Who We Are

Aimee Runyon, a native of Arizona, has returned to be the Chief Executive Officer of Assistance League of Phoenix, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides basic needs to youth in need. Aimee was selected to be the 1st Executive Director for Assistance League of Phoenix as well as the first out of 122 Assistance League chapter’s nationwide back in 2012. In 2015, Aimee was recruited to be the CEO of notMYkid. After 26 years in the nonprofit industry, her return to Assistance League of Phoenix in 2018 came as a result of following her “why” for nonprofit service. Aimee also served as the 1st Executive Director for Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank, located in Chandler, Arizona. With a passion for giving back to the community, Aimee donates her time and resources to several nonprofit organizations in the Valley. Aimee served as Board President of ONE (Organization for Nonprofit Executives) as well as serving as the President of the Chandler Non Profit Coalition. Additionally, she was on the steering committee that started Arizona Gives Day. Aimee was invited to sit on ASU President Crow’s Community Council as well as the first CoBiz C3 group of nonprofit leaders.

Aimee received a BA degree in Communications from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Business Administration and Masters in Public Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. Prior to working with Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank, Aimee was a Vice President at The Community College Foundation in Los Angeles, California. With over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, the scope of her work has included food insecurity, basic needs for children & families, foster youth/foster parents/adoption programs, tutoring, technology, and behavioral health. Aimee was also responsible for bringing together Freddie Mac, Pearson Education, and Fifth Third Bank to fund projects that provided resources in Mississippi & Louisiana for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. Aimee has a passion for bringing innovative solutions to at-risk and underserved populations through public/private partnerships that add value and cultivate ROI.

Aimee was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and is the proud basketball mom of her 14 year old son Amare.

Jeannie Burts joined Assistance League of Phoenix in 2019 as the Accounting Manager and oversees internal controls, accounting, and budgeting.  Prior to joining ALP, Jeannie was at notMYkid for 11 years as the Accounting Manager. Before entering the nonprofit sector, she was an assistant to the superintendent of two public school districts. Originally from San Jose, California, she and her family moved to Arizona in 1987. Jeannie enjoys time with her family, playing the piano, sewing and crochet.

Michelle Peralta joined Assistance League in 2015 as the Volunteer Program Manager. Before joining ALP Michelle worked in behavioral health, arts advocacy, and education. She attended ASU and holds a B.A. in Communication with a Minor in Event Management, a certificate in Nonprofit Marketing & Strategic Communications and an Associates in Child Development.  Born and raised in Phoenix, Michelle loves the city and appreciates the desert beauty. Her favorite activities include cooking, gardening, bike riding and making memories with family and friends.  

Alan Dunlap is the Program Manager of the Operation School Bell program. He joined the organization in 2014, when the first Delivering Dreams Bus was launched.  Alan manages the warehouse, program inventory, the buses, along with the coordination and scheduling with our partner schools. Prior to moving to Phoenix, he was in the Midwest for 8 years driving for a bus program with The Community College Foundation.  He holds an Associates degree in Photography and in 1997 was Big Brother™ of the Year in Cincinnati.  Alan was born in Indiana, raised in Alaska and lived in the midwest before coming to Arizona.  In his free time, Alan enjoys golf, golf and more golf. 

Ken joined Assistance League of Phoenix as a Program Coordinator for Operation School Bell.  He comes to us with many years of experience as an elementary school Bus Driver.
Originally from the Chicagoland area, he moved to the Valley for a few years, then back to Chicago before he decided Phoenix would be his home.  Although, he still claims that “Chicago-style” pizza is the best ever and nothing compares.    Ken has played the guitar on and off since he was 11 years, was in a band back in Chicago, and enjoys watching local live music.

Bio coming. . .