Each year, we recognize outstanding employees and retirees with the SRP Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Awards, celebrating their commitment to serving our communities. Join us in honoring the inspiring volunteer efforts of our 2026 award recipients.
SRP team makes a big impact through small acts
This year’s team award goes to the Customer Modernization Program team, who integrated impactful micro-volunteering efforts into their everyday workflow. The team partnered with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, UMOM and Keys to Change, Hospice of the Valley, Treasures 4 Teachers and The Foster Alliance. With 274 volunteers, they logged 329.75 hours through activities, such as preparing 5,600 cookies, assembling 500 heat relief kits, crafting 100 origami flowers, producing 1,100 journals, organizing supplies for teachers, and assembling 25 bicycles and 100 holiday cards for foster youth.
Brian Heath — Improving community spaces
Since 2023, Brian Heath has devoted more than 200 volunteer hours annually to House of Refuge, where he serves as Board Chair. He led a $500,000 road improvement project in 2025 and is now overseeing a community park redesign. Brian and his wife also volunteer directly with residents through holiday meals and special events. Beyond House of Refuge, he contributes to the region through his roles as past Board Chair of the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce, current Chair of the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance and member of the Pinal Partnership Energy Committee.
Kristofer Kautz — Supporting local theater
Kristofer Kautz has volunteered with TheaterWorks for two and a half years, contributing nearly 150 hours annually to support the theater experience. As a current Board member and former two-term Board Chair, he contributes to the organization through strategic planning, fundraising support and close collaboration with the CEO. Kristofer also volunteers at opening nights, represents the organization at community events and played a key role in the 40th Anniversary Gala. In addition to TheaterWorks, he supports Aguila Youth Leadership Institute, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and UMOM.
Kazandra Esperanza Zelaya — Advancing Arizona sustainability
For the last four years, Kazandra Esperanza Zelaya has volunteered with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA), contributing 10–18 hours each month to advance their community-driven sustainability initiatives. She joined the Board in 2024, and as GIS and Data Coordinator for AZSA’s Urban Forestry Team, she modernized the organization’s monitoring program by designing a mobile-based system that improved data accuracy and enabled the tracking of at least 1,000 trees in the past year. Due to her contributions, she has earned recognition from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and won the 2024 Tree Advocate of the Year Award. Kazandra also volunteers with ASU’s Rowing Club, the Maryvale-based advocacy group RUMBO and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Albania.
Brenda Hernandez Cortazar, Karl F. Abel Award Recipient
The Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Karl F. Abel Award honors the legacy of former SRP President Karl F. Abel, who embodied servant leadership through his long‑standing commitment to community service. This award recognizes SRP employees and retirees who demonstrate that same spirit of selfless giving through their volunteer work with organizations across the community.
This year’s recipient, Brenda Hernandez Cortazar, founded Ahwatukee Robotics in 2023 after realizing her children and many others lacked accessible local robotics opportunities. She created a space where students could explore STEM, which has already grown into four FIRST® LEGO® League teams serving up to 28 students. She leads every aspect of the program, from coaching and volunteer coordination to fundraising and building partnerships, such as one with Arizona State University. Brenda contributes 6–8 volunteer hours each week to keep the program thriving. She also supports her children’s school PTO, co-leads her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and assists her son’s Cub Scouts pack, consistently bringing people together and expanding opportunities for local youth.
Thank you to every SRP employee whose volunteer spirit makes Arizona’s communities stronger.