Mari Asbury is the Executive Director of Child Safe of Central Missouri. She began her career with Child Safe in 2016 as the Program Director/Forensic Interviewer and became the Director in 2018.  Mari has a BS and MS in Criminal Justice and has always worked in the social service field. She has lived in Sedalia Missouri most of her life and has three grown children and two grandsons. Child Safe of Central Missouri is a rural community located fifteen miles from Whitman Air Force Base. 

As the Deputy Family Advocacy Program Manager for Headquarters, Department of the Army, Ms. Barber is responsible for oversight of the complete rewrite of Army Regulation 608-18, and the development of two new Army Pamphlets compliant with extensive statutory and Department of Defense policy requirements, aligning with prevention collaboration forum initiatives, and implementing evidence-supported practices, Centers for Disease Control technical packages. and findings and recommendations from research and annual fatality reviews,  Ms. Barber is the Transitional Compensation Program Manager, responsible for reviewing and preparing dozens of exceptional eligibility cases for Secretary of the Army benefit determination annually.  As a subject matter expert for Family Advocacy (prevention and clinical) and Army Community Service, Ms. Barber prepares and provides input for Congressional and Army Senior Leader products, including the annual Multi-Disciplinary Report to Congress and Army content for the annual Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program Report to Congress.  She co-leads the HQDA effort to develop an enterprise strategy for Army Community Service, modernizing how the Army supports Soldiers and Families. 

Previous assignments include Regional Health Command – Atlantic and Western Regional Medical Command where Ms. Barber served as the Social Work and Family Advocacy Program Clinical Consultant, and USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg, USAG BENELUX and Fort Richardson, where she served as the Family Advocacy Program Manager.  She has accumulated over 20 years of federal civil service in assignments with Installation Management Command, Medical Command and the Department of Veterans Affairs, both in the continental United States and overseas. 

Ms. Barber earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Eastern Washington University, a Masters in Social Work at Eastern Washington University, multiple clinical certifications and completed mentoring training through the Army Management Staff College.  Ms. Barber completed 200 hours of yoga teacher training through Three Trees Yoga in Tacoma Washington and is a Registered Yoga Teacher, through Yoga Alliance.

Ms. Barber is the daughter of a Marine and her family members include veterans of all services.  

Sunnye E. Cope is the Family Advocacy Officer, Family Advocacy Program, 97^th Medical Group, Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma.  In this role, Ms. Cope integrates and organizes the Family Advocacy Program supervising a registered nurse and support personnel.  Ms. Cope performs crisis intervention, risk and clinical assessments, case management and administrative tasks to prevent and treat child and spouse/intimate partner abuse.  Ms. Cope designs, develops, coordinates and implements the secondary prevention of family maltreatment.  Ms. Cope serves as the installation secondary prevention subject matter expert, providing consultation to installation leadership regarding needs assessment, determining prevention requirements, and developing secondary prevention services. Ms. Cope has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2013, graduating with a Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2009 and a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2006.

Paula Flaisz (Fliss) is a Victim Advocate and Prevention and Education Coordinator at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton’s Family Advocacy Program. With her background in forensic psychology she has dedicated her career of over 24 years to assist military service members and their families affected by domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. 

Amber Garrison-Ahmed, LCSW is the Coordinator for Federal Partnerships at NCA. She received her education at University of Denver earning her Masters of Social Work and a certification in Animal Assisted Social Work in 2008.  Amber became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2011. She is an experienced Social Worker with over 18 years of experience specializing in the care of domestic violence, child abuse, crisis intervention, child protection, and military social work.

Cara Gerdiman graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration with an emphasis on juvenile justice and a minor in sociology. She began her career with the 26th Circuit Juvenile Office where she worked as a Deputy Juvenile Officer for 10 years, handling delinquency, status, and child abuse and neglect cases. In 2006, Cara began working at Kids’ Harbor, Inc. Child Advocacy Center, as a Child and Family Advocate and later as a forensic interviewer before being named Executive Director of the agency in 2010. Cara formerly served as faculty of ChildFirst Missouri, past legislative liaison for the state network of child advocacy centers, past president of the state network of child advocacy centers, executive board member of the Lake Area Sexual Assault Response Team, and has taught professionals throughout the State of Missouri. In 2011, she was recognized as one of the Top Ten Women at the Lake and in May 2017 she was designated as the Lake of the Ozarks Hometown Hero of the Month both awards recognizing her contributions to her community. In 2019, she received the Standing with Children Award from Missouri KidsFirst recognizing her work advocating for children in her own community and through statewide efforts to assure children are a priority and protected.   

Anna Ginther is a Program Case Coordinator at the SART/Child Abuse Program within Palomar Health’s Forensic Health Services. She began her work in the field of sexual, intimate partner, and family violence as a rape crisis counselor at Bay Area Women Against Rape in Oakland, CA while completing her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley. Additionally, she studied Early Development and Learning Science at UC Berkeley’s Institute of Human Development where she researched methods in childhood sexual abuse prevention in the United States.

In her current position at Palomar Health’s Forensic Health Services, she provides case management and advocacy services to victimized children and families in North County San Diego. She specializes in working with military-affiliated families, commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC), victims of human trafficking, and children exposed to or subjects of sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Outside of Palomar Health, she is the co-chair of the Health Subcommittee of the San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and CSEC Advisory Council, whose mission is to improve the response in healthcare to human trafficking in the local community and beyond. 

Michelle Harkey, MS, CCTP, CVA has been a victim service provider since 2002, providing trauma informed services focused on at-risk youth and children in the foster care system. Based on her dedication to youth in need, she founded Stars Mentoring Services, LLC, an internationally accredited child and family service organization that provided therapeutic mentoring to at-risk youth within foster care and counseling services for military personnel, first responders, and crime victims and their families. She is the current Director of Quality Assurance and Systems Development at the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault in South Carolina as well as the Military Partnership Program Coordinator for Durant Children’s Center. She provides direct victim services, training, and technical assistance related to domestic violence and sexual assault in the Pee Dee region. Additionally, she provides program support and oversees the operations for Durant Children’s Center as the liaison between Shaw AFB, SC and Ft. Jackson, SC. Mrs. Harkey is a national training consultant for the Department of Justice with The Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC). She has provided trainings about trauma, domestic violence, and nonprofit management nationally. She has developed successful partnerships with faith-based groups, military, and higher education communities to disseminate effective messages about youth violence, trauma-informed care, and support for victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and bullying. She also provides services to victims and educates youth and families about violence. As a previous trainer for the U.S. Department of Defense, she created effective threat assessments and developed policies and procedures regarding emergency management, large-scale victim service response, and prevention for universities and schools across the nation. Mrs. Harkey holds a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Social Services. She has multiple certifications in clinical trauma and disaster management and completed many school emergency management trainings provided by the U.S. Department of Education. She is also a US Air Force veteran.

Sophia joined the Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center, a National Children’s Alliance Accredited CAC, in October, 2015, and began the Child Life Program at the Gingerbread House.  In 2021, the Child Life Program was expanded, adding additional child life staff, as well as becoming an internship site for those seeking the Child Life Specialist Certification. Sophia received her child life training and degree from Louisiana Tech University and is a Certified Child Life Specialist through the Association of Child Life Professionals.  Sophia’s past experience in Child Life includes an internship at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, as well as working as a Spanish Language Child Life Specialist at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.  In December, 2018, Sophia was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Young Professional.  

As the Director of Community Engagement at the Gingerbread House, Sophia partners with individuals and organizations in the community to increase awareness of the Gingerbread House and help raise funds though community involvement and special events. In her role as Director of Child Life, Sophia trains and supervises child life staff to provide stress-reducing preparation and support to child abuse victims before and after the forensic interview process.

Darrell Hopkins is a Case Manager with The Children’s Hospital of King’s Daughters Child Advocacy Center (CAC).  Darrell is a US Army veteran, and he later graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in Sociology/Criminology.   He then went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Administration of Justice from Wilmington University.  Prior to joining the CAC, Darrell worked as a Pretrial and Probation Officer with the City of Norfolk for 11 years. Darrell strongly believes in advocacy and always strives to get the best outcomes for children and families.  Darrell is a liaison between CHKD’s CAC and the military community of Hampton Roads, which is a very large and diverse population with unique needs and considerations.  Darrell facilitates monthly multidisciplinary teams to ensure a coordinated community response with the City of Chesapeake, as well as the Army, Air Force, and Navy.   Darrell is also responsible for the families from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and most of North Carolina.   

Terri Liles, LMSW has served as the Coordinator of Helen’s Haven Children’s Advocacy Center located in Hinesville, GA for the past 17 years and has been employed by the Mary Lou Fraser Foundation for Families, Inc. for the past 24 years.  In her position as CAC Coordinator, she also conducts forensic interviews and provides direct services for families and children.  She received her Master of Social Work degree from Savannah State University.  She completed a TF-CBT Learning Collaborative and has extensive training in attachment theory, assessment, and treatment.   Terri is a Prevent Child Abuse Georgia Mandated Reporter trainer.  She has worked in the field of child welfare for the past 32 years including as a Social Services Specialist with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services and as a Regional Team Leader for Georgia Mentor’s Adoption Crisis Intervention Team prior to the opening of Helen’s Haven CAC.

For the past 19 years, Jessica has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center, an accredited children’s advocacy center by National Children’s Alliance. The Gingerbread House, Louisiana’s busiest child advocacy center, provides critically needed services for over 900 child victims of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, and child sex trafficking per year, as well as prevention education to over 35,000 children and adults in the nine parishes that comprise northwest Louisiana. 

Jessica serves on the U.S. Attorney Northwest Louisiana Human Trafficking Task Force, the I-20 Central Corridor Anti-Trafficking Team, the Community Response Team Expert Trainer Panel, the NCA Standards Revision Task Force-Child Abuse Prevention Committee, the NCA Leadership Conference Abstract Review Committee, the Board of Directors of Forensic Nurse Examiners of Louisiana, and as a volunteer for other organizations. Jessica was a Founding Member of the Louisiana Alliance of CACs, and served five terms as President of the Board of CACs of Louisiana. In June, 2019, Jessica was appointed to the Louisiana Governor’s Human Trafficking Prevention Commission and Advisory Board – Primary and Secondary Prevention Committee, and in October, 2019, she was appointed to the Diocese of Shreveport Permanent Review Board. In January, 2022, Jessica was appointed to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Leadership Network Cohort to meet April, 2022, in Washington D.C.

In May, 2015, Jessica received the Louisiana Geaux Blue for Kids 2014 Leadership Award. Under her tenure, the Gingerbread House was recognized in 2015 as Louisiana’s star and included as 1 of 3 national programs (out of 777 CACs at the time) highlighted during the inaugural 50 Stars in 50 States campaign by National Children’s Alliance.  In 2016, Jessica was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Young Professional. In October, 2018, the Gingerbread House was selected as the 2018 Non-Profit Award Winner by the Better Business Bureau. In January, 2019, the Gingerbread House received the Guardian of Childhood Award presented by FREE: The Coalition to End Human Trafficking in Northwest Louisiana and the Caddo Parish Juvenile Court Community Response Team. In November, 2019, the Gingerbread House received the Zonta Club of Shreveport Champion Award for outstanding commitment to empowering women in the community. In April, 2021, the Gingerbread House was recognized by the State of Louisiana Governor’s Office and by the Louisiana First Foundation in 2020 and 2021.

Heather Provencher, LCSW, is Senior Manager for Federal Partnerships at National Children’s Alliance (NCA). Prior to joining NCA, she worked in foster care and child protective services and held investigative, forensic interviewing, advocacy, and prevention education roles at Children's Advocacy Centers in Maryland and California.

Michelle Shores is a forensic nurse examiner and the Program Director for Palomar Health Forensic Services in San Diego County, and on occasion she works as a forensic nurse in Riverside County for Forensic Nurses of SoCal. The Forensic Health Services program in San Diego is a nationally accredited child advocacy center that provides acute care services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Michelle is 1 of 19 certified pediatric sexual assault nurses and 1 of 50 certified adolescent/adult sexual assault nurse examiners in the state of California. Michelle graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2005 and began working as an emergency department trauma nurse in 2006. In 2012, Michelle earned master’s degrees in nursing and in business. Michelle was a clinical nursing instructor, is a certified emergency nurse, International Association of Forensic Nurse Board certified SANE-A (adolescent/adult) and SANE-P (pediatrics) and a certified trauma nurse instructor (TNCC). She has been a long standing member of the International Association for Forensic Nursing and is vice president for the southern California chapter, a member of the Academy of Forensic Nursing, and has worked as a forensic nurse for over seven years. She is the 2017 winner on the San Diego County SART with a HEART Award, the 2018 Riverside County SART Nurse of the Year award, the 2018 San Diego Domestic Violence Council Lifetime Achievement award, and the November 2018 CARE award that recognized her as a leader in the community and excellence as a forensic nurs

SA Raymond C. Vickers III is a Special Agent assigned to Office of Special Investigation (OSI), Counterintelligence Branch, 1st Field Investigations Region, 10^th Field Investigation Squadron, Wright-Paterson AFB, OH.  He provides counterintelligence investigative support to the United States Air Force, United States Space Force, and the Department of Defense.

SA Vickers initially entered into Active Duty Serves in Feb 2006, where he served as a Security Forces Member protecting Nuclear Resources and worked as a Corrections Supervisor at Malmstrom AFB, MT.  After Deploying as Security Forces Member in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, in 2008, SA Vickers laterally trained to become a Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) Instructor then moved to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, where he served two years as a CATM Instructor.  In 2011, he was accepted to retrain to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.  Upon completion of OSI Academy, SA Vickers joined OSI 3rd Field Investigations Region, Detachment 324.  Since then, SA Vickers served in multiple roles across OSI while assigned to the 6th Field Investigations Region, Det 631, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK, Detachment 327, Little Rock AFB, AR, Procurement Fraud Detachment 4, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, Detachment 523, Izmir, Turkey, and is now the Counterintelligence Superintendent at the 10^th Field Investigations Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. 

Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Marion Willbright is a Family Advocacy Program Chief with the US Army. In her role she provides strategic clinical direction to 25 personnel, including licensed clinical social workers, and administrative staff, who assess, investigate, and process all allegations of domestic violence and child abuse at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA. LCDR Willbright received her commission in the Public Health Service Corps in May of 2018 as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

LCDR Willbright holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Social Work degree from Howard University.  Additionally, she has received a Post Master’s Certificate in Play Therapy from John Hopkins University. Prior to becoming a commissioned officer, LCDR Willbright worked in several capacities as a Special Education Teacher, School Social Worker, Medical Case Manager, Outpatient Mental Health provider, and the Family Advocacy Program Manager. LCDR Willbright is an active volunteer in her community providing young families with education on child attachment and infant massage classes and she is actively involved with the NAACP. 

Melanie Zimmerman is a Family Advocate at the Durant Children’s Center in Sumter, SC. Her center provides direct core services to Shaw AFB, as well as surrounding counties. Her center provided over 4,000 services to her community in 2021. She has been the Family Advocate at the Durant Children’s Center for 1 ½ years. Prior to that, she was a Victim’s Advocate at the YWCA of the Upper Lowlands, also located in Sumter, and was also a service provider for military-affiliated victims of domestic violence and trafficking. Along with her extensive background in victim services, she also worked at the Department of Social Services as an Assessment Caseworker, where she was responsible for reviewing cases of abuse. Melaine is a proud US Air Force veteran that holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling.