BIO ~ Carolyn Gorst
Community Engagement Director, Compass Affordable Housing
A Tucson native, Carolyn Gorst is a proud third-generation University of Arizona Wildcat with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a few associate degrees from Pima College in Graphic Design, Business Communication, and Liberal Arts (yes, she was that student who loved school!).
Before diving into the nonprofit world, she taught middle school, was involved in marketing, sales, and design, as well as event planning, and always cheering on the Wildcats — school spirit ran deep and shaped her purpose
With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience in program development, fundraising, and marketing, including working in the Senior Living and Educational space, Carolyn now serves as the Community Engagement
Director at Compass Affordable Housing, where she brings her energy and creativity to building powerful partnerships that open doors—literally—creating safe places for people to develop. Carolyn is a graduate of the 2021 GTL LEAD Tucson Class, a 2019 Social Venture Partners Fast Pitch finalist, and holds a Nonprofit Leadership certificate from UA’s Eller College of Business. She brings heart, hustle, and humor to every project.
Compass Affordable Housing strengthens the Tucson community by providing safe, stable places where people can heal, grow, and thrive. through affordable housing and personalized support services—including financial coaching, employment assistance, and access to food and housing services.
“We empower individuals and families to rebuild” their lives with dignity. Our programs address immediate needs while laying the foundation for long-term success.
From children gaining stability in school to adults securing employment and independence, the impact is lasting.
At Compass, safe housing is more than a roof—it’s a catalyst for human development and a stronger, more vibrant community for all.
Company Name: Compass Affordable Housing
Company Phone: (520) 403-0799
Email: cgorst@compassaffordablehousing.org
Company Website: https://compassaffordablehousing.org/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-affordable-housing-inc/
Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/compassaffordablehousing/
BIO ~ Emilia Honkasaari
The Haven, Vice President of Communications and Development
Emilia was born and raised in Finland, where travels across Europe sparked a lasting interest in different cultures.
These formative experiences shaped her curiosity about people and societies, ultimately leading her to pursue a master’s degree in social sciences from the University of Helsinki.
After graduating, Emilia planned to live abroad for just a few years. That temporary move has turned into a 15-year journey.
Emilia is a communications professional with over ten years of experience in developing and implementing communication strategies. She joined The Haven in May 2022. Emilia started her career at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland working in Russia, Norway, and Washington D.C. Prior to joining The Haven, she was helping political candidates and nonprofits with their communications needs in San Diego.
The Haven helps women heal from substance use disorders and breaks the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Because 7 in 10 women in recovery are mothers, The Haven approaches the process of healing from substance use and co-occurring disorders with a goal to reunite families, rebuild communities, and strengthen the mother/child bond. When women are successful and they break the cycle of intergenerational trauma, regain the trust of their children, and learn to love themselves again, the results are truly life changing for the whole family and community. The Haven is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year.
Company Website: https://thehaventucson.org/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehaventucson
Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHavenTucsonAZ/
C0mpany Phone: (520) 833-3408
Barbara McClure, Executive Director 
IMPACT of Southern Arizona
3535 E Hawser Street
Tucson, AZ 85739
Phone: 520-825-0009
barbara@impactsoaz.org
www.impactsoaz.org
SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter |
Barbara McClure wakes up each morning passionate about going to work at a place that improves lives and inspires futures every day! She has been the Executive Director of a Tucson social service nonprofit called IMPACT of Southern Arizona, for ten years. What is it that keeps you passionate about your role Barbara?
Barbara has been a visionary and planner with decades of experience as a small business owner and in nonprofit leadership; her innovative ideas and strategic thinking, along with a talent for bringing the community together, has helped grow IMPACT five-fold in a very short time. Her talents and interests are diverse but all center around helping people, improving the community, bolstering education, building capacity and sustainability, being vocal about the rights and conditions of others, experiencing art, nurturing all inhabitants of your garden, and enjoying life to the fullest.
And now Barbara is about to experience another exciting chapter in her life with hosting a brand-new Radio Show Podcast here on the Tucson Business RadioX Network starting in November.
IMPACT of Southern Arizona is a 20 – year old social service nonprofit stabilizing families and seniors, and moving people out of poverty. IMPACT’s programs are designed to stretch household budgets so earned income can be spent on necessities such as improved housing conditions, fuel to get to work, utilizes, and needed medical attention and prescriptions. Its clients are your neighbors! People come to IMPACT because it is a welcoming place where they are always treated with dignity and respect, and where they find resources, referrals, coaching, and help to attain the skills that can move them forward into self-sufficiency.
Barbara grew up in Pasadena CA, moved to Long Beach for college, got married and started our family then moved to Seattle area ten years later. Took our youngest son on an 11-month motorhome trip to get to Tucson – Homeschooled for 10th grade.
We vacationed at a rustic cabin when I was growing up, where we had no phone or television; and spent all our time outside fishing, hiking, horseback riding, listening to old radio shows, playing pool, reading comic books from the local small grocer, and using our imaginations all day long. I always admired the superheroes who defended people and cities like Gotham and Metropolis, so when our three boys were born, we named them after familiar character: Colin (Bryce for an overlay of Bruce Wayne, Kent, and Parker. Our first grandchild was born last year, and as in the family tradition, named Logan, after the Wolverine. I used to always tell them they were my superheroes – and they still are today!
Barbara loves working with numbers and has always loved math and the organization of things, so accounting seemed perfect, but I soon realized that I if I became a CPA I would have to spend many months inside doing tax returns, and that did not appeal to me as a long–term career! I have a great imagination and enjoy creating things, so thought I should find a better path that might nurture that side of my personality. I was working in the shipping industry in SoCal at the time and fell in love with import and export, so shifted my majors to Marketing and International Business. Those were wonderful fits, and I imagined graduating and moving to the largest port on the planet, in Germany; then, I met my future husband and things took a different turn.
A little bit about how Barbara got into Nonprofit work:
All along with my husband and I were always involved in nonprofits and community volunteer opportunities, and often said it was too bad we could not make a living doing those things we loved so much. Leadership roles in PTO, Boy Scouts, Historical Societies, Junior League, Elks, Rotary and more. Then when we moved to Tucson I looked for a local opportunity to impact my community. A Board position was about to open at IMPACT, and my local bank branch manager, Peggy Smoot, suggested I would be very passionate about getting involved in the mission work there. I worked in the Food Bank.
There are thousands of nonprofits in Tucson. What makes IMPACT Unique is that they bring the community together to stabilize families and move people out of poverty. Our true success lies in partnering with a large number of businesses, agencies, social clubs and other nonprofits. We invest $2.5 million in the community each year, and we do it all with a lean staff of amazing professionals supported by more than 170 volunteer shifts each week! We have put great systems in place to run efficiently, effectively and with a commitment to sustainability and integrity, protecting the community’s investment in our work, striving for perfect audits, being innovative, building capacity and most importantly – treating everyone with dignity and respect. We are an award-winning nonprofit with numerous nods to incredible customer service. Our clients are your neighbors… We improve lives and inspire futures of people living in Southern AZ.
So, IMPACT is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and you have been at the helm half that time. Share with me the things IMPACT has accomplished over the years, and the things you have planned for this celebratory year.
