2010-2011 Board of Directors
Angela Thornton -President 
Angela Thornton moved with her family to Tempe in 1964. She married her junior high crush, Tom and has three beautiful children, Maycie currently a senior at ASU, Colby a sophomore at ASU and Tate a senior at Corona del Sol High School. Angie was a founding board member of East Valley Boys Service Club, served 3 years on the board of the East Valley chapter of National Charity League, and filled various positions on PTO's while her children were growing. She is currently Co-president of the Corona de Sol PTO and Vice Chair of the Tempe Parks and Recreation Board. When she is not volunteering she helps to run the boutique she owns with her mother and sister. Angie loves volunteering and making a difference in the lives of others. EVWL has offered her new experiences and friendships she will keep for a lifetime. This is Angie's second year serving as president of East Valley Women's League.
Heather Woody -Vice President
Heather is a native of Arizona and a proud graduate of Arizona State University. Heather has lived in the East Valley for most of her life and has enjoyed giving back to her community through the East Valley Women's League various projects. In the past, she has enjoyed volunteering with the PTO of her children's High School and has also been a CASA volunteer working as an advocate for foster children. Heather is the proud mother of two chldren, Amanda and Kyle. They are both students at Arizona State University and Heather is looking forward to her kids continuing the family's legacy at ASU. Heather's husband, David, is a Vice President with American Express. This is Heather's fourth year with the league and she is looking forward to another sucessful year.
Joan Johnson-Treasurer
Joan and her husband, Steve, both grew up in the East Valley and decided four years ago to move from Calfornia back to Tempe to raise their children and be closer to their families. Before having children Joan worked as a CPA Assistant. While living in Orange County, she was an elementary school PTO president and chaired many school fund raisers. She also worked as the school book fair coordinator and was a Girl Scout Leader including working as the product sales coordinator for the Scout service unit. Since both of her children are soccer players, she has served as soccer team manager.
Joan currently is a stay-at-home mom. Her son attends Corona del Sol High School and her daughter attends school at Aprende Middle School in the Kyrene District. During the past four years of living in Tempe, she has been treasurer for a Political Action Committee and currently serves on the Tempe Community Action Agency's Empty Bowls Committee. Joan also serves as a member of the Tempe Union High School Foundation Board and is active in her children's schools and her community.
Joan joined EVWL with the goal of meeting remarkable women and getting involved with an organization that recognizes the needs of children and women in our community.
Sandy Gertsch-Recording Secretary 
Sandy is a native Arizonan from Scottsdale who graduated from ASU. She has been residing in Tempe for the past 24 years with her husband Harvey, an entrepreneur in the East Valley for 30 years. They have 3 children, Tristan a recent graduate of ASU currently working in West Hollywood, CA; Chase a junior at the University of San Diego, studying Communications, Music and Spanish; Warner a Sophmore at Corona del Sol involved in football, choir and student council.
Sandy was a founding member of East Valley Boys Service Club and served on the Board of the East Valley Chapter of National Charity League. She held many positions with the PTO while her children were growing up and still continues to be involved at Corona. This is her 3rd year as a member of EVWL, last year serving as Chair of the Packing for Success Program. Sandy has always enjoyed volunteering in her community, giving time to make a difference.
Nancy Swirtz -Corresponding Secretary
Nancy and her husband Bill have lived in the East Valley for 35 years. They have raised two boys that have attended schools both in the Kyrene and Tempe Union High School District. She has volunteered much of her time to various roles assisting in their activities in school, sports and the community. Nancy has taught elementary school in the East Valley for 20 years. She loved working directly with the children and enjoyed getting to know their families. Her experiences in the Tempe Elementary and Kyrene School Districts were most rewarding both professionally and personally.
Serving her second year as board member and Corresponding Secretary, Nancy is enthusiastic about being a member of EVWL. She has enjoyed getting to know the members and developing new relationships with them. Nancy enjoys participating in an organization that is directly involved in the community while making a positive difference in the lives of other people.
Debbie Houk-Fundraising Chairworman
Debbie is an Arizona native. She met her husband Dave while attending the University of Arizona. They are truly a "wildcat" family as both of their children are currently attending U of A. Meghan is finishing up grad school and Austin is a sophomore studying engineering. Debbie has always had a passion for volunteering even serving as Philanthropy chair for her college sorority. She was a founding member and served on the board of the East Valley Chapter of National Charity League. She is a volunteer advocate for the March of Dimes and serves on the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee for Arizona. She worked 10 years as a cardiac nurse, as such she has always felt a need to help and serve others.
Debbie is a charter member of East Valley Women's League. One of her proudest league moments has been the passage of the Newborn Screening Legislation which is saving the lives of Arizona babies. This is true proof that a group of committed women can transform a community. She cherishes the friendships she's made and looks forward to an exciting year in EVWL.