OUR STAFF
For more than 40 years, Christian Family Care (CFC) has partnered with parents, children, staff, and the communities we serve to make a difference in the lives of children. Our mission is to strengthen families and serve children in the name of Jesus Christ.
The staff of Family Care KIDS is committed to these same goals and values. Our team is comprised of loving, nurturing teachers who have the desire to see your child grow and thrive.
Leadership and Experience
Mark Upton
CFC President
Experience
Mark is a leading advocate in Arizona for children and families. He joined Christian Family Care in 2007 as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Through God’s guidance and his leadership, Mark has grown CFC to be a $10 million organization serving families and children.
As a lifelong learner, Mark graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and has completed courses in business, theology, and biblical leadership at Phoenix Seminary, Fuller Seminary, and Harvard Business School.
Prior to joining CFC, Mark served as the Executive Vice President and Provost of Phoenix Seminary. Today, he serves on the Governor’s Council on Child Safety and Family Empowerment, the Prevention Workgroup of the Council on Child Safety & Family Empowerment, and the Department of Child Safety Community Advisory Committee.
Mark is a true family man. With his wife of close to 50 years, he enjoys spending time with their three children and 12 grandchildren, four of which were adopted.
Catherine Phillips
Interim Co-Director
Experience
I’m a follower of Jesus, wife to an amazing man and a mother of four great kids.
I have always had a love for children and teaching them about Jesus and His love for them. As a young person, I babysat and worked at a day care center. I grew up in Scottsdale and graduated from ASU with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education.
Early in my career, I taught 1st grade and 4th grade public school. Throughout the years, I’ve found great joy in teaching and serving at my church with all ages ranging from the nursery to high school girls and also teaching women’s Bible studies. Most recently, I’ve been an assistant director at a preschool and now currently I have the privilege of working at Family Care KIDS in the office. I look forward to how God might continue to use me here with the families that come to our school!
Connie Bruhn
Interim Co-Director
Experience
I am a happy wife, mom, and Mama Connie to 18-year-old Sara, who we were blessed with when she was 10. My passion is and always has been with children. I love seeing a child’s eyes light up when they catch onto learning and knowing they can do something new.
My background is in education. I waited five years in between graduating high school and college. I was so ready to go on with life that I completed my college education in three years. Several times I took 24 credits a quarter because my goal was to get back in and go to Brussels, Belgium. When I moved to a small town in Colorado, it meant I opened my own preschool and I homeschooled too.
After moving to Arizona, I helped to develop rules and regulations, curriculum fairs for homeschooling. I am grateful for the opportunity to help children know how precious they are to Jesus.
Sarah Grinnell
3rd In Charge
Experience
Hi there! My name is Sarah Grinnell and I graduated from the University of Montana in 2021. Throughout my undergraduate years, I gained experience in childcare while also playing college volleyball! I also have experience with newborns.
I love taking care of God’s children and being around the young lights of the world!
Being apart of their growth and able to experience their milestones is such a sweet blessing. As I work with the children here at Family Care KIDS, I’ll also be pursuing my masters degree in Christian Leadership at Grand Canyon University.
Lilian Cardiel
Teacher
Experience
Hello, my name is Lily! I just recently moved here to Phoenix from Texas to finish college. I have a passion to minister to these young hearts and it only continues to get stronger as I continue in this field.
Deja Franklin
Teacher
Experience
Faith Landers
Teacher
Experience
Hi, my name is Faith, and I am 20 years old. I have worked in early childhood for around two and a half years, and I am currently studying elementary education at Grand Canyon University as a sophomore. I love having the opportunity to teach and show kids the love of Jesus in the classroom!
Victoria Santana
Teacher
Experience
Hello, my name is Victoria Santana and I have been working in the childhood industry for about 8 years now. I have been married since April of 2017 and since then we added two girls to our family. I currently work in the toddler room, and I am thankful to be given the opportunity to be a part of Christian Family Care as well as being able to meet all of our current families as well as building a relationship with our newest arrivals!
Sophy Vergara
Teacher
Experience
Eileen Wixon
Teacher
Experience
I am a mom to two kids who are now grown and a grandma to four wonderful grandkids. I love to find joy and laughter through life.
I have been doing childcare for over 30 years; 23 of those years were spent providing childcare out of my own home. I have a joy for helping others always have since I was a young girl, which led me to childcare. I am nurturing and love to help children accomplish milestones.
Leah Morales
Teacher
Experience
I am married to a God-given, loving man, an adoptive mother of one, and a foster parent.
I have an associates in journalism. My passion is for communication, especially when it’s about God’s salvation gift to us and our job to fulfill the great commission. I love authentically meeting people where they are at and loving on them.
I have a variety of experience working with kids from church nursery and youth groups, summer camps, 21 nieces and nephews, foster care, and babysitting jobs.
I enjoy helping kids love learning by finding a style that speaks to them.
Lexie Pozniak
Teacher
Experience
Hi! My name is Lexie Bryk and I just got married to my Godly husband at the beginning of 2023. God has always been the center of my life, and now it gets to be the center of my marriage as well!
Being able to spread the word of God to children as young as 6 months old is such a blessing to me, especially if school is the only place they hear the gospel. I am currently teaching in the infant room and love every second spent with the children.
Having many years of childcare experience, I also have a bachelor’s degree in Social Work with two minors: disability studies and sociology. I have worked within the child welfare system for many years as well.
Jeremiah 29:11
MEET THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY CARE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Christian Family Care’s 40 years of experience as an organization is behind Family Care KIDS.
Michael Hunter – Board Chair
Sheila Mengarelli – Vice Chair
Pastor Burke Montoya – Secretary
Bob Stave – Treasurer
Doug Napier – Member at Large
Linda Bowers
Huron Claus
Brad Edson
Bruce Everette
Steve Whiteman
Margie Youngblood