About Duet

Nichole Barnes has served as the director of communications of Duet since 2014. She holds a bachelor’s of business administration with a major in marketing from Iowa State University. Prior to her service at Duet, Nichole worked in development and marketing roles at World Vision and UMOM New Day Centers since 1994.

Julie Blake has served as the director of operations of Duet since 2013. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in mathematics from the University of Arizona. Julie started as a volunteer with Duet in 2001, helping to edit the Duet website. She was hired by Duet as an administrative assistant for Congregational Health and later as financial secretary.

Patricia Dominguez has served as the director of kinship care services of Duet since 1998. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Arizona State University. Patricia started at Duet as an intern in 1997 and has developed many of Duet’s kinship services from the ground up.

Janet Richards has served as the caregiver services coordinator since 2018 and is now Duet’s director of family caregiver services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s in interdisciplinary studies from George Mason University. Prior to her service at Duet, Janet worked as an instructional designer through her company, JSR Design. She first became associated with Duet in 2017, when she started attending support groups for family caregivers.

Ricardo Samano joined the Duet team in 2005 and is now Duet’s Homebound Services Manager. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Minor in Spanish from Arizona State University. Prior to Duet, Ricardo worked with Marriott International for 10 years, in addition to youth programs with the City of Phoenix and Boys and Girls Club.

Celeste Plumlee is a dedicated professional with a robust background in program management, evaluation, and strategy. Her eclectic experience in nonprofit and policy roles uniquely positions her to foster collaborations and partnerships with external agencies and stakeholders. Born and raised in the Phoenix area, Celeste holds Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration degrees from Arizona State University and has taught courses in Social Work at Arizona State University and Mesa Community College. With a passion for social justice, her career has emphasized public policy, community advocacy, and cultural competence within a nonprofit context. Recognized for her pragmatic, kind, and determined approach, Celeste excels in strategic planning and innovative problem-solving, bringing valuable insights to address modern challenges.