Leadership
Executive Leadership
Jenny Livelli, M. Ed
President and CEO
An unwavering advocate for children, Jenny applies her visionary leadership and business acumen to build The Children’s Guild’s capacity to positively impact the children and families it serves.
With her considerable expertise in administration, special education, continuous quality improvement and behavioral health, she is uniquely positioned to lead the organization in building a culture that engages students, fosters achievement and meets the needs of every learner.
Prior to being named CEO in March 2021, Jenny served as chief operating officer of the organization. She has also served as director of continuous quality improvement. Learn more…
Elizabeth Garcia, LCSW-C, MSSA, MNO
Chief Program Officer
Ensuring the highest quality of clinical care in behavioral health, residential and treatment foster care programs is the focus of Elizabeth’s work as Interim Chief of Children’s and Community Services.
She joined The Children’s Guild in 2011 and previously served as Director of Behavioral Health Services. Her leadership has overseen the growth of the Expanded School Based Mental Health Services to six counties and 90 schools.
Prior to joining The Children’s Guild, Elizabeth was Division Director for Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau in Cleveland.
She is an LCSW-C with more than 25 years of experience providing direct practice clinical services as well as managing behavioral health and out-of-home care for children and families. Elizabeth currently serves on the Board of The Behavioral Health Association of Maryland. Learn more…
Hughes Johnson
Chief Administrative Officer
In addition to his leadership role as Chief of Staff, Hughes fills the vacant position as Interim Chief of Educational Services. Mr. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in therapy. He has been a classroom teacher and most recently oversaw compliance for schools across three states. Hughes’ 30-year career has focused on serving at-risk youth and children with intellectual disabilities. He brings this experience in education, training, and compliance, as well a clear focus on developing and measuring quality systems, to the new strategic plan and vision set forth by The Children’s Guild Board of Directors and CEO Jenny Livelli, emphasizing effective, efficient, and quality operations across all Guild service areas. Hughes’s expertise positively impacts The Children’s Guild operations as Chief of Staff as he focuses on creating and supporting quality operations across the entire organization, and provides steady leadership as The Guild completes a thoughtful search for a new CES.
Andrew Simone
Chief Financial Officer
Andy Simone brings over 25 years of experience in finance and accounting to The Children’s Guild, with a passion for promoting a collaborative culture that aligns financial strategies with the organization’s mission. He believes in connecting his team to the heart of The Children’s Guild’s work, so that financial decisions support the greater goals of serving children and families.
As the Chief Financial Officer, Andy oversees the organization’s financial strategy and operations, using his wealth of experience to guide The Children’s Guild toward continued growth and success.
In previous roles across nonprofit, healthcare, technology, and other industries, Andy has successfully led companies through initial public offerings, mergers & acquisitions, divestitures, and record-setting growth. He prides himself on his ability to enhance financial performance and build high-functioning teams. Learn more…
Holly Webb
Chief Human Resources Officer
Holly Webb is a Human Resources leader with over 20 years of experience in driving organizational success through strategic HR initiatives. As the Chief Human Resources Officer at The Children’s Guild, Holly leverages her expertise to foster high-performance teams, enhance employee engagement, and maximize organizational efficiency.
Throughout her career, Holly has held key HR leadership positions as worldwide companies. Her accomplishments include designing and implementing service-oriented HR functions, creating metrics-driven processes, and leading workforce planning and development efforts that have resulted in significant cost savings and improved organizational performance.
Holly holds an MBA from the University of Indianapolis and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Learn more…
Ronesha Estep
Vice President of Program Operations
Ronesha’s mission is to create and manage safe spaces where students and staff can learn and grow. Her expertise in educational operations, problem solving and project management support her in that work.
She serves as the school’s liaison to The Children’s Guild on matters related to facilities, school operations, maintenance, technology, human resources, budget and finance. Ronesha draws on eight years of experience in managing operations and data for educational facilities and 15 years of experience in advocating and working directly with underserved populations.
She is a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council, which is committed to developing a diverse staff, leadership, and board with characteristics that reflect the rich diversity of those families and children served by The Children’s Guild. Learn more…
Mark Rapaport M. Ed.
Vice President of Business Development
New to The Children’s Guild in 2021, Mark brings the expertise and vast experience that is essential in leading the programs that will span the life cycle of children with Autism and their families. This leadership role includes the implementation of the new Non-Public Special Education Facility at our corporate office on McClean Blvd., The Children’s Guild-Transformation Academy.
Mark brings with him decades of experience in public and Non-Public schools throughout the State of Maryland, in a myriad of school-based and organizational leadership roles. He has also presented at national and international conferences on Autism and educational leadership as well as taught courses at multiple colleges and universities in the area, including Coppin State University, York College of Pennsylvania, Towson University, and Loyola University. Learn more…
Kelly Schwalbert
Vice President Chief of Staff
Kelly loves to share why the work she is doing changes lives. For nearly two decades, she has been an advocate for underserved populations, working to bring awareness and support to programs and projects that positively impact their lives.
In her leadership role, Kelly connects partners with the important work being done at The Children’s Guild and helps them see how they can play an active role in changing the life of a child. She also works with the Board of Directors to advance the mission of The Children’s Guild.
Kelly has spent a significant portion of her career advocating in both the non-profit and government sectors to leverage support for programs that meet the needs of children and families in the U.S. and abroad. Learn more…
Managing Directors
Louis Hubner
Managing Director of Finance
Staff Leadership
Lisa Anderson
Program Manager of the Community Collaborative
Suzanne Brown
Manager of Finance
Sharifa Cox
Manager of Human Resources
Shaneia Crum
Manager Of School Operations
Desiree Davis
Principal, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George's County
Paula Waller
Director of Treatment Foster Care