Who We Are

Executive Staff

Diana Ortiz, M.Ed., LPC, President and CEO

Diana is a passionate and creative leader with nearly 20 years of experience working for the wellbeing and safety of children, youth, and underserved populations. She has extensive experience inspiring, creating, managing, and enhancing programs and organizations to improve the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors. Diana is committed to working with underrepresented communities and leading the next generation of advocates and social services professionals while making systemic changes in our community. As President and CEO, Diana provides overall strategic direction to Doorways and plays a leading role in planning, fundraising, leadership team management, and operations. Diana originally came to Doorways in 2009 as the Child Mental Health Specialist. She was promoted to Clinical Director in 2012, and oversaw the full spectrum of Doorways’ client service delivery for more than five years. In 2018, Diana moved to Japan to serve as Family Advocacy Program Manager with the Marine Corps Community Services. After nearly three years in Iwakuni, Japan, Diana and her family returned to the Arlington area, and Diana served as the Director of Social Services for Ayuda until Doorways appointed Diana President and CEO of Doorways in 2021. Diana is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and registered clinical supervisor. She earned her bachelor’s in psychology from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia; her master’s in Counseling and Human Development from George Mason University; and her doctorate (ABD) in Counselor Education from George Mason.

Diana’s spouse and three children are her grounding force and endless supply of energy. When Diana is not chasing her kids around, she enjoys taking long walks and reading biographies.

Contact Diana at (703) 504-9272 or by email.

Joy Myers, Chief Development and Strategy Officer

Joy began her career out of college in service to five rural communities of Appalachia, as one of 50 Corporation for Enterprise Development Americorps VISTAs across the U.S. charged with piloting an asset-building program to promote pathways out of poverty. Twenty years later, Joy has been honored to serve a diverse handful of important missions, from economic development to housing, hunger to education. Today at Doorways, Joy brings her passion for social justice and her decades of fundraising experience to serve Doorways’ mission to create pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault. Joy is eager to forge connections that will further this mission and embolden the children, individuals, and families in our care to realize safe, stable, and empowered lives.

Outside of the office, Joy enjoys hiking, mystery novels, and rooting for the Hokies.

Contact Joy at (703) 504-9290 or by email.

Karin Kelley, M.A., Chief Program Officer

Karin brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the non-profit and public education sectors in California, Oregon and the Washington DC metro focused on supporting young people and families to thrive. She is a passionate leader with a deep commitment to social justice and ensuring all children and adults – regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, disability, or personal circumstances – have the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

Most recently Karin served as the Director of Family Partners with PHILLIPS Programs, an organization supporting children with behavioral health challenges and their families. Prior to moving to the east coast, Karin was the Executive Director of Teen Success, Inc., a California-based non-profit organization supporting the success of teen mothers and their children across the state. Karin has a BA in Psychology from Santa Clara University and a MA in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University.  

Karin is the mother of three amazing children and spends her non-working hours at soccer games and swim meets. She also enjoys hiking, reading and playing with her dog. 

Contact Kelley at (703) 504-9274 or by email.

Marla Carter, SHRM-SCP, Chief Human Resources Officer

With more than 15 years of experience in Human Resources (HR), Marla is passionate about supporting peoples’ personal growth and development as well as helping organizations cultivate an environment that fosters belonging, diversity, equity and inclusion. At Doorways, Marla leads Doorways’ comprehensive HR strategy, objectives, and practices to support a culture that reflects the agency’s values and mission. Before joining Doorways, Marla spent more than 13 years overseeing many aspects of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’(NFWF) Human Resources Department. At NFWF, Marla held many HR positions, including Manager and Senior HR Manager. In her last position, she served as the organization’s first Director of Diversity and Inclusion. She has also worked with small businesses as an HR consultant. Additionally, Marla is the founding president of The Compass Rose Foundation – a program dedicated to the mentorship of under-represented youth. Marla earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from Hampton University and is a Senior Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP). 

Outside the office, Marla enjoys spending time with her son and traveling to warm places. 

Contact Marla at (703) 504-9408 or by email.

Melissa Kenney, Chief Operations Officer

Melissa is a dedicated professional with more than 10 years of operational experience in the legal and nonprofit industries. At Doorways, Melissa ensures Doorways’ mission-focused, client-centered approach utilizes resources efficiently, including outstanding management of our valued volunteers, space, and facility infrastructure. Melissa originally came to Doorways to serve as a Safehouse Hotline/Coverage and Children’s volunteer, logging more than 350 hours in three years. She then joined Doorways’ staff as Volunteer Resource Manager. During her four years in that role, Melissa implemented Doorways’ sexual assault response program, now called HARP (Hospital Accompaniment Response Program), and was recognized with the 2017 Volunteer Arlington Leadership Legacy Award for her service. Most recently, Melissa has supported Doorways’ finance team and the volunteer program as a consultant, providing critical coverage during transitions and audits. Beyond Doorways, Melissa has spent 13 years with WardChisholm, LLP (previously Robert E. Ward and Associates) in roles including Senior Advisor, Operations and Finance. She earned her bachelor’s from Syracuse University.

Outside of the office, Melissa enjoys baking treats well-loved by her friends and colleagues.

Contact Melissa at (703) 504-9282 or by email.

Tracy Carney, Chief Financial Officer

Tracy Carney, who joined Doorways in June 2013, provides leadership on financial management, accounting and reporting, and treasury management operations. Additionally, Tracy works closely with other members of the Doorways team to support agency operations and management. Tracy is a seasoned finance and accounting professional, whose career spans over 25 years. Her range of expertise includes accounting and financial reporting, financial planning, and operational accounting and controls. Prior to joining Doorways, Tracy served as an independent accounting professional, where she provided accounting services to a portfolio of profit and nonprofit companies. Additionally, she previously held a senior financial leadership position at a leading information technology and services company. Tracy began her accounting career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (formerly Price Waterhouse), where she served as a member of the firm’s audit and assurance practice. Tracy holds a B.B.A. degree from the College of William and Mary and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Contact Tracy at (703) 504-9295 or by email.