About Us
Spring Graf - Program Founder, Volunteer Sedona
In September 2023, my husband and I went to Maui, which had experienced catastrophic fires the month before. We volunteered 3-4 days per week in the kitchen with Hungry Heroes Hawaii, and our team plated and delivered 200+ meals every day. We initially went for 3 weeks but ended up extending our stay by another 3 weeks because working to help others brought us to our highest level of true, deep LOVE by being of meaningful service. It was, by far, the most outstanding “vacation” we had ever experienced. We later learned that what we had done was a worldwide movement, and it’s called Voluntourism.
When we got home to Sedona, I wanted to do more to support our own community organizations. A project with a big vision needs many people to make it work. I was lucky enough to find Ben Burke and Manzanita, who held the same vision to expand volunteering in the Verde Valley, and he offered to sponsor this program! Volunteer Sedona was born, and I cannot wait to see where we go!
When I was in corporate America, I was the Director of Strategic Development one of the largest corporate travel agencies in Chicago. Prior to that, I was the CEO of Creative Approaches, Inc., a company devoted to combining efficiencies of staff with expert technical programming for the travel industry. My education includes a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
My husband and I are relatively new residents in Sedona (2019), and we are devoted to our friends, family, and daily Spiritual practice.
Ben Burke - Executive Director, Manzanita
As the Executive Director of Manzanita, I've dedicated much of my professional life to the vision that no individual should face the uncertainty of their next meal. My journey to this role is deeply personal; having once been a food assistance client myself, I have a profound understanding of the difference that support and compassion can make. This experience has become the bedrock of my commitment to creating a future where food security is a reality for all.
In 2018, I took on the challenge of assisting Manzanita’s growth from a concept into the largest basic-needs assistance organization in our county, and one of the leading rural food assistance operations in the nation. It's been an ambitious journey, marked by the growth and scaling of the organization’s reach, capacity, and impact. Our belief in collaboration as the cornerstone of community impact has led us to forge partnerships with over 200 Arizona organizations, proving that together, we can achieve unprecedented levels of community support.
Previously, I honed my ability to grow and sustain operations and initiatives at Arch Grants, where I led one of the world's largest Global Startup Competitions. It was here that I realized the power of entrepreneurship not just as a means of individual success, but as a catalyst for widespread economic development.
My educational path was set at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, where I emerged top of my class, driven by a passion for entrepreneurial studies and critical thinking. This was more than academic achievement; it was a period of personal and professional growth that saw me completing the program while simultaneously growing Arch Grants. The discipline and tenacity I developed then have been instrumental in my subsequent roles.
Kai McRoy - Program Americorps VISTA
As a recent graduate with a Computer Science and Social Media background, I wanted to put my skills toward projects that would help people and communities. I believe in the power of technology and online platforms to create meaningful connections and provide valuable resources. Working with Manzanita Outreach and Volunteer Sedona gives me an opportunity to work on projects that utilize technology to empower communities. I look forward to meaningful work with Manzanita Outreach and Volunteer Sedona, which will increase the accessibility of community-based and environmental improvement opportunities.