Etleva Bejko

Executive Director

Ms. Bejko is a highly respected immigration services leader with over 20 years of experience in the field. She completed her undergraduate studies in Albania and holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego. She is bilingual in Albanian and English. Prior to SURVIVORS, Ms. Bejko worked for Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Team before becoming the Director of Refugee Services at Jewish Family Service of San Diego, where she was a key leader in the development of San Diego’s official migrant shelter to serve released asylum seekers and reunite them with their families. 

Clint Carney

Government Affairs

Mr. Carney is an experienced government affairs, legal services, and public communications professional with over two decades of leadership across nonprofit, public, and private sectors. As Government Affairs and Legal Services Manager, he coordinates advocacy, government relations, legal service partnerships, and compliance. His background includes senior roles in public affairs consulting, municipal government, and strategic communications, as well as early legal experience as a paralegal and law clerk. Clinton holds a Juris Doctor and a BA in Foreign Affairs, bringing deep policy expertise and relationship-building skills to his work.

Cristina De La Torre

HEAL Program and Impact Manager

Ms. De La Torre is a data and evaluation specialist with expertise in program evaluation, outcomes measurement, and data-informed decision-making. She oversees SURVIVORS’ HEAL Program, manages the ETO database, develops custom reports for diverse stakeholders, and leads organization-wide data quality and learning initiatives. Her prior experience includes evaluation consulting, community-based impact work, and academic research in psychology and identity formation. Cristina holds a BA in Psychology and International Studies and brings a strong commitment to translating data into meaningful program improvement and impact.

Safi Ahmed

Medical Director

Dr. Ahmed, M.D., provides primary care and psychiatric services, professional consultations and trainings, and supervises forensic evaluators. He received his Master’s in Public Health from Tufts University School of Medicine and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He completed his medical training at the Combined Residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego Medical Center where he trained with SURVIVORS. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Integrative Medicine for the Underserved at the Sutter Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency.

Katie Case

Grants Director

Ms. Case is an accomplished grants and development leader with over ten years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector, securing government and foundation funding. She oversees SURVIVORS’ diverse portfolio of national and international funders, grant strategy, proposal development, compliance, and reporting in alignment with the organization’s development priorities and strategic goals. Her background includes leading large-scale AmeriCorps programs, program design, and community partnerships. Ms. Case holds an MA  in Political Science and brings strong strategic, analytical, and collaborative leadership to her work.

Heather Serafin

County Program Manager

Ms. Serafin, MSW, serves as the County Program Manager for the SURVIVORS' Behavioral Health Specialty Program, providing administrative oversight and offering direct clinical services to SURVIVORS' clients. She received her Master’s in Social Work from San Diego State University and is currently pursuing licensure in clinical social work. Her introduction to torture treatment at SURVIVORS shaped her commitment to working with survivor populations. She is deeply dedicated to providing compassionate, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care that honors the resilience and lived experiences of those we serve.

Katrina Pimental

Director of Client Care

Ms. Pimental, MSW, oversees multidisciplinary services and staff supporting the healing of torture survivors and their families. She earned her Master of Social Work from San Diego State University, specializing in administration and community development. Previously, Katrina led operations, development, and community relations initiatives within SURVIVORS, strengthening programs and organizational systems. With expertise in trauma-informed and culturally responsive care, she advances equitable, high-quality services that promote dignity, resilience, and recovery for San Diego’s diverse immigrant and refugee communities.

Andres Chavarro

Finance Manager

Mr. Chavarro oversees general ledger management, payroll accounting, reconciliations, audits, tax compliance, and high-volume accounts payable. Previously serving in controller and staff accountant roles, Andres has led process improvements, budgeting, revenue monitoring, and financial management and reporting to support organizational growth and compliance across a diverse funding portfolio. He brings strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a proactive leadership style, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across all of SURVIVORS'  financial operations. Andres holds a BS in Accounting and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Janie Burke

Communications and Psychiatric RN

Ms. Burke is a multidisciplinary medical, development, and communications professional with experience in nonprofit fundraising, strategic communications, healthcare, and international education. She serves as SURVIVORS’ psychiatric registered nurse while leading donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and communications strategies to increase revenue and visibility. With a background in behavioral health and crisis care, she brings a strong trauma-informed perspective to her work. Ms. Burke holds degrees in Nursing and Education and serves on the board of an international child rights organization.