About Esperanza
Learn how we support Veterans and their families.
A Foundation of Hope
Since 1989, Esperanza has been a pillar of support for homeless Veterans in Tucson. Founded by dedicated community members, we have grown into a comprehensive organization providing housing and social services on our 14-acre campus. Our partnerships with the VA, City of Tucson, and others help us continuously meet the needs of those who have served.
Our Leadership
Our mission is guided by a committed Board of Directors, many of whom have personal experience with military and homeless services.
Daniel Welter, President
A real estate professional and advocate for housing solutions.
Whitney Welter, Vice President
Brings financial expertise and a passion for social services.
Charles Vaughan, Treasurer
A retired Navy captain with 37 years of military experience.
Jessica Winchester, Secretary
An expert in creating inclusive workplaces and providing employment opportunities.
Nathania Cheney
Board Member
Jon Humig
Board Member
Mike St. Ores
A veteran and former staff member whose case management experience provides valuable insight.
The Honorable Victoria Steele
Victoria Steele, Justice of the Peace, was a State Senator, therapist and educator. She has served as an Arizona State Senator for most of the last decade creating laws.
Hector Johnson
Hector Johnson is a Veteran who was served by Esperanza as a transitional housing resident. Hector has been living independently for many years and has been a steadfast volunteer for the Veterans served by Esperanza. Hector’s experience ensures that the Board of Directors keeps it focus on the mission.
Leadership Team
Suzanne Bond MBA, CEO
Suzanne Bond joined Esperanza as CEO in March 2023, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience in nonprofits serving homeless and extremely low-income individuals. Her diverse background includes 17 years in various leadership roles at So Others Might Eat (SOME) in Washington, DC, where she most recently served as Chief Administrative Officer, and two years as Executive Director at Catholic Community Services in Tucson, Arizona.
Throughout her career, Suzanne has demonstrated expertise in managing multiple aspects of nonprofit operations, including human resources, development, direct social services, property acquisition, information technology, facilities, and asset management. Her strategic leadership has consistently resulted in improved organizational efficiency, increased funding, and expanded services for those in need.
At Esperanza, Suzanne is focused on growing service lines to include veteran suicide prevention, support services for veterans' dependents, and continued case management for veterans who have transitioned to long-term housing. Under her guidance, Esperanza maintains an impressive track record, with over 80% of referred veterans successfully moving into permanent housing. Suzanne is passionate about creating opportunities for veterans to thrive. As she often says, "Our veterans deserve to thrive, they are ready, and all they need is a little help from us." Her vision for Esperanza includes increasing housing opportunities and developing innovative programs to support veterans at every stage of their journey.
Suzanne holds an MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management from the University of Baltimore.
With her wealth of experience and dedication to serving those in need, Suzanne Bond continues to drive positive change and make a lasting impact in the lives of veterans and their families through her leadership at Esperanza.
Clinical Team
Allison Stoner, LMSW, Clinical Director
From Bremerton, Washington. Degrees from Pima Community College and Grand Canyon University.
As a member of the Esperanza team for the past two years, I bring a deep personal connection to our mission through my family's extensive military service. With both grandfathers, my father, brother, and husband having served in the armed forces, I hold a profound respect for veterans.
This personal background strengthens my commitment to providing our veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve during their time of need. I believe that those who have dedicated themselves to serving our nation merit the highest level of care and appreciation in return.
Massiel Sanchez, Lead Case Manager
From Los Angeles, CA. Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Phoenix.
I love helping others and giving back to the community. I have been in case management for over 10 years, specializing in different areas such as substance abuse and recovery, investigations, and immigration. Esperanza has been the best thing to happen in my career, and I love being here with our staff and Veterans.
Brianna Romero Serrano, Case Manager
From Tucson, Arizona. Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Arizona.
Hello! My name is Brianna! I am currently working on obtaining my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I’ve had experience working with different populations and look forward to using my accumulated knowledge as well as building it to assist you all with my role as a case manager.
Alden "Al" Hill, BA, PRSS, Case Manager
From Tucson, Arizona. Bachelor’s in Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies from Arizona State University
I am a born and raised Tucsonan with a strong love for my community. I hold an undergraduate degree from ASU (go Sundevils!) and am currently completing an MSW at Columbia University. I hope to bring my compassion, knowledge, and joy to this role at Esperanza as I work with you all on accomplishing your goals.
Angelica Ahmed-Reyes, Case Manager
From southern Arizona. Master’s degree in Family Relations and Human Development from the University of New Mexico.
I am highly motivated to serve the vulnerable veterans in our community. I have been a military spouse for over a decade and maintain a professional background in social work, mental health, and human development. I am deeply passionate about supporting my community in all capacities and am grateful I can extend my knowledge and expertise here at Esperanza, where the mission hits close to home.
Eden Ross, Administrative Assistant
Born in California and grew up in CA, NJ, TN, VA & settled in Arizona. Holds a degree in cosmetology.
A licensed professional Cosmetologist, who tries to find beauty in everyone and everything! Life can be difficult and even a little scary, sometimes. It’s not only my job, but my passion to help those however they need it. Food, supplies, clothing, or even just some kind words and encouragement. If you need something, just ask!
Permanent Housing Phase I & II
Bryan Hamilton, Case Manager
“I am a dedicated professional in the behavioral health field, with a wealth of experience since 2018. As an empathetic individual who has experienced homelessness and is a sexual abuse survivor, I am passionate about helping others succeed, just as those who supported me during my own struggles helped me.
Having faced challenges such as a serious mental illness and a significant period of incarceration due to addiction, I have been sober since 2016 and am committed to giving back to the community. Believing that everyone deserves love, respect, and a place to call home, especially veterans, I try and use my personal experiences and knowledge of navigating the system to support and empower those in need. I am here to lend a helping hand and provide guidance to anyone seeking change. I'm here for you—come see me.”
Cassie Anderson – Case Manager
Cassie Anderson is a dedicated Case Manager in the Permanent Housing program at Esperanza En Escalante, where she has proudly served for the past 18 months. Her work is deeply rooted in both personal experience and a genuine passion for helping others achieve stability and long-term success. Cassie also has a strong connection to the Veteran community, as her husband is a Veteran, which further shapes her commitment to advocacy and supportive services.
Cassie chose a career in social services because of her lived experience and lifelong dedication to assisting others. Throughout her life, she has consistently supported individuals and families in navigating challenges, accessing resources, and moving forward with positive outcomes—particularly in housing stability.
Esperanza En Escalante is where Cassie began her professional career in social services, and it remains a place that fuels her purpose. She is inspired daily by the impact of helping low-income families maintain safe and stable housing, pursue education, and build brighter futures for themselves and their children.
Cassie is passionate, compassionate, and outcome-driven, bringing empathy, resource knowledge, and determination to every individual she serves. She believes that with the right support, every family can thrive.
“I have worked as a case manager for Esperanza for the past sixteen months, specializing in permanent housing. My role has involved leveraging my lived experience and deep understanding of the challenges faced by Veteran family members. I am committed to staying compassionate and dedicated to helping maintain permanent housing and a healthy living environment. My goal is to support and empower Veterans and families, ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need to move forward positively."
Operations and Maintenance
Sean Stoner, Operations Manager
“Recently retired from the Air Force after 22 years. I was stationed in Japan, Idaho and Korea before finally settling down in Tucson. I’m currently in a World War II masters program at ASU, having earned my bachelors in history in 2025 from Southern New Hampshire University. My hobbies include hiking, building computers, reading and collecting artifacts from throughout military history… I am married to Allison.”
Mike Argenziano, Maintenance Lead
“I've lived in Tucson all my life and have no plans to leave. I used to volunteer at Esperanza while I was in high school 20 years ago. In my free time I love to play boardgames with my girlfriend and I have a collection of 260+ games.”
Morgan LaBounty, Maintenance
“My name is Morgan LaBounty, I’m 20 years old, and I served in the Navy on the USS Alaska submarine. I enjoy rock and thrash metal.”
Our Impact and Transparency
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are committed to financial transparency. You can access our 990s and annual reports to see how we use our resources. Our status as a Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO #20428) allows Arizona residents to receive a tax credit for their donations. We measure our success through key metrics like housing placements and employment rates, showcasing the real-world impact of our work.
Take the Next Step
Whether you're a Veteran seeking support or a community member looking to get involved, we're here to help. Reach out to our compassionate team today to learn more about our housing programs, volunteer opportunities, or how your partnership can make a difference.