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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Family Service Coordinator​
Redwood City
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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.
Aurora joined Family Connections in November 2025 as Program Manager for the Early Childhood Community Team. She brings over two decades of experience working alongside families, caregivers, and young children in San Mateo County.
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Raised by a single parent, Aurora learned early the importance of resilience, empathy, and community, values that continue to shape her work today. Throughout her career, she has focused on strengthening early childhood development, building trusting relationships with parents, and ensuring families have access to trauma-informed, culturally responsive support.
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Aurora has served in a range of roles, including community outreach worker, home visitor, parent educator, program coordinator, and program manager. She has led multidisciplinary teams and expanded community partnerships to better meet families' evolving needs. A bilingual advocate for equity in early learning, she is committed to creating welcoming spaces where families feel seen, supported, and empowered.
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Aurora completed her early childhood education studies at the College of San Mateo and holds certifications in early childhood language development, Parents as Teachers, and Brazelton Touchpoints.
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Outside of work, Aurora enjoys gardening, photography, and giving back to her community. She is a proud mother of four, grandmother to a joyful one-year-old, and dog mom to Akira.
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.
Jodie joined Family Connections in 2026. She brings over four years of experience in payroll management, recruiting, training, invoicing, and financial reporting. Jodie holds an Associate degree in Accounting and supports organizational operations, demonstrating strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
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Born and raised in Idaho and Colorado, Jodie relocated to California just over two years ago. She brings a strong work ethic and an enthusiasm for supporting teams and systems that help organizations run smoothly.
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Jodie is a mother of two grown sons. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, playing games, and reading.
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 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.
Nancy joined Family Connections in 2026. She is passionate about serving families with young children and has worked with children and families for many years across a variety of settings, including childcare, preschool, K–12 schools, and local nonprofit organizations.
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Through these experiences, Nancy developed a deep commitment to supporting children and families in meaningful and lasting ways. Her work with children with special needs strengthened her patience, empathy, and advocacy skills and affirmed her desire to continue giving back to families in her community.
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Raised in the Half Moon Bay community, Nancy is now raising her three children there as well. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children and exploring new places together as a family.
Stephanie joined Family Connections in 2019 as the organization’s in-house clinician for parents. Over the years, her role has evolved to include Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, and clinical supervision, reflecting her deep commitment to strengthening relationships between caregivers and young children.
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Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked with individuals and families using a trauma-informed, social justice-oriented, and strength-based approach. Her work centers on supporting secure attachment, healing from early adversity, and helping families build lasting relational resilience.
Stephanie 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.
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In addition to her clinical work, Stephanie is a Pilates instructor and is passionate about helping families and children understand the connection between mind and body.
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Outside of work, she enjoys arranging flowers, reading, and hiking with her husband and their rat terrier, Toby.
Jackie Camacho joined Family Connections in 2025. She brings more than 15 years of experience providing Early Childhood Mental Health services throughout the Bay Area, working with families of young children in preschool and community outpatient settings.
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At Family Connections, Jackie partners with the entire early childhood team to support and strengthen staff and caregivers' work. She approaches consultation collaboratively, exploring the social and emotional development of young children and the unique strengths within each family. When appropriate, she co-creates reflective care practices and thoughtful interventions that support children and caregivers in their everyday opportunities to connect and grow together.
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Jackie is a proud mother of three active children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, discovering new music, and going on walks.
Maria joined Family Connections in 2025. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a certified trainer in the Neurosequential Network, and is currently undergoing training in Child-Parent Psychotherapy.
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With over 25 years of experience, Maria has worked extensively with children and families in preschool, community, and outpatient settings. She integrates neuroscience-based, trauma-informed, strength-based, and attachment-informed approaches into her clinical work, supporting children and families through thoughtful, relational care.
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In her role as a consultant, Maria collaborates with staff and parents to recognize and build on their inherent strengths, helping create environments that support children’s healthy development.
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Maria is also a wife and mother, roles that continue to inform and ground her work with families. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, and organizing family vacations.
Marissa joined Family Connections in 2024. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from Palo Alto University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University.
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Marissa is committed to supporting children and families in diverse and underserved communities, recognizing the importance of accessible, relationship-based mental health care. She provides counseling in both English and Spanish, creating space for authentic communication and connection.
Her work centers on helping children and families feel safe discussing personal challenges while building skills that support growth, healing, and resilience.
Outside of work, Marissa enjoys swimming, watching criminal justice shows, exploring the Bay Area's many culinary offerings, and spending time with friends and family.
Zoila joined Family Connections in 2025. She holds a Master’s degree in Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education from San Diego State University and is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor.
Zoila is deeply committed to mental health, education, and community healing. She has worked extensively with adolescents in school-based and clinical settings, providing bilingual, trauma-informed therapy to underserved and at-risk youth and their families. Her background also includes work in immigration law and social services, which gives her insight into the systemic challenges many families face and shapes how she shows up in her clinical work.
Zoila’s practice is grounded in a strong belief in the power of education and lived experience as catalysts for growth and healing.
Outside of work, Zoila enjoys reading, traveling, spending time outdoors, and trying new foods.
Sogand Taherian joined Family Connections in 2025. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy.
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Sogand is passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and families in building emotional resilience and healthy relationships. In her role, she provides counseling to preschool and middle school students while offering guidance and support to parents and teachers. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive, integrating evidence-based practices such as play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness techniques.
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Sogand is dedicated to helping children strengthen emotional regulation, social skills, and coping strategies, while fostering communication and connection within families and school communities.
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Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring new experiences.
Ana joined Family Connections in 2026. Originally from Mexico, Ana is a proud immigrant who is deeply passionate about early childhood education, equity, and diversity.
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Ana earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science from the University of California, Irvine, and recently completed her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Francisco. As she begins her professional journey in the mental health field, she is committed to serving her community with compassion, humility, and cultural responsiveness.
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In her role at Family Connections, Ana brings warmth, care, and thoughtful collaboration to her work with families, educators, and community partners. She is dedicated to supporting children’s social-emotional development and advocating for the unique needs of each family she serves.
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Outside of work, Ana enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing board games, hiking, listening to music, watching movies, and creating art.
Hilda joined Family Connections in 2025. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at William Jessup University. Hilda holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University and associate degrees in Early Childhood Education and Psychology from Cañada College.
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With more than 20 years of experience in early childhood, Hilda brings a deep understanding of child development and a longstanding passion for supporting children and families. She believes that early intervention can create lasting positive change and is particularly interested in how Adverse Childhood Experiences affect children. Hilda integrates this knowledge into her trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach to care.
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Fluent in English and Spanish, Hilda builds authentic, trusting relationships with families and creates supportive spaces where they feel heard and understood. She draws inspiration from the work of Virginia Satir and John Paul Lederach, which informs her perspective on family systems, communication, and conflict resolution.
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Outside of her professional work, Hilda enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, watching comedies, hiking, and exploring the trails at Land’s End in San Francisco.
Judith 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, early childhood assessments, 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 on 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.
Miriam 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.
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. ​