Board Bios
I moved to the neighborhood with my husband and son in 1999. We had previously lived in the Alta Vista neighborhood, so we knew Mariposa Park and the lovely large lots in NGS. We moved to Glendale for 8 years, but always wanted to come back to this area. We found the perfect place in NGS. My neighbors are long-time residents, and while there weren't many kids on the street when we moved in, it is nice to see families moving in with young children. Our NGS events in the park bring our families together. We love a mixed-age neighborhood and all the animals. As a retired librarian, I love to stock our Little Free Library, one of 4 in NGS.
I became really involved in NGSNA when the office suites by us wanted to develop 50 apartments. With the help of great NGS neighbors, District 5 and the NGS Board, they agreed to 38 apartments and we have forged a good relationship with the developer who has joined NGS as a member. I feel it is important to watch the zoning requests carefully and form relationships with the businesses in the area. We are largely residential, but our business neighbors are important as well.
Our son and family moved in 2022 to Oregon, so we have to travel to see our grandson and family, but NGS is our home.
We love to see neighbors get involved, and would love to see new members join NGS. Our meetings are always open, volunteers are appreciated and your ideas are important. We are not an HOA, so your support helps keep NGS the beautiful neighborhood we all love.
Debra LaPlante
Originally from the Bay Area, California, Cristina moved to Phoenix to do a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at the Worker Rights Center. She stayed for graduate school at ASU's Social Justice and Human Rights Program and for love! In 2018, Cristina and her husband, Emmanuel, moved to North Glen Square, a neighborhood Emmanuel had fallen in love with as a boy visiting his best friend, Debra LaPlante's son!
Cristina works at a labor and employment law firm downtown and has loved being a foster/adoptive parent and mom to Serenity (6) and Frankie (3). Emmanuel serves the neighborhood in his role as Community and Constituent Organizer for Council District 5.
Cristina believes in the power of community voices, organization, and action to change and improve neighborhoods, and she decided to join the NGS board so that the neighborhood's leadership better reflected the changing demographics. Cristina serves as NGS treasurer, is responsible for the community bulletin board in Mariposa Park, and, informally, is the NGS social events coordinator.
Cristina Gallardo-Sanidad
I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Have been in our home since 1969. I love this neighborhood especially for its rural atmosphere. I have fond memories of Mariposa Park’s playground, dirt bumpy paths, learning to ride a bike on the ball diamond, learned to play tennis, summer crafts put on by the city, and the oiled streets. More recently, walking my dogs in the park and talking to Susan, park maintenance manager, about park issues.
I have been on the Board for over 35 years, usually as the Secretary. I have always helped to preserve this neighborhood since back in the late 1970’s. I joined the Association after helping with a neighborhood cleanup. I had such a great time meeting my neighbors. Today, I still care about the future of our neighborhood and love this area.
Michele Sahlin
TJ hasn't written anything about herself yet so she gets a ChatGPT generated bio for fun.
TJ is our resident quirky queen. She's got a collection of vintage hats, a love for accordion music, and a secret talent for juggling flamingos. When she's not being quirky, TJ enjoys birdwatching and practicing her interpretive dance moves.
TJ Jett
I lived in Phoenix in the early 2000s and when the pandemic hit in 2020 I knew it was time to return. I purchased my home in the NGS neighborhood and met my immediate neighbors right away, slowly getting more involved with the Facebook group and NGNSA. After assisting with an event last year I am excited to be part of the board and look forward to the many activities we have planned where I can meet more community members.
Kara Lafferty
Debi is very active with the Helen Drake Senior Center and the Glendale Adult Center. If you are looking to get fit and more active, Debi is the one to contact.
She moved from Maryland in 1984 with two babies, sat down with an atlas and pointed at a map. She wound up in Phoenix. Even with the initial adjustment, she never regretted her decision. She married her husband Mark in 1993. They now have three adult children, four grand-children and one great granddaughter. They chose NGS in 1994 and love the neighborhood. She feels privileged to be welcomed by the "Belmont Belles" group.
Debi has Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Information Technology from the University of Phoenix. She worked for AZ Department of Revenue as a Network Administrator III from 1995-2003 and a SQL Server Administrator until she retired in January, 2016. As soon as she retired, she organized a Retirement Club with retired coworkers. They meet weekly for lunch, visiting museums, taking day trips and inviting them to her home for picnics. Now you can understand why we are thrilled to have Debi's energy as part of the NGS Board.
Debi Nelson
Kendra Homsher and her husband Bill Kelly are long time members of NGS. You might remember Kendra (along with mom Donna) from growing up the neighborhood. She and Bill returned to NGS in 2013 and have horse, dogs and a donkey on Northview. They help us keep the rural feel in NGS. During the holidays, you will turn the corner to find the front yard has turned into Bubba’s Redneck Christmas display with more inflatables than you can count!
For the past 4 years they have been solely responsible for organizing our now Annual Holiday Parade with decorated cars, ATVs, trucks, bikes, the Fire and Police Departments and all the neighbors out front cheering the parade on. They collect canned goods and toys for distribution to needy families.
Kendra Homsher
Sinclair Noe is a former radio broadcaster. He is the author of five books. He has lived in Phoenix for 50 years and moved to North Glen Square in 2018 with his wife, Teresa.
Sinclair Noe
Bienvindos! North Glen Square Neighbors. My name is Debbie Perez also known as “D”. Mi familia “My family” has been part of the community since 2021 of October. I take great pleasure going to NGS event’s and joining any neighborhood activities. It makes us feel seen and welcomed to do such activities. Also, by doing so brings our cultural background in taking pride in the Community environment.
I enjoy saying hello to any person or group walking by our house. At times we stop and chat with North Glen Walkers. We enjoy getting to talk and learn about our neighbors. Recently, I was approached to join the board of directors as interim for NGS with enthusiasm I said yes. If by any chance you decide to stroll our beautiful neighborhood and hear “hello” it may just be me trying to meet you.