Wilson Legacy Scholarship

Mr. Rick Miller

Rick Miller is the founder of THE INTERSECTION CONSTRUCT, a private consulting firm that offers a wide range of services within education, juvenile justice, child welfare, behavioral health, recreation, and other youth-serving sectors, institutions, and organizations.  Rick is also the founder of Kids at Hope, an international child and youth development initiative and movement that studies family, school, and community cultures to better understand the dynamics of success and failure.  He is also a professor of practice at Arizona State University.

Rick has spent 52 years in the field of child and youth development as a practitioner, researcher, professor, public policy expert, and author. Included in Rick’s career is that he served as executive director of the City of Phoenix’s Violence Prevention Initiative. In that role, Rick led and successfully raised over $100,000, establishing ASU’s first Violence Prevention Academy.

Rick’s research is revolutionizing the understanding of child and youth development and cultures. His work has been introduced in 24 states, the District of Columbia, and four countries. He is the author of three books, including “Youth Development: From the Trenches” and “The Soul, Science, and Culture of Hope.”  He has received Arizona State University’s Visionary Award; the City of Phoenix’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Award; and the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge’s George Washington Medal.

Honorable Paul Johnson

The Honorable Paul Johnson served on the Phoenix City Council from 1985-1990 and was the Phoenix Mayor from 1990-1994. He was highlighted in the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, Healthstyles Magazine and People Magazine, and his administration received the Bertelsmann Award as the “Best Run City in the World”.

Paul founded several multi-million-dollar companies before moving on to the health care sector. In 2012, he co-founded Redirect Health alongside Dr. David Berg and Dr. Janice Johnston. He and his partners have grown Redirect to be medically licensed and insured in all 50 U.S. states and has saved its employers and members over $200 million in unnecessary spending. For his efforts, Mr. Johnson was named among the Top 16 People Most Likely to Watch in Arizona in 2016. He was also inducted into Marquis Who’s Who with the Humanitarian Award in 2021. In addition, Redirect Health has received several awards from industry associations over the years. In his community, Mr. Johnson has been civically active with Arrowhead Health Centers, the John C. Lincoln Hospital Foundation, the City of Phoenix Bond Commission, and the Greater Phoenix Economic Commission. Paul was a History major at ASU, has a MSBA in Business Management from University of Phoenix, and was a part of the executive program at Kennedy School at Harvard University.

Dr. Mathuram Santosham, MD, MPH

Dr. Santosham was the Founder and Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health (CAIH), renamed as Center for Indigenous Health (CIH). He Directed CAIH/CIH from April 1991 to April 2016. He is currently the Director Emeritus of (CIH). He is also the Senior Advisor for the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He holds Professorships in the Department of International Health and the Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University, and he directed the Division of Health Systems for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health from 2000-2009.

Dr. Santosham is internationally known for his work on oral rehydration therapy, childhood vaccines and dissemination of pediatric prophylactics to vulnerable populations worldwide. Working in partnership with Indigenous communities in the USA, he conducted landmark vaccine efficacy trials, including rotavirus vaccine, H. influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Native American children used to die from these diseases at rates 10 to 50 times the US average. Through his research and advocacy, these vaccines now save 3 to 5 million lives a year in the US and across the globe. In addition, Dr. Santosham worked with the White Mountain Apache Tribe to pioneer the use of oral rehydration solution (ORS), now known as “Pedialyte” in the US. Based on this evidence, ORS has become the standard of care for treating diarrheal dehydration and is credited with saving 50 to 60 million lives since 1980. Dr. Santosham has become a global leader in the national and international dissemination of these public health strategies worldwide.

Dr. Santosham serves on numerous national and international committees to promote childhood health throughout the world. He consults for numerous international agencies including WHO, USAID, UNICEF and the Gates Foundation on aspects of child survival in over 30 countries. He is the author of over 300 peer-reviewed journals and serves as a reviewer for several international medical journals. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Thrasher Research Fund Award for Excellence in Research (1988), Maurice Hilleman Lecturer at CDC (2008), and the Bob Austrian Orator, for International Symposium on Pneumococcas and Pneumococcal Disease (2006). He was also awarded the Indian Health Service Directors Award for Career Service in 2011, recognizing his personal dedication, commitment and contribution to the overall Indian Health Service Research Program and the global impact of his work. He received the Albert Sabin Gold Medal Award on April 29th, 2014. The Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal has been awarded annually since 1994 to a distinguished member of the research community who has made extraordinary contributions in the field of Vaccine sciences or a complementary field. On Oct 7th 2014, he received the 2014 Fries Prize for Improving Health, “For his seminal research, vaccine development, policy, and advocacy toward the global prevention of Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) disease saving each year more than 370,000 children’s lives. From 2012 to April 23, he was the chair of the ROTA council which is an organization that is dedicated to advocating for the use of rotavirus vaccines around the world particularly in Asia and Africa. Under his leadership, over 120 countries are now using a rotavirus vaccine in their National Immunization Programs.

Mr. Ernest Rose

Ernest C. Rose is a Superintendent within the Wilson School District in Phoenix, Arizona, bringing extensive experience in educational leadership. His background included roles of increasing responsibility within Arizona’s K-12 education sector. Ernest served as Superintendent Regional Assistant at Tucson Unified School District. Prior to that, he served as the Superintendent at Maricopa County Regional School District for a decade, demonstrating long-term commitment to school system administration. His career reflects a strong focus on district-level leadership and school management. “I truly appreciate our shared commitment to strengthening the Wilson community and advancing opportunities for our students and would be honored to serve as a member of the Wilson Legacy Scholarship Leadership Board. The mission of this initiative aligns perfectly with my passion for supporting student success and fostering pathways that encourage lifelong learning. I look forward to contributing to the development of a strong and sustainable scholarship program.”

Ernest’s academic foundation includes an Associate of Arts from Knoxville College, a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, and a Master of Arts from the University of Arizona. He also attended Walden University, further enhancing his applied knowledge of educational administration.

Mr. Luis Nava

Luis Nava is a Senior Associate at FV Advisory Group, a Phoenix-based investment banking firm specializing in transportation and logistics. Born in Sonora, Mexico, and raised in the United States, Luis brings a cross-border perspective that has shaped both his professional focus and his belief in upward mobility through discipline and opportunity.

He has nearly two decades of combined operating and advisory experience. Prior to investment banking, Luis held senior leadership roles at Swift Transportation, one of North America’s largest truckload carriers, where he led fleet strategy, capital allocation, and enterprise-wide asset performance. His background in large-scale operations and financial performance management gives him a practical understanding of how disciplined execution drives long-term value. Today, Luis advises transportation and logistics companies on mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and strategic growth initiatives, with a particular focus on cross-border supply chains and founder-led businesses.

Luis earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Arizona Global Campus and holds multiple degrees from Arizona State University, including Finance, Business Administration and Management, and Political Science, along with an International Business Certificate through the W. P. Carey School of Business.

As a former Wilson student, Luis understands the value Wilson provides to students who may not otherwise view college as attainable. The foundation, mentorship, and high expectations create access and belief where it might not naturally exist. He knows that support can be life-changing, which is why he is committed to strengthening pathways that open doors for the next generation.
Luis is married with three children and values strong family and cultural roots. He enjoys working with his hands, watching his kids compete in sports, tending to his backyard chickens, and spending time at large family gatherings. When the cumbias come on, he is usually the first on the dance floor.

Ms. Kayla Kolar

Kayla Kolar has been in nonprofit executive leadership for over 30 years and currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of House of Refuge since Jan. 1, 2021. Prior to that, she was President and CEO of HD SOUTH, Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum for 15 ½ yrs. where she led the organization through $1.5 mil of a $2 million capital campaign and a complete rebranding from a history museum to a complex arts and culture nonprofit. Before that she was the Executive Director for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the Deputy Director of the Desert Botanical Garden, and a Division Sales Manager with the National Federation of Independent Business.

Kayla holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Illinois State University. She is a graduate of Gilbert Leadership Class XIV, was on the Gilbert Leadership Board of Directors for 7 years, is a past president of the board, and is a past recipient of the Gilbert Leadership Award. She holds a certificate in Leading Strategy Execution Through Culture from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, and certificates from the Harvard Business School in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management and Social Enterprise and Systems Thinking, as well as Women in Leadership from the Yale School of Management. Kayla is a graduate of the Gilbert Citizens Police Academy and was a 2024 Piper Fellow with the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. Kayla currently serves on the Park University Gilbert Advisory Board, the PHX East Valley Partnership board, the ASU Polytechnic Campus Community Advisory Board, the Chandler Gilbert Community College Advisory Board, the Dignity Health Designated Procedures Oversight Board, and the Western Alliance Bank Community Board. She has 3 adult sons and lives in Gilbert.

Mr. Chris Hallgren

Chris Hallgren has over 30 years of experience in information technology, with expertise in computer forensics, programming, web design, database management, and software deployment/reporting. As a principal consultant to Oracle and a consultant to InPower and Tesseract, he supported and managed human resources and payroll software applications and development.

He previously served as President of Helios Data Forensics, a firm specializing in computer forensics and e-discovery services for businesses and the civil legal sector. He also held the role of Director of Information Technology and Corporate Social Responsibility at International Police Training and Consulting Services (IPTACS), an organization providing sustainable law enforcement training to developing nations and emerging democracies.

Mr. Hallgren holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Systems from Arizona State University and an MBA with a specialization in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix.

Ms. Allison Williams

Allison Williams is a dedicated educator, counselor, and student advocate with more than 27 years of experience in education. During her career with the Phoenix Union High School District, she has served students as a teacher, guidance counselor, Student Success Coordinator, and Career and Technical Education Facilitator. Her work has focused on helping students overcome challenges, discover opportunities, and prepare for life beyond high school. Among her accomplishments, she increased FAFSA completion rates from below 50% to 100%, developed college and career programs, coordinated campus visits and career exploration opportunities, and was honored as Employee of the Year in 2025 and Counselor of the Year in 2010.

Working with high school students has been one of the most rewarding chapters of Allison’s life. She has had the privilege of watching students grow from insecure freshmen who are unsure of what they can accomplish into confident, resilient young adults prepared to take on their next journey and make a positive difference in their communities and beyond. After a fulfilling career dedicated to supporting young people, Allison retired in the summer of 2026 but will never retire from helping our youth. She now lives in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, with her husband of 25 years and their two dogs. She is also a proud mother of two beautiful daughters—one who recently graduated from Arizona State University (ASU) with a 4.0 GPA in Business Administration and another who is beginning her senior year at ASU. For Allison, family, lifelong learning, and helping others discover their potential remain at the heart of everything she does.

Mr. Joseph Hauer

Joe’s educational connection with the Wilson community began in 2000 when he served as the school’s biology and physics teacher. During the period he taught at Wilson he built a strong connection with the students, their parents, and the greater Wilson business community, who supported the award-winning achievements that were accomplished by the Wilson students in engineering and solar technology. The Wilson Technology and Engineering Program was recognized by Valley Forward Association at its Annual Environmental Excellence Awards for Outstanding Environmental Education and Communication. Wilson high school students would go on to build both solar electric boats and vehicles and race against major universities including both Stanford and MIT teams in addition to some of the top high schools in the country. Joe’s teaching career began after retiring from the Phoenix Police Department where his 23-year career included patrol, detectives, undercover narcotics, and commanding the Department’s Public Information Unit that included Block Watch programs, D.A.R.E., School Resource Officers, and the development and implementation of a national gang prevention program in schools called G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training). From 2006-2009 he was recruited and would work internationally with the Department of Justice as an international advisor to the U. S. Embassy in Albania where he conducted an assessment of their national police and helped in the development of their training programs. Joe was selected by Arizona State University in 1992 to participate in a 10-month fellowship through the Institute of Education Leadership in Washington, D. C. He has received numerous recognitions for his work in law enforcement and education by the City of Phoenix, Bureau of ATF, Albania National Police, and the Phoenix Police Department. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a BS in Justice Studies from Arizona State University and MS in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University.

Ms. Laura Hauer

Laura has over thirty-one years’ experience as both an educator and school administrator in the Tempe Elementary School District. Her connection to the Wilson Community is through the events, projects and trips she had the privilege of participating in with her husband Joe and the amazing students at Wilson HS.

Laura’s teaching career began as a special education teacher. She had the opportunity to teach K-5th grade as a classroom teacher and a reading specialist. She had multiple administrative experiences such as Community Education Director, Special Needs Director and Executive Director of Human Resources.

Laura received her Bachelor of Science in Education Elementary and Special Education from Northern Arizona University and her Master of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision from Arizona State University.