Liderazgo
Wendy Salomon, LMFT
Interim President & CEO
Wendy Salomon serves as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Kids In Distress and Family Central, bringing more than 26 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, behavioral health, early childhood and child and family services. She has been with Family Central for 26 years and has served in a leadership capacity across both organizations since their merger in 2019.
Throughout her tenure, Wendy has played an integral role in the development, expansion, and oversight of programs serving children and families throughout South Florida. Her experience encompasses organizational operations, strategic planning, program development, grants and contract management, fiscal oversight, and continuous quality improvement. She has worked closely with leadership teams, community partners, and funders to strengthen services, enhance organizational effectiveness, and respond to the evolving needs of the communities served.
Wendy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Florida and a designated Qualified Supervisor. She has been particularly committed to advancing early childhood development, infant mental health, prevention, and family support services. Her professional involvement includes serving on the HIPPY Advisory Committee and the local Infant Mental Health Committee, as well as previously serving on the board of the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health. Wendy earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and her graduate degree from the University of Miami. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she is a proud wife, mother of two children and Kiki, her beloved certified therapy dog.
Dr. Tony Tucker
DIRECTOR FINANCIERO
El Dr. Tucker aporta al KID más de 18 años de experiencia en la gestión de organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro. Durante su carrera ha trabajado en organizaciones de salud mental, religiosas y de apoyo al cáncer. Aporta un estilo distintivo de gestión y liderazgo a Finanzas que tiene un impacto positivo en el equipo. El Dr. Tucker recibió su Doctorado en Administración de Empresas de la Universidad Argosy en Atlanta GA (2013). Fuera de la oficina, ha sido instructor adjunto impartiendo cursos de Economía, Contabilidad y Administración de Empresas. El Dr. Tucker es miembro de la afinidad CFO Grupo del Condado de Broward y participó en la Academia de Liderazgo de American Express. Tiene una actitud positiva ante la vida y disfruta de su carrera en el sector no lucrativo.
Valerie Ford
VICEPRESIDENTE DE RECURSOS HUMANOS
Valerie aporta más de 17 años de experiencia en la transformación de las funciones de RRHH mediante mejoras innovadoras de los procesos y estrategias prácticas que impulsan la eficiencia organizativa. Ha dirigido el desarrollo de programas de RR.HH. de gran impacto en sectores corporativos y sin ánimo de lucro, gestionando operaciones en EE.UU., China y Latinoamérica, con experiencia en iniciativas globales en sectores como la tecnología, los medios de comunicación, la biotecnología y la sanidad. Valerie también cuenta con una amplia experiencia en el sector de las empresas de servicios públicos, donde ha proporcionado orientación estratégica en materia de recursos humanos para optimizar la plantilla, mejorar el cumplimiento y alinear las iniciativas de recursos humanos con los objetivos empresariales. Licenciada en Gestión de RRHH por la Universidad Strayer, es miembro activo de SHRM, HRPBC y de la hermandad Alpha Kappa Alpha. En su tiempo libre, Valerie disfruta con su familia, las manualidades, el yoga y viajar por el mundo.
VICEPRESIDENTA DE PROMOCIÓN
Maria Jose Villavicencio brings over 15 years of experience serving communities through strategic leadership, thoughtful messaging, and meaningful partnerships. Her career began in government relations, where she spent six years understanding systems, advocacy, and how policy shapes community outcomes. She later transitioned into the nonprofit sector, holding roles in marketing, communications, operations, and social responsibility—each deepening her understanding of how to build trust and mobilize support.
Maria’s work has always focused on the power of messaging, relationships, and experience to drive impact. As Director of Social Responsibility at a national brand, she led youth programs, community partnerships, and volunteer engagement, ensuring every stakeholder understood their role in strengthening community.
Now, as Vice President of Advancement at Kids In Distress, Maria leads development and marketing strategies that fuel prevention-based programs for children and families across South Florida. Known for asking the right questions, thinking ten steps ahead, and turning bold ideas into actionable results, she brings clarity, creativity, and compassion to her work every day.
Maria is an alumna of Leadership Tallahassee, Leadership Fort Lauderdale, Women Leading Broward, the BSO Social Justice Task Force, and the inaugural Poder Collective Fellowship. She serves on the Executive Board of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, where she is the incoming Membership Chair. A proud mother of two, she values honesty, home, and the beauty of differences.