We’re thrilled to announce that CODAC’s senior director of population health, Nicole Huggett and therapist, Nicole Keele have been selected as honorees for the 2024 class of Tucson’s “40 Under 40” leaders!
Hosted by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, this significant honor recognizes young professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, dedication and impact within their communities.
Nicole Huggett, MSW, CPHQ
Nicole Huggett, a passionate advocate for community well-being and equity, has been named one of Tucson’s 40 Under 40 honorees. Nicole’s career and volunteer efforts are deeply rooted in service to others. Her journey began at the University of Michigan, where she tutored ESL chil
dren, taught creative writing to incarcerated men and supported individuals with autism. Her commitment to cultural understanding and inclusion has shaped her approach to serving diverse populations.
After moving to Tucson to pursue a master’s in social work, Nicole led a groundbreaking initiative with the Pima County Public Libraries (PCPL). There, she identified a critical gap in health-related support for library patrons, leading to the creation of the nation’s first Library Public Health Nurse position in partnership with the Pima County Health Department. This program has since expanded and continues to improve community health outcomes.
Beyond her professional contributions, Nicole has served on the boards of the Arizona Evaluation Network and The Association for Healthcare Quality of Arizona. She co-founded the Tucson Tableau User Group to enhance data-driven decision-making for individuals and organizations. As senior director of population health, she oversees clinical outcomes, health quality initiatives and efforts to improve health equity for individuals living with mental health and substance misuse disorders.
Nikki Keele, LAC
Nikki Keele is a therapist at CODAC at Speedway. She provides comprehensive mental health services, including individual and group therapy, crisis intervention and case management. Nicole’s work has had a profound impact on the well-being of individuals and families, promoting mental health and recovery.
Nikki’s dedication to helping others is exemplified by her contributions as a crisis advocate intern at SACASA. In this role, Nicole provided critical support to sexual assault survivors, offering comfort during incredibly challenging moments and advocating for their access to necessary resources and protection. Her involvement with SACASA reflects her deep commitment to safeguarding the well-being of some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Beyond her work with CODAC, she has made meaningful contributions as an AmeriCorps Volunteer with the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension. She developed skills-building curricula for children with autism and supported Triple-P parenting groups, empowering both children and their families with essential tools to navigate their challenges.
Nicole received her master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Northern Arizona University.
“I am incredibly proud of both honorees who’ve been recognized for their dedication, compassion and impact. They embody core values of our organization and will continue to make a positive impact,” said CODAC president and CEO, Dennis Regnier.
