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.
Wendy Mahoney
Assistant Director
Experience
Wendy Mahoney, Assistant Preschool Director at Family Care KIDS, is passionate about engaging with families and churches to support at-risk children through CFC. With a strong background in teaching and leadership, Wendy is a valuable asset to the team. She holds a BA in Social Science (Elementary Education) from the University of Northern Colorado, and an MA in Biblical Leadership from Phoenix Seminary. Her dedication to helping teachers and Family Care KIDS thrive is truly inspiring.
Jill Dowd
Enrollment Specialist
Experience
I have worked with kids through swim lessons for 2 ½ years. I love to travel, I played volleyball for nine years, and I am the youngest of four girls.
Catherine Phillips
Coordinator
Experience
I am a wife to my amazing husband and mother of four children, and I am so grateful to God to be living my dream! I am almost an Arizona native and graduated from ASU with a degree in early childhood education. I have worked in several preschools and have taught 1st and 4th grades in a Scottsdale public school. Previously I was the Assistant Director at a local preschool in Paradise Valley. I am currently privileged to serve at Family Care KIDS in an administrative capacity. It is a joy to share with the children that Jesus loves them!
Connie Bruhn
Teacher
Experience
Born in Nebraska, BA degree of 4.0 was earned in Minneapolis in three years with 25 credits a semester, and began my first work just a couple of months later in Brussels, Belgium as an editor in Education.
My three years at the International Correspondence Institute were spent editing, writing sections in Bible courses, computer entries, and adding artwork. I met with each author who came from around the world and learned from them. These completed books then went out into many countries so students could get their degrees without leaving their countries.
During that time, I began at a Children’s Church in Brussels and often had 35-51 children attending. These kids ranged in age from three to 12 years old. I traveled all over Europe and taught children of the missionaries during a spring missions break in Madrid Spain. Developed VBS programs here in USA in several states and was the Director of VBS in Phoenix for 12 years. Developed our Home School movement here in Phoenix from the beginning to end of the 1990s and taught in a small charter school which our son, Aaron, graduated from. He was joined at the graduation ceremony with 50 other Homeschoolers. He has his graduation certificate signed by the State of Arizona. Married, one son, Aaron, and daughter-in-law, Kori. My step-granddaughter, Sara, from a previous marriage, is 21 and now busy working with autistic children in the state of Wisconsin. Met my husband in Colorado on a blind date, he proposed on the Monday after and we will celebrate 44 years together this July.
Thrive on being with children in the classrooms, and at play and seem to have many grandkids experiences this way. Currently, in the Infant classroom, I have been learning all I can from the sweet babies. Any future plans will always include children and helping edit College Courses for students who cannot leave their countries to get their degrees, Global University. I have no agenda to be anywhere else. Experiences learning English (for editing purposes, French, Swahili, and how to order food and where to stay in 12 different countries.
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.
Vicki Fellars
Teacher
Experience
Hi, my name is Vicki Fellars. I began working with infants on June 5, 2023. I’ve worked in the childcare field for 42 years. I knew at the age of 12 that my calling from God was to work in infant care. I’m currently married to my husband Michael for over 42 years. We have two children and two grandchildren. I’m honored to be chosen to be an infant room teacher here at Family Care KIDS.
Julia Alvarez
Teacher
Experience
My name is Julia Alvarez, I never want to be the kind of Christian who portrays themselves as perfect. I have flaws and I have struggles, that’s why I need Jesus. But the longer the tea bag sits in the cup, the stronger the tea. The longer we sit in God’s Word, the stronger our faith. And that starts with having a firm foundation. First Christian Church is my home church, my foundation. During my time at First Christian Church, I’ve been involved with youth and children’s ministry. Planting the seed. I’ve also been part of the worship ministry going on four years. It’s an amazing experience to feel Gods presence in the room through other people. Working at Family Care KIDS has been a great experience. I’m able to grow in my faith as well as love children the way Jesus loves us. Serving God and His kingdom is my purpose and working at Family Care KIDS. Getting to introduce them to who God is and to help the children feel safe, heard, seen, and loved. I’m excited to see how God uses me here in my season with Family Care KIDS.
Sharon King
Teacher
Experience
Hello! My name is Sharon King, and I am blessed to be a young toddler teacher at Family Care KIDS. I grew up in Virginia and lived in “The South” until moving to Arizona several years ago. I have three amazing children and two wonderful grandchildren. I have been an educator for many years, working in Tennessee school systems, and as an owner of a Preschool Center. I have worked as a Job Development Coordinator for adults with developmental disabilities and have worked in the Insurance Industry. Though I have enjoyed many jobs through the years, my passion is teaching and working with young children. I consider my job as a teacher at Family Care KIDS to be a personal mission in sharing God’s love and light to the children entrusted to us.
Karen Tish
Teacher
Experience
I’m an infant room teacher with nearly a year of experience dedicated to nurturing early childhood development. I create a safe and stimulating environment where infants can explore and grow. My approach includes engaging activities tailored to each child’s needs, promoting cognitive and emotional development. I’m passionate about supporting each child’s milestones and fostering a love for learning from an early age.
Brandi Ray
Teacher
Experience
I have been teaching in schools including preschool and charter for about 10 years. I currently have an associates in arts and have taken over 15 education classes at ASU. I enjoy being around children.
Diana Galvan
Teacher
Experience
Hello! My name is Diana Galvan. I was born and raised in Mexico, where I earned my degree in Dentistry, specializing in endodontics. I practiced for about 17 years before moving to Arizona to improve my quality of life, follow my dreams, grow personally, and explore new horizons. My parents worked in education, and I have always dreamed of becoming a teacher. Family Care KIDS allowed me to become a young toddler teacher. I am truly grateful for the chance to work at Family Care KIDS, where I can care for children and nurture their faith and values in a loving and supportive environment.
Ashleigh Carter
Teacher
Experience
I have been an Insurance Producer for 10 years. Before that, I was a nanny for one year. I have also worked at a daycare for children of varying ages!
Olandre Brown
Teacher
Experience
My name’s Olandre but the kids call me Ms Brown. I’ve been teaching preschool for over 10 years. I like having fun while laying a foundation for a love of learning and Jesus. When I’m not in the classroom I can be found traveling, planning trips to Disney or Baking.
Brenda Mejia
Teacher
Experience
I grew up in California in a large Mexican family. I enjoy new experiences and meeting new people. I love children and the ways they learn and see the world. I’ve worked with children since 2015. I’ve taught Sunday School, and Behavior Health as a coach for children with different traumas or diagnoses. I have taught as a preschool teacher for a few years.
Emily Gardea
Teacher
Experience
I have been working with children for two years. I started at an agency and now work at Family Care KIDS! I enjoy reading, sports, going to concerts, and I have two dogs.
Karen Reynoso
Teacher
Experience
I am excited to welcome you and your child to our class this year! I have a passion for teaching and am dedicated to creating a positive learning environment. I have 40 years of experience serving preschool children.
Ashlyn Rall
Teacher
Experience
I am a mom to four wonderful kids, and have been married to my husband for 10 years. Growing up, my mom did home childcare, so loving and taking care of kids is my second nature. I’ve been babysitting since I was sixteen as well as working for a family home childcare. I love spending time with my family and also having good iced coffee!
Emily Covarrubias
Teacher
Experience
My name is Emily and I am blessed to be working with the children of Family Care KIDS! I began my journey with the school in 2021 when it had first opened, while working towards my degree in Behavioral Health Science at GCU. I graduated with my Bachelor’s in 2022 and between then and now, I have been given the opportunity to work in behavioral healthcare and management in childcare. I am overjoyed to be welcomed back as a Teacher and strive to provide a safe, welcoming, and colorful space in my classroom.
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
EN 
ES