Our Team
Our organization thrives because of our inspiring and dedicated team. The partnership they form with our families is the foundation for the transformative work we see at Family Connections every day.
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Eric Valladares joined Family Connections as the Executive Director in November 2021. For more than a decade, Eric has worked at various nonprofits in San Mateo County, where his focus has been on supporting some of our most vulnerable families and communities. His work has included home visiting services for children and their families, family reunification, school-based counseling, therapy in childcare settings, and supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
More recently, Eric has taken on leadership roles overseeing programs that focus on Early Childhood, Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention, and Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention. Eric has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from San Francisco State University and holds a Marriage and Family Therapy license through the State of California.
Eric loves spending time with his wife and two small children and, whenever he can, loves to visit Disneyland!
Melissa joined Family Connections in 2022 as the Director of Infrastructure and Clinical Services. Her clinical experience of over 15 years working with at-risk youth, families, and adults has enabled her to develop and oversee specialized programs tailored to improve outcomes for youth in San Mateo County. Melissa is passionate about education and has dedicated several years to cultivating a training program that nurtures early career professionals in the mental health field.
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Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Development from the University of California, Davis. She later completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, where she focused her research on aggressive behavior and empathic expression in adolescent males from the inner city.
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In her free time, Melissa loves cooking and trying new restaurants. She also enjoys visiting plant shops and spending quality time with her family and pets.
Carolina Caldarón Balladares joined Family Connections as Program Director in May 2022. For over 25 years, Carolina has worked in the early childhood and family services field in San Mateo and San Francisco County, including working as a preschool teacher, early education trainer, and program manager for several non-profit organizations, including the Resource & Referral Network, AbilityPath (Help Me Grow-San Mateo County), Homeless Prenatal Program and The Primary School-East Palo Alto. Her work is driven by the understanding that children need emotionally nourishing relationships during the first five years of life to lay the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and well-being.
Carolina is the proud daughter of parents who emigrated from El Salvador in the late ’60s. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in child development from St. Mary’s College.
Carolina and her husband have two adult sons. In her free time, she enjoys sharing a nice meal with friends and family, going on long walks, listening to music, and journaling.
Marsha Quita joined Family Connections in August 2013 as a volunteer supporting our Preschool and Young Scholars Program. Since then, she has performed many roles in the organization. Currently, as Director of Administrative Operations, she is responsible for overseeing all administrative and operational duties, including human resources, finances, administration of payroll, savings and investment funds, annual audits, and monitoring of the operating budget.
Marsha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of San Francisco and has past nursing experience from Stanford Hospital. Marsha continues to volunteer in her children’s organized school events and athletic and sporting organizations.
Marsha has two children; her son is in college, and her daughter is in high school. Marsha enjoys playing with her dog, traveling with her family, and loves visiting Disney Parks all over the world.
Before joining Family Connections in July 2024 as the Lead Early Learning Teacher at the Daly City site, I spent over a decade in the field of education. My academic journey began at San Francisco State University, where I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Child and Youth Adolescent Development with a focus on Early Childhood. Throughout my career, I have had many diverse experiences, allowing me to work with children of various ages, but my true passion lies in managing infant and toddler classrooms, as well as preschool classrooms.
Born and raised in San Francisco, I carry a deep appreciation for the community and its cultural richness. This connection to my roots has fueled my commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education within the area.
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In addition to my professional endeavors, I recently embarked on the journey of motherhood. As a first-time mom, I enjoy every moment spent with my son, cherishing the opportunity to witness his growth and development. This personal experience has deepened my understanding and empathy for both children and caregivers.
Adriana Mendez Sanchez is a dedicated bilingual Mexican American educator with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Studies from San Francisco State University. With a strong commitment to education, she began her career as a paraeducator and behavior technician before advancing to the role of Education Specialist, providing support to students with mild to moderate disabilities. She has over six years of experience working with children from 3 to 10, including in a transitional kindergarten program. Over the years, she has developed a deep passion for special education and is eager to further her education in this field.
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Her experience has shown that many parents are either unaware of their rights or unfamiliar with how special education works. This has inspired her to help parents advocate for their own rights and those of their children. She is motivated by a desire to empower her community and ensure that every student receives the fair and necessary education they deserve.
When she is not working, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and family and relaxing by cuddling with her dog. She is passionate about visiting the beach and exploring scenic locations with beautiful views. Additionally, she takes pride in her hobby of nail art, skillfully doing her nails as her own personal nail technician.
Andrea is originally from Bucaramanga, Colombia. She moved to the Bay Area in 2022 and joined Family Connections in 2024.
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She’s a teacher passionate about education and pedagogy. From a very young age, she knew she wanted to work with children since she had always been surrounded by them. In 2019, she obtained the degree of Normalista Superior, and since that same year, she has begun her experience with children in different schools. After moving to the Bay Area, Andrea has held different roles in the educational field, as a teacher aide, and as a babysitter.
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Her experience motivates her to improve as a professional and as a person every day so that she can provide children with an education based on respect and improve enriching spaces in which children can have meaningful learning.
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In her free time, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, and visiting different places that bring her peace and positive energy.
Originally from Mexico, Elizabeth is a proud immigrant and devoted mother with a deep passion for early childhood education. Her journey has shaped her understanding of the critical importance of the early years in nurturing young minds. She believes in creating inclusive, supportive environments where every child feels seen, valued, and inspired to grow and learn.
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Elizabeth joined Family Connections in April 2025 as the Associate Early Learning Teacher at the Daly City site, bringing warmth, dedication, and a strong commitment to supporting children and families through meaningful, developmentally enriching experiences.
Jacqueline Rodriguez Luna joined Family Connections as an Early Learning Teacher-Up Intern at the Redwood City site. She is currently continuing her professional preparation by studying Early Education and ESL at Cañada College. Jacqueline completed studies in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education in Mexico. She is particularly passionate about the area of special education. Jacqueline’s belief in holistic learning is her compass and guiding principle. She is convinced that diversity is an enriching opportunity for all students and that the foundation of human development is established in early childhood.
Jacqueline is a parent leader for the Innovate Public Schools program, and she advocates for high-quality education for all students.
Jacqueline is proudly Mexican and the daughter of a strong, tenacious, intelligent, and hard-working woman who helps raise her children, Marian and Emiliano. She enjoys practicing yoga and going on long walks. Jacqueline treasures every moment that she spends with her family and the love that her children transmit.
Nathaly Molina joined Family Connections in 2024. She is a dedicated and compassionate individual who moved to Redwood City from El Salvador at a young age.
Over the years, she has developed a strong passion for working with children. She has spent countless hours caring for kids aged 2 to 10 through her involvement with her church community and babysitting in her free time.
Currently, in her senior year as a Business Analytics major at Menlo College, Nathaly is focused on completing her degree while preparing for the next chapter of her career.
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Nathaly enjoys spending quality moments with her family in her free time, often bonding with her mom over the tradition of making delicious pupusas. She also loves to unwind by hanging out with her cat, as well as staying active by going to the gym. With a blend of warmth, dedication, and ambition, Nathaly strives for personal and academic growth.
Karen Lazaro joined Family Connections in 2024 as a Family Service Coordinator. Prior to this role, she worked as a Behavior Technician, supporting children aged 2 to 16 with developmental disabilities, and provided mental health support and crisis intervention through Crisis Text Line. Additionally, she conducted social research at California State University, Sacramento.
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Born in Los Angeles, Karen is the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Sinaloa and Guanajuato, Mexico. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Sacramento, and an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology from Sacramento City College. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Karen is passionate about supporting children and families in reaching their fullest potential.
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Outside of work, Karen enjoys connecting with nature, cooking, reading, painting, working out at the gym, and exploring all that the Bay Area has to offer.
Georgina Almaraz joined Family Connections as a Family Service Coordinator, bringing a wealth of experience from her work in Southern California. Before joining our team, she served in various roles, including home visitor, lactation education specialist, domestic violence advocate, Board-Certified Supervised Visitation Provider, and Board-Certified Autism Technician.
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As the daughter of immigrants from a small town in Mexico, Georgina is passionate about supporting families and fostering positive change in her community. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of California, Riverside.
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Outside of work, Georgina enjoys listening to music, solving Sudoku puzzles, exploring the Bay Area, and spending quality time with her son.
Natalia Maravilla joined the Family Connections team in September 2024. She is the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico and Peru and earned her dual Bachelor's degree in Communications and Technical Writing from San Francisco State University.
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She has years of early childhood education experience - partially accredited to her mother, who runs her own family daycare in the East Bay. Natalia brings with her a deep passion for supporting young learners and their families.
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In her free time, she loves spending quality moments with family and friends, playing board games, and walking her dog, Smokey.
Darlyn Franco is originally from Guatemala and has been passionate about education since childhood. From a young age, she dreamed of being in the classroom, teaching and guiding children toward a brighter future. She earned her associate degree in Early Childhood Education in Guatemala, specializing in the care and education of children from newborns to six years old.
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After moving to the United States, Darlyn worked as a nanny for a child with special needs for nearly five years, an experience that deepened her commitment to furthering her education. In 2020, she enrolled at Cañada College, initially taking ESL classes, which she completed in May 2023. Additionally, Darlyn earned a certificate in Medical Administration and is now pursuing her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Cañada College.
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Darlyn is motivated by her two children, Jeremy and Sebastian, who inspire her to succeed and help other children like them. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, dancing, and playing with her kids at the park. Above all, she values spending quality time with her family.
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Once she completes her ECE studies, Darlyn hopes to fulfill her dream of becoming a classroom teacher, where she can continue to nurture and inspire young minds.
Miriam Garcia joined Family Connections in February 2025 as an Early Learning Intern in East Palo Alto. She is currently pursuing her professional training at Cañada College, where she studies Child and Adolescent Development and English as a Second Language (ESL). Miriam previously completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology and earned a Master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology in Mexico.
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Deeply passionate about personal growth and self-awareness, Miriam believes that meaningful change begins within. She offers holistic therapies designed to promote inner peace and emotional well-being. Her philosophy centers on the belief that adults have a responsibility to ensure children experience a safe, nurturing childhood, building confidence, self-esteem, and values through emotional, social, and cognitive development.
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Miriam is also a parent leader with Innovate Public Schools, where she advocates alongside fellow parents for equitable access to high-quality tutoring for all students in the Ravenswood School District.
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Proudly Mexican, Miriam is the mother of Svetlana and Axel, who are her daily inspiration. She strives to be a strong role model for her children by living her values and raising them to become kind, thoughtful individuals, ultimately cultivating their compassion. Her favorite moments are the ones spent with her children, cherishing quality time together as a family.
Erika Estrada joined Family Connections in 2025 as an Administrative Coordinator, bringing a diverse background in business operations, education, and community engagement. With a deep commitment to supporting immigrant families and under-resourced communities, Erika’s experience spans project coordination, compliance, bilingual communication, and program support in both nonprofit and startup environments.
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Originally from Mexico, Erika moved to the Bay Area over a decade ago and has since made it her home. Her personal journey fuels her passion for creating inclusive, supportive spaces for families. Erika has volunteered as a math tutor for underserved youth, worked with girls in STEM programs, and taught English in low-income communities in Peru.
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Erika holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Business Analytics from San José State University. Fluent in Spanish, she combines her analytical expertise and cultural perspective to help organizations improve efficiency and promote equity.
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Outside of work, Erika enjoys brunches with friends, solving puzzles, doing arts and crafts, watching Disney movies, and spending time outdoors.
Judith Cortes joined Family Connections in March 2023. She brings over 17 years of experience working with children and families. Judith has extensive knowledge of parent engagement practices, assessments in early childhood, and community resources.
She holds a Child Development Credential, a Site Supervisor Permit, and an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Judith possesses a deep understanding of child development principles, curriculum, and instruction. She prides herself in communicating effectively with parents and guardians through various channels.
Judith is the daughter of immigrant parents. She was born in Daly City, California, and raised in South Lake Tahoe, California. Growing up in a multicultural environment, she developed a deep appreciation for diversity and a passion for advocating for marginalized communities. Her personal experiences have shaped her work ethic and drive to succeed in all aspects of life. Judith is fluent in English and Spanish.
Judith likes to read and listen to podcasts in her free time, but her favorite pastime is spending quality time with her husband and three children.
Stephanie Loera joined Family Connections in 2019 as the in-house clinician for parents. Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked with individuals and families using a trauma-informed, social justice, and strength-based approach. As a Pilates instructor, Stephanie is passionate about families and children being aware of their mind and body connections.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in Peace and Conflict Studies and Spanish and Portuguese and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
During her free time, she likes to arrange flowers, read the latest books, and go hiking with her rat terrier, Toby, and her husband.
Jessica Sirias joined Family Connections in 2023 as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant. She is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor. She holds a Master's in Counseling from SF State and has worked with multiple age groups, including infants/toddlers and preschoolers and their families, adolescents, and college students.
Jessica has over eight years of experience working in the early childhood field, including providing training and consultation support to childcare providers and case management and supportive services to children and their families. Jessica approaches her clinical work using a trauma-informed, social-justice, strengths-based, and attachment-informed approach. When providing consultation support, Jessica prioritizes collaboration to support staff and parents to find their inherent wisdom to help little ones thrive.
During her free time, she likes to go for walks, travel, and watch TV with her husband and furry poodle, Moose.
Karina Meneses is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and joined the Family Connections team in 2022 as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant. As a Consultant, Karina works collaboratively with the whole early childhood team, supporting and empowering staff and caregivers; encouraging them to keep in mind the social and emotional development of young children while delivering care and interventions in the context of the child’s and caregiver’s everyday activities and caregiving.
Karina has provided Early Childhood Mental Health services to Family Connections since 2016 through an outside agency. She has over 14 years of experience working with children and families in preschool, community, and outpatient settings.
Karina is a proud mother of an 11-year-old daughter. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking long walks, and going on road trips.
Marissa Spadoni Lopez is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling at Palo Alto University. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds.
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Marissa is passionate about providing comprehensive support to children and families in vulnerable communities, recognizing this as essential to fostering holistic wellness. Marissa is fluent in both English and Spanish, enabling her to connect deeply with individuals and facilitate authentic self-expression.
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She is committed to making children and families feel safe discussing personal challenges and aims to cultivate a safe space that nurtures growth and healing.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Marissa enjoys swimming, watching criminal justice shows, exploring the culinary delights of the Bay Area, and cherishing moments with her friends and family.
Join our Team
Joining our organization means you will be a part of an experienced, hard-working, kind, and welcoming team who all work together to support our community and our families. With funding secured through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, we have funding to provide our staff with a wide variety of high-quality professional development opportunities with the goal of setting up our staff for success and sustainability. ​