Tracey Beal's Biography

As Executive Director of School Connect Tracey Beal helps local schools build dynamic partnerships among business, faith, government and non-profit organizations. This model of strategic collaboration helps schools accomplish their goals while fostering win/win partnerships. In the spring of 2015 the US Department of Ed and AZ Department of Ed recognized the exceptional results of the collaborative model at Palo Verde Middle School in the Washington Elementary School District. To date School Connect has facilitated partnerships in 700 of the 2200 public & charter schools of Arizona. School Connect hosts a yearly summit at Grand Canyon University where top leaders from each of these sectors gather to learn best practices about collaboration with schools. Tracey also spearheads the Love Our Schools Day Initiative. In October 2019, 10,000 volunteers served 260 schools in 35 school districts throughout Maricopa County. Tracey serves as Pastor of Community Development at Pure Heart Church. She is a member of the AZ 21st CCLC Vision Team, District 1 Interfaith Council, the Leadership Network City Impact Learning Community, Leadership West Inc, the Global Leadership Summit Promotional Strategist and the Phoenix Youth & Education Commission. Tracey is married to David and has 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren. 

For more information about School Connect please go to: https://www.schoolconnectaz.org/

Email: tbeal@pureheart.org or tracey@schoolconnectaz.org 

Phone: 602 670 6513

Jill Hicks' Biography

Jill Hicks serves as the Director of Business Partnerships for the nonprofit School Connect. Her role is to help connect schools with the incredible community (business, faith, nonprofit, government & higher education) to build mutually beneficial, sustainable partnerships. The mission of School Connect is to build a bridge between schools and their communities so that local resources can meet student, family, teacher and school needs. School Connect currently works with 66 school districts in Arizona. Her previous role was the Director of Communications and Public Engagement for the Washington Elementary School District. Jill is currently involved with the following organizations: City of Phoenix Youth and Education Commission, ASPRA (Arizona School Public Relations Association), 19 North Board, Andy Hull’s Sunshine Foundation, Sunshine Readers ACE Mentor Board and the Moon Valley National Charity League.

Jill attended NAU and graduated from ASU with a degree in Marketing. Jill married her high school sweetheart, Matt, in 1998 and has two wonderful teenagers, David and Emma. Her favorite thing to do is make valuable connections that positively transform a community and travel with her family!

For more information about School Connect please go to: https://www.schoolconnectaz.org/

Email: jill@schoolconnectaz.org