Adriana Schellhaas

Executive Director

A Mexican-American born and raised in the border town of El Paso, Texas, Adriana began volunteering with Casa Chirilagua as an interpreter and mentor in 2011, then joined the staff in 2012. As Executive Director she helps bridge the gap between our families, students, staff, volunteers, churches and school partners. She holds a Bachelors in Theater Arts.

Marissa Salgado

Programs Director

A California native now on the East Coast, Marissa provides support to the programs team and works to connect Casa’s community partners with our programming. She joined the staff in 2016 and is passionate about walking alongside our families as they develop as leaders. She holds a bachelors degree in International Affairs with a Public Health concentration from George Washington University.

Diana Segovia

Elementary Programs Director

Diana’s first connection with Casa Chirilagua was as a Kids Club student when she was just 8 years old. After being the first in her family to receive a high school diploma, she is also now the first to attend college, studying to receive her bachelor’s degree in education. Diana grew up in Chirilagua and has a passion for working with children. She is proud to be a part of Casa Chirilagua which she says has been a haven to many in the community.

Jose Martinez

Mentoring Director

As a first generation Salvadorean-American, Jose was raised in the Northern Virginia area. He has attended Northern Virginia Community College and currently attends George Mason University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science. Jose believes that positive influences help shape perspectives. He facilitates this by matching youth in the Chirilagua neighborhood to adult mentors while building relationships with families, volunteers and schools.

Matthew Gillette

Volunteer Coordinator

A Virginia native who ended up in Alexandria for an internship in the summer of 2013. He started volunteering with Casa Chirilagua in 2014, joining staff in 2019. He describes himself as a neighbor, friend, missionary, practitioner, ordained minister, social activist, community organizer, and hopeful social entrepreneur. He lives with his wife Abby in the Lynnhaven Neighborhood of Alexandria.

Jon Paramore

Development Director

Juan Martínez

Communications Director

Juan moved to the US in 2017 from El Salvador, where he was born and raised. He has worked in the communications and media area for different Christian organizations. He is passionate about listening to and communicating stories of communities to promote healing and justice. He holds a Bachelor in Architecture from Universidad Albert Einstein in El Salvador and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. 

Angy Alvarado

Local Leader

As a first-generation Honduran-American, Angy has lived in Chirilagua her whole life and has been part of the Casa family since it started. She first met the founders of the organization when they moved into the apartment above her. She is a college student that is currently studying to become a nurse. As she has been working as a Local Leader, our kiddos in our programs have made a change in her heart to become a pediatric nurse.

Fabiola Nogales

Local Leader

As a second-generation Bolivian-American, Fabiola was raised in Alexandria, VA. She has graduated from Thomas Edison High School and currently attends Northern Virginia Community College. She plans to transfer to George Mason University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Community Health. Fabiola aspires to make a long-term impact on children by providing guidance and support. She enjoys working with children and working alongside the community to help make a positive change.

Lisa Treviño Cummins

Board Chair

Founder and President, Urban Strategies

Adriana Gómez Schellhaas

President

Executive Director, Casa Chirilagua

Campbell Vogel

Development Committee Chair

Fundraising and Development Consultant

Ryan Wismer

Board Member

Security Director, Chemonics International

Kristopher Klaich

Board Member

Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton

Connor Smith

Finance Committee Chair

Engineer, Clark Construction Group, LLC