Meet Our staff

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Maria Valenzuela


Executive Director

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As Executive Director of Spaces of Opportunity, I am committed to building transformative programs that uplift individuals and strengthen communities. With more than 25 years of experience in community health, nonprofit leadership, and program development, I have led cross-functional teams, launched strategic initiatives, and secured funding for impactful projects in nutrition, youth workforce development, hot meal delivery, and philanthropy. My passion is rooted in improving health outcomes and expanding access to wellness resources—especially in the very communities that welcomed me when I first arrived in this country. Through collaboration, creativity, and a deep sense of service, I strive to empower people with the tools and opportunities they need to grow, thrive, and lead.
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Sowan Thai


Operations & Program Manager

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Sowan Thai is a Community Farmer who has been working in the agricultural industry for the last 10 years. Sowan first came to spaces in 2017 as an incubator farmer. Since then, he has occupied several roles in order to help shape Spaces into the organization it is today including, but not limited to: Incubator Farm Coordinator, Produce Aggregator, Carpenter, Volunteer Coordinator, Land Manager, Community Farmer, and now Community Food Systems Manager. Sowan has spent most of his time forming relationships with the growers, developing administrative systems for the farm, advising nonprofits, building physical infrastructure, and engaging the community to bring more activity to Spaces of Opportunity.

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Diana Apresa


Food Access & Market Manager

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Diana Apresa brings over a decade of management experience and a strong commitment to increasing food access and community wellness. As the Food Access & Market Manager at Spaces of Opportunity, she leads our farmers market operations, and vendor coordination — all while creating engaging content and strategy for our social media and marketing efforts.

Though not originally from South Phoenix, Diana has proudly called this community home for over 10 years. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and participating in local activities that bring people together.

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Bryant Cruz


Lead Farmer

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Bryant Cruz holds a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology from Arizona State University and brings valuable experience from his work with both the USDA and NOAA. As the lead farmer at Spaces of Opportunity, Bryant oversees daily operations that include heavy equipment use for plot management, coordinating apprentice training programs, addressing maintenance needs, and guiding farm improvement projects. His passion lies in sustainable agriculture, organic gardening, and native plant propagation, all of which inform his hands-on leadership and commitment to community-based food systems.

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Elizabeth Ferguson


Urban Agroforestry Educator

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Ellie Ferguson is the Urban Agroforestry Educator at Spaces of Opportunity, where she brings a deep commitment to community well-being through sustainable, hands-on environmental education.
A resident of Arizona for the past seven years, Ellie holds a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Arizona State University, where she focused on the critical role of urban greening in addressing environmental and social challenges.
As a certified Master Gardener, she is passionate about teaching the value of growing and caring for plants and trees. Her work centers on agroforestry principles, integrating edible trees and plants into urban landscapes to foster resilience for both people and wildlife.
Ellie is driven by a strong belief in the power of communities to create vibrant, sustainable green spaces and is deeply committed to empowering individuals to design, build, and care for these spaces within their own neighborhoods.

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Bruce Babcock


Community Garden Coordinator

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As the Community Garden Coordinator at Spaces of Opportunity, Bruce oversees the day-to-day operations of more than two acres of community gardens. With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry and certification as a Master Gardener, he brings both technical expertise and a deep passion for growing food. Bruce has been part of Spaces since 2015, supporting gardeners, maintaining vibrant growing spaces, and helping cultivate a strong sense of community through urban agriculture.

Join Our Community

You’re invited to help keep this community of sustainability growing. Whether you want to volunteer your time, donate or just want to come out and support the market, everyone is welcome to join in and see the opportunities being cultivated in south Phoenix.

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SPACES OF OPPORTUNITY is an initiative of Desert Botanical Garden. Any donations made to SPACES must be made through Desert Botanical Garden. You will now be taken to their website to complete this transaction. Thank you!
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