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Who We Are
Alisa’s Angels is committed to inspiring tomorrow’s leaders by providing scholarships that support and empower students who give back to their communities.
Our Vision:
To foster ethical leaders and inspire all to serve
Core Values:
In Memory of Alisa:
Alisa Michelle Wallendorf was a compassionate and caring teen who lost her life at 15 in a tragic car wreck. During her short life, Alisa showed us the impact a single person can have by caring for others because “that is what we were put on earth to do.”
Alisa’s Angels was created by her father, Kirk Wallendorf, to carry on her spirit. Inspired by Alisa, we are committed to creating a ripple effect of caring.
We award scholarships to graduating high school seniors who make their communities better, and support them with mentoring. Through this support, the memory of Alisa’s laughter, faith, hope and love can bring happiness and joy to others.
"My dream is to graduate from school, go to college and become a better person, someone who would be able to help other people"
-Okongo, Scholarship Recipient, 2009
Meet The Team
Founder
Kirk Wallendorf
Founder
Kirk began Alisa's Angels 18 years ago with the simple belief that by helping youth who are helping others, they will have an impact that is multiplied through the years. Kirk, a Veteran of the United States Air Force, served his country for 15 years before retiring from active duty. He continues to serve his community as Founder of Alisa's Angels.
Staff
Zoe Montano
Marketing & Communications Manager
Zoe is a third-year student at the University of Arizona, majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in public relations. She is a digital marketing assistant and writer for the Arizona Alumni Magazine. As a Tucson native, she's passionate about helping new students adjust to UA and serves as a campus tour guide and member of Wildcat Events Board. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her pets, watching movies and cycling.
Kimberly Moyer
Executive Director
Kimberly is a development professional with over 20 years of experience. She most recently served as Chief Development Officer at Our Family Services in Tucson. She earned her degrees in International Business and Marketing, including a Cértificat de Français from Sorbonne University, and International Relations from American University, both in Paris, France. Kimberly joins the Alisa’s Angels team as Executive Director with a passion to support student scholarships.
Board of Directors
Liz Wallendorf
Board Chair
Liz has been involved in Alisa's Angels since its inception and is currently the Board Chair. Liz is a former major in the United States Air Force. She has also worked in information technology planning and program management for Tucson city government; and as a director for government education events for a private company.
Mariela Cabrera
Board Member
Mariela is a tax supervisor with BeachFleischman. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate from the University of Arizona.
Rudy Padilla
Scholarship Committee
Rudy is a 2007 Alisa's Angels scholarship recipient. He graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 2014. Rudy is currently on active duty as a JAG in the United States Air Force and a civil rights investigator at the University of Arizona. Prior to that he was a deputy county attorney at the Pima County Attorney's Office.
Laurie Emery
Scholarship Committee
Laurie is a retired public school administrator, serving as a principal at both the elementary and middle school levels. She has her doctorate in Educational Leadership and has served as adjunct faculty for Northern Arizona University in their Master’s level Ed. Leadership program, preparing teachers to be future administrators. Currently she serves as part-time adjunct faculty for the University of Arizona supervising student teachers. She is an active volunteer in her church focusing on the vision, mission, and finances of the church. She also volunteers for Canine Companions for Independence, a service dog organization, as a volunteer puppy raiser. Laurie’s passion for learning and helping others led to her involvement with Alisa’s Angels.
Mike Kennedy
Board Member
Mike is an experienced CEO start-up Advisor and senior business development sales and marketing executive. He was a CEO of a NASDAQ-traded public company, 2 private companies, and is currently the Principal of Revenue Traction. He's passionate about working with early-stage Internet software companies in the following areas: marketing technology, business transformation, workflow and content services, BI and analytics, Big Data, and e-commerce initiatives. He works with founding teams and venture investors to create high growth by creating aggressive revenue traction and successful exit. He brings years of experience in Strategic Partnering, AI/ML, Tactical and Long-Range Planning Feedback Economy, Fundraising, Experience Management (CX and EX), and Knowledge Management.
Ashley Lomery
Board Member
Ashley is Vice President, Higher Education Philanthropy with Grenzebach Glier and Associates, a leading fundraising consulting firm based in Chicago. Prior, she worked in fundraising for over 25 years, most recently with the University of Arizona where she oversaw a fundraising team focused on securing funds for scholarships and student success initiatives. Over the course of her career, she has also worked for Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, several art and design colleges and two museums. Originally from Rome, NY, Ashley earned a bachelor's degree in Television/Radio production from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. Ashley previously served on the board of directors of The Clay Studio in Philadelphia and volunteered for the Philadelphia chapter of the Ithaca College Alumni Association. She is delighted to join the Alisa’s Angels board and support its mission of providing scholarships and mentoring opportunities for Arizona high school seniors who are bettering their communities.
David Hagan
Treasurer
David is a Chief Financial Officer with Global Response Management where he uses his skills to support international humanitarian efforts in war-torn and crisis situations. David earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a MBA degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. He is also an alumnus of the competitive ASU Lodestar Center’s American Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy, Class 14. Before specializing in accounting and business, David worked as a machine operator for Tucson Solid Carbide making drill bits for the defense sector. He then switched to health care as a respiratory therapist working at Banner-UMC in Tucson where he took his skills overseas and lived in Tabuk in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for two years providing health care for its citizens. David is a native of Iowa but a long-term resident of the Tucson community where he is committed to
improving the lives of others. He is a rare individual who enjoys the peak summer heat, the easy access to hiking trails, and the chance to explore them with his children.
Gabriel Hernandez
Secretary
Gabriel has spent the past 13 years leading operations and developing people. His experience started in the Marine Corps as an infantry leader. After 5 years in the Marines, Gabriel went on to earn his MBA. He then began leading operations for Waste Management, Amazon, and Carvana. Gabriel will support Alisa's Angels mission by bringing his passion for growing people into the greatest versions of themselves.
Emeritus Board
Sue Schmelz
Sue Schmelz has been involved with Alisa's Angels almost from the beginning. She came aboard when Kirk asked her to review applications and help select scholarship recipients. As the foundation grew, she joined as a Board Member and is dedicated to helping further develop the program, honoring Alisa's spirit of giving by assisting other young people who have that same spirit pursue their dreams.
Sue is a retired social worker who dedicated many years to helping children with the Department of Child Services. She full-heartedly cares about the work of Alisa's Angels and believes in its purpose.
She enjoys recognizing the scholarship recipients' contributions and celebrating their service in honor of Alisa, and promoting a ripple effect of caring for others. She says: "serving as an Emeritus Board Member allows me the opportunity to continue to contribute to the mission and encourage and support the youth who are making a difference in their communities."
Craig Zimmerman
Craig had the honor of knowing Alisa Wallendorf, so when Kirk and Liz asked him to sit on the board, he thought it seemed like a great way to help his two friends navigate their way through a tough time in their lives, never imagining how the foundation would grow and touch so many lives.
Since then, he has encountered unbelievable stories of young people volunteering their time to help others in need describing each one of their life stories and service ventures as "unique and humbling."
Craig has witnessed how the Alisa's Angels recipients have become a family that cares for and takes care of each other. Inspired by the 'Angels' in their quest for education and making our world a better place, he has elected to stay with the foundation through the years and join the Emeritus Board.
Advisors
Pat Lopez is a senior partner at Rusing, Lopez & Lizardi, PLLC. He volunteers his time as the legal adviser for Alisa’s Angels. Pat has over 30 years of experience in counseling and assisting businesses, entrepreneurs, lenders, and developers to reach their goals, solve their problems, and implement their business plans. He is active in the community and has volunteered with organizations such as The First Tee, Arizona Land and Water Trust, formerly Arizona Open Land Trust, Salpointe school board, Perimeter Bicycle Association (non-profit charitable organization and sponsor of “El Tour de Tucson” bicycle race), and Chinanos por la Causa.
Pat Lopez
Legal Adviser
Dan Nentl
CFS, ChFC, Investment Adviser
Dan Nentl is a partner with Ironwood Financial, LLC. Dan and Ironwood volunteer their services to manage the Alisa’s Angels investment account, the Angel Fund. Dan volunteers for numerous causes in the community, including the Boys & Girls Club, Wee Works and the Centurions. He is the founder of Rollin for Ninos.
