Board Bios
Kendra Homsher and her husband Bill Kelly are long time members of NGS. You might remember Kendra (along with mom Donna) from growing up the neighborhood. She and Bill returned to NGS in 2013 and have horse, dogs and a donkey on Northview. They help us keep the rural feel in NGS. During the holidays, you will turn the corner to find the front yard has turned into Bubba’s Redneck Christmas display with more inflatables than you can count!
For the past 4 years they have been solely responsible for organizing our now Annual Holiday Parade with decorated cars, ATVs, trucks, bikes, the Fire and Police Departments and all the neighbors out front cheering the parade on. They collect canned goods and toys for distribution to needy families.
Kendra Homsher
Bienvindos! North Glen Square Neighbors. My name is Debbie Perez also known as “D”. Mi familia “My family” has been part of the community since 2021 of October. I take great pleasure going to NGS event’s and joining any neighborhood activities. It makes us feel seen and welcomed to do such activities. Also, by doing so brings our cultural background in taking pride in the Community environment.
I enjoy saying hello to any person or group walking by our house. At times we stop and chat with North Glen Walkers. We enjoy getting to talk and learn about our neighbors. Recently, I was approached to join the board of directors as interim for NGS with enthusiasm I said yes. If by any chance you decide to stroll our beautiful neighborhood and hear “hello” it may just be me trying to meet you.
Debbie Perez
Originally from the Bay Area, California, Cristina moved to Phoenix to do a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at the Worker Rights Center. She stayed for graduate school at ASU's Social Justice and Human Rights Program and for love! In 2018, Cristina and her husband, Emmanuel, moved to North Glen Square, a neighborhood Emmanuel had fallen in love with as a boy visiting his best friend, Debra LaPlante's son!
Cristina works at a labor and employment law firm downtown and has loved being a foster/adoptive parent and mom to Serenity (6) and Frankie (3). Emmanuel serves the neighborhood in his role as Community and Constituent Organizer for Council District 5.
Cristina believes in the power of community voices, organization, and action to change and improve neighborhoods, and she decided to join the NGS board so that the neighborhood's leadership better reflected the changing demographics. Cristina serves as NGS treasurer, is responsible for the community bulletin board in Mariposa Park, and, informally, is the NGS social events coordinator.
Cristina Gallardo-Sanidad
I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Have been in our home since 1969. I love this neighborhood especially for its rural atmosphere. I have fond memories of Mariposa Park’s playground, dirt bumpy paths, learning to ride a bike on the ball diamond, learned to play tennis, summer crafts put on by the city, and the oiled streets. More recently, walking my dogs in the park and talking to Susan, park maintenance manager, about park issues.
I have been on the Board for over 35 years, usually as the Secretary. I have always helped to preserve this neighborhood since back in the late 1970’s. I joined the Association after helping with a neighborhood cleanup. I had such a great time meeting my neighbors. Today, I still care about the future of our neighborhood and love this area.
Michele Sahlin
I lived in Phoenix in the early 2000s and when the pandemic hit in 2020 I knew it was time to return to the place I had made the best relationships. I purchased my home in the NGS neighborhood and met my immediate neighbors right away, slowly getting more involved with the Facebook group and NGNSA. I am excited to be part of the board and look forward to the many activities we have planned where I can meet more community members.
Kara Lafferty
Bill has been a valued resident of our community for the past 11 years, and his deep-rooted commitment to making our neighborhood a wonderful place to live is evident in everything he does. Many of you may already know Bill as the dedicated organizer behind our beloved Holiday Lights Parade, an event that brings so much joy and festivity to our streets each year. Additionally, Bill’s spirited portrayal of Bubba Bunny at Easter has delighted children and families. We are confident that Bill’s enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication will continue to enhance our neighborhood, and we are excited to have him on board as we work together to build an even stronger, more connected community.
Bill Kelly
Melinda has lived in the neighborhood for five years. Her parents live at Golden Keys and have been there since 1992. She enjoys volunteering and helping to maintain a livable community. "Lady with a clipboard for hire".
Melinda Whittington
My name is Susie Smith, and I have lived in North Glen Square since 1983. We purchased a 1/2 acre on State Avenue and had the exciting experience of building our home.
What makes North Glen Square so unique is you can have horses and chickens for neighbors on one side, and neighbors who enjoy bringing their children to feed the animals on the other. In addition to having horses and chickens is the annual Christmas Light Parade. This is a family event that we look forward to each year and at times we have even participated in the parade. I also attended for the first time the Annual Baldridges’ Mini Farm Brunch. It was a beautiful day, and you can go home with Sweet Peas from Elaine’s garden.
I have three adult daughters who went to Saints Simon and Jude School and graduated from Washington High School.
I look forward to being part of the North Glen Square Neighborhood Association Board and seeing you all at the neighborhood meetings.
Susie Smith
Debi is very active with the Helen Drake Senior Center and the Glendale Adult Center. If you are looking to get fit and more active, Debi is the one to contact.
She moved from Maryland in 1984 with two babies, sat down with an atlas and pointed at a map. She wound up in Phoenix. Even with the initial adjustment, she never regretted her decision. She married her husband Mark in 1993. They now have three adult children, four grand-children and one great granddaughter.
They chose NGS in 1994 and love the neighborhood. She feels privileged to be welcomed by the "Belmont Belles" group.
Debi has Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Information Technology from the University of Phoenix. She worked for AZ Department of Revenue as a Network Administrator III from 1995-2003 and a SQL Server Administrator until she retired.
As soon as she retired, she organized a Retirement Club with retired coworkers. They meet weekly for lunch, visiting museums, taking day trips and inviting them to her home for picnics.