Interim Director of Programs and Partnerships

With nearly two decades of experience, Tamara has dedicated her career to supporting and empowering decision-makers in both government and private sectors, as well as managerial, technical, and frontline staff working directly with children and youth. Her mission is rooted in a deep conviction: that every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. She has worked tirelessly to promote and strengthen actions that ensure the comprehensive protection of every child, alongside their families and communities.  

Over the past 14 years as an integral part of the WCI team, Tamara has been a key contributor to the technical evolution of our organization and to building lasting, trust-based relationships with stakeholders across child protection systems in the countries where Whole Child has had a presence.  

Shaped by her background as a clinical psychologist, specializing in quality care practices for children, family strengthening, and a master’s degree in social and community intervention, Tamara has trained and supported professionals at all levels. Guided by a strong commitment to lasting social change and a proactive spirit, her work is always driven by a sincere goal: to improve the quality of life for children, adolescents, families, and communities. For Tamara, this is more than a profession—it’s a calling to help build a more just and compassionate world.   

Child Development and Protection Advisor 

Over 20 years ago, Katy began her social work career in early intervention and family strengthening. Her passion for empowering vulnerable children and families has led her to serve in a variety of settings and care environments. Working within the US child welfare system motivated her to pursue advanced studies in trauma, attachment, and resilience.  

During her Peace Corps service as a youth development volunteer, Katy fell in love with El Salvador and her commitment to working with communities deepened. In 2018, she returned with her family to partner with local organizations working to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. Beyond her professional experience, Katy brings her personal passion to this work; as a foster family, she and her husband have provided temporary care to many children over the years, and share a vision for a safe, nurturing home for all children. 

Katy is thrilled to be a part of the Whole Child International team and is committed to working towards sustainable systemic change that will improve the quality of care for children in El Salvador and beyond. 

Administration & Human Resources Manager 

With over 15 years of professional experience, Marina has dedicated her career to strengthening organizational processes and supporting teams so they can work more effectively in service of children and families. Her expertise spans administration, human resources, procurement, and logistics—always guided by transparency, efficiency, and a strong sense of ethics. 

For the past 9 years with Whole Child International, Marina has played a key role in ensuring that every project is managed with care and precision, overseeing everything from supplier contracts to staff development. She has built systems that not only safeguard resources but also empower people, creating an environment where teams can grow and thrive. 

Driven by a deep commitment to collaboration and social impact, Marina sees her work not just as administration, but as a way of ensuring that organizations are strong enough to create lasting change. Her leadership and dedication help translate vision into action, ensuring that children and communities receive the support they deserve. 

Educational Technology and Training Coordinator

Juan Carlos began his career in technology in 2005 as an IT support technician for an NGO and later became head of IT at a transnational company, after earning his degree in Systems Engineering. However, his love for learning inspired him to pursue the field of educational technology, returning to the social services sector as a digital tools trainer. He currently holds a master's degree in virtual learning in addition to various training certifications from Microsoft. 

With extensive experience training children and adults from diverse backgrounds, as well as professionals in both virtual and in-person settings, Juan Carlos specializes in combining active learning methodologies with digital learning platforms. He has worked in website development, overseen Learning Management System platforms (LMS) such as Moodle and Schoology, and has provided technological support for various nonprofit organizations. In 2019, he led the virtualization of training processes for the Government Ethics Tribunal of El Salvador, playing a key role during the digital transition during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Last year, Juan Carlos joined the Whole Child team, contributing his expertise in educational technology to the child protection system and Whole Child International partners.