Joan Maltese

Joan brings over 40 years of experience as a clinical psychologist and is an expert in early brain development, early intervention, and infant/toddler family mental health.  As a co-founder of the Child Development Institute (CDI), Joan has over twenty-six years of experience running and managing the organization and CDI’s Training Institute for professionals and organizations. Throughout her career, she oversaw the development and implementation of CDI’s two Certified Nature Explorer Early Learning Centers and developed a sustainability plan through partnerships with Head Start, CSUN, Providence Health and Services, and many other community organizations. In recognition of her leadership and community spirit, her involvement includes past roles with the Infant Development Association, Valley Care Community Consortium, Fernando Awards Foundation, and Community Advisor to CSUN’s Institute for Community Health and Wellbeing --just to name a few. Dr. Maltese was honored with the Armand Arabian Leader in Public Service Award, named one of the 2020 Impact Makers to Watch in Los Angeles, and was given the honor of Heart of the Valley by the Encino Chamber of Commerce in 2021.