Meet Our Team

Patrick de Haan, MAPC

Founder/President Emeritus

Pat has over thirty-five years’ experience managing programs for the developmentally disabled and mentally ill. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology, a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling, and has completed Advanced Graduate Studies in Expressive Arts Therapy. Pat is extremely involved in the community. For four years, he was recipient of the Mayor’s “Phoenix One Hundred Award.” Pat is an active member of Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis. He is a Board member of Arizona Santas, the Arizona chapter of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas. He is also on the Board of Santa America, serving children and families in crisis, and on the Board of Sustainable Resources, Ltd.

Pat has received numerous awards in recognition of his programs and humanitarian services. These include an award in 2004 for operating the state’s “Best Behavioral Health Program”, two Melvin Jones Fellowships from Lions, a Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary, and the “Lamp of Learning Award” from the Washington Elementary School District. In 2017, the world’s largest professional Santa Claus organization selected Pat as their “International Charity Group Santa of the Year”.

Roberta de Haan

Director

Bobbi has had eighteen years’ experience in helping two Fortune 500 companies streamline their work processes to operate in a more efficient, thus less costly, manner. She has trained several hundred people in process optimization, team dynamics, problem solving, and statistical methods, and has coached dozens of teams to successful completion of their goals. Her students spanned the entire organization from production floor personnel through executive management. She also developed much of the course material in order to better meet the needs of the clients. In addition, Bobbi has experience in public accounting, property management accounting, and operated her own bookkeeping business for more than 20 years.

She has a B.A. in Business Administration, an MBA in Management and has completed the coursework for a Ph.D. in Measurement, Statistics, and Methodological Studies from Arizona State University. Bobbi volunteered for three years in the Missing Person detail with the Phoenix Police Department. She was also chosen Volunteer of the Year in her tenure there. Bobbi was subsequently hired full time as a Crime Coding Specialist where she spent the last 5 years of her career.

John Fitzsimmons

director

John is a master illusionist with over twenty years’ experience performing magic in Arizona. He has won multiple awards for his outstanding close-up magic, which he has performed before thousands of audiences. John’s expertise also includes lighting, sound, video production, special effects, and pyrotechnics. He is a member of the Society of American Magicians, The Group Collective (an exclusive magic organization), and is past president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

John’s clients include the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Diamondbacks, WNBA All Star Summer Fest, and Radio Disney. He has had numerous national appearances, including the Discovery Channel, an Aleve commercial, the Gong Show, and America’s Got Talent. Locally, he has appeared on Channel 5 News, Channel 12 News, and Channel 3 News.

Kelley Fitzsimmons

DIRECTOR

Kelley started with the Children’s Museum of Phoenix in 2000 as their first hired employee. She played an instrumental role in the Museum opening its doors in 2008. As the Museum’s Director of Education & Programs, she oversees the development and implementation of over 2,000 educational programs serving nearly 215,000 children (0-10) and caregivers annually.

A Phoenix native and graduate of Arizona State University, Kelley has a background in psychology and has worked with children with autism for 20 years. As a child, Kelley discovered the powerful and positive impacts of volunteering and giving back to her community. She is a founding Board Member of Positive Network Alliance which produces programs for homeless and special needs children, and she is a youth basketball coach for the City of Peoria.

Kelley loves going on adventures with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys hiking, extreme thrill rides, spelunking, and pyrotechnics.

Karen Ingersoll

director

Karen worked for 13 years at what is now Chase Bank in the credit card call center, in Merchant Sales, Fraud Investigations, and Customer Service. She was a member of the International Association of Credit Card Investigators and was the Phoenix metro contact for suspected credit card fraud for retail bankers. In Customer Service, she managed specialty teams and earned the first ever 100% Customer Satisfaction Survey nationally in the company. She also was a Hiring Manager and on the Attrition Management Team, and Customer Satisfaction Management Team.

Karen helped create the Arizona Corporation for Children’s Services, which provided shelters for emotionally handicapped boys. After two years, her efforts transitioned to helping create and run six group homes for boys, where she taught life skills, such as budgeting and cooking.

Karen is a now a REALTOR® with over 15 years of experience working with Buyers and Sellers in the Phoenix metropolitan area. She is a member of her market center’s Associate Leadership Council, made up of the top 20% of agents, and is the Culture Chair.

She joined Rotary International in 2013, has been her club’s Secretary, is the current club President and has been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. Through Rotary, Karen became involved with Positive Network Alliance’s events, toy drives, fund raisers, and by networking for additional support. Her lifelong passion for helping children in need, drive for excellence in customer service, and her leadership ability has made her not only a perfect fit with PNA but also an incredible resource for all of our projects.

Silvia Herrera

director

It seems like Silvia has always been involved with our Christmas events because over the years, she has supervised virtually every one of our activities. That and the leadership skills she learned in the Army made her the perfect addition to the PNA Board of Directors. Silvia is easy to find as she is usually dressed in a bright green elf costume, so she stands out in a crowd.

The great love in Silvia’s life is her beautiful five-year-old daughter, Eva (who also happens to be our youngest elf). Quite often when you see Elf Silvia, you’ll find an adorable Elf Eva scurrying around exploring Santa’s workshop. Silvia’s other love is her military service. She has been in the Army for 16 years. Currently she serves with the Military Police as a Sergeant First Class.

Silvia is attending nursing school for her BSN but is taking a small break because of her Army commitments. She is also a certified instructor with Infant Swimming Resource, specializing in infant self-rescue and the basics of learning how to swim for toddlers through six-year-olds. On those rare occasions when she has some time to herself, she enjoys her hobbies; photography and making jewelry. “I really enjoy volunteering for PNA and helping my fellow Veterans.”

Robert Cummings

director

Bob is a Senior Vice President in Commercial Banking with BBVA Bank with 34 years banking experience in the Phoenix market. Mr. Cummings earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and an MBA in Finance from Arizona State University. Bob was a Member of the Founding Board of the Arizona Chapter of Partnership for a Drug-Free America. He is active in multiple community organizations including Kiwanis & UMOM.

Quotes from Our Board Members

“This is a “road show” of sorts with programs and activities packed up, transported and then unpacked and set up at each school and/or location. The result is magical and it is just as fulfilling and heartwarming to those giving and volunteering as it is for those who are receiving.”

“My favorite charity to work with is Positive Network Alliance, and this is why I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors.”

“The ‘gifts’ these children come away with are priceless; feelings of importance (they matter), gift of choice, nurturing and compassionate ‘elves’ showering kids with love, and truly Fun, Safe activities.”

“These are tug-at-your-heart-strings events, and even the teachers and staff are overwhelmed with emotion.”

“Positive Network Alliance (PNA) is extremely effective at leveraging donations with volunteers’ efforts to reach the maximum number of at risk youth.”

“Visualize, if you will, 24/7/365 planning of Christmas activities headquartered in a small home-office. Preparation for the events never stops. Planning never ceases.”