Partners in
Health and
Aging.
Partners in Health and Aging.
How it all started
Duet was started in 1981 by The Reverend Dr. Dosia Carlson and Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix. At that time, our name was Beatitudes Center DOAR (Developing Older Adult Resources), which later changed to Duet: Partners In Health & Aging in 2009. Duet is a non-profit, interfaith organization that promotes health and well-being through its vitally needed, free-of-charge services to homebound adults, family caregivers, faith communities, and grandfamilies.
Duet’s services are based on one person helping another. We partner with individuals, businesses, non-profits, municipalities, government organizations, and faith communities to make that happen. Our trademark is a butterfly created from two equal halves. This represents the many successful partnerships that are needed in order for Duet to provide crucial services to older adults throughout the Valley. The white space around the butterfly contains two faces looking toward each other and a more hopeful future.
We respond to pressing needs that are not being met through other organizations. Duet was the first in the Valley to offer free-of-charge volunteer services for homebound adults, as well as comprehensive services for family caregivers and grandparents raising grandchildren. Duet also introduced the concept to the Phoenix area of congregational health programs led by faith community nurses.
Duet exists because caring partners dedicate time and funding to change lives. Hundreds of compassionate volunteers help fulfill Duet’s mission. Join us as we strive forward in expanding services and providing compassionate help to keep pace with the needs of our growing community.
Mission, Vision and, Guiding Principles
MISSION
To promote health and well-being through vitally needed services to homebound adults, family caregivers, faith communities, and grandfamilies.
VISION
A community where every person ages with compassion, dignity, and hope.
VALUES
- Dignity – Humbly approaching each person we serve with individualized attention and respect.
- Inclusiveness – Embracing all people into our community of care.
- Excellence – Giving our best in everything we do.
- Commitment – Striving to fulfill our mission, even when resources and energies are challenged.
- Stewardship – Ensuring ethical and responsible management of resources to fulfill our mission.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- We welcome and value all people. Everyone in the Duet community – from staff to board to partners in service to the people we serve – is one of a kind. We accept people for the unique individuals they are and respect the gifts they bring.
- We act with integrity. We treat others as they want to be treated. We communicate directly and candidly with each other. We own our mistakes and focus on creating solutions rather than on placing blame.
- We have fun. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Finding humor in challenging situations allows us to keep perspective, energizes us, and helps us learn.
- We are lifelong learners. Change inspires us. We look for new ideas and experiences because we know we will learn something new. We encourage feedback, and we challenge ourselves in ways that will help us grow personally and professionally.
- We put our best selves forward. We look for opportunities where we can go above and beyond the call of duty for each other. We let our community of staff, board, partners in service, and the people we serve know how much we appreciate each other.
- We act with empathy and compassion. We know that everyone has a story so we don’t judge. Instead, we let our compassion and empathy guide our behavior in our interactions with others.
- We are resourceful. We make decisions thoughtfully and we manage our resources responsibly.
- We keep our commitments. We do what we say we will do. We follow through by meeting our obligations honestly and consistently.
Ann Wheat
Executive Director
Ann Wheat has served as the director of family caregiver services since 2014 and is now Duet’s Executive Director. She holds a bachelor’s degree and has completed graduate studies in recreational management from the University of Arizona. Ann was a member of the Duet Board of Directors from 1999-2005 and co-chaired Duet’s major fundraising events. Before her service at Duet, Ann was an acting deputy director for the City of Phoenix.
Jennifer Kabrud
Director of Development
Jennifer Kabrud joined the Duet team as the Director of Development in May 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a Minor in Public Relations and Strategic Communications and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Studies, both from Arizona State University. Prior to joining Duet, Jennifer held development positions with numerous health and human service organizations throughout the Valley.
Nichole Barnes
Senior Director of Communications
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.
Wendy Cohen
Senior Director of Services
Wendy Cohen, MPH joined the Duet team in 2020 as senior director of services. She brings more than 30 years of experience in strategic planning, revenue and fiscal management, and organizational and programmatic assessment. Wendy holds a bachelor’s degree in health and society and an MPH from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Prior to joining Duet, she served as the Interim Executive Director for Phoenix Girls Chorus and President of Wendy Cohen Consulting.
Julie Blake
Director of Operations
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
Director of Kinship Care Services
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.
Anne Varner
Director of Congregational Health
Anne Varner, RN, MSN has served as the congregational health coordinator since 2019 and is now Duet’s director of congregational health. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and an MSN from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to her service at Duet, Anne served in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, including 20 years in the United States Army Nurse Corps. She first became associated with Duet in 2017, when she took the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course.
Janet Richards
Caregiver Services Director
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.
Headshots generously provided by Captured Moments Photography.
Ms. Ann Wheat Executive Director, Duet: Partners In Health & Aging
Ms. Ellen Dean President, Certified Financial Planner, Raymond James Financial Services
Ms. Janice Brandt President Elect, Senior Energy Innovation Analyst, APS
Mr. Gerald Wood Secretary, Merchandising, Design & Operations Manager, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Retired
Ms. Nancy Zikias Treasurer, Sales and Marketing Specialist, Altria Sales and Distribution, Retired
Ms. Andrea Garcia Real Estate Advisor & Family Transition Specialist, S4 Real Estate Group
Ms. Shruti Gurudanti Co-Founder and Entrepreneur, Televeda
Ms. Carol Heimann Faith Community Nurse
Ms. Brenda Holt Associate State Director of Community Outreach and Advocacy, AARP Arizona
Ms. Lisa Nothum Vice President and Senior Trust Advisor, Northern Trust
Ms. Cheryl Plewa Business Banking Strategy Support Manager, JPM Chase
Ms. Donna Rossi Director of Communications, Phoenix Police Department
Mr. Bob Roth Managing Partner, Cypress HomeCare Solutions
Mr. Bill Tabinsky Regional President, One Beacon Insurance, Retired
Mr. Stu Turgel Philanthropy and Nonprofit Consultant, President & CEO, Jewish Community Foundation, Retired
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Kinship Care Services – Family Support Coordinator – The Family Support Coordinator is a full-time, entry level position providing support, connection to community resources, and tools to strengthen protective factors to kinship caregivers – most often grandparents raising grandchildren (with occasional assistance to family caregivers and homebound adults) – elevating their ability to care for their vulnerable loved ones and themselves.
Technology Specialist – The Technology Specialist is a part-time position that will assist in reducing the loneliness of homebound, low-income seniors by connecting them with Wi-Fi enabled tablets, training, and technical support needed to ensure they are able to connect with family and others to reduce their sense of isolation, as well as serve as the in-house IT specialist.
Financial Reports
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10000 N. 31st Ave, Suite D200
Phoenix, AZ 85051
TTY 711
Duet is an equal access, equal opportunity organization.