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Executive Director and Founder: Maritza Morelli

Maritza Morelli, Executive Director and founder of Los Niños Primero, is a charismatic leader and dedicated advocate for educational equity. Her journey began in Venezuela, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s in Child Psychology, setting the foundation for her lifelong mission: to help children thrive so they may grow into happy, successful adults. Maritza believes that investing in children’s formative years is the most powerful way to create lasting, positive change—a vision she has passionately brought to life through her work with Los Niños Primero.

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Leadership

Ashley Lewman

Development Director

Jeannie Adams Myers

Director of Academics
and Outreach

Maite Fuertes

Communications and
Marketing Coordinator

Amanda Morelli

Pro bono Consultant

Dr. María Montalvo

Pro bono Consultant

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIP

Gloria Narea

Director of Family Engagement and Leadership

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Coordinators

Maria Garcia

Mayeling Rangel

Liliano Cataño

Elisa Stevens

Vanessa Orduñez

Gabysol Quiroz

Martha Aguilera

 

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Lizbeth Zamora

Director of Youth
Programs

Carmen Morales Mier

Youth Site
Coordinator

ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP

Kimberly Price, Ed.S

Academic Program Specialist

Tiffany Hall Allen

Academic Coach

Marjorie Araujo

Mimosa Elementary School Site Coordinator

Tameki McDowell

Hapeville Elementary School Site Coordinator

Carla Hargrove

Hopkins Elementary School Site Coordinator

Carla Armstrong

Dresden Elementary School Site Coordinator

Kyon Parker-Postell

Fountain Elementary School Site Coordinator

EXTRACURRICULARS AND SUPPORT

Lyn Alpauti

Data and Support Coordinator

Vashti Reyes

Extracurricular Coordinator

Arantza Romero

Database Developer

Isabel Mester

Music Teacher

Ricardo Montoya

Soccer Academy Coach

Adolfo Guerra 

Office Manager 

Luis Perez Marrero

Fundraiser & Event Manager

Jessica Quintero

Technology & Program Support Specialist

Gabriel Ayala 

Social Media Content Creator

Maritza Morelli is the Executive Director and visionary co-founder of Los Niños Primero, an organization dedicated to uplifting Latino children and families in Atlanta. Originally from Venezuela, Maritza came to Atlanta with a strong commitment to make a meaningful impact in her new community. In 2001, she founded Los Niños Primero with support from Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, creating a culturally rich and inclusive education program to bridge opportunity gaps for Latino families. Together with the late bilingual speech pathologist and diagnostician Martha Barrios Mead, Maritza launched the first Los Niños Primero Summer Program, which welcomed 17 young students for two weeks of inspiring learning and community connection. 

Since then, Maritza’s leadership has driven Los Niños Primero’s growth, impacting over 6,200 Latino children, youth, and families through programs that foster academic readiness, community engagement, and leadership development. Recognized for her dedication, Maritza received the Congressional Honor in 2022 from Congresswoman Lucy McBath and was named one of Georgia’s 50 Most Influential Latino Leaders by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Her additional accolades include the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Women Who Mean Business Award, the Latin American Association’s Inspiration Award, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the city of Sandy Springs. Under Maritza’s leadership, Los Niños Primero was recognized by Mundo Hispanico as Atlanta’s Top Nonprofit Organization. Maritza holds a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s in child psychology, both of which continue to guide her impactful work in the community.