfully managed multimillion-dollar construction projects, directed large multidisciplinary teams, and built strong partnerships with local governments, utilities, and Tribal Nations.

Earlier in his career, Paul served as General Operations Manager for the White Mountain Apache Nation Development Enterprise, where he led the organization’s operational turnaround while managing multiple large-scale infrastructure and housing projects.

He has also managed utility-scale solar developments exceeding $120 million in total project value.

Paul earned his education in Geological Engineering from the University of Arizona and is a certified Project Management Professional. He also maintains Arizona General Engineering and Electrical Contractor licenses.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Paul has a long history of community service, volunteering with organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, the Salvation Army, Special Olympics, local food banks, and community toy drives.

His commitment to strengthening communities through collaboration, infrastructure, and service aligns closely with Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation’s mission to expand housing, economic opportunity, and essential community resources across rural Arizona.

Cupid Hayes

Board Member

Cupid Hayes

Cupid Hayes is the Founder & CEO of Arrow Advising, a brand and perception strategy firm that helps businesses, individuals, and municipalities define who they are before someone else does.

A Telly Award-winning Hollywood casting director, SAG-AFTRA actress, and former VP & Chief Business Officer of Missing Channel Media Group, Cupid has spent more than 30 years helping people and organizations understand the power of identity. Her work has taken her from Hollywood boardrooms to small-town main streets, always with the same goal: helping others build from a clear sense of who they are and what they stand for.

Today, she works with business owners, community leaders, and municipalities to strengthen reputation, inspire trust, and create lasting impact. Cupid believes thriving communities, like thriving businesses, begin with a clear identity and a shared vision for the future.

Michelle MacKillop

Board Member

Michelle MacKillop

Michelle MacKillop graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management in 2004.

She has worked with multiple residential builders in the Valley, overseeing home and subdivision projects from start to finish.

In 2017, Michelle completed her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, publishing a study on maximizing organizational team efficiency by identifying facilitators of knowledge-sharing behavior within the construction industry.

Michelle is passionate about off-grid and tiny-home living and looks forward to bringing her expertise and enthusiasm to the team.