President & CEO: Alberto Esparza
Alberto founded Si Se Puede Foundation in 1993 and retired from the organization in December 2021 to pursue other career opportunities and create the I Rise Foundation and which will continue to provide STEM and other educational programs to girls of color, Native American Youth and support LGBTQ+ Initiatives.
Alberto earned a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and obtained his master’s degree from Northern Arizona University. His efforts teaching young people the importance of education is on-going as has and will continue to develop the next generation of community leaders and engineers.
Alberto has served on several volunteer boards and commissions, including the Phoenix Human Relations Commission (HRC) and as co-founder of the City of Phoenix national award-winning cultural diversity program, “We’re all on the Same Team.” While serving on the HRC, he served as ambassador for cultural diversity by promoting opportunities for positive exchange among diverse groups through community outreach, education and cultural diversity awareness.
Over the last thirty-four years, Alberto has been a bridge builder and leader in providing community programs that improve the quality of life and strengthen communities, families and youth in the Phoenix East Valley. Alberto is highly visible in low-income communities within the East Valley, listening to the needs of the residents and providing programs that empower children and families to enrich their lives by participating in programs such as STEM/Robotics and other educational programs offered by the I Rise Foundation.
Under Alberto’s 36 year leadership, approximately 30,000 youth and community residents have left with a life-changing experience. Alberto takes pride in serving underserved populations and looks forward to expanding the STEM/Robotics and Scholars Programs to other communities in Arizona. Alberto’s charisma and ingenuity has opened doors to unlimited opportunities for encouraging communities to become more active in providing children with the necessary tools to be successful.
Alberto has received numerous awards throughout his career and including:
· 2022 First Lego League (FLL) Coach/Mentor of the Year Award
· 2022 AJ Chandler Award for Community Service
· 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to Chandler Unified School District
· 2019 US Congressional Award for STEM Advocacy
· 2018 Victoria Foundation Excellence in Education award
· 2017 South Mountain community college Humanitarian Award
· 2015 Award of Excellence presented by the Arizona School Public Relations Association for contributions to public education.
· 2014 awarded “Key to the City of Chandler”.
· 2013 Victoria Foundation’s Excellence in Youth Education Award
· 2012 Top Ten Persons of Chandler as Voted by AZ Republic
· 2012 AZ House of Representative Lifetime Achievement Award
· 2012 City of Chandler Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award
· 2011 Points of Light Award
· 2012 Giraffe Hero’s Award for sticking your neck out to create and Sustain Si Se Puede
· 2011 Chandler Unified School District Outstanding Volunteer Award
· 2010 Phoenix Community College Alumni Hall of Fame
· 2010 Friend of the City of Phoenix Award
· 2010 Chandler-Gilbert Teal & Silver Partnership Award
· 2010 State of Arizona Latino Caucus Cesar E. Chavez Community Service Award
· 2008 NAU Dr. Cliff Harkins Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award
· 2008 City of Chandler Chamber of Commerce Diversity Award
· 2003 Key to City of Chandler
· 2006 Chandler Unfed School District Outstanding Volunteer Award
· 2002City of Phoenix Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Award
· 2001City of Mesa Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit of Unity Award
Alberto earned a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and obtained his master’s degree from Northern Arizona University. His efforts teaching young people the importance of education is on-going as has and will continue to develop the next generation of community leaders and engineers.
Alberto has served on several volunteer boards and commissions, including the Phoenix Human Relations Commission (HRC) and as co-founder of the City of Phoenix national award-winning cultural diversity program, “We’re all on the Same Team.” While serving on the HRC, he served as ambassador for cultural diversity by promoting opportunities for positive exchange among diverse groups through community outreach, education and cultural diversity awareness.
Over the last thirty-four years, Alberto has been a bridge builder and leader in providing community programs that improve the quality of life and strengthen communities, families and youth in the Phoenix East Valley. Alberto is highly visible in low-income communities within the East Valley, listening to the needs of the residents and providing programs that empower children and families to enrich their lives by participating in programs such as STEM/Robotics and other educational programs offered by the I Rise Foundation.
Under Alberto’s 36 year leadership, approximately 30,000 youth and community residents have left with a life-changing experience. Alberto takes pride in serving underserved populations and looks forward to expanding the STEM/Robotics and Scholars Programs to other communities in Arizona. Alberto’s charisma and ingenuity has opened doors to unlimited opportunities for encouraging communities to become more active in providing children with the necessary tools to be successful.
Alberto has received numerous awards throughout his career and including:
· 2022 First Lego League (FLL) Coach/Mentor of the Year Award
· 2022 AJ Chandler Award for Community Service
· 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to Chandler Unified School District
· 2019 US Congressional Award for STEM Advocacy
· 2018 Victoria Foundation Excellence in Education award
· 2017 South Mountain community college Humanitarian Award
· 2015 Award of Excellence presented by the Arizona School Public Relations Association for contributions to public education.
· 2014 awarded “Key to the City of Chandler”.
· 2013 Victoria Foundation’s Excellence in Youth Education Award
· 2012 Top Ten Persons of Chandler as Voted by AZ Republic
· 2012 AZ House of Representative Lifetime Achievement Award
· 2012 City of Chandler Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award
· 2011 Points of Light Award
· 2012 Giraffe Hero’s Award for sticking your neck out to create and Sustain Si Se Puede
· 2011 Chandler Unified School District Outstanding Volunteer Award
· 2010 Phoenix Community College Alumni Hall of Fame
· 2010 Friend of the City of Phoenix Award
· 2010 Chandler-Gilbert Teal & Silver Partnership Award
· 2010 State of Arizona Latino Caucus Cesar E. Chavez Community Service Award
· 2008 NAU Dr. Cliff Harkins Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award
· 2008 City of Chandler Chamber of Commerce Diversity Award
· 2003 Key to City of Chandler
· 2006 Chandler Unfed School District Outstanding Volunteer Award
· 2002City of Phoenix Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Award
· 2001City of Mesa Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit of Unity Award
Vice President : Jessica Peña
Ms. Pena is a product of the Si Se Puede Foundation (Mr. Esparza's previous non-profit) which afforded her the opportunity to go to college on scholarship to become an educator. Education, empowerment, and advocacy have always been largely important to Ms. Pena. She decided to dedicate her life to the service of those who, like herself, need organizations like the I Rise Foundation to help build a foundation. It is Ms. Peña's firm belief that if each one teaches one; the world can be a more abundant place.
Awards -Arizona Diablos Excellence in Education award -Donors Choose Grant -APS Grant -Adopt a Classroom grant |