Arizona Advocacy Network

Promoting Justice for All

Staff and Volunteers

Executive Director: Linda Brown
Linda brings a wealth of creativity and experience from years as a marketing and programming executive at Discovery Channel. Since moving to Arizona in 1999, she has served as Deputy Director of the Clean Elections Institute and worked in Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona. She was a founding board member of AzAN. Linda was honored by the Arizona Hispanic Community Forum with an Award for Service in Defense of the Community, acknowleding AzAN's leadership on immigrant and Latino rights. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Arizona Hispanic Community Forum as well as the Somos America/We Are America Coalition.
  Manager of Administration:  Jayne Polizzi

Jayne comes to AzAN with a deep commitment to social justice. She worked at the ACLU of Arizona as the Development Director and interned for State Representative Kyrsten Sinema. Her interest in the electoral process led to working on political campaigns including the Arizona Together campaign.  She is currently a fellow at the Center for Progressive Leadership.

AzAN Mourns the Loss of Our Most Dedicated Volunteer

Cheryl Hunter Schmidt


Schmidt, Cheryl Hunter
 died on May 8, 2010 from a hospital-acquired infection following surgery. Her beloved son Robin was at her side. The eldest of four children, she received her bachelor's degree from ASU. Cheryl was a valiant fighter in human rights struggles and ardent activist for Native American and Hispanic rights. A member of the Gila River Indian Community, Cheryl co-founded the Gila River Urban Members Association and the Native American Community Organizing Project. She was one of the first recipients of the Maricopa County Democratic Party Diversity Award. Cheryl was a peaceful warrior--an inspiration to all whose lives she touched, and a role model for anyone who felt discouraged because the obstacles before them seemed insurmountable. When diabetes took away her sight Cheryl switched to public transportation without complaint. When the disease ravaged her kidneys, Cheryl gracefully worked dialysis into her packed schedule. Fearless about speaking truth to power, she was always ready to stand up for the oppressed and vulnerable. On any given day she could be found testifying before the legislature, city council or board of supervisors or spending hours on the phone organizing others to take action--even from her hospital bed. She was an example of dedication for all of us who become too complacent, apathetic, or disinterested to take action in the face of injustice. Although we will miss her as a friend and a sister "en la Causa," the memory of her remarkable strength and easy laugh will carry us forward. Cheryl is survived by her son Robin Schmidt, brother Gerald Hunter, and sisters Jennifer Hunter and Shannon Hunter. (She was predeceased by daughter Summer Schmidt.) Services Friday, May 14th at 6:00pm at Central Presbyterian Church, 37 E Indian School Rd. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Robin Schmidt Scholarship Fund c/o Arizona Advocacy Network, 1616 E. Indian School Road, Suite 340, Phoenix, AZ 85016.