Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced the appointment of five distinguished individuals to the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board. These new members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Board, enhancing its mission to eliminate discrimination and promote civil rights across the state of Arizona.
“The Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board plays a crucial role in protecting and promoting civil rights in our state,” said Attorney General Mayes. “I am deeply appreciative of the expertise and dedication that Dr. Ross, Mr. Davis-Mazlum, Professor Weinstein-Tull, Vice-Mayor Ploog, and Ms. Linsmeier bring to the Board. Their contributions will be invaluable as we work together to advance justice for all Arizonans.”
Heather M. Ross, PhD, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP has been appointed as the Chair of the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board. Dr. Ross is an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University, specializing in health equity and policy. Her notable work includes research in dementia and homelessness crisis mental health response and directing the SolarSPELL Health initiative. Dr. Ross also serves as the Board Chair for the Arizona Anti-Defamation League and Chair of the Phoenix Women’s Commission.
Enrique Davis-Mazlum has been appointed as the Vice Chair of the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board. An acclaimed author, international speaker, and political analyst, Mr. Davis-Mazlum holds a Ph.D. in Gender Equality in Politics and has been recognized for his work in defending secularism and promoting gender equality and human rights. He has held key roles in various organizations, including Arizona State Director for UnidosUS and the UnidosUS Action Fund, and leads initiatives to eliminate discrimination and promote civil rights.
Justin Weinstein-Tull is a law professor at Arizona State University, specializing in constitutional law, state and local courts and governments, and election law. He has a distinguished background, including serving as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and as a law clerk to the Honorable Sidney Thomas of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Vice-Mayor Holli Ploog is a retired attorney with a 30-year background in information technology transformation and government coalition building who currently serves as Vice-Mayor of Sedona. She has worked with various local, state, federal, and international agencies. Ms. Ploog is dedicated to promoting goodwill and eliminating discrimination through community effort.
Lydia Peirce Linsmeier, Esq., is a partner at Carpenter Hazlewood Delgado & Bolen LLP in Tempe specializing in fair housing issues related to accessibility matters. She serves as a board member for Disability Rights Arizona committed to ensuring all Arizonans have access to safe housing that allows them to thrive.
The Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board is a politically balanced volunteer body consisting of citizens appointed by the Arizona Governor authorized to make periodic surveys on discrimination's existence within civil rights enjoyment by any person within Arizona fostering elimination through community effort issuing publications promoting goodwill elimination between persons due race color religion sex age disability familial status or national origin supported by staff from Civil Rights Division under Attorney General's Office.
For more information about this board visit https://www.azag.gov/civil-rights/acrab