President
Cindy Mechtel is from Alaska and moved to Tucson, Arizona at age 14, where she attended high school at Canyon Del Oro High School. She has an AAS in Law Enforcement and a BS in Justice Studies. Cindy has a passion for serving others and has been involved in volunteer work for decades. She has served on various boards to include the Erik Hite Foundation, Southern Arizona Women of Law Enforcement and Hearts of Gold. She is currently the Tucson Police Department Liaison for Hearts of Gold. Cindy is employed by the Tucson Police Department, where she has worked since being hired as a Crime Scene Specialist in 2000. In 2004, Cindy became a commissioned police officer and went on to promote to Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and to her current rank of Captain. She spent 5 years working in child crimes and found that work to be the most impactful and meaningful to her. During that time, she served as a volunteer for the Special Victims Investigators of Tucson, raising funds to support the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona in Tucson. Cindy is married with a son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and a Standard Poodle. She is dedicated to serving the Tucson community and has a heart for helping children and victims of sexual trauma. She is always looking for new ways to be of service and is excited to further the mission of Beauty From Ashes Ranch. |
Sarah BuchananFounder and Vice-President
Sarah Buchanan is the founder of Beauty From Ashes Ranch. Sarah is responsible for the vision, strategy, and facilitation of the team behind Beauty From Ashes Ranch. Isaiah 61:3 ends with, “The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” Sarah’s desire to help the community led her to a career in law enforcement for the past 16 years. She is a member of the Southern Arizona Anti-Trafficking Unified Response Network (SAATURN). During her time working in the sex trafficking unit, Sarah saw a need for a long-term holistic care facility in order for survivors to escape and heal from their traumatic past. Sarah was always taught by her parents while growing up, “See a need and fill it.” |
Rick PraterTreasurer
Rick has more than 20 years of experience serving our country in the United States Air Force. After retiring from the military with a Masters in Business Administration, he continued to serve the local community for 16 years as the Lead Budget Analyst for several City Departments and Finance Manager for both the Tucson Police Department and Pima County Counter Narcotic Alliance. Currently, Rick is serving as for the Board Chairman for Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union and an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Arizona, where he teaches Finance for Governments and Nonprofits. Rick is a proud parent and grandparent, and he enjoys traveling, spending time his lovely wife, Janelle and family. "Throughout my life, I have worked to achieve both depth and breadth of experiences providing me a set of values that include loyalty to the task, dedicated leadership, precise management of personnel and resources, and meticulous fiscal oversight. I look forward to applying these experiences and skills to enhance and strengthen the Mission of Beauty from Ashes Ranch." - Rick |
Jyllene MillerBoard Member
Jyllene joins us with 25+ years of experience growing small start-up businesses and global multinational firms from less than $1M to more than $6B in revenue. Her expertise as a C-Suite leader in sales, marketing, communications, employee engagement, and corporate culture has already begun to help us crystalize strategic objectives and put action plans in place in the areas of growth and execution. Jyllene earned a BA in Liberal Arts (with Distinction) at Connecticut College, where she double-majored in Psychology and Child Development and minored in Sociology. Workplace culture and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) champion, she enjoys developing corporate executives. She plays an important role in acting as a lifelong mentor to aspiring business leaders in the teams she oversees, as well as young women in the early stage of their careers. |
Nick DugasBoard Member
Nicholas “Nick” Dugas is from Oregon and moved to Phoenix / Tucson in 2014. Nick attended Western Oregon University where he studied Criminal Psychology and Spanish. Nick has always had a passion for helping others and being a vessel for God's light during dark times. Nick has served as a mentor and spokesperson on boards such as the American Heart Association’s - “Defibrillators in Public Schools”, where he led initiatives involving the United States public school system, passing nationwide laws in all public schools to require guaranteed access to life saving medical equipment. Nick has also been blessed to volunteer with organizations that serve children in need, where he’s helped with fundraising events, policy development, public speaking, and breaking down barriers. Nick most recently became experienced in the ADCS field where he was blessed with the ability to save a child’s life through adoption. Through this, Nick has gained many friends and connections along the way, including service based organizations across Arizona. Nick has spent the last 22 years of his career in retail where he’s overseen global safety and security programs. There, Nick has led complex safety and security strategies, companywide new program implementation, and developed a passion for teaching others. Nick and his boys have a Rottweiler/Doberman named Koda. They enjoy the outdoors, farm life, taking trips in the motorhome, floating the Salt River, and enjoying all of Gods creations. Nick also has hobbies which include landscaping design, furniture restoration, and fishing. Nick is excited and humbled to be given this opportunity to serve Christ by shining His light and has full Faith that Beauty From Ashes Ranch is where he is needed the most. |
Please join me in thanking founding board members Carrel and Lauri Haught for their faithful five years of service with Beauty from Ashes Ranch. They have retired from the board but are looking forward to serving in other areas to bring Beauty from Ashes to life. We are grateful for their efforts and dedication to our cause.
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Lauri HaughtTreasurer
Lauri Haught was born and raised in Arizona, graduated from Central High School in Phoenix, and attended college on a scholarship. Lauri excelled in track and field in high school and college. Lauri has been married for 36 years to Carrel Haught, and is the mother of four incredible girls, Sarah, Melissa, Jessica & Shauna. The exceptional qualities and faith in the Lord that make Lauri a leader drove her to maintain a successful career as an entrepreneur with Tupperware, Avon, and as a tax return preparer. She held several management positions in customer service and is currently working in a role that encompasses all facets of accounting. Lauri consistently steps up and takes the lead in whatever she does, showing her daughters and other women that they, too can be leaders, raise a family and maintain a career. Lauri is proof that all things are possible with Christ. |
Carrel HaughtBoard Member
Carrel Haught has been a leader in facilities management in the special event industry for more than 15 years. Carrel doesn’t brag about accomplishments; he is the type of man who builds teams, solves problems, and gets things done. Whether on a construction site, ranch, or concert with thousands attending, Carrel is the man who makes things work. He is a true Arizona cowboy who has successfully managed organizations for over 30 years. Carrel has been married for 36 years and raised strong powerful daughters who are leaders themselves. Carrel has led his family to follow Christ’s example to see a need and fill it. Carrel is a man who can accomplish anything and fears nothing because he knows Jesus. Beauty from Ashes Ranch is ultimately a result of the faith and love he and his wife provided for their daughters. Carrel does not need titles and praise, as being a part of the ranch is proof his service to God will continue for another generation through his daughters. The greatest title he holds is, “humble servant of the Lord.” |
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