With more than two decades of leadership experience in the field of child welfare and healthcare business, Dr. Ryan Cargando is recognized as a “Social Impact Leader”. He was featured as a case study among five organizational leaders in the book published under Kendall Hunt, “From Small to Large: Growing Social Impact Organizations” by Zoot Velasco, MBA professor and Director of Gianneschi Center School of Management at California State University, Fullerton (2021).
Ryan received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Pius X Seminary and pursued his Masteral Study in Philosophy and Theology at University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.
In 1997, he earned his PhD in Philosophy from La Salle University in United States. As a Thomas Merton Scholar, his graduate studies research included, “The Meaning of the Human Person” and “The Political Meaning of Christianity in light of Thomas Merton’s Philosophy”.
Prior to working in child welfare as a social worker, and holding various management and leadership positions, Ryan taught Philosophy at De La Salle University - College of St. Benilde in Manila, Philippines. He also served as Dean of Graduate School of Colegio De la Purisima Concepcion. During his stint, Ryan has given lectures at ABAC University in Bangkok, Thailand, and other institutions in Asia. He also served as Director for Local Governance at Gerry Roxas Foundation in the Philippines under the funding of USAID. He also was a regular lecturer to the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the government’s efforts to professionalize the PNP.
Ryan’s entrepreneurial background in real estate and principle centered approach in business and organization has earned Creative Solutions for Kids and Families, the agency he founded in 2005, the distinction of a “recession star” among 27 out of 6, 450 non-profit organizations in a research article published from Gianeneschi Center for Non - Profit Research, California State University, Fullerton. Ryan was also featured on the cover of CIO Views in its January 2023 magazine issue as “an Influential Leader in health care”.
Ryan M. Cargando, PhD
CEO/President
Barbra Castillo
Chief Financial Officer
Barbra is responsible for all of the company's financial functions. She provides both operational and programming support and reports directly to the CEO. She participates in all strategic and tactical planning and implementation matters as they relate to budget management, risk assessment, cost benefit analysis, financial forecasting and securing new funding. Barbra's accounting experience with focus on overall performance includes more than 20 years of experience in budgeting, financial management, and business leadership.
Prior to joining CSKF, Barbra held various managerial positions in corporate, non-profit, fiduciary and public accounting.
Jennifer Cargando, BSN, RN
Assistant Executive Director
Jennifer has worked in different industries that include sales and management prior to her nursing career. She has a bachelors degree in nursing and is licensed registered nurse in California and New Jersey of which she has a combined 17 years of experience in acute, surgical and recovery nursing. Jennifer is passionate in helping children and families. As the Asst. Executive Director, she assist the CEO in overseeing the different departments including personnel management.
Arleen Cabrera, MBA
Corporate Compliance Officer
As a former Board of Director of Creative Solutions for Kids and Families, Inc. , Arleen is very committed to the organizational mission and vision. She relinquished her board duties to manage the quality assurance department in 2007 and was promoted as the organization's corporate compliance officer. Arleen applies her wealth of experience in quality assurance and development in working with various organizations in diffrent countries that include Japan, Philippines and the United States. Arleen completed her MBA in California Coast University.
Executive Team
Key Staff
Linda Montoya, MS
Administrator
Linda has worked with Creative Solutions for Kids & Families for over 15 years. Linda has had a unique journey with CSKF, and her career continues to develop as the agency expands. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of La Verne in 2007 with honors, and began working for CSKF shortly thereafter, as a Social Work Assistant. Linda continued her education and received a Master of Science degree in Psychology from California Coast University. Throughout her tenure with Creative Solutions, Linda has held various positions, such as Agency Social Worker, Supervising Social Worker, and Administrator. As the Project and Supervising Director, Linda oversees the overall operations of the agency and its various programs. Linda oversees the overall operations of the agency and its various programs. Linda values faith, family, and the power of teamwork. Through genuine collaboration with staff, caregivers, and other stakeholders, Linda embraces CSKF's mission and vision to support the success of its youth and families.
Pamela Tarango
Resource Family Manager
Pamela Tarango has a vibrant account of experience with almost 20 years in the child welfare field. Her passion is to work with children and families. Pam believes in healing children and families through interventions that promote connection, trust, redirection, and relationship. Pam's Christian faith has influenced her commitment and desire to see more families step up in the frontlines and extend their love and support to vulnerable children. Her notable experiences with Creative Solutions includes staff and foster parent training and business development. As the RFA manager, Pam ensures that our foster families are equipped to meet the needs of persons served
Maria Flores, MFT
Supervising Social Worker
For Creative Solutions and its families served, Maria Flores spreads compassion, receptivity, and professionalism in a myriad of circumstances. She has been working with at-risk youth for almost 10 years and often facilitates staff and foster parent trainings with her knowledge and bi-lingual accuracy. She received her Bachelors degree in Human Services and Masters of Science degree in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. She has been a valuable member of the Creative Solutions team since 2008, holding experiences as Support Staff, Assistant Social Worker, Agency Social Worker, and now as a Supervising Social Worker.
Michelle Crain, MS
Supervising Social Worker
Michelle earned her Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Guidance and Counseling at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. She has practiced social work for over 20 years in California and in Tennessee. She has worked in many different settings such as group homes, FFA’s and juvenile shelters. Some of her experiences include agency social worker, child counselor, lead social worker, and supervisor. Michelle has been an Agency Social Worker and Supervising Social Worker for Creative Solutions for over 10 years. Michelle is welcoming, supportive, always smiles, and makes others smile with her positive attitude. Michelle conducts various staff and foster parent trainings for Creative Solutions, and is very much involved in foster youth activities, including various teen social outings, support trainings, mentoring and facilitating Back-to-School Night.
Claudia Beltran, MS
Supervising Social Worker
Claudia has always dreamed of becoming a Social Worker. Her passion towards helping children and At-Risk youth and families is a testament of her vocation to serve. Claudia joined CSKF on June 1, 2016. Prior to her working with CSKF, Claudia was a Pre-School teacher in Washington State. She completed her bachelor's and master's degree in Psychology at the University of Phoenix and worked as a preschool teacher for 4 years at Beachwood Child development center in Tacoma, WA