Leadership Team

 

Darlene Newsom Chief Executive Officer Darlene Newsom has worked in the non-profit sector in Arizona for over 35 years.  She has served as the Chief Executive Officer at UMOM New Day Centers since 2002.  Under her leadership UMOM has expanded its capacity and improved the services offered to families experiencing homelessness.  Darlene oversees the entire $8 million agency budget and 178 employees.  Before coming to UMOM Darlene was the Director of a shelter for homeless youth in Tucson and also founded a homeless shelter for families in Yuma.  In 2011 Darlene was honored with the Public Sector Athena Award by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.  She is widely recognized as an expert on issues affecting homeless families and recently served on the Transition Team for Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. In 2012 she will participate in the Piper Fellow program to focus on honing her leadership skills and learning new strategies for UMOM’s success.  She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona and her Masters at the University of Phoenix.   In her spare time, Darlene enjoys spending time with her family and time at their mountain cabin.

Daniel Gottry
Chief Operating Officer

Daniel Gottry came to UMOM in 1992 serving initially as the sole Development staff member, establishing a direct mail program and an effective program to secure grant finding for the agency.  Currently he serves at the Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the agency’s finances, facilities, human resources, I.T., and Performance Quality Improvement.   Daniel brings extensive experience in administration, finance, development and marketing from his experience in a major national publisher and two advertising and marketing agencies who served the non-profit community.  He studied both education and business at the University of Minnesota.  Daniel enjoys his hand bike and computers.  He and his wife are active in their local church, have had a long term ministry to newly married couples and enjoy being a regular part of the lives of their children and grandchildren.



Mattie Lord
Chief Program Officer

Mattie has been the Chief Program Officer for UMOM since June 2010.  She currently oversees all program services and support services at all UMOM campuses.  She has been instrumental in streamlining case management and expanding services for residents.  She also works with partners at the local, state and national levels to coordinate services, research outcomes, and brainstorm innovative approaches to ending homelessness.  Mattie previously served as the State Homeless Coordinator at the Arizona Department of Economic Security as well as the State Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth at the Arizona Department of Education and for ten years as a public school teacher.   Mattie holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona and a Masters in Education with a Curriculum & Instruction focus from Chapman University.  She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two young sons.



David Hepburn
Chief Housing Officer

David Hepburn became the Chief Housing Officer for UMOM in 2010 after the non-profit organization he and his wife founded – Helping Hands Housing Services – was integrated into UMOM.  Dave now oversees the Next Step Housing program and all of the affordable, permanent housing units owned by UMOM – over 300 in total.  The Next Step program provides many low-income families with stable, affordable housing while also integrating Program Services such as after-school tutoring, ESL classes and GED classes right in the community.  Dave and his wife are active members of Paradise Valley United Methodist Church and enjoy spending time with their family.



Karen Fletcher 
Chief Development Officer

Karen Fletcher came to UMOM to serve as the Chief Development Officer in 2010 after a successful career in the private sector and serving on UMOM’s Board of Directors. Karen brings her unique blend of sales and operational management skills and expertise to the task of ensuring that UMOM has the funds, in kind donations and volunteers to support the organization.  She oversees grant writing, fundraising communications, faith-based outreach, events, volunteer operations, and public relations.  Before joining UMOM she managed a 230 person organization, which included a national field team and the Marketing, PR, Training, and Customer Service functions.   In 2011 Karen was honored by the YWCA of Maricopa County with the Dorothy Willey Volunteer Award for her outstanding service to the community.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State and an MBA from Arizona State University.  In her spare time she and her husband enjoy hiking, entertaining, and traveling.