FOUNDER / BOD VICE PRESIDENT

Sarah Buchanan is a seasoned professional law enforcement supervisor. Her extensive experience has equipped her with the skills and insight necessary to lead effectively in challenging environments. Passionate about making a difference, Sarah is the founder of Beauty from Ashes Ranch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sex trafficking. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys spending quality time outdoors, engaging in team roping with her husband, mountain biking, and finding balance and joy in her active lifestyle.

BOD PRESIDENT

Cindy Mechtel is from Alaska and moved to Tucson, Arizona at age 14. She has an AAS in Law Enforcement and a BS in Justice Studies. She has served on various boards to include the Erik Hite Foundation, Southern Arizona Women of Law Enforcement and Hearts of Gold, where she is currently the Tucson Police Department Liaison.

Cindy was hired by the Tucson Police Department in 2000, originally as a Crime Scene Specialist. In 2004, she became a commissioned police officer and has since been promote to Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and to her current rank of Captain. She spent 6 years in child crimes and found that work to be the most meaningful. She served as a volunteer for the Special Victims Investigators of Tucson, raising funds to support the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona. 

Cindy is married with a son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and a Standard Poodle. She became Board President of Hope Rising Arizona (HRAZ). During this pivotal year for the organization she led through significant leadership change, acquisition of the property, and hiring of new employees and board members. Cindy has a heart for helping children and victims of sexual trauma and is excited for HRAZ to welcome its first residents in February 2025!

EXECUTIVE DIRECOR / BOARD MEMBER

Andy's began his career as a high school choir teacher, followed by 17 years of pastoral ministry, and finally as the Executive Director of Creative Services at the University of Arizona Health Sciences. He became passionate about survivor services when he discovered the lack of residential care in Southern Arizona after attempting to find placement for a past student who had been trafficked. It is now his mission to lead HRAZ to provide hope for as many survivors as possible. Andy lives in Tucson with his wife Janelle, and daughters Trinity and Juliette. In his spare time Andy enjoys wood working, singing with his quartet The Presidio Boys and spending time laughing with family and friends.

BOD SECRETARY

Along with his efforts as our Hope Rising Arizona Board Member and Treasurer,  Rick is retired and enjoying life as a University of Arizona Adjunct Instructor, husband to Janelle, father to Jennie, Jacquie, Suzanne, Eric and Steve and grandfather to Caiden, Olivia, Calianna, Sophia, Ellen and Owen.  His volunteer work also includes his position as Board Member and Vice Chairman for the Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union. He retired in January 2019 as the Finance Manager for the Tucson Police Department, where his oversight included program analysis and spending associated with the Department’s federal, state, and local funding. Prior to this experience, Rick retired as a Major in the United States Air Force in 2003 after serving for over 20 years in both operational and staff assignments.

Rick’s military history includes over 2500 hours of flight experience as a Navigator/Weapons Systems Officer in B-52G and B-1B aircraft, finishing as the Senior Twelfth Air Force B-1B Evaluator and Chief, of Time Critical Targeting for the 612th Combat Operations Squadron. Through his years as a public servant, Rick developed a passion for supporting programs that provide the skills and nurturing necessary to help victims of crime and abuse seek a brighter future based on hope, healing, and recovery.

BOARD MEMBER

​​Jyllene has 25+ years of experience growing small start-up businesses and global multinational firms from less than $1M to more than $6B in revenue. Her expertise as a C-Suite leader in sales, marketing, communications, employee engagement, and corporate culture has already begun to help us crystalize strategic objectives and put action plans in place in the areas of growth and execution.

Jyllene earned a BA in Liberal Arts (with Distinction) at Connecticut College, where she double-majored in Psychology and Child Development and minored in Sociology. Workplace culture and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) champion, she enjoys developing corporate executives. She plays an important role in acting as a lifelong mentor to aspiring business leaders in the teams she oversees, as well as young women in the early stage of their careers.

Program Director

Shannon has dedicated over 25 years to leadership and programming development roles, beginning her journey as the Education Director for the DeGrazia Art and Cultural Foundation. There, she engaged diverse audiences with Arizona's rich history, art, and the legacy of Ettore ‘Ted’ DeGrazia. Shannon then served as the Executive Director of the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum, where she organized community initiatives and managed museum operations. Driven by her passion for people and faith in God, she currently serves as the Program Director at Hope Rising Arizona, working to restore peace, hope, and freedom in the lives of residents who have survived the complex trauma of trafficking. A second-generation Tucsonan, Shannon cherishes the vibrant and diverse cultures of Southern Arizona.