Erika Mendoza
Erika “Kika” Mendoza began her commitment with the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation in 1999, as a recent burn survivor first attending Champ Camp. After experiencing the unconditional love and support within the burn community, Erika and her family continued their involvement through burn survivor events and started volunteering in 2011. Due to the positive impact the foundation had on her and her family, her loved ones couldn’t wait to also begin volunteering.
Erika initially joined AARBF staff in 2018, when she took on the role of Central California Regional Manager. Her passion for survivor services and prevention flourished even more within this position and she soon realized that she wanted to continue to grow her knowledge and skills to best support AARBF and the burn community in as many ways as possible. Set on pursuing both professional and organizational development, Erika accepted the role of Resource Development Manager for AARBF at the beginning on 2020. At the end of 2021, Erika was faced with the hard decision of moving back to Arizona and pausing her staff role with AARBF. Through this move, Erika continued to seek and broaden her involvement within the burn community through a new opportunity with the Arizona Burn Foundation and rejoining the volunteer pool with AARBF.
In addition to staff involvement within the burn community, Erika has extensively worked with children, families and the community in general as a teacher, parent educator, clinician and health education coordinator. Educationally, Erika is bilingual due to her upbringing and minor in Spanish. She also holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Family Studies and Human Development from The University of Arizona and has also obtained a Master’s of Science degree in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University.
Erika now rejoins AARBF at the end of 2023, to commence in her new role as Survivor Services Camps and Recreation Manager. With her ability to empathize in addition to well development skills in understanding the healing that comes from recreation and social activities, she is beyond excited to resume in this new position. Her time with AARBF has come full circle and being able to return in a new and stimulating capacity is a true honor. Erika truly embodies and aligns with the mission and vision of the foundation and aspires to continue to promote healing and empowerment within the burn community.
