About Northern Arizona Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance

Tasha Vigil

Co-Chair

Tasha Vigil is a community liaison who has worked in the healthcare industry for over 14 years. Her knowledge from working in care management, hospice, and medical home health has been vital in helping others in the community. Tasha’s passion, empathy, and dedication to making a difference come from her experiences with loved ones affected by Alzheimer's. Tasha is a founding member of NAZADA and is very passionate about serving those in her community living with or caring for someone affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias by providing care management knowledge and resources.

Patty Gourley

Secretary

Patty became active in raising awareness of Alzheimer’s symptoms and caregiver support after her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012. She has been serving her community as an active volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association since 2014. She has the distinction of sitting on the Regional Leadership Committee for the Northern Arizona chapter. Patty became involved with NAZADA in 2019 and was honorably named Vice Chair in 2021.

Susan Butler

Treasurer

Susan is a certified public accountant specializing in tax preparation and tax planning. She provides services for individuals, partnerships, corporations, non-profits, trusts, and estates. Susan is self-employed and has practiced in Flagstaff since 1994. Susan is a founding member of NAZADA. She is passionate about serving those in her community living with or caring for someone affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias by providing financial care assistance and other educational information.

Candice Koenker

Board Member

Candice is the Program Manager for the Tobacco and Chronic Disease Prevention Program and Opioid Overdose Prevention Program at Coconino County Health and Human Services. She has worked in public health for over ten years and gained valuable experience understanding and interacting with others of various backgrounds. Candice is a founding member of NAZADA who has dutifully worked to serve her community for many years, providing a caring hand to anyone who needs one.

Jennifer DuBois Nicholson

Board Member

Jennifer is a seasoned proposal and grant writer. After learning about NAZADA from mutual friends, she joined our volunteers to use her skills to better the lives of those in her community.

Pam Raskob

Board Member

Pam is a certified caregiver and an assisted living facility manager licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. She has many years of hands-on experience caring for people with dementia and trying to educate and bring peace of mind to their families. She also owns and operates a residential assisted living facility. Pam has worked hard to understand dementia and its impact on patients and families. She feels it may be the most misunderstood and most devastating disease to contend with. Pam has been in the Flagstaff community for almost 40 years and has spent many years running Flagstaff Art in the Park. She was a founding member of the Artists’ Gallery cooperative and the First Friday Art Walk.

Karin Vonkay

Board Member

As a caregiver for her mother, who had dementia, Karin was overwhelmed by the lack of information and resources to help her through this critical journey. In 2017, she learned about the Dementia Friends USA program and became a Dementia Friends Champion. In this program, she gained insights into understanding and interacting with persons with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Karin is committed to sharing these insights with caregivers and healthcare professionals in our community so they will have the tools and resources they need to improve the quality of their lives and those with whom they care.

Gemma O’Donnell

Board Member

Gemma O’Donnell is a master’s prepared registered nurse. She is a PhD student in the Arizona State University Edson College School of Nursing and Health Innovation, PhD in Nursing and Healthcare Innovation program. Her research interest is in exploring solutions for bereaved dementia family caregivers. She is devoted to supporting and serving the community needs of individuals with dementia and their family members. She teaches undergraduate nursing students at Northern Arizona University’s College of Nursing, with a focus on Gerontology, Palliative Care, and Nursing Leadership. She has over 20 years of nursing experience serving the needs of patients with dementia at all stages and their family members.

Cindy Beckett

Board Member

Cindy is an Assistant Clinical Professor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing teaching Evidence-based Practice (EBP). EBP supports clinicians to integrate best practices from research evidence with clinician expertise and patient/family preferences and values. With her knowledge and expertise in EBP, she will support NAZADA by bringing evidence-based practices to inform decision-making for individuals, families, and caregivers living with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Cindy has lived in the Flagstaff community for over 28 years and has been a caregiver for her father who died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Jennifer George

Board Member

Jennifer George is a dynamic leader whose professional journey has been defined by versatility and excellence. Her extensive career spans construction trade organizations, the high-technology industry, desktop publishing, education, the non-profit sector, and social and human relations. This diverse background has enabled her to cultivate a unique and comprehensive skill set, setting her apart as an industry professional.