Staff & Board

The Advocacy Center has a team of hardworking professionals who are dedicated to serving victims of child abuse, their families, our partners, and our community.

Leadership Staff

The Advocacy Center has a team of hardworking professionals who are dedicated to serving victims of child abuse, their families, our partners, and our community.

Kristen Howell, LMSW

Chief Executive Officer

Art Davila

Chief Financial Officer

Suzann Woodard

Chief Advancement Officer

Meredith Boren

Chief Partner Relations Officer

Suzy Gange, M.A., LPC-S

Chief Program Officer

Client Services

The Client Services Department sees children and families in crisis as they walk through the doors of the Advocacy Center for the first time. Forensic Interviewers listen to every child’s story, and Family Advocates meet with each family to support them and provide for their needs. In addition, Child Care specialists provide care during the day and evenings to remove barriers to services.

Clinical Services

The goal of the Clinical Services Department is to provide mental health for child abuses victims and their families to process what has happened and provide effective techniques to reduce the impact of trauma. Our clinical therapists are Licensed Professional Counselors and highly trained in working with trauma, providing evidence-based therapy to children and their non-offending family members free of charge. In addition, the Clinical Services Department oversees and supervises a graduate clinical intern practicum program for Master’s-level students working on obtaining their license.

Education

The Education Department trains children and adults in our community with free education programs in both English and Spanish. From specialized trainings for professional reporters, to community education for parents, to programs for elementary, middle and high school children, Community Educators provide the most up-to-date information both virtually and in-person.

Partner Relations

The Partner Relations Department coordinates with 55 partner agencies. In addition, this department reads each report of child abuse made to the state to ensure victims do not fall through the cracks. This department also provides trainings and support for partner agencies.

 

Board Leadership

The Advocacy Center is fortunate to have a passionate and dedicated group of volunteer board members committed to the effective governance of the organization.

Rob Seay

Chair

Partner, Hankins, Eastup, Deaton, Tonn, Seay & Scarborough, LLC

Dr. Jamie Wilson

Vice Chair

Superintendent Emeritus, Denton ISD

Jeff Reecer

Treasurer

President, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton

Chief Rodney Harrison

Secretary

Chief of Police, Town of Little Elm

Kent Key

Past Chair

President, Key Custom Homes

Board Members

Our Board Members are passionate community members who are experts in their professional fields, respectively. Thanks to these individuals, their resources, and expertise, the Advocacy Center is able to flourish more efficiently and in ways deepen our impact as an organization.

Bentley Ford

Managing Director, Prime Capital Financial

Bill Patterson

CEO, Denton Record Chronicle

Kelly Jones, LCSW-S, CCISM

Center for Emotional Wellness

Chandra Subramanian

Vice President, Head of M&A and Corporate Strategy, Celanese

Erin Rinehart

City Manager, City of Carrolton

David Broughton

Executive Director for Strategic Fundraising Initiatives, University of North Texas

Jamell Johnson

Vice President, Citi

Erin Carter

President, Denton Chamber of Commerce

John Alday

CEO, Cima Solutions Group, LLC

Dr. Elizabeth With

Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, University of North Texas

Jeremy Edgar

Owner and CEO, Branded E Construction

Lishawa Jackson

Program Director, Department of Family and Protective Services

Leah Johnson

Owner, LJ Artisan Designs LLC

Melanie Vest

President, DATCU

Lori Walker

President, Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce

Marty Rivers

Denton Market President, American National, Bank & Trust

Matt Brost

Vice President, Lockton

Mitzi Willis

Directory of Community Engagement & Development, Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute

Monya Crow

Executive Director, Lewisville ISD

Paul Johnson

District Attorney, Denton County

Tammi Needham

VP of Client Services, Quad

Cara Strickland

Owner, Argyle Family Counseling

Terry Everett

Business Development for Wise County, DATCU

Vincent Hughes

Director, HealthTrackRX

Internship & Employment

We are proud to offer internship opportunities and employment in the fields of psychology, social work, public administration, communications and similar fields.