Advisors

Christy Almeida
Executive Chair for Autism Belize
After earning her BA from State University of New York, College at Cortland, Christy Castillo worked in numerous countries in the Caribbean in public relations, lobbied for women’s rights, tourism, and event planning. After 18 years of living in the Caribbean, Christy moved home to Belize and founded Autism Belize, an advocacy and awareness group working to build a strong and vibrant community of autism and other special needs families, professionals working in the field, and autism champions and supporters in Belize. Today, Christy serves as the Executive Chair for Autism Belize and is committed to fostering a stronger, kinder, and transformed Belize.
"Everyone should be able to express their basic needs. I need to go to the bathroom, I am hungry, I am tired, I feel frustrated. Every child – two, five, fifteen, twenty-five, forty, should be able to do that."

Elia Olivares, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Director at DePaul University Speech Language Pathology Program
Elia Olivares, Ph.D., CCC-SLP received her Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and her Master of Science degree and Bachelor of Science degree at Illinois State University. She has worked as a bilingual Speech and Language Pathologist in Illinois primarily serving culturally and linguistically diverse children in early childhood, urban and suburban school district, university settings, and private practice. She is currently a Clinical Associate Professor and the Director of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Program in Speech Language Pathology at the DePaul University Speech Language Pathology Program. She teaches Phonetics, Speech Sound Disorders, Language Disorders in Early Childhood, Language Disorders in School-Age Populations, and Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Speech and Language Development and Disorders.
Her research interest areas include evidence-based assessment and intervention practices for culturally and linguistically diverse children; more specifically, childhood apraxia of speech assessment and intervention for bilingual (English/Spanish) children, language choice(s) among bilingual speakers, and social appropriateness and social effects of intervention as it pertains to bilingual children with CAS and their families.

Ari Herrera
Heart’s Cry Children’s Ministry (HCCM) Director

Ximena Carreto
Director and Founder of Mi Terapia con Ximena
Ximena Carreto is the Director and Founder of Mi Terapia con Ximena, a pediatric clinic in Mexico City that offers speech and language therapy, physical therapy, and sensory integration therapy for children who have difficulties with speech and language, learning, and psychomotor skills. Ximena earned her BA in Linguistics from the Metropolitan Autonomous University in Mexico City and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Learning Processes and Special Education at Panamerican University. Ximena is a certified language therapist through the Mexican Board of Speech and Language Therapists, and is certified in ADI-R and ADOS for the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Ximena founded Mi Terapia con Ximena out of her passion for helping children and families with special needs. From what started as a few Youtube videos educating parents on ways to best support their children with special needs, Mi Terapia con Ximena now provides a wide array of pediatric therapy services and offers training and classes for educators, parents, and other professionals.

Arnold Duijzer
Vice President, Operations at AHI Travel
Arnold got his master’s degree in leisure studies at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, where he was born and raised. After graduating, he moved to India for five years and started his career in the travel industry. In 2014, Arnold moved to Chicago and has called it home ever since. Arnold is currently the Vice President of operations at AHI Travel, a leader in alumni and affinity group travel, and has years of experience coordinating social impact and educational trips around the world.

Consuelo Pacheco
Chilean Licensed Physical Therapist
Consuelo Pacheco is a Chilean Licensed Physical Therapist based in Chicago with experience in private home rehabilitation with pediatric and adult patients. She holds a certificate in pediatric neuro rehabilitation and has a strong background in quality improvement in healthcare. Consuelo is a passionate and collaborative team player seeking to deliver quality patient-centered care. Consuelo attended the Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile and received a degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy, as evaluated by the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT). She is fully bilingual and can write and speak in both Spanish and English. Consuelo holds a license to practice physical therapy in Illinois.

Angela Flowers, DSW, MSW
Licensed Advanced Professional Social Worker
Angela Flowers, DSW, MSW is a native Belizean who lives in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Flowers is a licensed advanced professional social worker with 23 years of experience working with the underserved population in Los Angeles County.
Dr. Flowers is the recipient of several commendations from the County of Los Angeles for housing over 250 families out of the Skid Row area. Dr. Flowers is a member of the Skid Row Collaborative Committee, a mentor for the LA Youth Conservation Corp, and an AmeriCorps Service Assistant in the Skid Row area. Dr. Flowers is currently employed by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services as a Children’s Social Worker. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Loyola Marymount University, Master of Social Work from California State University Long Beach and a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Flowers also works with social impact organizations, especially women- and minority-led organizations working on transforming their communities.

Adama Blagrove
Director and Founder of Montego Bay Autism Center
