Leadership - The Children's Guild

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Jenny Livelli, M. Ed

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

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

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.

Learn more…

Andrew Simone

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

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

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.

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

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

Dawn RobertsMark

Dawn RobertsMark

Managing Director of Program Operations

Louis Hubner

Louis Hubner

Managing Director of Finance

Rae Meneses

Rae Meneses

Managing Director of Related Services

Jillian Szczepaniak-Gillece, LCSW-C

Jillian Szczepaniak-Gillece, LCSW-C

Managing Director, Behavioral Health Services

John Weitzel

John Weitzel

Managing Director of Facilities

Jamie Wilson, LCSW-C

Jamie Wilson, LCSW-C

Managing Director of Human Resources & Employee Engagement

Staff Leadership

Laura Anaya

Laura Anaya

Director, Workforce Development

Lisa Anderson

Lisa Anderson

Program Manager of the Community Collaborative

Suzanne Brown

Suzanne Brown

Manager of Finance

Sharifa Cox

Sharifa Cox

Manager of Human Resources

Shaneia Crum

Shaneia Crum

Manager Of School Operations

Bryan C. Daniels

Bryan C. Daniels

Community Relations Manager

Desiree Davis

Desiree Davis

Principal, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George's County

Vesna-Grujicic

Vesna-Grujicic

Principal, The Children’s Guild – Transformation Academy

Gregory Jordan

Gregory Jordan

Talent Acquisition Manager

Frank Medley

Frank Medley

Principal, TCGDC

Liesa Ross

Liesa Ross

Marketing Director

Sean Ruark

Sean Ruark

Manager of Organizational Compliance & Process Improvement

Krissie Taylor

Krissie Taylor

Director, Monarch Preschool College Park

LaToya Tyson, MSW

LaToya Tyson, MSW

Director of Organizational Compliance

Maurice Wagoner

Maurice Wagoner

Director of Facilities

Paula Waller

Paula Waller

Director of Treatment Foster Care

Joy Zollinger, MSW, LCSW-C

Joy Zollinger, MSW, LCSW-C

Director of Behavioral Health Services