Meet Our Team

We are a Family

At Family Partners, we work as a unit to support the needs of the developmentally disabled. It’s something we’ve been dedicated to since 2000.

You can learn more about each team member by reading below. If you have any questions about our services, don’t hesitate to call our Peoria office at 602-997-8300 or our Yuma office at 928-783-3858.

Our Staff

Tamara Gallinger

CEO, Founder
Tamara Gallinger has worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families since 1989 and started Family Partners in 2000. She believes whole heartedly in her life-long calling – which is to help individuals with developmental disabilities feel value and purpose in their lives. Tamara’s goal is to partner directly with families to provide meaningful care and opportunities for growth for the entire family. In addition, she strives to provide a great employment opportunity for those of like mind and vision feel valued for their hard work and dedication to Family Partners.

Christine Saeva

Executive Director
Family Partners' Executive Director is Christine Saeva, and she has been with the agency since 2005. As Executive Director, Christine's mission is to support all employees and programs with professionalism and integrity while working toward the common goal of providing meaningful services. What Christine likes most about working for Family Partners LLC is knowing that hundreds of individuals and their families are positively impacted by the valuable services that are provided by the agency.

Dana Bash

Associate Executive Director
Dana says what she likes most about working with Family Partners is; Working with individuals with special needs brings with it a host of unique challenges and opportunities. The members I work with make every day fulfilling, and I know my work is making a positive impact and helping each individual to grow, gain skills and work towards independence.

Kelly Kunzweiler

Finance & Accounting
Kelly has worked in the field of Finance & Accounting for over 25 years in various industries. Kelly received a BS in Accountancy from ASU and maintains an active Arizona CPA License.​ ​ Kelly has been a part of Family Partners since 2013 and the highlight of her day is visiting with the members and seeing them smile and have fun! ​ ​ In Kelly’s spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities with her husband and two young boys.​

Traci Kennedy

Senior Director of Administration
Traci Kennedy has been with the agency since 2008. Her favorite part of the job is working with great team members that are full of compassion and the drive to do what's best for each individual we serve. And the thing that Traci likes the most about Family Partners is that every day brings her new opportunities to meet and get to know wonderful families and providers that have the same passion for helping people as she does.

Michelle Vanderploeg

Senior Director of Training and Compliance
Michelle has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for 23 years. She has worked in Home and Community Based Services, Group Homes, and Day Programs throughout her career. She has also worked to build her knowledge and understanding of behavior and how to best support people. She is a certified trainer of Article 9, Prevention and Support, Direct Care Worker Training and CPR and First Aid. Michelle believes that people are full of potential and one of her goals in life is to help people become who they want to be. Michelle is from New Hampshire and has lived in Arizona since 2005.

Jeremy Schwab

Senior Director of Program Operations
Jeremy has worked in the field in various positions since 2004. He started as a direct care provider after sustaining an injury playing basketball that did​ not allow him to maintain his same job. What was initially supposed to be an "in between job" turned into a lifetime passion. Being around the​ members, he quickly learned how rewarding this field can be. ​ Beyond work, he enjoys spending time with his family, camping, fishing , barbecuing and tragically, rooting for all Arizona sports teams.

Andrea Hajjar

HCBS Director
Andrea has been with Family Partners for six years. She loves to work with people and connecting them with the services that their families need. She is passionate about helping people with disabilities reach their goals.​ On her days off, you would usually find her spending time her family.

Rocio Castro

Yuma HCBS Director
Rocio has been working with special needs individuals since 2013. What she enjoys the most about her position is advocating for the members and helping them reach their full potential. Her passion is being the members' voice and making sure they are taken care of by compassionate and dedicated Direct Care Workers.

Alberto Sepulveda

Yuma Day Program Director
Alberto has been working with special needs individuals since 2017. What he enjoys most about his position is spending time with members and helping them reach their full potential. His position is to make sure the members are well taken care of and that they have fun at the day program.

Aneel Guillen

Avondale Day Program Director
Aneel has worked for Family Partners for 2 years but has served in the field of family safety services for over 10 years.​ Understanding the importance of providing exemplary services, Aneel has worked diligently alongside her team, creating a positive environment where each individual is respected and valued, while conserving Family Partners' core values.

Laurel Sweeney

Peoria Day Program Manager
Laurel has been working at Family Partners for three years. Her favorite part of the day is seeing the members laugh and have fun with a sprinkle of learning too. It is her mission to ensure all members have a meaningful, fun, safe day, every day!

Bell Rodriguez

Peoria Day Program Manager
Bella has been with the company since 2020 and immediately knew she found her passion helping individuals with disabilities. Her favorite part of the work day is watching the team members and members laugh uncontrollably together. There's no other feeling than watching our members achieve their goals and continue to reach their full potential. It truly is an inspiration to all.

Patricia Lizarraga

Licensing Specialist
Patricia is a Family Support Coordinator in Developmental Homes. She has been with the company a little over a year. She has over 15 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. Patricia loves working with her DH team and creating a supportive environment for her members and her developmental home providers. Her mission is to promote safety, consistency, and love.

Nadai Wylie

Licensing Specialist
Nadai has a bachelors in psychology and is pursuing a dual master’s degree in General Psychology and Industrial & Organizational Psychology. She has a passion to support underserved populations and has been working with people with disabilities for 5 years. What she loves most about her job is when a member is able to find their own voice, learn to advocate for themselves, break through barriers and achieve goals to reach new levels of independence.

Gabriel Del Rio

Licensing Specialist
Gabriel embarked on his journey in the field of behavioral health in 2013 as a direct care worker. He steadily progressed through the ranks, gaining valuable experience, working with individuals with mental disabilities. What started as a steppingstone transformed into a lifelong passion. ​ Beyond his professional life, Gabriel finds joy in weekend travels and indulges in playing the guitar, ukulele and piano. He is enthusiastic about his future at Family Partners, where he can make a profound impact on the lives of the individuals and families we serve.

Elvia Esqueda

Yuma Administrative Assistant
Elvia has been with Family Partners for 3 years. The Admin. Assistant position gives her the opportunity to interact with families who come in seeking information for their loved ones with special needs. She loves being able to help and not only provide them with information but with resources and services that Family Partners has available for them. It’s a heartwarming victory for her to see them become a part of Family Partners.

Ashia Gill

Administrative Assistant
Ashia has been with the agency since 2021 starting as a Direct Support Professional, then Job Coach, and now as an Administration Assistant. She is passionate about helping others, and desires to put a smile on everyone's faces that walk through the front doors. ​ Her favorite part about working with Family Partners is spending time with the DTA members, and highlighting how wonderful they are on social media.

Nereida Rodriguez

Yuma HCBS Assistant
Nereida is a HCBS assistant. She has worked in this field since 2020. She likes her position because she can promote and support inclusion for people with disabilities in the community. She also loves helping parents, grandparents, siblings etc. learn how to maximize their family member’s independence. Being part of our member’s success to overcome daily challenges of life brings joy to her life.

Kathryn McDannald

HCBS Assistant
Kathryn has been working with Family Partners for the last 4 years. She is very passionate about helping adults with disabilities. As an HCBS assistant, she works hard to get the services families need to provide for a loved ones with disabilities. What she likes the most about Family Partners is seeing the members reach their goals.

Vanessa Melendez

Avondale Day Program Lead
Vanessa is a compassionate advocate who has dedicated two years to working with adults with disabilities creating a nurturing environment where individuals can thrive. ​ Vanessa's mission is to empower adults with disabilities to thrive in an inclusive society, with a background of social work, she strives to understand their unique needs and aspirations. ​ Her passion is making a difference as she continues to inspire others to promote inclusivity and diversity in their own lives.

Gabe Willis

Peoria Day Program Lead
Gabe has been in the field for the last 2 years. His mission is to help the members in the day treatment facility feel happy, welcomed, and safe. His favorite parts about working at Family Partners is that every day is different and that he gets to spend time with the members.​ On his days off, you would typically find him playing video games or working on outdoor projects.

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