Our Leadership

Maribel Ventura-Torres is the Executive Director of the Barbara Chambers Children’s Center (BCCC), where she has dedicated nearly 40 years of service. She began her career at BCCC as a teacher and took on the role of director in 1991.

Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Ventura-Torres has been instrumental in expanding services for children and families, including the implementation of the DC Universal Pre-K program. Under her leadership, all BCCC programs have consistently maintained NAEYC accreditation and have earned High-Quality designation from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).

She has also fostered a strong partnership with the DC Office of Early Childhood Education and played a pivotal role in initiatives to fund and implement Before and After School programs citywide.

Mrs. Ventura-Torres holds a Master’s degree in Teaching Spanish Language and Culture from Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Relations from Trinity University, and a Director Credential from the University of the District of Columbia.

Originally from El Salvador, she has lived in the DC metro area since 1981.

Mrs. Reina Argueta joined Barbara Chambers Children’s Center (BCCC) in 1985 and is an accomplished Child Care Center Administrator with nearly 40 years of experience managing the daily operations of non-profit institutions.

Her expertise spans strategic planning, program financing, and overseeing expansion projects.

Mrs. Argueta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and participates in ongoing training in finance, accounting, human resources management, and information technology.

Sonia Di-Majo started her career with BCCC as a teacher in 1991 and is now responsible for the Pre-K and school age Before and After care programs at Barbara Chambers Children's Center. Mrs. Di-Majo holds a bachelor's degree in Arts from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC).

Mrs. Di-Majo was born in El Salvador and has resided in the District of Columbia since 1984.

Maria Arese joined Barbara Chambers Children’s Center in 2002 as a parent and a member of the PTO. In 2005 she started working with the 4-year-olds class and has been the Director of BCCC #2 since March of 2015, and Director of BCCC #5 since March 2022.

As a Center Director, she is responsible for the overall administration of center's childcare services. This includes direct supervision of the staff, training and serving as a role model for teachers, and working with parents.

Ms. Arese has been in the Early Childhood Education field since 1999 and has had the opportunity to work with every age group.

Mrs. Ana Rivera joined BCCC #3 as Director in December 2022. Mrs. Rivera has 7 years of experience working in the educational area. Three of those years at the Department of Education in Puerto Rico, and three years as a Case Manager with drop-out students in a nonprofit program from the PRANG. Lastly, 1 year of experience working with immigrants children as a Lead teacher.

Mrs. Rivera holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in School Psychology. She has recently obtained a Psycology Associate license from DC Health. 

She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has been living in Virginia since 2021

Ms. Liliana Carolina Di-Majo joined Barbara Chambers Children’s Center (BCCC) in 2011 as an assistant teacher for 3- and 4-year-olds. She soon obtained her Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate and went on to earn an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of the District of Columbia. Currently, she is completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Trinity University.
Since 2022, Ms. Di-Majo has served as the Director of BCCC #4. In 2023, she spearheaded the center's successful achievement of the High Quality designation from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and in 2024, she led efforts for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation.
Ms. Di-Majo is also an alumna of BCCC, having been a student in the Before and After Care Program in 2002. She finds it deeply rewarding to give back to the place that played a formative role in her own development.

As the BCCC General Services Administrator, Hermes Argueta Jr. is responsible for plant operations at the three BCCC centers. Additionally, Mr. Argueta plans and directs BCCC remodeling projects and leads architectural concept and design activities for new facilities.

Mr. Argueta has completed courses in architectural design and computer systems and has been with BCCC for 17 years.