OUR STAFF
CALICO CENTER & CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS OF CALIFORNIA STAFF
Nadia Bueno
Executive Director
Nadia joined CALICO in August 2018 as a Child Interview Specialist. As a native Spanish speaker, she was able to conduct interviews in Spanish when needed. She added to her duties in 2021 by becoming CALICO's Victim Services Coordinator. In December 2024, Nadia became CALICO's Executive Director. Prior to joining CALICO, Nadia worked at the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office as a Victim/Witness Advocate. Nadia has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Favorite Childhood Book: The Secret of Nimh - Robert C. O’Brien
Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Playing Operation
Current Hobby: Landscape photography
Kristy Brodeur Dermody
Senior Forensic Interviewer/Training Director
Kristy joined CALICO in 1997 and works as a Forensic Interviewer and CALICO’s Training Coordinator. Since 2015, Kristy has also been the statewide training coordinator for the Children’s Advocacy Center of California (CACC) program. Kristy has conducted trainings throughout California and the US. Before CALICO, she was part of an MDT that went to Zambia to train their national police force and Zambian prosecutors on child forensic interviewing. Kristy is a tenured faculty member at John F Kennedy University. In 2012, Kristy received the National Children’s Advocacy Center’s award for Outstanding Service Award.
Favorite Childhood Book: The Little Mermaid - Hans Christian Andersen
Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Horseback riding on my giant, Billy
Current Hobby: Avid bike rider, but hates hills!
Bertha Nevárez
Senior Forensic Interviewer/Program Manager
Bertha started working at CALICO in January 1999. Since her start, Bertha has conducted almost 6,500 forensic interviews! Bertha works closely with all of our partner agencies and answers all of CALICO’s after-hours and weekend pages. In addition, Bertha facilitates Spanish peer reviews for Spanish-speaking forensic interviewers throughout the state. Before CALICO, Bertha worked for Alameda Alliance providing psycho-social case management to HIV+ clients. She also was the HIV Testing Coordinator for two hospitals and five clinics and an HIV Outreach Coordinator.
Favorite Childhood Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Riding my bike around the neighborhood for hours
Current hobby: Traveling around the world and her current favorite place is anywhere!
Christi Waybright
Forensic Interviewer
Christi joined CALICO in May of 2026. Prior to joining the team, Christi worked as a Detective with the
Newark Police Department and a Crime Analyst for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. She holds a
Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Favorite Childhood Book: Green Eggs and Ham – Dr. Seuss
Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Playing Soccer!
Current hobby: Golfing and performing in musicals
Yeti
Registered Service Dog
Yeti joined CALICO in May of 2026. Prior to joining the team, Yeti worked with his handler at the San
Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Yeti is a registered service animal, specifically trained to alert his handler
when triggers occur.
Favorite Childhood Book: Where’s Spot? – Eric Hill
Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Playing chase with my brother and cousin!
Current hobby: Going on walks to the park and playing with new friends
Bianca Peralta
Family Advocate
Bianca joined CALICO in September 2024. Prior to joining the team, she worked in customer service and volunteered with Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY), supporting system-involved youth through mentorship and resource navigation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, East Bay.
Favorite Childhood Book: Sideways Stories from Wayside School - Louis Sachar
Favorite Childhood Activity: Pool days with my siblings and playing the Wii
Current Hobbies: Going to the GYM!
Jesse Schultz
Family Advocate
Jesse joined Calico in May of 2026. Prior to this, Jesse worked as a Victim Advocate with the District Attorney's Office in Ventura County supporting victims of violent crime. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Tulane University. Jesse's role at Calico as a Family Advocate is to provide direct support and services to non-offending caregivers.
Favorite Childhood Book: Goodnight Moon and The Berenstain Bears
Favorite Childhood Activity: Playing Candyland
Current Hobbies: Dancing and hiking
Mara Brainerd
Office Manager/Intake Coordinator
Mara joined CALICO in September 2024. Prior to that, she worked as an office manager at a nonprofit foster family agency, where she facilitated a support group for teen girls. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, East Bay. In her role at CALICO, Mara helps maintain a warm and welcoming environment for clients, partners, and staff.
Favorite Childhood Book: The Velveteen Rabbit - Margery Williams
Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Swimming
Current Hobby: Cooking, traveling, being outdoors
.avif)
Holly Fleming
CACC Program Director
Holly Fleming is the Program Director for CALICO’s Children’s Advocacy Centers of California (CACC) program. She joined CALICO in 2014 as a Forensic Interviewer. Before that, Holly worked in a community clinic as an MFT trainee providing counseling to adults, children, and families. Holly holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Some of her recent accomplishments include completing a Trauma Justice Fellowship with the Women’s Policy Institute and sitting on the Equity Advisory Group for the All Children Thrive – California Initiative.
Favorite Childhood Book: Stellaluna - Janell Cannon
Favorite Childhood Activity: Playing with Barbies
Current Hobbies: Reading, surfing, skiing, and seeing live music