About Us

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Monica Dorcey was born and raised in rural Wayne, Nebraska, one of nine siblings. After graduating from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, she worked in the independent adjusting business for 27 years. In 2003 she went to work as a senior claim representative for Farmers Insurance Group, moving to El Mirage with her daughter, Ashley. Monica is a member of Santa Teresita parish and has served in several ministries over the years.

Monica is now retired but continues to be involved in a number of non-profit organizations with a primary emphasis on children and their education, but also fostering the growth and development of El Mirage. She has served in a number of roles as a volunteer for the City of El Mirage. This work includes:

• Served as Vice Mayor from 2021-2022
• Served on the Planning and Zoning Commission from 2013 to 2018
• Served on the Judicial Review Committee from 2012 to 2017
• Named El Mirage Citizen of the Year in 2012
• Served on the planning committee for the El Mirage homeowners association (HOA) training presented in 2016 to 2017
• Board member of the Northwest Valley YMCA Advisory Board, serving on the board since 2014
• Treasurer of the Dysart Education Foundation Board and Scholarship Committee, active
• Treasurer of Arizona Career Pathways, 2011 to present.
• President of the West Valley Neighborhoods Coalition

Donna is a native Arizonan and grew up on the west side. She graduated from ASU, Magna Cum Laude and double majored in Criminal Psychology and Communication. She is married to Dr. Joshua Winston, DVM, has four children, two granddaughters and a grandson. She bought her first brand new home in Rancho El Mirage and has lived here for 24 years.

Donna has worked for Maricopa Community Colleges since 1996 and is currently a Student Service Analyst at the District Office. Along with her duties there, she has been an employee advocate leader for the last 24 years which included writing employee policy along with helping Maricopa Community College employees.

Through this advocacy work for employees, Donna was asked to start the public employee sector of Arizona Conference of Police and Sherriff (AZCOPS), called "Maricopa Employees". She is currently the President of this non-profit group and proudly leads her board by navigating public employees through processes and policies of their organization.

Donna’s husband, Dr. Winston, is a Veterinarian and worked at Sun City West Animal Hospital. Their two eldest sons are veterans of the U.S. military and are very dedicated to military personnel and their families. Donna is also a wedding planner and owns By Invitation Only.

Donna believes in giving back to her community and has been extremely involved in volunteerism since she was a very young girl. She was the Family Readiness Group Leader for almost five years for her youngest son's Army battalion. She served on the Executive Board of the Single Mom Foundation and taught a 10-week course called "The Road to Self Reliance." She currently sits on the Executive Board of Don't Leave Me, which started as a civic engagement project for college students and brings awareness to the dangers of leaving pets and children in hot cars.

Donna played a significant role, working with Judge Parascandola and community partners, in getting the Veteran’s Court established in El Mirage. One of Donna's goals for the City of El Mirage is to partner with not only our local businesses but with our sister cities around us to build a stronger economy throughout our community. She would like to utilize these connections to support education, police and fire awareness in our own neighborhoods to secure a safer, better future for El Mirage citizens.

Paulina Ponce is a proud Arizona native, born and raised in Phoenix and shaped by the strength of a single parent household. Growing up as an only child instilled in her a deep sense of independence, responsibility, teamwork, and self-sacrifice, values that continue to guide her life and her commitment to public service.

Paulina attended Moon Valley High School, where she was selected for a competitive career readiness program focused on Early Childhood Education. The program placed students in real classroom settings, serving as student teachers in preschool classrooms, and it was there that Paulina learned the power of showing up for children when it matters most. That experience did not end at graduation. For the past ten years, she has continued to give back to the very program that helped launch her journey, returning as a guest speaker and mentor to encourage students, open doors, and remind them that their future is bigger than they may yet imagine.

She went on to further her education at Gateway Community College, earning an Associate’s Degree in Health Services Management along with two professional certificates. During her college years, Paulina began her career with the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department as a part time employee. Through hard work, leadership, and a deep commitment to community, she steadily advanced within the department. Today, she serves as the Afterschool Recreation Coordinator III for the Phoenix Afterschool Center Program, the sole coordinator overseeing 33 afterschool sites across Phoenix, managing more than 120 full time and part time staff, guiding program curriculum, and stewarding complex budgets. Her work has also included overseeing community centers, producing large and small events, and securing over $100,000 in donations and sponsorships through strong public private partnerships. Paulina has become a recognized public servant and emerging leader, known for building trust, strengthening teams, and delivering results.

Paulina is married to her husband, Jacob, and together they recently made El Mirage their home. She has quickly fallen in love with the community, its people, its potential, and its promise. Grounded by her upbringing and strengthened by the unwavering support of her husband, along with their two beloved tortoises, Marley and Cleo, Paulina feels deeply compelled to serve and to help empower the next generation of El Mirage residents.

As a City Council candidate, Paulina’s priority is clear, investing in the next generation of leaders. She believes that when we pour into our youth, we strengthen public safety, support families, and build a foundation for thriving neighborhoods, strong small businesses, and well maintained streets, parks, libraries, and community spaces. Paulina is committed to doing this work with care, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility, ensuring El Mirage continues to grow in a way that is both sustainable and community centered.

Alexis Hermosillo is in her second term as the Mayor of the City of El Mirage. As a proud fifth generation El Mirage resident, the Mayor is passionate about her community and is committed to enriching the lives of El Mirage residents.

Through her experience in public service, she has worked for the largest public transportation company in Maricopa County, was the manager of a radio network under the Cesar Chavez Foundation and worked for the U.S. House of Representatives as a District Representative for Arizona Congressional District 3.

Mayor Hermosillo has also led national efforts to improve climate conditions through carbon pricing and provided operational and managerial support to numerous non-profits on a state and national level.

Mayor Hermosillo currently serves on the following boards and committees:

• City of El Mirage Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Committee
• Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Executive Committee
• MAG Regional Council
• MAG Economic Development Committee (past Chair)
• League of Arizona Cities and Towns Executive Committee
• Arizona League of Arizona Cities and Towns Committee: General Administration, Human Resources and Elections Policy
• Arizona League of Arizona Cities and Towns Budget Subcommittee
• Luke West Valley Council
• WESTMARC Board of Directors
• Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Mayor Hermosillo has also served on the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Board of Directors.

The Mayor is committed to the empowerment of women and has served on the Board of Directors for the YWCA of Metropolitan Phoenix.

She has worked with the Hispanic Women’s Corporation, supporting their national youth initiatives. She believes that investing in today’s youth is an investment in our future and has dedicated herself to engaging and motivating Latino youth through leadership development programs with various organizations such as UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza).

Mayor Hermosillo holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary arts and performance, both from Arizona State University. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University.