Board of Directors

Fiscal Year 2022-23 Slate Of Officers

Madeleine Lutz, Ph.D.

Chair

Madeleine was the Vice President of Organizational Development at Sun Health Corporation in Sun City, Arizona. Dr. Lutz was responsible for assisting the organization with planned change efforts. She directed the training and development and continuous quality improvement services for 3,700 employees and physicians. As an internal consultant to the senior management team she worked with integrating employee and organizational goals. She was administratively responsible for the Sun Health Geriatric Fellowship Program. Dr. Lutz has a doctorate in Higher and Adult Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has a master in Adult Education with a focus in gerontology and has presented on a statewide and national level. She is also the proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren in her extended family.

Jennifer Lindley

Immediate Past Chair

Jennifer Lindley is the Town of Queen Creek’s Economic Development Coordinator with over 10 years of experience in non-profit leadership and economic development. Her expertise in redevelopment, economic and community development links people together to solve high profile local and regional challenges across the East Valley. Before joining the Town of Queen Creek, Jennifer was the Executive Director for the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership and served as the Vice President of the East Valley Partnership. Her involvement in local organizations including the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, International Downtown Association, Arizona Association for Economic Development, United Food Bank and a Valley Leadership Graduate Class XXX serve to connect her with leaders in the Arizona community and broaden her proficiency in economic development.

Cherie Dankas

Secretary

Cherie Dankas brings a lifetime of experience as a nursing professional plus a heart for service to our Board of Directors. Originally introduced to Neighbors Who Care as a client after knee replacement surgery, she was so moved by the compassionate service she received that she became a regular volunteer once she recovered.  Cherie has been an active member of her community and served on many nonprofit boards in California and we are glad to have her as an NWC board member here in Arizona.

William C. Wilhelm, M.D.

Treasurer

Bill and his wife, Joyce, built their home in Sun Lakes in 1999. They have a daughter, twin sons, and five grandchildren. Bill had extensive involvement in Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, attending a National Jamboree and International Jamboree, and serving as scoutmaster.

After graduating from Gannon College, Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia and completing a Pediatric Residency Bill served as Chief, Department of Pediatrics, at the American Hospital in Wurzburg, Germany. Upon completion of five years in the military he entered private pediatric practice and retired after thirty-five years. During that time he served as Chief, Division of Neonatology, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, and was active on the hospital Executive Committee and multiple other hospital committees. He consulted with the Achievement Center, a non-profit Physical Disability/Learning Disability organization and was an active and emeritus board member for many years.

Bill belongs to the Men’s Iron Oaks Nine Hole Golf Club and tutors first graders. He also attends multiple lectures through the New Adventures in Learning program and has taken classes through the Chandler Parks and Recreation program.

Kim Kubsch

Member at Large

As a 14-year resident of Sun Lakes, Kim has been a transportation volunteer for years. She is the owner of Joyful Downsizing which keeps her pulse on the Sun Lakes community. She possesses communications, organizational planning, and marketing skills to share in her work as a board member.  Prior to her transition to helping  clients in the aging space, Kim spent 28 years in the shopping center development industry  working to open shopping malls in Asia as a representative of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Today, Kim is a Certified Organizational Specialist, assisting seniors in decluttering and downsizing during transitions. Previously, as a certified instructor of Tai-Chi Qigong, she taught many tai chi and balance classes. A seasoned volunteer with BOOMERZ, a Scottsdale nonprofit, Kim has hosted ambassadors from around the world as a member of the World Affairs Council.

Originally from Wisconsin, she lives with her husband Gary in Sun Lakes.

Barbara Carr

Member at Large

Barbara has been a resident of Sun Lakes since 2002 and has been with Neighbors Who Care since 2004 mostly assisting with business help. Barbara relocated from Detroit, Michigan in 1964. Her background is in Corporate Accounting and since 1978 a Real Estate Broker. Barbara also belongs to the Sun Lakes Lions Club and is a Board Member of Christian Care/Fellowship Square, a Continuing Care Retirement Community having five campuses in Arizona with over 2000 units. Neighbors Who Care has an exciting future and she is looking forward to being part of it.

Mike Amato

Vice Chair

Mike Amato hails from the bay area. Having worked for 33 years as Director of Operations at Rolls Royce he now resides in Oakwood, enjoying the great weather and outdoor activities such as pickle ball.  Today, he and his wife, Debbie, joined NWC as volunteers and wasted no time making an impact. He brings negotiation skills, empathy, a heart for seniors, and a strong attention to detail to his board work as well as his day-to-day volunteer experiences with our clients.

Ramon Omar Rubio

Member at Large

Ramon is the Executive Officer for the Sun Lakes Sheriff’s Posse. He has served with the Posse for eight years and plays an integral part in the organization’s everyday operation.

A native of Argentina, Ramon came to the United States when he was 19 years old. As a trained pipe fitter, he owned and operated a plumbing/heating business in the Chicago area before moving to Arizona in 2004. He ultimately retired as a pipe fitter for Intel after 54 years in the industry.

As a Sun Lakes resident, Ramon not only enjoys serving the community with the Posse, but also as a member of other local organizations. He volunteers with the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority/Sun Lakes Community Assistance Program and is active in both the Sun Lakes Chapel for All Faiths and the Sun Lakes Lions Club, Breakfast Chapter.

Kirk Deem

Member at Large

A recent volunteer, Kirk brings a career of sales and marketing experience to the board. A Pennsylvania native, he is eager to help with fund development and being a part of setting the strategic direction of NWC's future. He has experience serving on community boards  in  his former Tempe community, having worked with the Tempe Library Advisory Board, and on other Tempe commissions.