Our Team

More than 125 people have dedicated their lives to serving children, families, and the community at Christian Family Care. Some of us were foster children or adopted ourselves, making this calling especially personal.

Leadership

Mark Upton
President / Chief Executive Officer
Mark is a leading advocate in Arizona for children and families. Prior to joining Christian Family Care in 2007, Mark served as the Executive Vice President and Provost of Phoenix Seminary. He currently 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. In addition, Mark has served on the Board of Pinnacle Forum AZ, Arizona Life Coalition, Bible Education Legacy Fund of Phoenix Seminary, Arizona Serves Task Force, No Child Waiting Executive Committee, Child Welfare League of America, and the Scottsdale Bible Church Elder Board. 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.

Pam Giardina
Chief Programs Officer
Pam’s passion is to bring help, healing, and wholeness to hurting children and adults through the opportunity of experiencing quality social and clinical services. She has worked with Christian Family Care for more than 26 years in several different roles including Program Coordinator, Director of Social Services, and Vice President of Programs in our Tucson office.

Obed Escobar
Director of Community Relations and Office of Hispanic Ministry
Obed began working with Christian Family Care in 2019. Prior to that, he worked as the Regional Alliance Director for Alliance Defending Freedom and Community Relations Director for Center for Arizona Policy. He has served as a Multicultural Pastor with Christ’s Church of the Valley and is currently a member of Child Safety and Family Empowerment with the Council for the Office of the Governor in the State of Arizona.

Brandon Jones
Clinical Services Program Manager
Brandon brings 15 years of experience in the behavior health field serving in various clinical roles. Brandon is an independently licensed therapist and holds a Master’s in Professional Counseling with a concentration in trauma, abuse and deprivation. Since joining CFC in 2012 Brandon has held roles as a Licensing Specialist, Foster Care Supervisor, Family Coaching Supervisor and Child and Family Therapist. Brandon has a deep passion for empowering Christ followers to serve those in need and carrying out the mission of Strengthening Families and serving at-risk children in the name of Jesus Christ.  

Gary Miller
Director of Marketing & Advancement
Gary brings over 35 years of marketing, development, design, and communications to Christian Family Care. Gary founded and acted as President/Creative Director of The M. Group, a graphic design and identity management company for 25 years. He currently serves as a director on the boards of both Family Matters and The Be Kind People Project.

Nicole Salusky
Director of Foster Care
Prior to becoming the Director of Foster Care, Nicole served as a Foster Family Specialist, Coordinator, Supervisor, and then as the Program Manager. Before her employment with Christian Family Care, she spent 13 years at A New Leaf serving youth in residential programs. She earned her bachelors in Psychology and her Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

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Board of Directors

• Michael Hunter, Board Chair
• Sheila Mengarelli, Vice Chair
• Bob Stave, Treasurer
• Pastor Burke Montoya, Secretary
• Doug Napier, Member at Large
• Linda Bowers
• Huron Claus
• Brad Edson
• Bruce Everette
• Steve Whiteman
• Margie Youngblood

Southern Arizona Advisory Council

• Warren Braun
• Evan Carlson
• Robert Davis 
• Jen Anderson