2025 Arizona Women Leading Government
|
President:
|
|
Past President:
|
|
President-Elect:
|
Directors:
|
Elaina Cano, Court Administrator, City Court, SurpriseElaina Cano currently serves as the Court Administrator for the City of Surprise, bringing 19 years of court experience and expertise to her role. With an Associate’s in Legal Studies, a Bachelor’s in Business Management, and a Master’s in Public Administration, she is well-equipped for her responsibilities.
Elaina has managed pivotal departments and courts within the Arizona Maricopa County Superior Court, including oversight of the Self-Service and Domestic Violence Center, Probate and Mental Health Courts, and the Court Interpreters and Translations Services Department. Notably, during her tenure in the Probate Court, the Probate Court garnered 7 awards for reengineering court practices and program development. Moreover, Elaina served as the project manager for the Mental Health courtroom build-out in the Annex Hospital for Valleywise Health. She is a member of various professional associations, including the National Association for Court Management (NACM), National Center for State Courts (NCSC), Arizona Limited Jurisdiction Court Administrators Association (AZLJCAA), Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and Employment Law Group (HRS). Elaina has also contributed content to organizations such as the National Association for Court Management, the Adult Guardianship Guide, and the Arizona Supreme Court's Guide to Hiring a Court Interpreter. Beyond her professional commitments, she actively mentors young women, supporting them in achieving their career aspirations. Being a member of the AZWLG Board is a privilege for her, as she values the chance to serve with women leaders across Arizona. |
|
Kassandra T. Aleskova Economic Development Management AssistantKassandra Aleskova serves as a Management Assistant in the Economic Development Department for the City of Buckeye, Arizona. In this role, she supports strategic projects and partnerships that drive sustainable growth, attract investment, and enhance the community’s quality of life.
Prior to joining Buckeye, Kassandra worked for the Town of Wickenburg, where she led key initiatives such as developing a comprehensive parks and recreation master plan and conducting an organizational structure analysis to support future growth and efficiency. Her experience includes budget management, community engagement, project coordination, and policy development, with a focus on delivering innovative and responsive local government services. Kassandra holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Additionally, she has attained a Certified Public Manager credential and is a certified Arizona Economic Development Professional through the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED). She has also contributed content for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Arizona Women Leading Government and is committed to advancing the local government profession through connection, collaboration, and supporting emerging leaders. |
|
Berenice Felix-Baca, Management Assistant II, City Manager’s Office – Water Strategy & Resources, City of PhoenixBerenice Felix-Baca brings over 19-years of government experience from various professional and supervisory positions spanning three City of Phoenix departments. She is currently in the City Manager’s Office as a Management Assistant II for Phoenix’s Water Resources Management Advisor providing executive-level administrative support. Additionally, she has six years of previous board of directors’ experience having served on the Phoenix Hispanic Network (PHN) Board of Directors from 2015 to 2021 as Vice-President, President, and Past President. As a Board member, Berenice actively worked hand in hand with fellow Board members to reactivate PHN from years of inactivity to a thriving local chapter with over 300 dues paying members. In 2022, she received an Employee Excellence Award for her contribution to the Neighborhood Services Department COVID Community Response Team.
Berenice earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Minor in Spanish from Arizona State University (ASU) and a Master’s in Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and Policy from Grand Canyon University. She also holds a Housing Development Finance Professional certification from the National Development Council. A native Phoenician, Berenice enjoys spending time at ASU football and Arizona Diamondback games and attending multi-genre concerts with her husband, two children, and extended close-nit family. |
|
Whitney Juszczak, Assistant Elections Director, Coconino CountyWhitney Juszczak serves as the Assistant Director of Elections for Coconino County, Arizona since 2023, bringing years of experience in election administration and voter services. She began her career in elections in 2019 with the City of Phoenix where she served as Deputy City Clerk, in-charge of elections. Under her leadership, the Coconino County Elections Department has received national recognition, earning a “People’s Choice Award” from the Elections Center, a 2024 Clearie Award from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and a National Association of Counties Achievement Award for innovation and excellence in election services. Juszczak is an engaged civic leader, passionate about voter education and advancing the election administration profession across Arizona. She plays a leadership role in the Election Officials of Arizona association and the Arizona Municipal Clerks Association, chairing several committees focused on building capacity and resiliency in the election administration operations in the state. She holds a bachelor's degree in public health from Oregon State University and an MBA in Business Analytics from Southern Oregon University. She is also completing the Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) certification from Auburn University.
|
