Board of Directors

Peter A. Sutton, Founder and Chairman, retired as Senior Vice President of The Tosco Corporation. He shared his wife’s vision, to create a foundation to help children of homeless families. While at Tosco, he sponsored and developed a program for mentoring children. He has continued to develop relationships and interests within the oil industry and other organizations for support in working with this population. The original endowment for Nana's Children came from the "Sutton Family Trust.“

Ana M. Sutton, MA, Director of Clinical Services, Co-founder, and President, implements and oversees play therapy services to approved school sites. Her dream, Nana’s, has materialized and become an internationally recognized model in the field of play therapy. She has presented “Nana's Model” ® for the last eight years, to top play therapist from around the world at the Wroxton Study Group in England. She has met with top scientists and participated in the World Congress on PTSD in Buenos Aires in 2007, and delivered a three day workshop during March of 2008

Brian Hein, Treasurer, a Vice President with Smith Barney Group, has been in the investment industry since 1986 and focuses on 401(k)’s. He has been instrumental in assisting the organization in its efforts to bring awareness to the community about play therapy and its impact on homeless children. Mr. Hein's financial expertise is crucial to the stability and sustainability of Nana's Children.

Karen Parker Vargas, Secretary, worked as staff accountant with Family Service Centers of Pinellas County, Executive Director of the Englehardt-Pappas Scholarship Foundation, and Office Manager of the Desert Foothills Land Trust, Inc. She is the daughter of Millie and Art Parker, who helped the Suttons found Nana’s Children and continues her parents’ legacy of service to the community.

John Baird, Director, an attorney with Snell & Wilmer since 1999, his practice centers in commercial real estate. His expertise and knowledge are invaluable to the organization’s legal issues. He is a native of Virginia and has lived in the valley for six years.

Paul Beljian, PSY., Director, is the Past President of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology (ABPdN) and a clinical Neuropsychologist in private practice in the city of Phoenix. He specializes in pediatric traumatic brain injury, alcohol/drug related neurodevelopmental and learning disorders. He brings to Nana's Children a wealth of current research on advances in pediatric neuropsychology.

Shawn Lampe, Director, Development Chair, born in Chicago, has lived in Arizona since 1973 and is a long time supporter of several non-profit charitable organizations. Shawn and her husband Joseph, who sits on Boards in Arizona, California, and New York, have also sponsored scholarships for minority and underprivileged students. She is President of the Lampe Family Foundation and Secretary, Treasurer of Lampe and Co., Inc. Shawn just concluded her tenure as President of the Board of Directors of Nana's Children and is currently Director and Development Chairperson. Her knowledge and experience in fundraising is an invaluable asset to fulfill Nana's Children’s mission.

Megan Molina-Parkinson, Director Development, born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, she received her degree from Brigham Young University, in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. She is the daughter of Alfredo and Lisa Molina, benefactors of multiple National and local Children’s Charities. Megan is currently the Inventory Manager of Molina Jewelers. Her desire is to assist children in need, and she is committed to her position at Nana’s Children in fundraising and development.

Artemisa "Micha" Tachias, Director Hispanic Community Relations, born in Sonora Mexico, has been a resident of Phoenix for the past seventeen years. Micha has been very involved with the Hispanic Community as a volunteer serving Children's Non Profits such as the Stepping Stone Foundation and The Phoenix Boy's Choir. She is involved in the work of her husband Tio Tachias, a well known Arizona Political Consultant.

Linda Thor, ED.D, Director, is President of Rio Salado College for the past sixteen years and is dedicated to improving the lives of homeless children in Maricopa County. A frequent speaker and author, Linda is immediate Past Chair of the Board of the Council for Adults Experiential Learning. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in education to Nana's Children, especially regarding the impact of mental health services upon the ability of children to learn.

Nancy Haas, Ph.D., Professor at Arizona State University, College of Teacher Education and Leadership, has been involved in homeless issues for the last ten years.  A strong advocate for children, Dr. Haas has conducted research on Democracy and Human Rights for children in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2001.  She is devoted to equity in education and providing mental health services to children of poverty who are the most vulnerable members of our society.