monarch council

A long-time guest of the Desert Botanical Gardens, Calvin enjoys taking in the beauty of the garden, attending special events, and appreciating the unique art installations. In his spare time, he loves traveling, immersing himself in new cultures, being outdoors, and spending time with his French bulldog, Chester.

Calvin has spent most of his career in HR, driven by a passion for supporting others both personally and professionally. After escaping the cold Midwest, he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Arizona State University.

Kat Consador is an Economic Development Specialist with the City of Phoenix, where she advances rezoning and transit-oriented development projects that transform underutilized sites into walkable, sustainable communities. With over a decade of cross-sector experience in government, finance, and international development, she has worked with organizations including Morgan Stanley, the United Nations Development Programme in Kenya, and the U.S. Embassy in Peru.

Kat holds a Master’s degree in Global Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. During her Local Government Management Fellowship through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), she received the Judy L. Kelsey Scholarship, awarded to emerging women leaders in local government. She blends strategy with creativity, incorporating thoughtful design into her community engagement work.

In her free time, Kat enjoys creative writing, nature walks, and rock climbing. She is passionate about fostering communities where people and nature thrive and is honored to support the Desert Botanical Garden’s mission through the Monarch Council.

Natalie Health is a seasoned IT professional with 20 years of experience driving success through collaboration, client engagement, and strategic problem-solving. Originally from Ogden, Utah, she earned her degree in English and political science from Weber State University, initially planning a career in law before discovering her passion for technology.

Beyond her professional achievements, Natalie is deeply committed to environmental conservation and the protection of natural resources. As an outdoor enthusiast, she finds solace in the mountains and on the water, advocating for the preservation of our land for future generations. Natalie believes in the power of community, diversity, and meaningful connections to drive positive change.

As a dedicated animal advocate, she dreams of creating a sanctuary where rescued animals can live safely and freely. She brings this same passion for advocacy, engagement, and leadership to every initiative she supports—always striving to make a lasting impact.

Jen Knorr is an Associate at SmithGroup, practicing as a Licensed Architect and Medical Planner. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Jen moved from Wisconsin to Arizona in 2007 to begin her professional career. Jen later obtained a Master of Architecture from Arizona State University. With nearly two decades of experience, she focuses on Healthcare Facilities, aiming to create healthy, sustainable, and inclusive communities.

Jen has been a member of the Desert Botanical Garden since 2011, which is the same year she married her husband, Chris, on Ullman Terrace. In the Spring of 2020, she became an Emerging Leader Member to become more engaged in the Garden, which led her to join the Fund the Farm Committee in 2022 where she continues to serve. In January 2025, Jen was welcomed as a Monarch Council Member and joined the Operations Support Committee, further demonstrating her commitment to the Garden.

Andrea Sanchez is the Director of Project Development at Social Good Fund (SGF), a nonprofit fiscal sponsor dedicated to creating and establishing positive influences for individuals, communities, and the environment. She is responsible for adequately vetting, approving, and onboarding new nonprofit projects into the organization and creating capacity-building resources. Andrea has over 13 years of experience working in the fiscal sponsorship sector and has had the great opportunity to work at three fiscal sponsors – two located in the Bay Area. She received a BA in Classics at the University of Arizona and an MA in Museum Studies from San Francisco State University. Andrea currently serves on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Arizona and is the Chair of the Monarch Council. She enjoys hiking, gardening, traveling, attending new museum exhibits, golfing, trying new restaurants, and reading a good book in her spare time. She is originally from San Francisco, CA, and lives in Glendale with her husband and pup, Zeus.

Norell Wheeler grew with a new found love for desert life and living when at the age of eight she was introduced to the works of painter Georgia O’Keeffe by her great grandmother, who pioneered Norell’s love for the arts in all forms and advocacy for the protection of culture and natural resources. 

With a double Master’s degree in public health and behavioral health from the University of San Francisco, and an American Society of Aging RISE Fellow and Ambassador, she continues to work professionally and passionately on topics related to aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Outside of her current role as Vice-Chair for the Monarch Council, Norell enjoys her apple tree orchard and garden, painting and ceramics, hiking and traveling with her poodle, family, and friends and most of all— caring for her parents.