Collaborative on Global Children's Issues

With 32 years of experience across 35 countries, what key lessons have you learned about strengthening child protection systems in diverse cultural and sociopolitical contexts?​

I have learned so many things over the years and continue to learn, which is key to staying engaged and aware. There are a few takeaways that do rise to the top in terms of critical lessons in child protection.

• Prevention is key: For too long, our sector has focused on responding to violence against children, with prevention often overlooked and underfunded. However, investing in prevention works—whether through home visitations by para-social workers, parenting education, or community groups identifying and supporting at-risk families. Preventing harm before it occurs is effective and reaches more children. I regularly advocate that more funding and human resources should be channeled to expand programs dedicated to family strengthening and violence prevention.
• A strengths-based approach to families: Most parents genuinely want to do better for their children but often lack the necessary resources, skills, or knowledge to do so. Shifting our focus to a strengths-based approach and supporting programming designed to bring families “up,” increase their resilience, and give them the tools to provide safe and nurturing care should be the core of our work.
• Government leadership: Governments must lead child protection efforts and collaborate with NGOs, faith-based organizations, and groups with lived experience. When governments take the lead—providing sufficient funding, staffing initiatives, and valuing diverse partnerships—the system benefits and becomes stronger.
• Intersectional child protection: This probably sounds like a no-brainer, but I think our sector, for too long, has applied a one-size-fits-all approach. Effective child protection must consider race, gender, ability, and other factors that shape a child’s strengths and risks. We must be better at designing policies and programs that address these unique needs and support every child equitably, recognizing that there might be particular considerations in each context.
• Children belong in families: I started my career working in an institution (often referred to as an orphanage) in Ecuador and then spent the next six years in Romania working to get children out of such facilities. These experiences ignited a lifelong commitment to family-based care. I am a passionate advocate for supporting biological, kin, foster, and adoptive families to provide children with the opportunity to thrive in a family dedicated to their well-being.

Throughout your career, how have you seen the children’s care and protection fields change? What do you think are the reasons behind these changes? 

I am encouraged by the growing emphasis in the care and protection sector on the active, meaningful participation of people with lived experience. There is a growing recognition that children, young people, and caregivers who have engaged with these systems hold invaluable insights into both their strengths and areas for improvement. Co-creating respectful, equitable, and safe platforms for them to share their experiences, voice their perspectives, and impact policy and practice is essential—and it’s our responsibility to make this happen.

One significant step forward has been the development of networks for care leavers—young people who have transitioned out of care systems. I have had the privilege of collaborating with members of these groups across various countries, including Kenya, Uganda, and Moldova. I deeply value the perspectives they have shared, which have enriched both my own learning and the broader system. Another inspiring example is the Guatemalan foster parent network, which serves as both a support network for foster families and a forum to advocate for best practices and stronger government support.

I believe that when we amplify the voices of those with lived experience, we unlock a powerful potential for change and create more effective, inclusive solutions.

What is your advice for students and young professionals who are interested in working on child rights and protection issues in cross-cultural and sociopolitical contexts?

I am always encouraged and grateful when I hear of young people being interested in child rights and protection. This sector deeply needs dedicated professionals who champion child rights across policy, programming, and practice. Often, global policies and frameworks overlook children or include them only as an afterthought. We need a cadre of dedicated professionals who will ensure children, and their rights, protection, and care are prominent in development and humanitarian efforts.

For those entering this field, I suggest starting by exploring child protection and care within your own country. Understanding what works and identifying gaps can provide critical insights. Engage with children, young people, parents, and caregivers who have experienced the system firsthand. Their perspectives are invaluable. Make use of the many online platforms, networks, and learning resources available to deepen your knowledge of specific areas of interest. Personally, I recommend resources like the Better Care Network, the Global Social Service Workforce Alliance, and UNICEF for all things related to child protection and care.

Read widely, ask questions, and stay curious. Look for volunteer opportunities where you can gain practical experience. Learn a second or third language! Ultimately, an open mind, a genuine desire to learn, and a sense of humility are the traits I most admire in respected professionals in this field.

As a senior fellow at the Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues, you are contributing to a book on the Catholic Church and children’s care. What unique perspectives do you hope to bring to this project?

I am both honored and humbled by the opportunity to contribute to this book. It is a privilege, and I am fully aware of the growth and learning this engagement will bring. I approach this work as a person of faith, inspired by Catholic social teaching, and my own focus on how faith is demonstrated through daily acts of kindness. My perspective is shaped by my own lived experience, many years of reading and learning about the issues included in the book, and the privilege of having worked alongside Catholic religious and lay communities dedicated to childcare and social services. Over the past three decades, I have collaborated with diverse groups across many countries, witnessing the commitment of individuals and organizations. These experiences have left me both inspired and, at times, concerned, but always deeply reflective. I believe this book comes at a critical moment, offering a unique opportunity to engage with varied perspectives and read others’ stories, and, in doing so, my hope is that the book will foster greater understanding, compassion, and a shared commitment to do better.

What is a recent project that you’re particularly proud of?

I feel privileged to be involved in diverse projects and to collaborate with inspiring colleagues. Every initiative I engage in is a team effort, and any success we achieve is a testament to the collective dedication of many.

Most recently, I have been deeply engaged in care reform work in Moldova. In the past six months, Moldova has committed to having zero children in institutions by 2026—a remarkable shift from nearly 12,000 children in institutions in 2007 to 587 today. A key part of this effort has been designing and implementing a pilot specialized foster care program for children with complex needs. Working closely with colleagues in Moldova, we recently placed the first four children, including children with disabilities and two living with HIV. Despite the lingering stigma and fear around HIV, two foster families courageously stepped forward to provide these children with a safe and nurturing home. It has been a powerful reminder of the kindness in the world, as well as  the willingness of people to step outside their comfort zones to help others.

I am also encouraged by how our work has positively influenced care reform efforts in Ukraine. I am regularly impressed with the commitment and resilience of many Ukrainian colleagues who have a vision and an unfaltering commitment to make their country’s child protection system better for children.

I am consistently inspired by our partnership with Catholic sisters in Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru, who are transforming their approach to childcare. They have transitioned from providing residential care to establishing community-based centers that strengthen families. Walking alongside them on this journey has been both inspiring and humbling, as I witness their commitment to living their faith and their courage to advocate for meaningful change for children.

Ultimately, what brings me the greatest joy and sense of accomplishment is witnessing my younger colleagues—many of whom I have mentored—demonstrating their technical expertise, presenting on global stages, and inspiring others. It’s a rewarding phase of my career to see them carrying the torch and championing causes that are deeply important to me.

Why do you think a platform like the collaborative is important for your work and the field of global child rights and protection?

The collaborative is a much-needed platform to foster cross-sector learning and engagement on children’s issues, uniting professionals, learners, and influencers to promote dialogue and deepen understanding. I am excited to see this collective of inspiring individuals come together, exploring new ways to collaborate and learn from one another.