Our Leadership Team | GLO Phoenix

At Greater Love Outreach Phoenix, we are a team committed to walking alongside those rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Guided by compassion, fueled by purpose, and a community of in experience, we work together to ensure every program offers not just services, but hope and dignity.

Meet our Leadership Team

At GLO Phoenix, leadership is a blend of lived experience, professional expertise, and an unwavering commitment to community. Director of Programs & Organizational Strategy, Desiree Joplin, works alongside Co-Founders Maryann Bush-Jeter and Pastor Robert Higgs to guide the organization’s mission. Together, they ensure every program is delivered with purpose, care, and the belief that everyone deserves dignity, opportunity, and a second chance.

Executive Director

Pastor Robert Higgs

Robert’s journey is one of transformation, from incarceration to spiritual awakening, and from rebuilding his own life to empowering others to do the same. After his release, he found purpose through ministry, launched a real estate business to create opportunities for fresh starts, and partnered with his wife, Maryann, to carry on the legacy of Greater Love Outreach.

As Executive Director of GLO Phoenix, Robert leads with vision, compassion, and a steadfast belief in the power of second chances. Drawing on his lived experience and ministry work, he connects with individuals impacted by justice in a way that inspires trust, hope, and the courage to rebuild.

Administrative Assistant

Maryann Bush-Jeter

Maryann’s path of service began in nursing, where she spent decades caring for patients and supporting families through life’s most challenging moments. Her compassion, attention to detail, and steady guidance now serve GLO Phoenix in her role as Executive Assistant, where she keeps daily operations running smoothly and ensures every interaction reflects the organization’s mission.

Maryann partnered with her husband, Pastor Robert Higgs, to carry on the legacy of Greater Love Outreach. Together, they bring a shared commitment to restoring dignity, offering second chances, and walking alongside justice-impacted individuals as they rebuild their lives.

Programs & Organizational Strategy Leader

Desiree Joplin

Desiree brings over 17 years of experience in program management, strategic planning, and brand communications to her role at GLO Phoenix. She oversees the development and delivery of community-centered programs, manages organizational planning and operations, and ensures that every initiative reflects the organization’s mission.

Before joining GLO Phoenix, Desiree led marketing operations in the tech sector and supported nonprofit initiatives focused on equity, inclusion, and leadership development. Grounded in her core values of integrity, empowerment, and curiosity, she approaches her work with both strategic vision and heartfelt commitment.