Who We Are

As Executive Director, Fabiola is focused on having First 5 Fresno County come alongside public, private, and community benefit organizations that share our vision of optimal health and well-being for babies and their families. Fabiola is a firm believer in the notion that raising healthy, thriving children only happens when the adults that care for them have all the need to thrive themselves. She knows challenges will always exist, so it’s up to us to find solutions together to make Fresno County the best place to raise a family.

Fabiola also serves as the Vice President for the First 5 Association of California’s Board where she helps lead the network of 58 First 5 county commissions to embrace being an integral component of our state’s early childhood system of care. She holds a Bachelor Of Arts in Sociology and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Fresno. Fabiola is proud of her first-generation immigrant background, which she shares in common with many families in California’s Central Valley.

Fabiola can be reached at fgonzalez@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4900.

Karen joined the First 5 Fresno team in 2014 and currently serves as the Executive Projects Manager. Throughout her tenure, she has overseen programmatic, communications and administrative efforts for the agency while also providing administrative support to the Executive Director, acting as the liaison to the Commission Board, and overseeing projects of the executive team.

Currently, Karen is the contract manager for the Fresno GROWS Best Babies Zone, a place-based, anti-racism initiative that prioritizes interventions and opportunities for African American families at the neighborhood level in Southwest Fresno by addressing economic, social, and structural determinants of health. She also oversees the Lighthouse for Children’s Community Learning Center, a network of community partnerships that offer an array of free services for young children, their families, and early childhood professionals all at one location. Previously operated by First 5 staff, Karen solidified the foundation of the Center and is supporting its transition into its next iteration to be managed by an external partner.

Karen was born in Mexico and raised in the Antelope Valley before planting her roots in Fresno County with her husband Joseph and their two fur-babies Allie and Lacey. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology with an emphasis in forensic behavioral sciences, and a Victim Services certificate. Karen has a heart for service and community and is committed to leading efforts that address inequities and change the odds for all babies in Fresno County.

Karen can be reached at krangel@first5fresno.org or by phone at (559) 558-4903.

Alix joined the First 5 Fresno County team in 2013 and currently serves as the Business Director responsible for operations, accounting, and administration. Her role includes responsibilities including budget development and monitoring, fiscal reporting, agency internal processes, human resources, facility operations management, funding development.

Having been raised by an elementary school teacher and a local broadcasting Operations Director, Alix understands the profound importance of healthy development in the early years and the need for strategy and processes to implement intention.

Alix earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in anthropology from Concordia University, Irvine, and was drawn back to the Central Valley. With joy, she has spent her First 5 tenure working for every child and their families, no matter their circumstances, so they can have the best start to life. She is driven to serve Fresno County by her desire to see the growth and success of the place she calls home. She finds it a great honor to serve alongside her colleagues within an organization that connects and shapes community systems and advocates for investments in families with young children—our future!

Alix can be reached at ahillis@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4902.

Luis was born and raised in Firebaugh, moving to Fresno in 2013 to attend California State University, Fresno, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. He holds this accomplishment with pride as a first-generation college graduate.

Luis currently serves as the business manager who oversees the daily accounting operations of the Commission and annually assists with the audit and policy review of the Commission. He previously worked as an auditor at a local firm, auditing local government, utility districts, and non-profit organizations. While there, he became familiar with many community-based organizations and the programs they offered to help the underserved Fresno County communities.

Luis is honored and excited to be part of an organization that positively impacts children and families in his community. In his free time, you can catch Luis hiking or spending time with his pug, Stella.

Luis can be reached at lmagallanes@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4914.

Hannah has supported the agency’s early childhood systems building efforts for more than a decade. Among her current focus areas are Help Me Grow Fresno County, home visitation coordination efforts, and investments related to early learning and development.

Hannah earned her bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences with a minor in mass communications journalism from California State University, Fresno. A Fresno native, her goal is to pour back into the community that raised her up. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the people of Fresno County and is committed to the agency’s vision of a future where all children and their families are healthy, loved and nurtured.

Hannah can be reached at hnorman@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4912.

Lupita serves as the Project Manager for Early Childhood Initiatives overseeing First 5 Fresno’s maternal health programs, including the Glow! Group Prenatal Care Program and African American Infant Mortality Prevention efforts.

Since beginning her current role, Lupita has expanded the Glow! Program to a virtual platform that continued serving pregnant patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has solidified partnerships among community partners, participating clinic sites, and medical providers laying a solid foundation for the future of the Glow! Program.

Over the next couple years, Lupita will be focused on supporting other local First 5s, community-based organizations, and clinic sites to expand the Glow! Group Prenatal Care Program into other counties within the Central Valley.

Lupita remains committed to leading First 5’s efforts to reduce racial inequities in infant mortality and improve birth outcomes in Fresno County so that no baby dies before their first birthday. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with an emphasis in community health from California State University, Fresno. Outside of work, Lupita enjoys playing and cuddling with her 2-year-old, Mateo, spending quality time with family, and dancing Mexican Folk Dance (Folklórico) with her husband, Ray.

Lupita can be reached at lramirez@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4918

Liliana Salcedo joined the First 5 Fresno County team as a Business Assistant in February of 2017. Currently, Liliana serves as a Project Manager for Early Childhood Initiatives. Her work focuses on childcare quality improvement—she leads the Improve and Maximize Programs so All Children Thrive (IMPACT) work for the county and the region. Liliana also has provided technical assistance and support to Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties. Over the next few years, she will continue to support these counties in their paths to quality improvement.

Liliana also oversees home visiting programs led by the Fresno County Department of Public Health, who’s nurses provide support, resources, and education to new and expecting parents.

Liliana remains committed to leading First 5 efforts to increase the quality of childcare and supporting parents. She was born in Merced and moved to Fresno to attend California State University, Fresno in the Fall 2012 semester—she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance. She is the first in her family to attend college and is proud to serve as a role model to her younger siblings who have also pursued higher education.

Liliana can be reached at lsalcedo@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4980.

As the Project Manager for Early Childhood Initiatives, Ashley oversees the direct service contracts for the Thriving Families Initiative. Under this initiative, she has fostered relationships with agencies and organizations that directly serve families with young children in the community. It has been a joy for her to learn about these organizations, hear about all the wonderful work they do in their programs, and meet each staff member that makes it all happen.

Ashley earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood development from Fresno Pacific University. She has worked in the early childhood field since 2008 in various roles ranging from infant teacher to pre-k teacher to coach for Early Childhood Educators. Her most important role is serving as a wife to her husband and mom to her two littles at home.

Ashley has always had a passion for healthy families and serving the whole child and family through her work. She is very grateful to work for First 5 Fresno County to be a piece of the puzzle for making Fresno County a place where all families can thrive, feel supported, and be equipped.

Ashley can be reached at ahensley@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4911.

Cindy joined First 5 Fresno in 2019 and currently focuses on policy & community relations efforts for the Commission. She oversees the Commission’s communication projects, including public education campaigns, media events, and advocacy efforts. For the last three years, Cindy has represented the Central Region, which includes Kings, Kern, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Mariposa, and Fresno counties, as the policy committee representative for the First 5 Association. She also helps the First 5 Association network in its race, equity, inclusion, and diversity initiatives as part of the REDI Committee.

Cindy is a proud Fresno native, born and raised in Southeast Fresno. Her parents migrated from Mexico when they were young to provide her a better life. She is honored to be part of an agency that works alongside the community to support young children and families in Fresno County.

Cindy graduated from Fresno Pacific University as a first-generation college student, earning her Bachelor of Arts in History and Master of Arts in Theology. She and her husband, Hector, are raising four amazing sons aged 2 to 18 while also managing a small landscape contracting business.

Cindy can be reached at cjhernandez@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4907.

Kendalyn can be reached at kmfranklin@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4948.

Alex joined the First 5 Fresno County team in 2024 and is currently the Operations Manager responsible for operations, facility, and contract management. Alex oversees building services, finance, and administrative assignments.

Alex grew up in the small town of Woodlake, CA. His family were farm laborers who worked hard to provide the next generation with a better life, but they always instilled gratefulness and family values. Alex moved to Fresno in 2005 and graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an option in Marketing. Alex then became the first in his family ever to obtain a Master’s degree with an emphasis on Business Administration from the University of Phoenix while holding the title of Campus Operations Manager in the Fresno location. Alex has previously worked in higher education and tech start-ups, fostering his leadership skills, managing co-work locations nationwide, and assisting students in their education endeavors. Alex’s next chapter, as part of the First 5 Fresno County team, is to use his lived experience to promote healthy initiatives for the first five years of life so that families flourish.

Alex loves to spend time with his family and train jiu-jitsu outside of work. He’s a thrill seeker who’s done everything from Tough Mudder to skydiving and loves to travel—his favorite so far is Ireland!

Alex can be reached at atreas@first5fresno.org or (559) 558-4926.