A team of talented and committed individuals who help lead over 400 employees on 9 campuses of the San Diego Center for Children. Each brings their own expertise, understanding and personal story to their commitment to making San Diego a healthier and happier community.
Cheryl Rode, Ph.D.
Cheryl Rode, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Cheryl Rode, Ph.D., was thrilled to join San Diego Center for Children’s leadership team in 2010. She is passionate about ensuring that children and families have access to high quality, effective behavioral health care, and to improving the quality of life for children with behavioral and emotional challenges. Dr. Rode brings experience and commitment to developing a clinical workforce that provides outstanding care, using evidence based and proven practices.
Dr. Rode completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at West Virginia University, where she specialized in working with children, teens, and families. She completed her clinical internship training at the UCSD Department of Psychiatry – Veterans Administration Medical Center Consortium; and her postdoctoral fellowship at UCSD and (Rady’s) Children’s Hospital of San Diego. Dr. Rode spent the next 12 years as a member of the Psychology Service at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital as staff psychologist for the child and adolescent programs, and as the Assistant Training Director of Sharp’s APA accredited psychology internship and fellowship programs. Her favorite aspect of working at the Center is to see children and families recover and blossom in our healing environments with the help of truly dedicated staff.
Winston Churchill – “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Michael Nelson
Michael Nelson
Chief Administrative Officer
Michael Nelson is an accomplished Finance Executive with a 23-year career serving Fortune 500 companies in Retail, Energy, and CPG industries. Mr. Nelson recently served as Chief Financial Officer of a $500 million dollar family of brands in the retail catalog space. Prior to that Mr. Nelson was the VP of Finance for H&M, a global leader in fashion retail where he led US Accounting, FP&A and other functions for 6+ years through top line growth of almost $1 billion. Previously Mr. Nelson has worked in FP&A for The Coca-Cola Company in management consulting across various industries and in finance and business development at a CPG startup.
Janelle Battaglia, LCSW
Janelle Battaglia, LCSW
Janelle has been employed with the Center since 2014. She has worked as an Intake Coordinator, Intake Manager, Assistant Director for Residential Services, and now as the Director of Business Development. Janelle has worked in the mental health field in San Diego since 2007, including inpatient psychiatric, outpatient, and education settings. Serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps after college, Janelle discovered her passion for social work through serving newly arrived refugee families. Janelle greatly enjoys her current role in Business Development because she has the opportunity every day to promote and raise awareness about the excellent services SDCC offers. Outside of work, Janelle enjoys taking care of her new baby, quilting, and traveling. A San Diego native, Janelle has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of San Diego in English and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from San Diego State University.
Aisha Pope, LCSW
Aisha Pope, LCSW
Chief Programs Officer - Community
Aisha Pope is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has worked in San Diego County's Behavioral Health System of Care since 2000 and at San Diego Center for Children (SDCC) since 2011. She currently serves as the Chief Program Officer of Community Programs at SDCC, where she oversees a range of clinical and community-based operations. In her role, Aisha oversees multidisciplinary teams dedicated to helping families grow their connections, achieve safety, well-being, and permanence, and thrive within their communities.
Aisha is a Certified Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (H.O.P.E.) Champion and Faculty Trainer, a Positive Discipline Lead Trainer, and one of the authors of the Positive Discipline Tools for Kids Social Emotional Learning program. She is also a Rostered Provider in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and Certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT).
She is deeply committed to social justice and racial equity and is a founding tri-chair of the Birth of Brilliance Annual Conference, which addresses justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in children's behavioral health, education, and related systems. Aisha sits on the boards of the Positive Discipline Association and the California Association for Infant Mental Health (CalAIMH).
Ervey Salinas, LMFT
Ervey Salinas, LMFT
Chief Programs Officer - Campus
Ervey Salinas serves as the Chief Program Officer, Campus Programs, at the San Diego Center for Children (SDCC). Before stepping into this role, Ervey held a variety of positions at SDCC, including Senior Director of Residential Programs, Clinical Supervisor, Intake Coordinator, and Program Manager for both the Children and Adolescent Residential programs.
Ervey holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science, and a Bachelor of Arts with a Field of Emphasis in Business and Leadership Studies. His professional background spans work in inpatient psychiatric treatment, residential programs, and private practice before joining SDCC.
Ervey finds his greatest joy in helping to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. He shares, “It’s an honor to be part of a team that has such a passion for the well-being of youth and families.”
In his free time, Ervey enjoys traveling, family and spending time with his two rescue dogs.
Kristi Worley
Kristi Worley
Director of Philanthropy
As the Director of Philanthropy at San Diego Center for Children, Kristi oversees, all of the Center’s fundraising activities as well as marketing and communications.
Throughout her successful career in fundraising, she has developed expertise in annual giving, major gifts, donor relations and event management within academic, research and health care settings.
Prior to joining the Center, Kristi held leadership positions at Scripps Health Foundation and UC San Diego.
Kristi is passionate about the mission of the Center and is grateful to work with an amazing community to bring awareness and support to children’s mental health in San Diego.
Kristi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from San Francisco State University.