Lidèchip
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.
Doktè Tony Tucker
OFISYE CHÈF FINANSYE
Doktè Tucker pote plis pase 18 ane eksperyans nan jesyon san bi likratif nan KID. Li te travay nan Sante Mantal, òganizasyon sipò pou lafwa ak kansè pandan karyè li. Li pote yon style jesyon distenktif ak lidèchip nan Finans ki gen yon enpak pozitif sou ekip la. Doktè Tucker te resevwa degre Doktora li nan Administrasyon Biznis nan Inivèsite Argosy nan Atlanta GA (2013) . Deyò nan biwo a, li te yon kou enstriktè adjwen nan Ekonomi, Kontablite ak Administrasyon Biznis. Doktè Tucker se yon manm nan Gwoup la Affinity CFO nan Broward County epi patisipe nan Akademi Lidèchip Ameriken an. Li gen yon pwennvi pozitif sou lavi a epi li jwi karyè li nan SAN bi likratif.
Valerie Ford
VIS PREZIDAN RESOUS IMEN
Valerie pote plis pase 17 ane eksperyans nan transfòme fonksyon HR atravè amelyorasyon pwosesis inovatè ak estrateji pratik ki mennen nan efikasite òganizasyonèl. Li te dirije devlopman pwogram HR ki gen enpak sou sektè antrepriz ak sektè ki pa pou pwofi yo, jere operasyon nan peyi Etazini, Lachin ak Amerik Latin nan, ak ekspètiz nan inisyativ mondyal atravè endistri tankou teknoloji, medya, biotech, ak swen sante. Valerie gen anpil eksperyans tou nan endistri PEO, li bay konsèy HR estratejik pou optimize mendèv, amelyore konfòmite, ak aliman inisyativ HR ak objektif biznis yo. Li gen yon diplòm bakaloreya nan jesyon HR nan Strayer University, li se yon manm aktif nan SHRM, HRPBC, ak Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Nan tan lib li, Valerie jwi tan fanmi, atizay ak atizana, yoga, ak vwayaje nan lemonn.
VIS PREZIDAN PWOGRÈ
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.