Who We Are

Aimee Runyon is the Chief Executive Officer of Delivering Dreams of Arizona. Serving as the organizations’ first Executive Director from 2012-2015, Aimee returned to the organization in 2018 as a result of her passion for the mission.

With over 34 years of experience in nonprofit management, the scope of her work has include food insecurity, basic needs for children & families, foster youth/foster parents/adoption programs, tutoring, technology and behavioral health. Aimee has served as Executive Director for notMYkid and for Mathew’s Crossing Food Bank in Chandler, as well as Vice President of the The Community College Foundation in Los Angeles. Aimee was selected to sit on ASU President Crow’ Community Council, and the CoBizC3 group for nonprofit CEO’s.  Previously, Aimee served as the President of the Chandler Non Profit Coalition, ONE – Organization for Nonprofit Executives and was on the steering committee that started Arizona Gives Day.

Aimee received the Outstanding Women in Business award in 2020 from the Phoenix Business Journal, and the Covid Creativity award in 2021. In 2020, Aimee was featured as as “Trendsetter” by Arizona Foothills Magazine.

Aimee received a BA in Communications from ASU and Masters degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.  A Phoenix native, Aimee is the proud basketball mom of her son Amare.

Jeannie Burts joined Delivering Dreams of Arizona in 2019 as the Accounting Manager and oversees internal controls, accounting, and budgeting.  Prior to joining, Jeannie was at notMYkid for 11 years as the Accounting Manager. Before entering the nonprofit sector, she was an assistant to the superintendent of two public school districts. Originally from San Jose, California, she and her family moved to Arizona in 1987. Jeannie enjoys time with her family, playing the piano, sewing and crochet.

Michelle Peralta joined Delivering Dreams of Arizona in 2015 and brings a diverse background in early childhood education, arts advocacy and behavioral health, with experience in volunteer engagement, community outreach and event coordination throughout her career. Michelle especially enjoys building relationships and connecting people with meaningful ways to make a difference in their community. Through her role, she brings together volunteers, community partners and supporters to help further the mission of Delivering Dreams

Michelle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Arizona State University, with a minor in Event Management, and holds an Associate degree in Child Development and a certificate in Nonprofit Marketing & Strategic Communications.

A Phoenix native, Michelle values family, community and meaningful connections. Outside of work, she loves food and cooking, but especially the way sharing a meal can bring people together. She enjoys hosting family and friends and creating opportunities for the people she cares about to connect, celebrate and make lasting memories.

Alan Dunlap is the Program Manager of the Delivering Dreams Bus program. He joined the organization in 2014, when the first Delivering Dreams Bus was launched.  Alan manages the warehouse, program inventory, the buses, along with the coordination and scheduling with our partner schools. Prior to moving to Phoenix, he was in the Midwest for 8 years driving for a bus program with The Community College Foundation.  He holds an Associates degree in Photography and in 1997 was Big Brother™ of the Year in Cincinnati.  Alan was born in Indiana, raised in Alaska and lived in the midwest before coming to Arizona.  In his free time, Alan enjoys golf, golf and more golf. 

Ken joined the organization in the summer of 2024 as Coordinator for the Delivering Dreams Bus program.  He comes to us with many years of experience as an elementary school Bus Driver.
Originally from the Chicagoland area, he moved to the Valley for a few years, then back to Chicago before he decided Phoenix would be his home.  Although, he still claims that “Chicago-style” pizza is the best ever and nothing compares.    Ken has played the guitar on and off since he was 11 years, was in a band back in Chicago, and enjoys watching local live music.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., William moved to the Valley in 2014, bringing over 20 years of expertise in the passenger ground transportation industry to Delivering Dreams of Arizona. Prior to joining the team, he spent a few years behind the wheel as a professional bus operator with Valley Metro. Grounded in his spirituality and driven by a personal passion for helping others, William takes pride in making a positive impact on people’s daily journeys.

Outside of work, William stays active and engaged with the vibrant local culture. He enjoys playing chess, grilling, and attending live sports, comedy shows, and concerts. Above all, he loves spending quality time with his family and friends, and he never turns down an adventure, as he absolutely loves heights!