Our welcoming environment is fostered by an incredibly gifted and compassionate team who tend to stay with the organization for several years. CDI recruits and hires talented, passionate leaders within the early child development field. Our dedicated staff has a reputation among our families and the community of being caring and hard-working.

Our team believes in the mission and is passionate about maintaining the inclusive, family-focused culture. We collaborate and work together as a team to respect and support children and their families in San Fernando Valley.

“The work we do every day couldn’t be accomplished without our fantastic team.”

– Joan Maltese PhD
Founder/Co-CEO

Joan Maltese, PhD., Founder/Director of Development
Tessa Graham, MS, MFT, BCBA, President/CEO

Susan Du Brin, Board Chair
Roberto Barragan, Vice Chair
Robert Kahn, Treasurer
Arlene Alpert, Secretary
Addy Gonzalez
Arlet Hur
Mark Levinson, Esq.
Christine Molaro
Susan Ng
Howard Reinstein, MD.
Fredy Ruiz

Gloria Pollack, Emeritus

Board of Directors

Child Development Institute is privileged to have a strong, dedicated and diverse team of Board of Directors. As fiduciaries, CDI Board members collectively ensure the organization’s growth and interests while strategically guiding the organization. CDI Board of Directors represent a breadth of industries and capacity as leading experts in the fields of legal, medical, financial, academic, relations and governance.

Our actively compassionate members bring admirable leadership, professional knowledge and immeasurable resources to advance CDI’s mission and sustainable future.

 

 

 

Leadership

Photo of Leadership team standing together

The dedicated and passionate CDI Leadership Team is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone’s perspective is valued and serves to make CDI a stronger organization in meeting the needs of our community. From our administration to our clinicians and volunteers, relationships are at the heart of our work. Our success comes from how we work together as a team to provide excellent programs and services to children and their families. Every program and department has a voice to ensure that CDI’s mission and vision are integrated into everything we do.

– Tessa Graham, MS, MFT, BCBA
President/Co-CEO