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Veronica Goei, Executive Director
408-347-7892 ext. 303 vgoei@gfsfamilyservices.org Veronica has been Executive Director of GFS since 2000. She is a leader in the nonprofit sector with more than 20 years of experience. Under her leadership, GFS has built a reputation for expertise in early childhood education, family engagement, and working with Latino families. She is a published author and has developed curricula in the areas of parenting, early childhood literacy, and adult education. Her curricula are implemented at the local, state and national level. Veronica serves on the Board of SVCN (Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits). She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Chile, and is a graduate of the Harvard University Strategic Perspective in Nonprofit Management Program. She counts many accomplishments in her professional career, but none is greater than her two children, Heather and Jeremy. |
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Liliana Amaro, Facilities Manager
408-347-7892 ext. 302 lamaro@gfsfamilyservices.org Liliana has over ten years of experience as an administrative assistant. Liliana holds a BS in Business and Finance with a minor in Economics from San Jose State University. While in school, Liliana was part of the Braven Academy, where she worked with a team of six students on leadership development projects utilizing design thinking to foster creativity and innovation. |
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Nereyda M. Hurtado, Ph. D., Associate Director
408-347-7892 ext. 301 nhurtado@gfsfamilyservices.org Nereyda is a child development expert, who spent over a decade as a researcher at Stanford University, where she conducted studies on language development and parenting practices with monolingual and bilingual families living in the Bay Area. Nereyda is responsible for the implementation of the Building Blocks of Parenting Family Engagement Professional Development Program which seeks to support schools in transforming their interactions with families into meaningful collaborations between parents, teachers and other school staff. Nereyda graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a doctorate in educational psychology. |
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Denise Johnson, Finance Director
408-347-7892 djohnson@gfsfamilyservices.org Denise has more than 30 years’ experience in finance and accounting both in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Prior to GFS, she was Finance Director for CloudOpt, Inc., a private WAN optimization company with offices in the US and UK. She also previously served as Finance Director for Silicon Valley Education Foundation, a nonprofit focused on raising student performance in math and science in Santa Clara County schools. Denise loves travel, learning new skills, and spending time with her family and friends. She is a graduate of Santa Clara University with a BS in Marketing. Anarita Reyes, Preschool Manager
408-770-9353 areyes@gfsfamilyservices.org Anarita is Preschool Manager, overseeing both GFS State-funded Preschools. She is also Site Supervisor for the Story Road Preschool campus. She has been working with children from infants to school age in Santa Clara County since 2003 as a Lead Teacher and Center Director. Most recently she was a Family Support Specialist and Center Director at Kidango. Anarita has a Child Development Program Director Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. She served for two years as Vice President of the District Advisory Committee in the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District. Anarita has a BA in Child Development with an emphasis in bicultural education, and a Masters in Business Administration. She enjoys spending her free time with her two children, Joseph and Jericho. |
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Juana Castillo, Preschool Site Supervisor, San Antonio Campus
408-347-7892 ext. 316 jcastillo@gfsfamilyservices.org Juana is Grail Family Services' California State Preschool Program Site Supervisor at the San Antonio Campus. She has been working with families and children in Santa Clara County since 2007, and has a Program Director Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Juana has a deep vocation, great knowledge, and experience in the field of Child Development. She is dedicated to the progress and well-being of each of the preschoolers and their families, putting the children first. Juana has a BA in Business Administration from her native country, Peru, and a BA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College. She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership at Claremont Lincoln University, with a concentration in ethics. |
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Yadira Grajeda, Program Director
408-347-7892 ext. 315 ygrajeda@gfsfamilyservices.org Yadira is responsible for the coordination, implementation, and effective management of GFS’s family engagement programs including the Yes We Can Read!™ Plus (YWCR+). Prior to joining GFS, Yadira worked as a Family Services Coordinator providing direct services and referrals to low-income families living in affordable housing. Yadira graduated from University of California Santa Cruz with a BA in Sociology. |
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Rosie Lopez, Family Literacy Coordinator
408-347-7892, ext. 305 rlopez@gfsfamilyservices.org Rosie coordinates, implements and evaluates GFS literacy programs, including Yes We Can Read!™ Plus (YWCR+). Prior to joining GFS, Rosie worked as an Instructional Assistant in the Central Valley providing 6th and 8th grade students with online services to improve their reading and math comprehension. She has also worked as a bilingual para-educator assisting teachers, students and parents. Rosie graduated from CSU Stanislaus with a BA in psychology and Spanish. |
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Ariadna Gallardo, Professional Development Coordinator
408-347-7892 agallardo@gfsfamilyservices.org Ariadna is responsible for training, supporting, and coaching licensed family child care providers through the SEEDS Family Child Care Program. Before coming to Grail Family Services, Ariadna worked as a Family Advocate providing, creating and coordinating services with low-income families that encourage strength, healthy living and overall well-being. She has also worked with children on the spectrum as a Behavior Specialist. Ariadna graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education. Tahiri Gutierrez, Parent Services Coordinator
408-347-7892 tgutierrez@gfsfamilyservices.org Tahiri has worked for more than 10 years with children and families in various environments in Santa Clara County and Butte County. Prior to joining the GFS team, she worked as a Developmental Specialist, providing parent education, assessments, and referrals to families whose children (0-5 years) had developmental delays. Tahiri has also worked in daycare facilities as a teacher, where she developed age-appropriate curriculum and activities. Tahiri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Liberal Studies from California State University, Chico. Leslie Flowers, Development and Communications Manager
408-347-7892 ext. 304 lflowers@gfsfamilyservices.org Leslie is responsible for Grail Family Services’ fund development and communications activities, including grant proposals, newsletters, social media content and fundraising events. Her background spans journalism, human resources and corporate training. As an avid reader and lifelong learner, Leslie is thrilled to be working with an organization that focuses on children’s literacy and academic success. A native Californian, Leslie has a BA in journalism from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She enjoys travel, hiking, volunteering, theater, and reading. |
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Nora Guerra, Professional Development Manager
408-347-7892 nora@gfsfamilyservices.org Nora recently retired from the Oak Grove School District as Director of Educational Innovation and Development after serving 36 years in the public school system. Her responsibilities included Family Engagement projects and Early Care and Education collaborations throughout the county. She is member of the Santa Clara County Office of Education's Strong Start Coalition and the Local Planning Council. Nora also served in the Alum Rock School District for 11 years as Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services as well as other roles including Academic Achievement Officer, Director of Curriculum, and Coordinator of Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment. Prior to central office administration, Nora taught both elementary and middle school; and was a middle school Assistant Principal and elementary school principal. |
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Brenda Arenas, Child Enrichment Coordinator
408-347-7892 ext. 308 barenas@gfsfamilyservices.org Brenda comes from Chihuahua, Mexico, and has been with GFS for 12 years. She coordinates the Child Enrichment program in the morning. She has implemented several family literacy programs and is strongly involved in her community. She has studied child development at De Anza College, and has a passion for working with families and children. |
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Martha Frias, Child Enrichment Teacher
408-347-7892 Martha comes from Zacatecas, Mexico, and has been with GFS for over 10 years, focusing on the enrichment of 1 to 2 year olds. She has studied child development at De Anza College. Martha is very creative and loves working with children. She is the proud mother of two children. |
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Irma Contreras, Child Enrichment Teacher
408-347-7892 Irma is from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Irma began her journey at GFS as a community member and engaged mother for three years. She joined the GFS Team two years ago as the child enrichment teacher in our infant room, and has continued her studies at Mission College in the area of child development. |
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Gabriela Zamora, Community Promotora
408-347-7892 Gabriela comes from Michoacan, Mexico, and has been with GFS for two years. During her first year at GFS, her work focused on the enrichment of newborn to 2-year old children. Gabriela has studied Child Development at Mission College. She loves working with children, and is pursuing a career as a preschool teacher. |
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Maria Ornelas, Lead Preschool Teacher, San Antonio Campus
408-347-7892 mornelas@gfsfamilyservices.org Mari was born and raised in San Jose, California. She is the Lead Teacher in the GFS Preschool. Mari has a personal mission to inspire and encourage students to strive for greatness, and to teach them through hands-on experiences to help them realize their full potential and become the best they can be. She is currently attending San Jose City College to acquire her Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Outside of her academic training, Mari attends early childhood education workshops. |
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Carmen Lopez-Alfaro, Lead Preschool Teacher/Family Math Coordinator, Story Road Campus
408-770-9353 clopez@gfsfamilyservices.org Carmen is a preschool teacher and the GFS Family Math Coordinator. She has been in the field of Early Education since 2008. She helps children to develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally by understanding and respecting their cultural backgrounds, family values and beliefs. Carmen has a BA degree in Liberal Studies with a Cross-Cultural Emphasis from the National Hispanic University, and a site supervisor permit from the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing. |
