Our Team

Dr. Sejal Barden is the Executive Director of the Marriage and Family Research Institute and Principal Investigator for Project Harmony. Dr. Barden earned her doctoral degree in Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and completed her masters and education specialist degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Florida. Dr. Barden’s primary research interests include: supporting healthy relationships for individuals and couples from underserved populations and improving quality of life for chronically ill persons. Her favorite part of her job is mentoring students and working with our team to make data driven decisions to most effectively provide services grounded in strengthening relationships for participants in Project Harmony. She loves that every day allows us the ability to think outside the box and learn from one another. She loves to be outside, often spending free time with her family at the beach, in the pool or at the park. She is a lifelong learner and loves trying new foods, reading books from a variety of genres and traveling to new places.

Dr. Dalena Dillman Taylor is a tenure earning Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida in the Department of Counselor Education & School Psychology/Counselor Education Program. She earned her Doctoral degree in Counseling and completed her master’s degree in counseling from the University of North Texas. Dr. Dillman Taylor’s primary research interests include the advancement of the Adlerian Play Therapy field towards evidence-based practice; counseling and educational services for high-need children and families; and counselor development and supervision. Her favorite part of her job is mentoring others and serving the community. Project Harmony allows her to bring both aspects to life. She enjoys playing outside, swimming, and taking adventures with her partner, Ben, and her three wonderful girls: Emmelynn (7), Corrine (5), and Adeline (2).

Kathleen Hawkins is a Project Director at Project Harmony. Kathleen obtained her Masters in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy from the University of Central Florida and currently is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been working with couples and families since 2015 and recently has been enjoying working on the research side of the profession. Kathleen enjoys watching the change, development, and impact that relationship education has on couples and their families. During her free time Kathleen really enjoys being outside and in nature with her family.

Nataly Larenas is the Assistant Director of Operations at Project Harmony, having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Event Management from UCF Rosen College. With a total of 17 years of experience, Nataly has spent the last 11 years working with the Marriage and Family Research Institute and 6 years in the College of Community Innovation and Education. She thoroughly enjoys the dynamic nature of her role, which involves coordinating numerous elements to create an enriching experience for program participants and their families. Outside of work, Nataly cherishes spending time with her loved ones, traveling, and exploring different cultures. She is particularly drawn to creative and educational activities.

Thays Flores serves as the Program Coordinator/Families Services Lead at Project Harmony, having earned a bachelor’s degree in Family Sciences from the University of Kentucky. Since joining the institute in 2019, Thays has worked on two grants, relishing the opportunity to support and mentor her colleagues. She finds great satisfaction in observing the positive changes that couples undergo from the program’s outset until completion. In her free time, Thays enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and immersing herself in diverse cultures. She particularly delights in sampling the delectable cuisine of different countries.

Margarita Manon is a Program Coordinator/ Recruitment Specialist Lead at Project Harmony. Maggie earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University with a concentration in Developmental and Legal Psychology. Her primary research interest are children eyewitness testimonies, human sexuality, music therapy, marriage, and family. Her favorite part of her job is connecting and building partnerships with the Central Florida Community. She loves to write songs, dance ballet, and go on outdoor adventures.

Rosa V. Quintero Mora is a Recruitment Specialist at Project Harmony. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Universidad Rafael Urdaneta in Venezuela and aspires to become a graduate student for the M.A. in Apply Learning and Instruction. Rosa has over 8 years of experience as an HR professional and is SHRM-CP certified. Her favorite part of the job is helping couples reconnect and enhance their relationships by enrolling them in Project Harmony couples’ workshops. Rosa considers herself a nerd and enjoys spending time in libraries, reading books, and watching documentaries on various subjects. She also loves being active and enjoys outdoor activities such as dancing and yoga whenever she can spare some time.

Angela Medina Garcia serves as the Data & Social Media Manager/Relationship Educator at Project Harmony, having earned her B.S. in Education from the “Libertador Experimental Pedagogical University” in Venezuela. She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Doctorate in Education, and has over 10 years of experience in higher education. Angela finds great fulfillment in data processing, statistical analysis, as well as the creative aspects of her job such as video production and social media content creation. She also enjoys sharing new ideas with her colleagues and teaching at Project Harmony’s couples’ workshops. In her leisure time, Angela pursues her passion for photography, constantly learning and listening to music, and spending quality time with her family.

Priscila Ramirez is a Relationship Coach at Project Harmony. Priscila has a Master of Arts in Counseling. She has worked as a counselor, mentor and team leader at various organizations helping couples and individuals that have wanted to better their lives both personally and professionally. She loves helping people reach new levels especially when it comes to couples gaining deeper and richer connections. Priscila knows that the key to a successful relationship lies in strong communication and willingness to understand each other. In her free time, Priscila enjoys baking goodies for her family and loved ones.

Alyssa Gama-Morales is a Recruitment Specialist & Relationship Educator at Project Harmony. She has experience working with marginalized communities, particularly with families as a relationship educator and soon-to-be birth worker/doula. Alyssa is also a Cinematographer with her own business. Her favorite part of her job is recruiting motivated couples into the program and seeing partners have ah-ha moments during workshops. Alyssa finds peace through physical activities like yoga and tennis, as well as mental activities like meditation and watching shows/movies.

Caitlyn Mari Koerner is a Recruitment Specialist at Project Harmony. She is currently in her senior year at the University of Central Florida, double majoring in Psychology (clinical track) and Sociology with a certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies. After she graduates in Fall 2023, she would like to earn her master’s degree in Asian American Studies and then go on to a doctoral program in either Community Psychology or Social Psychology. Her favorite part of being a recruitment specialist is getting to talk with couples and hearing their excitement when they get enrolled in our workshops. Some of her favorite hobbies include knitting, reading books, watching shows and movies, and journaling. She also enjoys going to museums, visiting new cafes and restaurants in Central Florida.

Valentina Bastidas-Salazar is a Recruitment Specialist at Project Harmony. She is currently a student at the University of Central Florida. She is majoring in psychology and media production. Her favorite part of working at the MFRI is getting to connect with other people in the community. This job also allows her to grow and develop different skills that she can apply in her professional and personal life. She loves to travel and learn about different cultures and cuisine. The next place on her bucket list is Australia.

Josue Sanchez Aguilar is a Recruitment Specialist at Project Harmony. Josue brings a wealth of customer service industry experience and a passion for psychology to the team. His insatiable appetite for learning is one of the things he loves most about his job, as there are always fresh opportunities to improve. In his leisure time, he enjoys reading, playing sports, and tuning in to podcasts.

Emma Boloutchi, a Childcare Specialist at Project Harmony, is a junior at the University of Central Florida, pursuing a double major in Communication Sciences and Disorders & Psychology, with a goal of becoming a speech pathologist. Her job brings her joy as she gets to bond with the children each week and enjoy playing and learning new games with them. Outside of work, Emma is a movie enthusiast who enjoys catching up on the latest releases. She also loves spending time with her friends at Disney.

Rhizza Rhen L. Lucena is a Childcare Specialist at Project Harmony who is currently majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida. She is an active member of the university’s National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association and enjoys meeting new people who join the MFRI Family, learning about their personalities, and making them feel welcome. Rhizza is also passionate about developing innovative games for the children that align with their interests and preferences. During her leisure time, Rhizza enjoys editing videos and singing karaoke with her friends.

Paola Lucena-Pachano is a Research Support Assistant at Project Harmony, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Science in December. She is planning to apply for a Bachelor’s in Sciences in Marriage and Family Counseling next year. Paola finds joy in assisting with statistical analysis for the project and values teamwork to achieve common objectives. Her personal interests span a diverse range of activities such as reading, painting, learning Italian, and playing tennis. In her leisure time, Paola also loves to nurture her plants.

Marangelie “Mara” Velez is a Graduate Research Assistant/Relationship Coach at Project Harmony. Marangelie earned her Master of Arts degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from the University of Central Florida in 2020. As a counselor, she has experience working with women in substance use facilities, with children/teens, and with couples. Currently, she is back at UCF as a doctoral student in pursuit of her PhD in Counselor Education. Her favorite part of being a Graduate Research Assistant is learning more about the research that helps couples and families in Central Florida. As a Relationship Coach, she enjoys meeting new people and helping couples enhance their relationship. In her free time, Mara likes to go to concerts, travel, and going on nature walks.