Wanjiru Golly, PhD

Ms. Golly received her BA in Psychology and Sociology from University Guelph, Canada, and her MA and PhD in Psychology from United States International University, San Diego Campus, in 1998.

Ms. Golly was born and raised in Kenya and immigrated to San Diego in 1993.  On completion of her graduate degree she worked as Human Resources Professional at Pepsi Bottling Group for 3 years.

In 2002, she decided to pursue her passion in working with children and families and made a career change to the non-profit sector where she worked with a refugee resettlement agency, the Alliance for African Assistance.   As a Program Director for the Family Strengthening and Community Building Department, she worked with refugee and immigrant families from all over the world and provided case management, counseling, and advocated for the families at many different levels.   She also provided trainings to the mainstream communities on working with refugee and immigrant families.   As a member of the Cultural Competency Group of the Child Abuse and Prevention Committee she (with others) began the Diversity Schoolhouse Training Series that provided monthly trainings to County employees, on the various diverse groups in San Diego.

Ms. Golly then worked with Community Housing Works as a Community Building Coordinator and provided trainings and support to refugee and immigrant families, in the City Heights area.  She also consulted on various projects to give a voice to the communities.  From 2004 to 2006, she facilitated Domestic Violence and Child Endangerment groups to both court mandated and CPS clients.

Ms. Golly is currently a Protective Service Worker in the San Diego County – Rural East Region.   She is also a Board Member of Somali Family Service.  Being an immigrant and having worked in various positions, she considers herself to be a bridge between the refugee and immigrant families, and the institutions and systems that they come into contact with.