Staff Members

Courtney Sullivan, MBA is the Executive Director of the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence. Coming from a family of educators, Courtney has always been passionate about education, students and the importance of supporting youth as they become the next generation of leaders and teachers. Courtney’s early professional career was focused on marketing and communications in the nonprofit sector. After getting her MBA from ASU, she moved into management and advocacy. Courtney is excited to bring the vast network of out of school time providers and supporters together to help Arizona youth succeed and thrive.

Ryan is a production specialist by training and an event manager by trade. She has worked with Hollywood productions, arts festivals, and several education foundations. With over 10 years event management and communications experience she is a great asset for leading the efforts for AZ CASE professional development workshops, out of school time resource distribution, and coordination of our Fall Schools Out, Make it Count Conference.

Susan is a graduate of The University of Michigan and comes from a background in sales, marketing, and customer service.  She has always been passionate about education and helping children. She founded a local charity in 1997 to redistribute gently used goods to needy children and families resettling in the United States. Susan spent many hours hands-on helping in classrooms and being a reading mentor. She has also worked in marketing and development at a private K-8 school, was Director of Customer Service for a strengths-based peer tutoring educational organization, and spent several years at a nonprofit in a variety of roles.

Jessica (she/her) has been creating quality, empowering programming for children and youth for over 25 years.   Her work began as an out-of-school time practioner for performing arts programs around the country.   Most recently Jessica spent 15 years designing and directing programs for Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona.  In 2017 Jessica was selected one of 22 national Change Leader through the Ashoka Children’s Wellbeing Initiative.  She is a certified trainer in the Youth Quality Programs Assessment tool, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma Informed Care, Kids at Hope, and Strong Communities Raise Strong Kids methods.  She teaches and presents nationally on the intersection of arts and resilience.   Jessica holds a BA in theatre from Arizona State University with advanced studies from the University of London.  She loves puppets, hip hop dance, backpacking, googly eyes, exploring new places, and hearing people’s stories.

Michael (he/him) graduated with his bachelors in Psychology followed by a masters in Education from Arizona State University. He spent 3 years teaching within the classroom before transitioning out of the classroom to help create an impact on a larger scale. He has spent countless hours volunteering with youth as well as providing resources to many different communities. Outside of work Michael spends his time staying active, reading, or spending time with his cat, Rupert.

Meet Tamika Cleveland, a dedicated educator with two decades of experience shaping the educational landscape. Hailing from Toledo, Ohio, Tamika has been a transformative force in urban education, specializing in turnaround initiatives. Throughout her dynamic career, she has seamlessly transitioned from roles as a teacher, coach, principal, Director, to Superintendent, showcasing her versatility and commitment to student success. Tamika holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Toledo, a testament to her dedication to continuous learning and leadership excellence. Her journey reflects a deep-seated passion for inclusive education, where she has tirelessly worked to bridge gaps and create equitable learning opportunities for all. Currently residing in Chandler, AZ, Tamika is poised for a new adventure in her career. She is stepping into the role of Quality and Accreditation Coordinator at the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence, bringing her wealth of experience and inclusive leadership style to further enhance the quality of afterschool programs. Tamika Cleveland, with pronouns she/her, is not just an educator; she is a catalyst for positive change in education. Her commitment to turning challenges into opportunities and fostering inclusivity serves as an inspiration to colleagues and students alike. As she embraces her new position, Tamika continues to be a beacon of transformation in the educational landscape.

Katherine Larned Ortega is the Education Manager at SARSEF. In this role Katherine builds relationships with school and community partners to connect Arizona students, teachers, and families with outstanding STEM programs. Katherine is an Arizona native; she grew up in Glendale and moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and has a deep passion for the education of young children. For eight years Katherine served as a public-school teacher in Tucson. Six of those years were in a kindergarten classroom followed by two at an inclusive preschool. Katherine relishes the opportunity to reach teachers, students, and families, and get them involved in quality Science and Engineering education. When not supporting STEM education across the state, Katherine enjoys spending time with her family, creative endeavors, and the great outdoors.