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Staff + Board Members
Jen Tarnowski
Executive Director
Jen graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After graduating college, she worked at the Covenant House in Fort Lauderdale as a Case Manager, Assistant Coordinator, and then Grants Coordinator. She then moved to Georgia and worked as a Middle School Youth Minister in Snellville and a Youth Ministry Event Planner for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. She began working for Rape Response in 2017 as a Contract Educator, and then moved to the Campus Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator. She currently serves as the Executive Director, where she has served since 2022, supervising staff and providing intervention, support, and advocacy for survivors and their loved ones. Jen is a member of the Gainesville Rotary Club and serves on the advisory board for FullCircle Georgia in Forsyth County. She is a VIRTUS certified facilitator on prevention of child sexual abuse and is a trained OneLove Escalation facilitator. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and baking.
Email: JEN@BRIDGINGHOPEGA.ORG
Erica Autry Henderson, LMSW
TherapY Program Director
Erica holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Georgia and is currently pursuing licensure as a Clinical Social Worker under the supervision of Lindsey Martin, LCSW. Erica has been involved with Rape Response since 2013, holding the titles of Advocate, Educator, Volunteer Coordinator, and Programs Director before transitioning into her current role as Therapy Program Director. In addition to leading the program, Erica provides trauma focused therapy and group support for survivors of sexual violence. She uses a trauma informed, strengths-based approach often incorporating expressive arts, play, movement, humor and somatic based modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting into sessions. Erica works alongside her therapy dog, Blue, a rescued Great Dane who completed her Canine Good Citizen course in April 2023. Blue loves her job providing comic relief and unlimited snuggles to clients during sessions with her mom! In Erica’s free time, she enjoys reading, caring for too many plants and rescued pets, and spending time with her family outside.
Email: erica@BRIDGINGHOPEGA.ORG
Jeanne Buffington
Contractor for Special Events & Grants
Jeanne served as the Chief Executive Officer for Rape Response, Inc. from 2010 to 2022. She is a graduate of Mercer University with a degree in Organization Leadership. As Executive Director she advises and consults with the Board in fiscal management, policy development, implementation and agency operations while maintaining the authority, responsibility and accountability for the daily operations and management of Rape Response. Jeanne is responsible for grant acquisition, funding and fiscal management and ensures the agency’s responsibilities to its clients and the community are met. Jeanne volunteers with two great nonprofit agencies: Thumbs Up Mission and Adults Protecting Children. Additionally, she serves on the Advisory Board for Truett McConnell University Rielin and Salmen School of Nursing and the Fetterman School of Nursing at Toccoa Falls College. She is a past Rotarian, Wisdom Keeper, United Way Hall County and Still Waters Counseling board member.
Email: JEANNE@BRIDGINGHOPEGA.ORG
JANIE STECKENRIDER
Forensic nursing program DIRECTOR
Janie Steckenrider, BSN, RN, SANE-A, GFN-C, IVSE-C, is a dedicated nurse with a passion for women’s health and underserved populations. With a background spanning both women’s health and forensic nursing, Janie brings a wealth of experience in providing comprehensive care to patients across various life stages and circumstances. In addition to clinical roles, Janie has made significant contributions to forensic nursing, specializing in sexual assault, domestic violence, non-fatal strangulation, and human trafficking. This experience has equipped her with a deep understanding of trauma-informed care and advocacy for survivors, emphasizing the importance of holistic support and empowerment. Currently serving as the Forensic Nursing Program Director for Rape Response Inc, Janie plays a pivotal role in shaping policy and overseeing care for victims across six counties and four judicial circuits in Georgia. In this leadership position, Janie is dedicated to ensuring that survivors receive the highest standard of care and support during their recovery journey. Janie is also pursuing her goal of becoming a women’s health nurse practitioner through Georgetown University.
EMAIL: JANIE@BRIDGINGHOPEGA.ORG
erica slaughter
campus advocate
Before earning her degree in Human Services Delivery and Administration in 2019 from UNG, Erica worked in in-home care for 11 years and eventually worked as a Family Support Manager with families in the foster care system. Erica’s professional experience and natural sense of empathy prepared her to be a perfect addition at Rape Response. Erica started at RRI as an advocate in October of 2023 and was promoted to Campus Advocate in April of 2024. She loves to serve college students and provide education and outreach on campus. When she isn’t working hard at RRI, she enjoys spending time in nature, walking, kayaking, and traveling.
EMAIL: ESLAUGHTER@BRIDGINGHOPEGA.ORG
Kalia Jordan
advocacy mANAGER
Kalia obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kennesaw State University. She began volunteering with Rape Response in 2011. She then switched roles to CCR in 2018. She now serves Rape Response as the Advocacy Manager. She offers direct services to survivors in our 6 county districts of Hall, Habersham, Lumpkin, Forsyth, Dawson, and White. During her free time, Kalia loves to spend time with her husband and three children, paint, cook/bake, and craft. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in forensic psychology with Arizona State University.
Email: Kalia@bridginghopega.org
Katherine Mitchell, MSW
Therapist
Katherine holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Central Florida and is currently pursuing licensure as a Clinical Social Worker. She practices under the supervision of Lindsey Martin, LCSW. Katherine has worked with survivors of sexual abuse since 2017 as a staff member at Jesse’s House, a trauma-informed group home for teen girls. She has been seeing clients at Rape Response since January 2023, providing individual and group therapy to adolescents and adults. Katherine has specialized training in the treatment of trauma including Crisis Prevention Intervention, EMDR and Clinical Trauma Specialist for Individuals (CST-I). In her free time, Katherine enjoys hiking with her family, going to the gym, and playing outside with her children.
Email: katherine@bridginghopega.org
Miriam Murphy-Gary, MS
Therapist
Miriam Murphy-Gary holds a Masters in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University. She is currently in pursuit of Licensure as a Professional Counselor, and is practicing under the supervision of Anjana Freeman, LPC. Miriam has been with Rape Response since 2022, providing individual and group therapy for survivors of sexual violence. In January 2024, Miriam became the state of Georgia’s first dedicated Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Therapist. In this role, they provide therapy to victims of cold case sexual assaults whose evidence from sexual assault kits was previously unsubmitted or untested. Miriam often incorporates somatic based techniques and expressive arts into sessions with clients. In their free time, Miriam likes to create art, read, do yoga, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with their friends, family, and cats.
Email: Miriam@bridginghopega.org
Madison Roberts
Advocate and non-profit management intern
Madison joins us with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia State University and several years of advocacy experience. Madison has experience working with survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and elder abuse, as well as working with survivors of cold case crimes. Madison is excited to be able to serve Forsyth, Hall, Dawson, Habersham, White and Lumpkin. Madison also helps by maintaining our social media! When Madison isn’t busy at work, she loves to read, exercise, and spend time with her husband, three dogs, and two cats! She is currently furthering her education with a Master of Social Work program at UGA (go Dawgs!) and working with Executive Director, Jen, to develop non-profit management skills.
Email: Madison@bridginghopega.org
Emily Britt
SANE Program manager
Emily graduated from UNG with her BSN in 2018 and began working as a Labor and Delivery nurse. She has worked at Northside Cherokee, Northside Atlanta, and Emory Midtown. Emily joined Rape Response as a contract SANE nurse and enjoyed working with survivors so much that she jumped at the opportunity to become a full time program coordinator. Emily continues to perform SANE exams as well. In her free time, Emily enjoys working out, spending quality time with friends and family, and walks with her dog.
Email: Emily@bridginghopega.org
leigh wiles
statewide saki advocate
As a victim advocate, Leigh gives essential support to victims of sexual assault. Leigh has a B.S. from Shorter College and an M.S. from Jacksonville State University. Leigh previously served as an Investigator for the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, where she was Investigator of the Year, as a certified forensic interviewer for a District Attorney’s Office. She also served 27 years as a counselor for the Georgia Department of Corrections where she provided direct services to offenders at a Level 5 state prison. Leigh retired from DOC as the Chief Councilor for a residential substance abuse treatment center.
In 2021 Leigh joined the statewide Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) taskforce which works to serve primary and secondary victims of cold case sexual assault and homicide.
Email: LEIGH@bridginghopega.org
allison ahrens
education & Outreach Coordinator
Allison joins RRI with a passion for advocacy and a diverse skillset. Born in New Jersey, Allison has experience in IT, 911 dispatch, and as a pediatric medical assistant.
Allison has worked with RRI since 2009, first as a volunteer on our crisis line, and then as a Crisis Call Responder (CCR) in order to support the on-call schedule. She joined RRI full time in May of 2024 and has hit the ground running to support our education program.
In Allison’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 27 years, two adult children, and dog. She also enjoys reading, attending and volunteering at church, and providing public speaking about life experience with sexual assault, mental health matters, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and intimate partner violence.
Email: ALLISON@bridginghopega.org
camila colman
bilingual advocate
Born and raised in Paraguay, Camila is a native Spanish speaker and has a passion for serving her community. Camila obtained her bachelor’s in criminal justice at the University of North Georgia at the Dahlonega Campus. There, she worked as a Resident Assistant and served students from freshman to upperclassmen. This experience helped her learn how to build a healthy community on campus through advocacy and community events. Towards the end of her college experience, she interned with the GBI. Her experience with the GBI included crime scene processing, shadowing special agents, and assisting with search warrants and the Crimes Against Children Unit. Ultimately, Camila’s career goal is always to help people in any way that she can. In her free time, Camila enjoys reading and running.
Email: CAMILA@bridginghopega.org
abby evans
bilingual advocate
Abby was born in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas where she became a proficient Spanish speaker at the age of five! Abby relocated to Georgia in childhood and attended Truett McConnell College on a soccer scholarship. She graduated with a dual degree in Early Education and Special Education in 2005 from UNG. Abby taught children with Autism in Forsyth County before she began to work as an Interventionist and translator for Babies Can’t Wait. Abby is thrilled to be able to serve survivors in our community!
Abby has three daughters and a son who are her life! She and her husband also foster children in their home. She is very passionate about spreading hope and love! Her hobbies include trail running, camping, quilting, and vegetable gardening.
Email: Abby@bridginghopega.org
Mary Kellen Beck
Part-Time Advocate
Mary Kellen graduated from the University of North Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Leadership. She has worked with Rape Response for the past three years, starting as a volunteer, then an intern, and finally as a part-time advocate. Mary Kellen is passionate about mentorship to younger female community members and has a knack for assisting with fundraising, relationship building and community outreach. She also loves to assist with team-building and social media outreach campaigns! When she is not working, Mary Kellen loves to spend time with her loved ones, making lattes with her Nespresso machine, having a good laugh with her co-workers, and supporting local businesses in Dahlonega.
Board of Directors
President: Melissa King
Vice President: Sally Walden-Crowe
Treasurer: Jeremy Perry
Secretary: Leigh Stallings-Wood
Members at Large
Natasha Alvarado
Kris Brown
Faye Crupi
Kevin Gaddis
Laura Major
Amy Marsh
Sean McCusker
Ashton Lewis
Alyson Paul
Kelly Robertson
Bri Terry
Jeremy Weiner
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