Our Team

Veronica Goei

Executive Director

Veronica Goei is an innovative and visionary leader who is passionate about promoting equity and opportunities for underserved families with young children. She has been the Executive Director of GFS for 21 years. Under her leadership, GFS has grown from a single-site Family Resource Center serving 125 families to a multi-site center serving more than 3000 families annually through a comprehensive range of high-quality programs, services, and initiatives. Veronica is a highly respected influencer among early childhood educators and has been instrumental in the design and quality of local, state, and national initiatives related to families with young children. She has volunteered on numerous Boards of Directors and is currently an officer on the Board of the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN). She has also been invited to speak to early care and education professionals at both state and national conferences. Throughout her tenure at GFS, Veronica has taken a collaborative approach in leading the organization and in the development of solutions. The model she created ensures that programs are high-quality, research-informed, and incorporate community input and feedback. Veronica is a founding member of the Si Se Puede Collective (SSPC). Veronica 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, and the HOPE (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality) Leadership Institute.

Sohyla Fathi

Senior Director of Programs

Sohyla has over 30 years of service in Health and Human Services. She has enjoyed every position she has held for public sectors, city, county and non-profit organizations. She holds a Master of Public Health Degree from San Jose State University and is profoundly committed to serving underserved families and their children to promote access and equity for all. Sohyla has experience designing programs from the ground up, building collaboration and growing partnerships. Sohyla Fathi is bilingual and loves to cook for her family over the weekend.

Liliana Amaro

Operations Director

Liliana is responsible for ensuring that GFS’s day-to-day operations run smoothly. This includes overseeing the safety and maintenance of our two facilities, coordinating human resources activities, interfacing with vendors and suppliers, and managing special projects. Prior to joining GFS, she worked for 10 years as an administrative assistant for a real estate development and investment company. Liliana holds a BS in Business and Finance with a minor in Economics from San Jose State University. When not working she loves to travel.

Anarita Reyes

ECE Director of Programs

Anarita is the Early Care & Education Director of Programs, overseeing both GFS State-funded Preschools and our Full-day Toddler Daycare Center. 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. Anarita is the author of her inspirational biography book, “Woman of Hope.”

Ariadna Gallardo

GFS Programs Manager

Ariadna is a San Francisco State University alumna with a Bachelor's of Science in Health Education and a minor in Women's Health. She has over 10 years of experience working with children and families from underserved communities, and has dedicated herself to the prevention and early intervention in order to empower families. Ariadna is bilingual, enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Carmen Aguila

Family Math & Literacy Manager

Carmen is responsible for coordinating, implementing, and evaluating GFS's family literacy and math programs for parents and their children. She works closely with other GFS staff to ensure the seamless integration of center-based and school-based literacy and math programs. Carmen is from Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico and has four years of experience working with the Early Start Program through the San Andreas Regional Center. Carmen graduated from San Jose State University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Justice Studies. She enjoys exercising and spending time with her family.

Joseline Cruz Ramirez

Early Care & Education Enrollment Coordinator

Joseline is a San Jose State University alumna, having received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, with a concentration in Race and Ethnic Studies, and a minor in Child and Adolescent Development. She has over eight years of experience working with youth of all ages and backgrounds in variety of settings such as schools, community centers, and state agencies. She hopes to continue her passion of serving youth as the Enrollment Manager at GFS. During her free time, Joseline enjoys going to the beach, exploring local restaurants, and spending time with her family. 

Alma Ruiz

CCTR Site Supervisor

Alma is originally from Jalisco, Mexico. She has been working with preschool children for over 13 years and has a Child Development Master Teacher permit. Prior to GFS, she was an associate teacher at Kidango. Alma is the mother of two beautiful girls, and one baby boy. She loves working with children and making the classroom a fun place to learn and grow. Children are our future!

Carmen Lopez-Alfaro

Site Supervisor, San Antonio Campus

Carmen the site supervisor of our San Antonio State-Funded Preschool. 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 in Liberal Studies with a Cross-Cultural Emphasis from the National Hispanic University, and a site supervisor permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Edith Arenas

Program Associate

Edith is a Program Associate at Grail Family Services. She is from San José, California, and graduated from San José State University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. Edith grew up attending programs at GFS, including Leeme and Family Story Time. She has also volunteered in the Yes We Can…Read! Plus and the Summer Program. The GFS team has helped her and other kids in the community which has inspired her to give back to the community she grew up in. She hopes to make positive change for future generations.

Vanessa Carrillo Burgos

Family Math Coordinator

Vanessa is a proud Latina who was born and raised in the East Side of San Jose. She obtained her B.A. in Public Health from the University of California, Merced after discovering a deep passion for serving her Latino/a community. Vanessa specifically focused on working at the community level in order to understand the barriers that these communities face, and to be able to provide awareness and promote health equity. Growing up, Vanessa enjoyed helping her mom at SOMOS Mayfair where she also completed an internship during her undergrad. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching movies and reading.

Brenda Arenas

Community Navigator

Brenda has been part of GFS for over 18 years and is the Community Navigator for the ABCE program from Jobs to Grow. She is a bridge builder that works toward creating strong communication within the ABCE and Eastside Grown cohorts as well as within the community navigators of the Si Se Puede Collective. She guides cohort members to complete 2-3 goals by meeting with them monthly and also connects them with resources within the SSPC through our No Wrong Door Approach. Before her new role, Brenda coordinated the GFS Child Enrichment program, worked as a Guerrera in the Public Health Campaign, implemented several family literacy programs, and supported Preschool staff. She has also studied child development at De Anza College and Mission College, and has a passion for working with families and children.

Yessenia Reyes

Early Learning Program Specialist

Yessenia is a San Jose native joining GFS with over 8 years of experience working with children and families. She has worked both in and out of classrooms, primarily focusing in Special Education. Due to this focus, she has gained knowledge and experience working alongside therapists covering a range of fields including occupational, speech, and feeding therapy, as well as adapted physical education and Applied Behavior Analysis programs. Yessenia is currently continuing her education in Childhood Development & Psychology and likes to spend time with family, friends and her bearded dragon during her free time.

Mariela Bonilla

Toddler Teacher

 

Martha Frias

Toddler Teacher Assistant

Martha comes from Zacatecas, Mexico, and has been with GFS for over 10 years and now is a Toddler Teacher Assistant. 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.

Maria Medina

Toddler Teacher Assistant

After immigrating to the U.S., Maria became engaged in her children’s education as a classroom volunteer and was encouraged by her child’s teacher to enroll in child development courses. She completed community college courses and then, in 2019, enrolled in the first Jobs to Grow cohort. After graduating from the program, she established a home-based family childcare business which currently operates on weekends. During the week, she works as a Toddler Teacher  Assistant in GFS’ toddler center.  As a cancer survivor, mother, and childcare advocate, Maria continues to serve her community by caring for children and inspiring parents to stay engaged in their children’s education.  

Gabriela Zamora

Community Promotor

Gabriela comes from Michoacan, Mexico, and has been with GFS for 5 years. During her first 2 years at GFS, her work focused on the enrichment of newborn to 2-year old children. She then moved to work with preschool children during her 3rd year as teacher assistant. Now she is the Community Health Promoter in a program through Santa Clara County. Gabriela has studied Child Development at Mission College. She loves working with children, and is pursuing a career as a preschool teacher.

Priscilla Martinez

Preschool Teacher

Priscilla was born and raised in North San Jose and currently still resides in the same neighborhood she grew up in. She became interested in being a teacher at a very young age, especially since her mother is a 7th grade teacher. One could say that teaching runs in her family. Priscilla has worked as a Preschool and Pre-K Teacher for the past 10+ years and is currently continuing her education in Childhood Development at Mission College and West Valley College. She absolutely loves what she does and the positive impact she is able to make on each child she crosses paths with. Priscilla is a firm believer in making memories that last a lifetime and feels extremely blessed to be able to be working with Grail Family Services and offering support within our communities. Her hobbies consist of anything her two children find interest in and loves spending quality time with her family any chance she get.

Sylvia Vargas

Preschool Teacher

Sylvia is a teacher for the GFS State-funded Preschool Story Road campus. She has been working with children from infants to school age in Santa Clara County since 2012. Most recently she was a Lead Teacher at Skyport Bright Horizons. Sylvia has a Child Development Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. She served for three years in Church Community helping homeless people. Sylvia has a BA in Child Development with a minor in Spanish. She loves to help others in need and has a great connection with children and parents.

Silvia Beltran

Lead Toddler Teacher

Silvia is the Lead Toddler Teacher at the GFS Toddler Center. She attended De Anza and Mission Collage to further her studies in child development. Silvia has worked with kids for over 7 years in State-funded programs. She is a mother with two children who believes in starting education at an early age to help make kids' lives successful, so in the future they will make this community great. Silvia came back to GFS because she believes in the cause of this organization and she knows that this center will help many children and families get the help they need to become successful.

Maria Ornelas

Preschool Teacher

Maria was born and raised in San Jose, California. Her mission is to inspire and encourage students to strive for greatness and to teach children through hands-on experiences to realize their full potential and become the best they can be. Maria graduated from San Jose Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Child Development and an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts: behavior and social sciences. She is currently attending San Jose State University to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent development. Outside of her academic education, Maria attends early childhood education workshops for fun and enjoys hiking.

Elena Robles

Preschool Teacher

Gladys Veliz

Teacher Assistant

Gladys was born in Guatemala where she worked as a preschool teacher for five years. In 2012 she moved to San Jose, CA where she is happily raising two children, her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. Gladys started her English language learning at GFS in 2019 and became a substitute for Special Education classes in the Alum Rock Unified School District. Now, she is taking child development classes at Mission College in order to grow in her field and develop the professional skills she needs to succeed in her career. Gladys joined the GFS team in August of 2022 which allows her to have a great work-life balance and ultimately is what brings her the most joy.

Swanie-Lyn Dalit

Teacher Apprentice

Swanie-Lyn Dalit is the Teacher Apprentice for our Story Rd. Preschool location. She is a Filipino-American single mother of three loving boys named Matthew, Michael, and Micah. She is currently in the Apprenticeship Program under Santa Clara Quality Matters at Mission College in her journey to obtain her teacher's permit in order to teach young children. Her love for active play and her interest in life and children development encouraged her to pursuit a teaching career. Swanie-Lyn believes that teaching young children requires hard work, attention, and care. Every child is different, every mind is not the same, but every child is capable of becoming successful and confident with the help of teachers, family, and the community pushing them to never give up.

Rosibell Adolfo

Community Engagement Specialist

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Rosibell has experience in Social Work, Early Childhood Education and Crisis Intervention. Her latest internship was at a non-profit which serves and empowers survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She also does volunteer work in suicide prevention and supports families who have lost a loved one to suicide. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University, with a Bachelors in Social Work. She has made it her life's mission to end the stigma around discussing difficult topics like Domestic Violence and Suicide.

Deniz Patiño Ramos

Early Math & Literacy Lead

Deniz was born in Jalisco, Mexico but raised in San Jose. She is proud of being the first in her family to attend college, having graduated from San Jose State University with a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development and continuing her education to receive a M.A. in Education/Instruction and Curriculum. Deniz was a bilingual elementary teacher for 4 years and believes teaching is a work of heart. She wants to continue giving back to marginalized communities and believes in the power of community cultural wealth, Black Lives Matter, knowledge is power, and in proactively working to dismantle systematic racism. Deniz likes to travel, read, visit museums, and take her dog Luna to the beach.

Victoria Torrey

Jobs to Grow Manager

Victoria brings over 10 years of experience working with children and families. After graduating from San Francisco State with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, she began working 1:1 with at-risk youth, providing behavioral support, coaching, and interventions to families. After observing the many socio-economic factors that lead to these unfortunate outcomes, she decided to enter the non-profit sector to become more involved in community programs. Victoria now manages the engagement and provision of training, support, coaching and technical assistance to child care providers participating in our Jobs to Grow program.

Katlin Kane

Evaluation Manager

Katlin brings over 10 years of experience working with middle school youth and families in East Palo Alto and San Francisco, starting as an advisor and eventually becoming a program manager for an organization that helps students be the first in their families to graduate college. During her time in youth development and college access, she has focused on community-building and evaluation to constantly improve programming for students, families, and staff. Currently, Katlin is pursuing a Master’s in Measurement & Evaluation from the University of Connecticut.

Martha Perez Sanchez

Development & Communications Associate

Martha is a first-generation immigrant born in Oaxaca, Mexico and raised in Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Spanish Studies, another in Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism and a minor in Education. During her undergraduate studies, Martha assisted in multiple sociolinguistic research studies led by the UCSC Bilingualism Research Lab. She also focused in the acquisition of English as a Second Language which she has put into practice through the implementation of multiple literary and language-based programs for elementary-aged students. During her free time she enjoys swimming, reading, and going on walks with her puppy.

Fabiola M. Alvarez

Administrative Data Analyst

Fabiola is a self-motivated, hardworking individual, and a University of Redlands alumna with a B.A. in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology and Spanish. Most recently, she was part of the Community Engagement Team with Community Health Partnership as a Community Healthcare Worker. Fabiola loves giving back to her community and has years of experience working with non-profits and community-based organizations. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, cooking up new recipes, and traveling the world.

Angie Briones

Director of Development & Communications

Angie is a lifelong activist and advocate who has spent her entire career working with community-based organizations and progressive philanthropic foundations in Silicon Valley and throughout the Southwest. She is a dedicated collaborator and strategic thought partner, expert grant writer, and seasoned development professional. Angie has designed and led initiatives to secure millions of dollars for programs that serve the educational, employment, and economic needs of low-income children, youth, and families. She has a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Stanford University and a Master's in Public Administration from San Jose State University.

Irma Contreras

Community Promotor

Irma is from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Irma began her journey at GFS as a community member and engaged parent of three kids. She joined the GFS team four 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. She has also worked with children as a GFS Preschool Assistant Teacher. During this last year Irma has worked as a Public Health Promoter in the program throughout the County of Santa Clara, distributing resources to families in the community and raising awareness to continue in this journey of protecting ourselves and life in general. Working in this area has given her the opportunity to meet many people and to help families find the service they really need.