Since 2002, Joronda has worked to reduce youth substance abuse and suicide. She was trained early to seek collaboration and, in her tenure, has partnered with schools, businesses, law enforcement, faith-based organizations and behavioral health providers. Her passion for empowering youth and families has taken her across the U.S. and abroad. Joronda spent a sabbatical year helping NGO’s and community-based organizations across 13 countries, with disaster relief, environmental crisis, microfinance and education for youth and adults with disabilities. In 2018 Joronda was named Tempe Youth Champion of the Year by Tempe Coalition for her efforts to support the positive development of youth in Tempe, Arizona. Ms. Montaño is skilled at community problem solving, grant writing, youth advocacy and public speaking. She can take a complicated topic and frame it in a way that meets the audience exactly where they are. Joronda is known for applying humor where needed and honors the humanness in everyone. If you ask her about her “Why” she will tell you she derives passion from her upbringing and her experience as a student-athlete. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University while competing as an All-American Track and Field athlete. Three years later she finished graduate education at ASU with a Master’s in Public Administration. She credits her positive development as an adult to the adults from her childhood. Joronda Montaño values the idea of making a difference in the lives of others and now commits herself to being an adult who supports and inspires youth.
Joronda Montaño, a 17-year Prevention veteran, was previously the Chief Programs Officer at notMYkid for five years. She is now a consultant for the organization to continue offering her expertise in implementing effective programs to help youth succeed in achieving positive mental and physical health outcomes.