Brissa Rubio - Executive Director

Brissa Rubio is the Executive Director for Arizona Peer and Family Career Academy. As a credentialed family support and she ensures that we are enhancing the professional growth from a lived experienced perspective of the integrated healthcare workforce, It is no surprise that her passions in life include wellness, learning and living wholeheartedly.

Brissa is a certified Master Health and Wellness Coach and received her certification from Dr Sears Wellness Institute. She followed her passion for wellness to become a Wellness Coordinator to support workplace wellness with a certification from the Chapman Institute. Brissa has received various wellness awards for both her contributions as a wellness coordinator and for the success of the workplace wellness plans, she created.

Brissa has over 25 years of experience in developing and facilitating training. Brissa is a certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid for both the Adult and Youth curriculum for the National Council of Mental Wellbeing. Brissa has been a national trainer for the Crisis Prevention Institute for over 15 years and received the Meritorious Trainer award for her contributions as a Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Trainer. Brissa is also a Red Cross instructor for a variety of courses that include CPR and Safety-First Aid for both Pediatrics and adults. Brissa is a certified trainer for other nationally recognized curriculums.

Brissa earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona and is working on her MBA from Northern Arizona University. She lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband and furbabies.

Kassandra Figeroa - Workforce Development Champion

Kassandra Figueroa is the Workforce Development Champion at Arizona Peer and Family Career Academy, where she leads the design and facilitation of evidence-based training that centers lived experience, cultural humility, and recovery-oriented practices.

Kassandra began her career in direct service roles, supporting individuals through peer support, navigation, and reentry. Over time, her passion for systems change and workforce development led her to specialize in delivering impactful training across behavioral health, peer services, and community corrections.

With years of lived experience and a National Certified Peer Specialist (NCPS) credential, Kassandra brings authenticity and a trauma-informed lens to every training room—virtual or in-person. She has facilitated dozens of courses across Arizona, including topics on ethics, advocacy, professionalism, and integrated care.

An Arizona native and proud mother, Kassandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse from Grand Canyon University. She is deeply passionate about healing with intention, empowering others to lead with purpose, and transforming systems through education and lived experience.

Accepting Applications for Board Members

We currently have a few board positions which will be available next year. If you are interested in finding our more about our board position commitment, please see our application here or through the button below.

Board of Directors

Deb Jorgensen, Board Chair
Manager, Office of Individual & Family Affairs, Care1st Health Plan of Arizona

Brian Shrum, Board Vice Chair
Rehabilitation and Reentry Program Manager, Arizona Department of Corrections

Karin Kline, Board Treasurer
Director of Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice Initiatives, Family Involvement Center

Jody Gardner, Board Secretary
Associate Director - Employment Services, Banner University Health Plans

Tammy Mathews
Children’s Liaison, Department of Developmental Disabilities

Carla Mannes, LMSW
High School Mental Health Counselor, Academy with Community Partners

George Nolan
Director of Marketing and Outreach, New Freedom

Kathy Bashor, Emeritus Board Member
President, Arizona Peer & Family Coalition

Susan Kennard, Emeritus Board Member
Bureau Chief, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)