April 2025, Tempe, Arizona … The Friends of Public Radio Arizona (FPRAZ) Board members are community leaders who appreciate the value of public radio. These individuals are committed to improving the quality and accessibility of public radio throughout the state for all Arizonans.

FPRAZ Board Chair, Adriane Youngblood, Regional Director, Sales-Southwest for Clear Channel Outdoor has announced the following community leaders as the newest board members. FPRAZ Board members are elected to serve four two-year terms.

 Geraldine Belafsky has worked as a television producer since 2008, creating original programming for E! News, NBC, Food Network, and SyFy. Before her professional career, as a college student, she worked at two PBS stations in central Florida in a variety of roles.

She started listening to public radio in Los Angeles and since moving to Phoenix, has followed KJZZ. She enjoys listening to The Show on weekday mornings because she believes that kind of local news is only available from NPR and public radio these days. Geraldine thinks information, access to it, and education are incredibly important for a society to function, and that public radio can play a huge role in that.

 José Patiño was born in Mexico and raised in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix, AZ. He migrated at the age of six with his family and is part of the 1% DACAmented people in the U.S. with a master’s degree. He is an educator and an activist. José holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University.

José became involved in the Immigrant Rights and Dreamer Movement in 2009. Ever since then, José has been standing up against the injustices that undocumented immigrants face. He supports KJZZ because he thinks we need more unbiased, in-depth, local reporter about issues Arizonans care about.

Victoria Williams is an entrepreneurial and optimistic leader passionate about creating a culture of development and growth. She is currently the Campus Recruitment Operations Business Manager at American Express. Victoria has been involved in various organizations, including:

  • American Express Service Center, Give2gether Project Co-Chair 2018 and 2019
  • The AZ Community Foundation-African American Women’s Giving and Empowerment Circle Secretary
  • 2024-25 Herberger Theater Company Chairman of the Board, DEIA Taskforce, Development Chair and Strategic Planning Taskforce
  • State of Black Arizona’s AA Leadership Alliance Cohort-2018, Elected Keynote by cohort
  • Elevate Phoenix Development Board Member 2018-2024
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Chaplain’s Council/ Social Action Chair/International Awareness and Involvement Chair

    

Carla Vargas Jasa is a long-time NPR lover from when she was a student at UC Berkeley, and later as a supporter and listener of both KCRW and KPCC in Los Angeles. She loves the unbiased and thoughtful news coverage, shows ranging from those featuring Nina Totenberg and David Sedaris, to ones like All Things Considered, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, and This American Life.

Since moving to Arizona five years ago for her job at Valley of the Sun United Way, she has listened to 91.5. Getting involved now aligns with her 2025 personal goals to become more engaged in causes she cares about outside her Valley of the Sun United Way role.

She is a Board Member of Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

and Expect More Arizona. She is also a member of the Education and Social Impact Committees at Greater Phoenix Leadership.