Staff

Rita Marko has been with the City of Phoenix for slightly more than 16 years.  Initially hired as the Library’s Development Officer, Rita staffed the Phoenix Public Library Foundation and raised funds for critical library services.  She was promoted to the position of Library Community Relations Manager, where she was responsible for media relations, marketing and the development of the Library’s website – the City’s first responsively-designed site.

Rita transferred to the City Manager’s Office, where she supported two Deputy City Managers, and staffed three City Council Subcommittees and two task forces.  Most recently, Rita served as the Management Assistant II in the Public Works Director’s Office.

Prior to coming to the City, Rita worked for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, raising $1.5 million in about 18 months.  She also worked for the Skokomish Indian Nation in Washington state, serving as the community’s Health Planner, Economic Development Planner and Director of Economic Development.  Rita has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Anthropology from the University of Arizona, where the focus of her studies was culture change and economic development.  Her Masters thesis focused on the Cuban Women’s Federation as an agent of change for women in Cuba.

Rick Gerrard is deputy director of the City of Phoenix Office of International Relations and deputy director of Phoenix Sister Cities. He has served in this capacity since March 1999. Rick is responsible for handling matters of protocol and the programming of meetings and activities for international delegations visiting the City of Phoenix on official business. In addition, he is responsible for designing, organizing and coordinating international exchange-related activities and events associated with nine sister cities around the world.

Prior to his arrival in Phoenix, Rick was deputy director of the Town Affiliation Association of the United States, better known as Sister Cities International, based in Washington, D.C. He spent nine years with Sister Cities International in various capacities where he managed numerous grants and designed and conducted international exchange, training and development programs worldwide. He has organized and conducted political, educational and trade delegations to more than two dozen industrialized and developing countries, including the first visit of United States mayors to South Africa after the collapse of apartheid in 1995; the first visit of US mayors to Vietnam after the normalization of diplomatic ties in 1996; and, the first visit of US mayors to Northern Ireland after the renewal of the peace process in 1997, just prior to the Good Friday peace accords of 1998. Rick has been involved in international affairs for over thirty years.

Rick has an MA in Latin American history from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and a bachelor’s degree in social science and education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He speaks Spanish and some Portuguese and served for over two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay.

April has a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University (ASU), where she specialized in direct practice with children, youth, and families. She also has bachelors’ degrees from ASU in communication and English literature. Prior to Phoenix Sister Cities, April oversaw a student-led department at ASU West and coordinated community service events for ASU students. April also has experience working with survivors of domestic violence, foster youth, recent mothers, and trauma survivors. April has studied abroad in London, England and taught English to third grade students in Chonburi, Thailand.

April is thrilled to work with Phoenix Sister Cities and is passionate about removing barriers and increasing opportunities for all youth.

Emily has a BA in International Affairs and a minor in Business from Northern Arizona University. Prior to Phoenix Sister Cities, Emily was a full-time student and worked as a camp counselor in Pennsylvania over the summers as a ropes course facilitator. She consistently managed young women from the ages of 5-15, facilitated numerous team-building activities, and encouraged young women to challenge themselves every day. She is passionate about working and volunteering with youth and this is what led her to apply for an internship position with Phoenix Sister Cities (PSC) in 2018.

Emily began her work with Phoenix Sister Cities in the fall semester of 2018 as the Youth and Education Program Coordinator intern. As an intern, Emily curated Teach Aboard and Youth Ambassador Exchange Program marketing materials for social media, newsletters and website, recruited applicants for both PSC programs, and performed daily administrative tasks to further both programs’ goals. Emily now serves as the Events and Membership Coordinator at PSC. In this role, she helps plan and coordinates all PSC Signature events, including the annual Global Links Business Luncheon, The Mayor’s International, PSC 5K Run, and other PSC functions/fundraisers throughout the year. She also works on membership and maintains the membership database at PSC. Emily finds it extremely important to sustain member engagement and satisfaction and works to find new ways to enhance the membership experience overall for PSC members.

Emily is excited to be working with Phoenix Sister Cities and is eager to learn more about event planning/coordinating and improving membership.

Cynthia Rodriguez has been a self-employed Bookkeeper since 2001, working with various industries such as, a non-profit organization called Arizona RBI Youth Sports, various branches of the Medical field, Real Estate, Title and Escrow and the music production industry . She has also worked with the finance industry serving clients with banking and investment needs. She is excited to be working with Phoenix Sister Cities as their Bookkeeper and look forward to what the future holds with this new relationship.

Taelour Palmer is currently the Assistant to the Vice President. Taelour was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, but was raised in New Mexico. She is a sophomore at Grand Canyon University (GCU) in central Phoenix. Taelour is studying Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice Studies. She plans to continue her education at the graduate level and find a career in the courts as a victim’s advocate. At GCU, Taelour is involved in Psychology Club, Changing Lives Center Ministry, and Refugee Ministry.

Taelour’s interests include playing sports, hiking with friends, and volunteering in her community. She understands the importance of people-to-people connections and how these relationships help foster strong bonds that go beyond social restraints.  This internship will provide great experience with forming relationships and connections with people across the globe.

Alayna O’Keefe is the current Assistant to the Youth and Education Program Coordinator. Alayna was born and raised in a small town just north of Boston, Massachusetts, but came to Arizona for school. She is currently a senior attending Arizona State University and Barrett, The Honors College where she is majoring in Global Studies with a minor in Sustainable Tourism. Alayna plans on utilizing her degree and experience with Phoenix Sister Cities to pursue a career in international relations or international education.

Alayna’s interest in foreign relations began when she was young. On her mother’s side she is Greek and her father’s British, where she grew up immersed in both cultures. She has been fortunate enough to travel to Greece and England to see family and friends, as well as maintain those relationships. She is also bilingual and grew up speaking Greek. From her travels and experiences, she has gained a passion for traveling and learning about different cultures.

Last semester, Alayna studied abroad at Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy where she learned the value of intercultural communication and international relations. While abroad, she was also an assistant English teacher for a second grade class in Florence. This teaching experience was one of her favorite memories studying abroad, and led to her interest in international education.

Alayna is excited to intern with Phoenix Sister Cities and looks forward to learning more about international relations.

Marcus Spradlin is the Phoenix Sister Cities Marketing Coordinator intern for the fall semester. Marcus was born and raised in Lake Havasu City, Arizona until he moved to Tempe to attend Arizona State University. He is currently a junior in Barrett, the Honors College majoring in Political Science, minoring in Criminal Justice and Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, and achieving certificates in Complex Solutions in Health Care, Political History and Leadership, and Civic Education. He intends to take his education to the next level and attend law school following graduation. Marcus is also the Vice President of BridgeASU, a club dedicated to promoting civil discourse.

Marcus looks forward to starting his first internship with the Phoenix Sister Cities program. He has been interested in foreign relations for a long time, and finally has the opportunity to explore that further. He is very excited to be on board for such an amazing program.