Tony Contratto serves as the Executive Director of Havasu Helping Girls (HHGI). A founding member of the organization’s Board of Directors, he was elected by the Board to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2020 and again in 2025. He continues to lead HHGI while balancing his full-time professional career and community commitments.

Tony’s educational background is interdisciplinary. He earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Victor Valley College in 2001 before completing his Bachelor’s degree at California State University, Fullerton in 2005, where he studied Criminal Justice with a minor in Biological Anthropology. His academic foundation reflects a longstanding interest in systems, public institutions, and human development.

He maintains professional affiliations with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Association of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG), underscoring his commitment to evidence-based adolescent and reproductive health education. He also holds certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Service has been a consistent thread throughout Tony’s life. He has held leadership and volunteer roles across multiple organizations, including serving as President and Publisher of The Centurian Newspaper, Treasurer and Board Member at Touching the Life of a Child (TLC), Web Developer for Streams in the Desert Community Foundation, and IT Consultant for Youth Development International HD.

Tony was among the original architects of what would become Havasu Helping Girls. While researching contemporary social and health disparities, he encountered national data on period poverty and menstrual inequity. That research sparked conversations that led to the formation of HHGI and its founding Board.

His imprint remains at the core of the organization. Tony proposed the original concept for HHGI’s Period Starter Kit program, which has since provided more than 1,600 tween and teen girls with practical resources and preparation. He later developed the #GirlsLead leadership courses after examining research on adolescent self-confidence and long-term empowerment outcomes for girls.

In addition to his executive responsibilities, Tony serves as HHGI’s Head of Scientific and Educational Research. His past research initiatives include:

-The Availability and Effectiveness of Sexual and Menstrual Health Education in Northern Arizona (Ages 9–18)
A comprehensive analysis of access to sexual and reproductive education and menstrual health education across Northern Arizona, including measurable outcomes related to abstinence, age of sexual initiation, adolescent pregnancy, contraception usage, and LARC utilization. The study includes demographic breakdowns by age, age at menarche, sexual orientation, and household composition, along with analysis of abuse and relationship violence as contributing variables.

-Effectiveness of Targeted Questioning by Health Care Providers to Identify Patients Lacking Access to Menstrual Hygiene Products
A survey-based study examining patient willingness to disclose period product insecurity to healthcare professionals, evaluating intake language and diagnostic approaches to determine which methods most effectively identify unmet needs and connect patients to nonprofit resources.

Tony’s professional background includes work in governmental agencies such as the California State Police, private-sector startups, and media production. He currently owns a small business in Lake Havasu City and is also a published author.

At HHGI, his focus remains steady: combining practical support, evidence-based education, and leadership development to ensure that no girl in the community feels unprepared, unseen, or unsupported.