SRP Recognizes Employee Volunteers for Their Community Impact at 44th Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Awards

Four Salt River Project (SRP) employees and one company team were honored with the SRP Presidents' Volunteer Spirit Awards on April 15.

The SRP Presidents' Volunteer Spirit Awards recognize employees who dedicate their hearts, time and skills to their community and local nonprofits.

“Volunteerism has been an essential part of SRP’s culture since the inception of the non-for-profit organization,” said David Rousseau, SRP President. “SRP employees consistently go above and beyond to support causes that matter to them and help improve Arizona for everyone. SRP volunteers live, work and give back right here in our local communities.”

Last year, SRP employees—along with their friends and family—volunteered almost 25,000 hours to 220 Arizona-based nonprofits and donated approximately $1.77 million through our Boosters campaign, continuing SRP’s longstanding commitment to community engagement of more than 120 years.

In honor of the four outstanding volunteers, SRP presented checks for $2,500 to the volunteers’ respective charitable partners.

The 2026 SRP Presidents’ Volunteer Spirit Awards honorees and the nonprofits they assist:

Brian Heath | Senior Director, Desert Basin, Coolidge and Copper Crossing Generating Stations 
Volunteers with: House of Refuge
Queen Creek Resident
Brian Heath has been a dedicated volunteer and board leader with House of Refuge since 2023, contributing more than 200 hours each year to support families facing housing instability. As board chair, he strengthens the organization through donor engagement, board development, strategic planning and financial oversight. In 2025, he led a $500,000 road renovation project and is now guiding a redesign of the community park. Brian also supports essential services, such as mental health programs and childcare, and he and his wife volunteer directly with residents through holiday meals and special events. Beyond House of Refuge, he serves in key civic roles, including as past board chair of the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce, as board chair of the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance and as a member of the Pinal Partnership Energy Committee.

Kristofer Kautz | Senior Valued Business Customer Energy Manager, Business Customer Center
Volunteers with: TheaterWorks
Peoria Resident
Kristofer Kautz has volunteered with TheaterWorks for two-and-a-half years, contributing nearly 150 hours annually to support theater experiences for children, patrons and artists. A current board member and former two-term board chair, he strengthens 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 through donor outreach and sponsorship efforts. In addition, he supports Aguila Youth Leadership Institute, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and UMOM, reflecting his broad commitment to community service.

Kazandra Esperanza Zelaya | Data Scientist, Cartographic and GIS Services 
Volunteers with: Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA) 
Phoenix Resident
Kazandra Esperanza Zelaya has volunteered with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA) for four years, contributing 10–18 hours each month to advance community-driven sustainability initiatives. She joined the board in 2024 and led a comprehensive evaluation and selection process as chair of the CEO Search Committee in 2025. 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 over the past year. Her contributions earned her recognition from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and 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 Office in Albania.

KARL F. ABEL AWARD RECEPIENT

Brenda Hernández Cortazar | Senior Engineer, ERC Operations and Planning
Volunteers with: Ahwatukee Robotics
Ahwatukee Resident
Ahwatukee Robotics Brenda Hernandez Cortazar founded Ahwatukee Robotics in 2023 after realizing her children and many others lacked accessible local robotics opportunities. As an active SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) member, she created a space where students could explore STEM topics, 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, including one with Arizona State University. Brenda contributes six to eight volunteer hours each week to keep the program thriving. She also supports her children’s school PTO, co-leads her daughter’s Girl Scouts troop and assists her son’s Cub Scouts pack, consistently bringing people together and expanding opportunities for local youth.

Team Award
SRP Customer Modernization team 
Micro volunteering for various nonprofits
The Customer Modernization Program team demonstrated how consistent micro-volunteering can drive meaningful impact by integrating brief, purposeful service activities into the workday beginning in December 2024 under Senior Director Kate Kochenderfer’s leadership. This approach made volunteering accessible and sustained high engagement. The team partnered with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, UMOM, Keys to Change, Hospice of the Valley, Treasures 4 Teachers and The Foster Alliance to support families, students, patients and vulnerable community members across five major events. In total, 274 volunteers contributed 329.75 hours — valued at $11,098 — while 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.