Meet the Team

Our team brings together lived experience, professional expertise, and deep commitment to Nevada’s kinship families. From case managers to child advocates to data specialists, every role exists to strengthen families and protect childhood.

Many of Us Have Lived This Work

Many members of our team have personal experience with kinship care, foster care, adoption, or reunification. We don’t just understand this work professionally, we understand it personally. That lived experience shapes how we show up for families every single day: with empathy, clarity, and practical solutions.

Careers

About Us

Leadership

Our Leadership team guides the vision, strategy, and growth of Foster Kinship, ensuring that every program, partnership, and service is focused on strengthening families and improving outcomes for children.
With deep expertise in kinship care, child welfare, and family support systems, our leaders work to expand access to resources, influence policy, and build a community where caregivers, parents, and children can thrive.

Sara Colvin, CFRE

President & CEO

Leah Dods, MSW

Deputy Director

Paula Ramírez, LMSW, GPC, CADC

Director of Strategic Engagement

Sandy Vargas, BS

Director of Finance and Bilingual Family Services

Organizational Infrastructure & Operations

Behind every service we provide is a team dedicated to making it all possible.

Our Organizational Infrastructure & Operations team supports the systems, technology, data, and day-to-day operations that allow our programs to run effectively. From finance and HR to data and program operations, this team ensures families receive consistent, high-quality support every step of the way.

Cheryl Frias, BSBA - HRM

Human Resources Manager

Matthew McCave

Executive Assistant

Cindy Tarrant, BAAS

Quality Assurance and Data Innovation Analyst

Jen Walsh

Operations Manager

Madyson Tarrant, BA

Grant & Finance Specialist

Ali Caliendo, PhD

Founder & Strategic Advisor

Family Advocate Team

Our Family Advocate Teams are at the heart of what we do, working directly with kinship caregivers, fictive kin, and families navigating the child welfare system.

Through our Kinship Navigator Program and statewide services, Family Advocates provide one-on-one guidance, helping families access financial support, understand legal options like guardianship or licensing, and connect to essential community resources.

Whether a child has just come into your care or you’re navigating long-term decisions, our team is here to walk alongside you.

Berenice Blas-Juarez

Kinship Navigator Program Manager

Alisha McIntosh

Family Advocate Supervisor

Wendy Esparza

Family Advocate Supervisor

Alberto Roman, MSW

Family Advocate II

Christine Smedes

Family Advocate Specialist

Aine Monaghan, TBRI® Practitioner

Family Advocate Specialist

Emily Morales

Family Advocate

Jordin Marshall

Family Advocate

Katelynn Martinez, BSW

Family Advocate II

Ann Martinez, BS

Family Advocate II

Keva Francis

Family Advocate II

Lizy Vazquez

Family Advocate II

Marla Hull

Family Advocate Specialist

Shannon Ventress

Family Advocate Specialist

Stacey Galka

Family Advocate Specialist

Tobi Golubic, BSW

Family Advocate II

Vanessa Flores, BA

Family Advocate II

Thriving Together

Thriving Together supports the entire family system, including kinship caregivers, biological parents, adoptive families, and legal guardians, through education, connection, and healing-centered services.
This team leads our TBRI® (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) trainings, trauma-informed parenting workshops, support groups, and programs like Thriving After and Family Forward reunification support.
By bringing families together across different roles and experiences, Thriving Together helps build stronger relationships, increase understanding, and support long-term stability for children.

Sasha Ritchie, LMSW, TBRI® Practitioner

Director of Thriving Together Academy

Angie Bevel

Thriving After Program Lead

Audrey Tarrant, TBRI® Practitioner

Thriving Together Academy Program Specialist

Jayne Rovianek, BSW

Family & Community Engagement Coordinator

Michelle Rupe, BS, TBRI® Practitioner

Senior Family Advocate

Nani Leffall, MS, CPC Intern

Senior Family Advocate

Melia Cleckler, MSW

Family Advocate Specialist

Natalie Marquez, BS

Family Advocate Specialist

MariaAgnes Daugherty, BA

Senior Family Advocate and Lead Peer Parent Advocate

Rashel Reel CPR/AED

Peer Parent Advocate

Markus Wilson

Peer Parent Advocate

Josh Daugherty

Peer Parent Advocate

Kiiana Galka

Peer Parent Advocate

Child & Youth Interventions

Our Child & Youth Interventions team focuses directly on supporting children who have experienced trauma, separation, or disruption.
Through programs like nurture groups, youth support groups, respite care, and early childhood interventions like Cub & Tots, children are given safe, supportive spaces to build regulation skills, confidence, and connection.
All programming is rooted in trauma-informed care and aligned with the tools and strategies provided to caregivers, so the whole family can grow together.

Corina Duran, TBRI® Practitioner

Director of Child and Youth Interventions

Devyn McQueen, TBRI® Practitioner

Child & Youth Interventions Advocate II

Jaquie Chagolla, TBRI® Practitioner

Child and Youth Interventions Advocate ll

Nayally Cordova-Cross

Child and Youth Interventions Advocate ll

Marcie's Heart

Marcie’s Heart is our on-site donation and resource center, providing essential items to families when they need them most. From clothing and shoes to school supplies, toys, and emergency resources, Marcie’s Heart helps meet immediate, tangible needs, especially for caregivers stepping in unexpectedly.Serving hundreds of families each month, this space also supports community events and seasonal distributions, ensuring families have what they need to create stable, nurturing homes.

Tracy Ankerfelt

Volunteer Coordinator

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors brings together community leaders, professionals, and advocates who are committed to improving outcomes for kinship families and children.
Through governance, strategic guidance, and community partnership, the Board helps ensure Foster Kinship remains mission-driven, sustainable, and impactful, both in Nevada and as a model for kinship care support nationwide.