Our Staff

With some of the most qualified and caring individuals in child welfare, the staff at the Foundation truly counts it an honor to daily support and advocate for children in foster care in our community.

Robert Newkirk,
Executive Director

Shakira McGowan,
Administrative Coordinator

Raquel Tapia, MNM, MPA,
Senior Director, Operations and Programs

Helen Preston,
Philanthropy Manager

Kyle Curran, MHA,
Grant Writer

Wendy Berghane,
Educate Program Manager

Lauren Ragan,
Educate Program Coordinator

Patricia Ragin,
Early Literacy Coach

Jerel Ricketts,
Early Literacy Coach

Nadelein Arteaga,
Program Operations Manager

Shannon McCarthy,
Program Operations Coordinator

Madelyn Liptak,
Grant Coordinator

Carmen Morales,
Empower Program Manager

Bryon Brown,
Accounting Analyst

Frank Altomari,
Senior Advocate

Sarah Falk,
Senior Advocate

Keely Ricketts,
Senior Advocate

Joseph Burnett, II,
Advocate

Andrew Lewallen,
Advocate

Daniela Santos,
Advocate

Andrew Speers,
Advocate

Rebecca Jackson,
Advocate

Valerie Alexis,
Advocate

Kimberly Nassif,
Advocate

Quintyn Flemister,
Advocate

Adriana Butera,
Advocate