Chief Executive Officer

Jackson has made a career of bringing people together to solve big, complex issues that positively impact the community. Service is the common thread of his career, which spans three major sectors: nonprofit, business, and the military.

For the last decade, Jackson has had the honor of serving some of the country’s most vulnerable populations who struggle with basic health and human services needs. Most recently, as the President and CEO of Catholic Charities Madison, he worked with a staff of 400 employees, 1,500 volunteers, a board of directors, and community leaders to respond to the growing needs of the marginalized in South Central Wisconsin and effect positive change.

Before joining the nonprofit world, Jackson spent 15 years as the executive director of USAA’s Phoenix Campus, leading the day-to-day operations and community outreach for its largest customer service center outside the home office. During his tenure, he honed his leadership skills and learned from exceptional mentors who instilled in him the meaning of teamwork and customer service.

Jackson’s career began in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, where for over 22 years, he learned the power of focused discipline and collaboration. At a young age, he was afforded the unique opportunity to lead projects and people, culminating in serving as the Commander’s chief advisor and as Director of Protocol at the White House Communications Agency.

Jackson earned his bachelor of science degree in business management from Park University and an MBA from the University of the Incarnate Word. He also was awarded a leadership certificate from Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation and completed executive programs from Harvard Business School and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

When he is not running toward challenges, Jackson is just running – a lot. As an ultrarunner, he enjoys pushing himself with lofty goals and then making them happen. An aficionado of bow ties and caramel lattes, Jackson and his wife Kathleen have three grown children and a beloved dog named Blue.

Chief Operating Officer

With 20 years of non-profit experience, Monique Lopez specializes in program evaluation, database implementation, big picture organizational strategy, Theory of Change (TOC) articulation, and performance management. With both an evaluation and programmatic background, she brings a unique blend of experience to large-scale evaluation initiatives that include strategic planning, outcome development, TOC implementation, continuous quality improvement, and organizational learning.

In her role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at UMOM New Day Centers, Monique provides high-level leadership, strategic insight, and evaluation-focused support in UMOM’s goal of preventing and ending homelessness for the most vulnerable individuals, and families in Arizona. She is responsible for Finance, People Operations, Evaluation & Learning, Information Technology, Culinary Enterprises, Facilities, and Government Grant Writing.

Monique holds a B.A. in Sociology from U.C. Berkeley and an M.S. in Justice Studies from San Jose State University. Monique is a Certified Administrator of Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).

Why do you love working at UMOM?
UMOM is special to me because we have talented staff, amazing community support, and an impactful program model that produces results. I believe that everyone deserves a chance at a better life and UMOM is a place that allows me to spend my time working on behalf of underserved and underrepresented people.

Chief of Programs

Mila Valle has professional and personal experience that has shaped her into the ultimate advocate, the voice for those experiencing adversity. With more than twenty-five years of nonprofit experience and eleven years with UMOM, Mila specializes in serving the most vulnerable in Maricopa County. She has worked in areas surrounding homelessness, domestic violence, and veteran services. From a young age, Mila has had a strong desire, commitment, and passion for serving her community by helping the lives of the most vulnerable.

As Chief of Programs, Mila oversees the coordinated entry system for families, emergency shelters, veterans’ services, and housing for families and single women. She also implements and develops programs and strategies that best serve those experiencing homelessness. Mila always thinks outside the box and encourages her UMOM family to think freely about solutions to preventing and ending homelessness.

Mila’s first language is Spanish, and while growing up in Peru, she learned Portuguese. Her family relocated to North America, and that is when she learned English. Mila is trilingual. She studied abroad in Peru and earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of San Marcos. Mila has vast knowledge and experience in cultural diversity. In 2021, Mila discovered from an Ancestry result that she is Afro-Latina. She is very honored and proud of her heritage.

Chief Financial Officer

Bev Elwell has over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector with an emphasis on helping others.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Arizona State University as well as Certificate of Public Accounting with the State of Arizona and the State of Oregon. 

Bev’s Christian faith compels her to utilize her financial aptitude through non-profit leadership roles in assisting vulnerable populations. UMOM’s mission statement of ending homelessness speaks to a purpose driven life she inspires to have.