Mara Ayora

Raiser’s Edge Database Manager

I’ve spent 22 years working in the non-profit sector, focusing on database management. During my career, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with organizations like the United Nations, Central Park Conservancy, Women’s International Zionist Organization, Ms. Foundation for Women, and various colleges to enhance donor retention.

My business degree in accounting gives me a deep understanding of the challenges non-profits face, which fuels my passion for supporting the development department through strategic database management and successful fundraising events. I find great purpose in my work, supporting CHF’s programs serving children living in under-resourced communities.

Madison Carlyle

Assistant Director,
Public Health Partnerships & Initiatives

I joined CHF as Program Officer in 2020 upon completion of my Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto. In my role, I support our national network partners through project planning, grant management, program evaluation, and advocacy support. I am committed to amplifying community voices within healthcare policy and programming, which I demonstrate through my leadership of CHF’s Community Health Equity Convenings series. I collaborate with national network providers and external partners to facilitate opportunities for knowledge sharing and the development of proven practices to improve the quality of care across our network. Prior to CHF, I worked for the Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, advising on legislative solutions to support Indigenous social and economic advancement.

Kevin Chung

Director, Information Technology

I am the Systems and Network Administrator for Childrens Health Fund. In my current role in our Information Systems and Technology department, I contribute to the success of the organization, supporting its entire mission. Prior to joining The Childrens Health Fund, I worked for Charter Schools where I served as Director of Information Technology throughout the Tri-State area. In addition to my career, I was also honored as Technician of the year for the Central Islip School District. I earned an A.S from LaGuardia Community College and a B.S from Farmingdale State University. Over the years, I have earned multiple certifications and experience to fit my values and growth.

Heather Cunningham

Media and Archives Manager

A seasoned arts administrator, I joined CHF in 2019 working with the Development and Communications department as a Coordinator. Realizing that the organization lacked an organized archive, I began creating one and in 2022 became a Project Manager and Archivist. I have a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from Denison University, and work as both an actor and artistic director of the award-winning Indie Theater company, Retro Productions.

Angelika Gutiérrez, MPH

Senior Manager, Research, Evaluation and Learning

I currently lead the organization’s equity-focused monitoring and evaluation projects, annual data reporting collection periods, and efforts to conduct multisite research. I received my master’s in public health from Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, with a concentration in mixed-methods research, and I have conducted quantitative, qualitative and evaluation projects both domestically and abroad, in English and Spanish. My work within research has been dedicated to using my mixed-methods skills to advance programs aimed at improving health outcomes of children and families from underserved communities similar to my own.

Elizabeth Mahon

Executive Assistant, Office of the President & CEO

I’m an Executive Assistant with years of experience working for investment banks, non-profits, and media conglomerates. I joined Children’s Health Fund in 2017, working for the Office of the President and CEO and with the Board of Directors. I have a B.S. in Drama from Syracuse University. A former actress and producer, I’m also a published author with works including Scandalous Women and Pretty Evil New York.

Komal Mehta

Health Education & Community Engagement Liaison

I serve as the Health Education & Community Engagement Liaison for Children’s Health Fund’s Healthy and Ready to Learn initiative, where I develop health education materials, support school staff, and help families address health barriers that affect children’s learning. My background includes a PhD in Psychology, extensive mixed-methods research on student wellbeing, and experience creating psychoeducational content for youth and families. I’ve also taught and supported students with diverse needs across academic and clinical settings. I am committed to providing equitable, culturally responsive health education that helps children thrive in school and in their communities.

Zakaria Nagi

Finance Manager

I am an account payable specialist who provides financial and administrative support for the Children’s Health Fund. I have played a role in improving payments, reporting, and audit-friendly processes.

As an account payable specialist, I oversee payments and control expenses by receiving, processing, verifying, and reconciling invoices. I am also responsible for end-of-month reporting, credit card transaction authentication, and bank reconciliation. During my tenure at the Children’s Health Fund, I led the transition to become a paperless department while utilizing new systems to improve payments, invoice approvals, financial record keeping, and budget reports. I received a B.S. in accounting from Lehman College.

Khaldun Omorede

Assistant Director, Annual Giving

As Assistant Director, Annual Giving, I lead our annual giving and individual donor initiatives, which are crucial to supporting our organization’s operations and programs.

I bring over eight years of valuable fundraising experience, having worked in the higher education and climate change sectors. Before joining CHF, I served as the Annual Fund Manager at Stony Brook University and Binghamton University, and as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving at St. Francis College. My commitment to advancing equity through philanthropy and expanding access to equitable healthcare for all children, particularly those in under-resourced communities, aligns perfectly with our mission. 

Outside of work, I enjoy practicing martial arts, watching movies, and engaging in hobbies like reading and public speaking.

Mehul Patel

Desktop Support Specialist

I am an experienced and highly motivated Desktop Support Specialist with a passion for helping others. I have over 10 years of IT experience working with both hardware and software troubleshooting. My primary role has been within the healthcare sector, primarily providing technical support to health & Admin professionals ensuring their computers are running smoothly, securely, and efficiently.

I am currently employed as a Desktop Support Specialist for the Children’s Health Fund (CHF). With CHF, I provide quality customer service and technical assistance in regards to computer set up and maintenance. My duties include troubleshooting back-end systems, user management issues, application errors/issues etc., as well as offering advice to users regarding best practices for safe computing. My certifications include Comptia A+, Comptia Network+, and Comptia Security+. Additionally, I stay up-to-date on emerging technologies that can improve system performance or security standards at our organization’s locations.

Vianca C. Perez

HRL Operations Manager

In 2022, I joined the Healthy & Ready to Learn (HRL) team to be part of a community engaged in social matters that actively affect my community, neighbors, and the next generation of children. I help the team with content development and serve as a translator ensuring that our materials are equitable and accessible to all. I coordinate HRL’s social media platforms to promote our tools, resources, and best practices that we gather from the communities we serve.

Prior to my role with HRL, I worked at Elevate Education and Kidcity Children’s Museum both child-rearing spaces focused on cultivating creative learning environments. I graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with a dual degree in Theater and Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. When I’m not keeping busy with the HRL team, you can find me performing at a theater near you.

Janluis Rodriguez

HRL Program Coordinator

I’m a Baruch College graduate with a B.A. in Corporate Communications and a strong background in education and family engagement. I’ve gained hands-on experience working as both a substitute teacher and a tutor, where I developed strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Outside of work, I’m passionate about bodybuilding and fitness, which reflects my dedication, discipline, and drive to continuously improve. Known for being outgoing and approachable, I bring positivity and energy to every environment I’m part of.

Sandra Rodriguez

Director, Development Operations

As the Development Operations Director at Children’s Health Fund, I oversee fund development focusing on strengthening fundraising systems, supporting major donor cultivation and stewardship, managing development operations, and advancing strategies that support organizational growth and long-term sustainability. With over 20 years of fundraising experience, I have led institutional giving efforts, managed donor relations, coordinated special events, and supported cross-functional initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and mission impact.

Jae Rosenberg

Programs Coordinator

I joined the Children’s Health Fund driven by my passion to advocate for children and equitable access to health care. I have a strong background in education, program development, and research. My public health research experience includes serving as a research assistant on the SUNY Albany Birth Justice Storytelling Project and working as a Community Interviewer for the CDC and New York Department of Health on a project dedicated to exploring vaccine hesitancy. I also worked as a Covid-19 contact tracer and case investigator for the New York State Department of Health. I am passionate about creating equitable systems of change and prioritizing community collaboration within public health initiatives.  

I received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from the University at Albany, SUNY. 

Latoya Thomas

Health and Community Education Engagement Liaison

Coming Soon

Angie Vega

Director, Healthy and Ready to Learn

As the Assistant Director of the Healthy and Ready to Learn (HRL) Initiative at the Children’s Health Fund, I play a pivotal role in overseeing the grassroots operations of our program in order to address universal needs within the school communities we serve. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when we foster a climate that is fair, just, free, and healthy I specialize in boosting community engagement by elevating voices and building strategic partnerships with the goal of generating important information that strengthens the school’s community capacity to face health challenges rooted in socioeconomic disparities. At the College of New Rochelle, I majored in Psychology and Communications while earning a BA in Liberal Arts.