Our Staff

CO- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Barbara Montaldo advocates for our residents to create life-long independence through vocational employment programs. She is our liaison with the Department of Rehabilitation, North Bay Regional Center, with employers, and in coordinating work groups for volunteer sites.

Barbara uses optimistic and positive redirection to assist our clients in reaching their goals during their job search, when coaching, and in teaching our Job Readiness course.

Prior to joining the Moving Forward team in 2011, Barbara worked as a behavior aide with school aged children in Napa, Solano, and Sonoma for eight years, and previous to that as a mental health worker in a psychiatric facility. Barbara has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Sacramento State University.

CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A Bay Area native (Knolls Elementary! The Nueva School! Burlingame High School!), Mark has worked in neurodiversity for 20 years. He joined Moving Forward in October of 2021 as an Individual Living Skills Case Manager.

He has a degree in English Education, and a law (J.D.) degree, and taught in high schools in Georgia and the Bay Area, as well as a high school for individuals on the autism spectrum. Additionally, he has worked with private clients on executive function and organizational skills, coached academic time management and work execution, and led a work development and social skills summer program at Cal-Berkeley’s Blue Camp.

Mark has a fascination with how people execute their personal organizational approach. He’s offered options that might enhance these approaches in his work with uniquely-abled people since 2005.

In his spare time, Mark enjoys reading, Farmer’s Markets, and music.

SENIOR CASE MANAGER

Michael joined Moving Forward in 2008. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and associate degrees in Social and Behavioral Sciences as well as General Education. He is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience as a community living case manager. His career is marked by a deep commitment to improving the lives of his clients by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to truly live independently. He feels his approach to educating his clients to make informed decisions allows them to flourish in their private lives and in the greater community. Prior to Moving Forward, he worked as a behavioral specialist with at-risk youth, where he acquired a vast amount of clinical experience. Additionally, his diverse background includes valuable work in day programs, making him a well-rounded advocate for neurodivergent individuals.

FACILITIES MANAGER

Desmond has been with MFTI since October 2021. He started as a Support Staff, and shortly after became our new Facilities Manager. You can find Desmond on campus shooting hoops with the guys, fixing things around campus, or instructing our weekly safety meetings, and always with a big smile on his face. Desmond is a team player; he is always willing to help where it is needed. Desmond is loved by all the residents and enjoys taking the residents bowling each week. He has enjoyed outings such as the Warrior’s game and the Giant’s game with the residents and looks forward to many more. Desmond is very multitalented, and that has allowed him to excel in a variety of different areas in MFTI.

COMMUNITY LIVING CASE MANAGER

Catherine joined the Moving Forward team in May 2019. She started as Support Staff and a Job Coach and now assists five residents as their Case Manager. When she began, Catherine worked in the first phase of transitional living and is currently working with residents in the community.

She is a strong advocate for people with disabilities and brings years of experience in management and supervisory skills to MFTI. Using this background, she supports and teaches our residents life and work skills. Her belief is that each resident can become an independent and productive individual in their own way and be a positive part of our community.

Catherine loves spending time with her family and friends and is a mother of three boys. She has a great love for animals, and always looks forward to getting away to her happy places: San Francisco, the beach, and the redwoods.

COMMUNITY LIVING CASE MANAGER

Taira deeply understands the breadth of work at Moving Forward, having joined in 2018 and worked as Support Staff, a Job Coach, and now as a Case Manager. In all these positions, her determination to assist our residents with whatever needs they have and encourage them to see their progress has been tremendously helpful to our community. Prior to MFTI, Taira worked as a safety auditor at Bay Area airports. She is a devoted Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster youth, providing a caring adult who advocates for their best interests. Family time, shopping trips, and music are things Taira enjoys away from work.

COMMUNITY LIVING CASE MANAGER

I was born in Oakland CA and my family moved to Napa, from the Bay Area.  Growing up in Napa I saw a lot of changes and growth changing it from a “Town” to a “City”! I graduated from Napa High School and went on to receive my Culinary Certificate from the Napa Valley Cooking School, in St. Helena. I enjoy music, film, playing the guitar, and have a strong automotive interest, as well. I began my journey in the neurodivergent field in January 1994 working at a local home. Since then, I worked at a day program doing a wide range of duties, which included job coaching, and then spent 20 years working in Supported Living Services where I began Case Managing. I came to Moving Forward in 2020 and have enjoyed the strong sense of community here, ever since. I originally managed the Men’s House on the main campus and now in work in the Community Living division of the program.

COMMUNITY LIVING CASE MANAGER

Dominique has joined Moving forward towards independence, In the middle of 2024 as a support staff and in the middle of time being here at Moving Forward, she has moved up to Case manager. Dom has been in this work field since 2010 the past 14+ years of working as caregiver and para educator, teacher assistant, behavioral therapist, and instructor here in Napa at NVSS. She always planned to open her own business as a special education day program one day. She dedicated her time working with people and always gives back to the community and set up small fundraising with her husband. In her free times she loves to spend most of the days out with her two beautiful dogs Eliza & Milo will go on long walks and hang out at the park and always loves to be a chef at home making the best traditional meals for her family.

COMMUNITY LIVING CASE MANAGER

Andrea has always been an advocate for others. She had grown up in Napa Valley and left for four years to continue her education at Sonoma State University. Since moving back to Napa, she has made a strong impact on her community. 

She obtained a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies in 2022 and spent two years working with at-risk students. However, she realized the toll it was taking on her own mental health and decided to embark down a new path. 

Since joining Moving Forward Towards Independence in August she has continued to teach residents about the importance of mental health and what it means to advocate for oneself. Andrea emphasizes the vital understanding of what it means to be a leader and to treat one another with kindness. She continues to practice these techniques in her own life as you can always find her engaging in some type of self-care activity. Whether that be hiking up a mountain or spending time with her family. 

TRANSITIONAL CASE MANAGER

Hello, my name is Christopher Rodriguez, I have been in the field as a behavioral technician for three and a half years. I helped implement behavior intervention plans, provided one to one therapy, utilized principles of applied behavior analysis to teach new skills and reduce problem behaviors. I’m also experienced in modifying my therapy techniques based on the individual client’s needs and progress. I have worked in three different types of environments, which were home, clinic and school sessions. And each of those brought upon their own type of challenges and experiences which has helped me develop my own skills in this profession. A little bit about me is that I’m very adventurous, I love to travel and be outdoors. I’m always excited to try out new things along with challenging myself in the process. I am goal driven furthermore I love to stay active and I’m always willing to help others. 

HEALTH AND FITNESS COORDINATOR

Renee Brambila is an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer.

Renee’s areas of expertise are full-body and flexibility training. Renee began working with the Moving Forward residents individually as a Personal Trainer eleven years ago.

In 2009 Renee came on board with Moving Forward as Support Staff, and today Renee leads a walking group Monday through Friday, and teaches Yoga along with other Sports related outdoor activities at Moving Forward.

In addition, she continues to take on work as a Personal Trainer with individual clients.

EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

Shonte works as a full-time Job Coach at MFTI, helping our residents navigate the needs of their employment scenarios. Having a skilled and trusted person available for help and encouragement is a key factor in people thriving in their jobs. She is also a trained Sous Chef who has worked at well-known Napa restaurants and attractions. Chef Shonte has two sons, and away from work, she is a devoted fan of nature walks, listening to music, reading, and writing. She has plans for pursuing a degree in psychology which would allow her another way of helping children and young adults.

LIFE SKILLS SPECIALIST 

Valeria is a first-generation college student pursuing a bachelor's degree in sociology at UC Berkeley, with a passion for making a difference in marginalized communities. With an associate’s degree in Sociology already under their belt, she is on a path toward a career in law and the nonprofit sector, aiming to advocate for those who need it most. 

In their current role, Valeria has been introduced to the neurodiversity sector and has been drawn to the program’s dedication to making a positive impact on clients' lives. She is passionate about supporting residents in developing life skills, fostering independence, and promoting self-advocacy. Committed to being a microphone for those whose voices need to be heard, Valeria strives to empower individuals and create lasting change. 

In her free time, Valeria enjoys vanilla lattes, a good book, listening to music, and spending quality time with loved ones. 

SUPPORT STAFF

In her four years at MFTI, Faith has worked with our residents supporting their personal organizational needs and getting them to and from work and medical appointments in a safe and timely manner. She has a deep background in care and client service, having developed these skills in home-patient settings and retail environments. In her spare time, Faith enjoys jazz and concerts, heading to parks and the beach, often with her grandchildren, and cooking. Her macaroni salad is a reliable hit at MFTI group gatherings!

SUPPORT STAFF

Hi, my name is Kriss Buterbaugh, and I am an educator. My expertise is in developmental disabilities. I also work for Napa Valley Unified School District in the Autism program. I am the mother of a wonderful, loving daughter and an awesome grandson. I have worked in this field for over thirty years, which is my passion. I have been with Moving Forward since 2021, and I really found my niche when I came here.

SUPPORT STAFF

“The Bird Man of MFTI” spends his time away from work caring for his hummingbirds, finches, and other avian friends. Anthony “Tony” Withers also likes to garden, do yard and tree work, and keep his pool cleaned and running efficiently. He has taken that love of gardening and applied it here at MFTI, teaching a class on the subject that uses our green space in the courtyard as a classroom. Tony has supported adults for forty-plus years, thirty-five of those years at Vine Village in Napa. At Vine Village, he interfaced with the Regional Center, assisted with the many licensing efforts and training, oversaw vehicle maintenance, and helped buy food and supplies for their campus. Prior to Vine Village, Tony was a long-time team member at Aldea, working under Allen Ewig.

SUPPORT STAFF

Feeling very supported personally and professionally and an eagerness about coming to work are two things that Keith Welch enjoys about MFTI. He has worked in mental health and with children for more than forty years, devoting his life to supporting the needs of all sorts of people. Keith is a recipient of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Award in Vallejo for his remarkable work with the Black Sox baseball program, which emphasizes academic advancement and teaching social skills to young athletes. His people-centric skills mix very well with the approach of Moving Forward, and his calm and encouraging personality is a real boost to everyone around him.

SUPPORT STAFF

Socorro is a Napa native who joined the MFTI team in July of 2024. She comes with a background in hospitality & tourism management, childcare, & cosmetology. Outside of working at Moving Forward, Socorro enjoys doing hair, spending time with her beloved cats, drawing/painting, bike riding, and going to concerts. She strongly believes in & is dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities, ensuring that they receive the support and care they need to thrive. Socorro is so happy to be part of the MFTI support staff & feels her blend of personal interests and professional commitment reflects a well-rounded and compassionate approach to life.