Since 2007, the Arizona Diamondbacks have recognized an individual for their advocacy, leadership and service to strengthen the Hispanic community in Arizona. The first award was given to Pete Garcia for his leadership in representing the Hispanic community in the areas of change and justice, and in recognition of trail blazing work, the award now bears his name.

D-backs senior vice president of marketing Kenny Farrell is proud to present January Contreras with the 2024 Los D-backs Pete Garcia Hispanic Leadership Award.

Empowered by her family legacy of hard work and giving back, January Contreras from a young age learned to work hard and leave no one behind. Contreras exemplified this as she grew up, gained an education and worked in the community.

For a large part of Contreras’ life, her parents worked the second shift at the U.S. Post Office, which meant that Contreras spent a lot of time with her grandparents, who were an inspiration. They lived right up the street from what is now Chase Field on Apache. She feels lucky to have had such great family support from her parents, grandparents and her extended Fontes family. Contreras attended Ann Ott school from 1st to 4th grade. Her mom, Vikki Fontes, is an Ann Ott graduate and her dad, Mario Esquivel, is a Herrera graduate, both schools that are less than a mile from the stadium.

Baseball runs deep in the veins of the family, her dad played baseball for Phoenix Union High School. He shared with Contreras that when he needed extra money for his cleats or a glove, he would hop on a bus and spend a day earning money in the agriculture fields. Her dad never lost his love for baseball. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he played in a softball league with postal workers like him. This is where Contreras became the batgirl for her dad’s team and gained her love for the ballfield.

Contreras and her dad would watch ASU baseball games way before the D-backs were in town, and she delighted in collecting the ASU plastic cups after games.

Contreras later played softball and became great friends with Christina Gonzalez, a Los D-backs Council member. In junior high, Contreras and Gonzalez played on opposing teams, but later, at Westwood High, they played alongside one another on the varsity team. Their friendship was further strengthened when they attended church and were confirmed together at Queen of Peace in Mesa.

“Faith became a rock for me, and taught me that as I had food, shelter and family, I had an obligation to help others; I guess in modern-day language, it’s like I had a chip in my brain to serve others, and that continued through college and beyond,” said Contreras.

Contreras watched her mom graduate from ASU while working full-time, and she wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps. Contreras attended the University of Arizona in Tucson.

“I was not a high-performing student, but I had a high school counselor that believed in me and encouraged me to go to the University of Arizona. As I continued my career, I wanted to help students feel the same way I felt when this counselor helped me,” she said.

“I was involved in mentoring programs for younger students and visited high schools to speak to students encouraging them to go to college. These students were not at the top of their class, like me,” Contreras stated smiling. “I wanted to encourage them and help them see their value.”

For this dedication to serving others, the university awarded her the President’s Robie Medal at her college graduation for her willingness to give more than required, love of God and country.

While Contreras never dreamed of being a lawyer as a kid, her character soon took her down the path of law to help empower people who often lacked power. After serving as an assistant attorney general, she launched a legal aid center, Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS). And although Contreras is not at the helm of the organization any longer, she is especially proud as ALWAYS continues to serve children and young adults who are victims of crimes, including abuse and human trafficking, and who are affected by the foster care system and homelessness.

"Since high school, I really have felt this calling to serve others, and I take stock every night and hope I delivered enough that day," said Contreras.

Serving the community is at the core of Contreras’ heart and mind. Currently, she is the CEO of Children’s Action Alliance, where she works with partners to ensure equitable access for children to high-quality education, safety, health care and economic well-being throughout the state.

Children’s Action Alliance puts important issues on the table, such as the need for quality child care and health care for working parents. Families count on these services every day to ensure they and their children can thrive. Children’s Action Alliance and partners also advocate for supports that help people impacted by the foster care system, including grandparents who step in to raise their grandchildren, and young people who are seeking stability once they become adults and begin their journey after foster care.

In addition to ALWAYS, Contreras is a former assistant secretary for the Administration of Children and Families at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She served as deputy county attorney and assistant attorney general and also served on the cabinet and as adviser for Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. Contreras has been recognized for her community involvement and contributions with her most recent award, the 2024 Positively Powerful Woman Visionary Leadership Award. She was also recognized as Phoenix Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business and for her amazing work when under 40 with by the Phoenix Business Journal and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She also received the Arizona American Jewish Committees Judge Learned Hand Public Service Award.

Contreras continues to encourage college students interested in pursuing law degrees to not give up, follow their dreams and graduate from law school.

“January is a visionary, warm-hearted and dedicated leader. These are the words that come to mind when I think about January. She is committed to strengthening families through her community leadership and tenacity,” said Mary Lou Valenzuela.

For Contreras, this is an important north star.

“I’m constantly filled with gratitude, and giving back and helping others is a way to thank the people that helped guide my path,” she said.