Staff

Heather O'Malley, Chief Executive Officer

Heather O’Malley is the Chief Executive Officer at SafeSpot. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business, and a Master’s degree in Human Resources from Towson University in Maryland. Heather has more than twenty years experience in nonprofits, most recently as a Director of a local organization supporting women and families experiencing domestic violence and homelessness. Heather leads SafeSpot’s fundraising and communications, and partners closely with Board and Staff to ensure the agency’s strategic growth and mission fulfillment. Heather serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals DC Chapter.

Julia Stewart, Manager of Multidisciplinary Team Advancement

Julia Stewart is the Manager of Multidisciplinary Team Advancement at SafeSpot. She holds a Master of Science degree in Forensic Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Prior to SafeSpot Julia worked for a non-profit Treatment Foster Care agency for four years with a focus on licensing foster families and placing foster children in foster homes. She previously worked as a case worker for children, families, and vulnerable adults needing mental health treatment and case management. Julia strives to develop relationships with an emphasis on the safety, growth, and healing of children and families.

Kelsey Mulhall, Manager of Marketing and Special Events

Kelsey Mulhall is the Manager of Marketing and Special Events at SafeSpot. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Cleveland State University. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Kelsey has been in the DMV area since the end of 2021. Kelsey has worked in the nonprofit field for almost 7 years, working with missions dealing with substance abuse, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Middel East policy relations and children with rare and serious diseases.  Her background includes marketing, event planning, fundraising, and grant writing. As a mission-driven worker, Kelsey is dedicated to sharing the mission of SafeSpot and being able to be the voice of those we serve at SafeSpot out in the community.

Deborah Correa, Office Coordinator

Deborah is the Office Coordinator at SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center. She holds her Associates in International and General Studies at Northern Virginia Community College and is passionately working on her Bachelors in Psychology at George Mason University. Deborah has over three years of Office Administrative experience, fulfilling the needs of the Healthcare offices in Northern Virginia. She is a native Spanish speaker dedicated in serving her community. Deborah understands the importance of our work and is committed to making a thoughtful and positive experience for the children and their caretakers.

Artemis L. Silva, Program Coordinator

Artemis Silva is SafeSpot’s bilingual Program Coordinator. Mx. Silva studied in the University of North Texas and the University of Puerto Rico, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Education. They have worked in Mentorship and Foster Care programs serving unaccompanied immigrant children and other disadvantaged populations. Working in a myriad of these nonprofit programs has helped Artemis gain the knowledge and tools to aid children in need that come from a multitude of backgrounds. Mx. Silva has dedicated themself to help stop injustices targeted towards children, one child at a time.

Angela Haslett, Manager of Forensic Services

Angela Haslett is the Manager of Forensic Services at SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center. Angela holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work degree from Eastern University. She has over 12 years of social work experience helping families and children who have experienced trauma. The majority of Angela’s social work career has been focused in the child welfare field investigating child abuse cases. Prior to Angela’s employment at SafeSpot, she specialized in investigating child sex abuse cases in Fairfax, VA for 5 years.  During this time, Angela was a part of the multidisciplinary team and supported the child advocacy center model. Angela has been trained since 2013 in two nationally recognized, evidence-based forensic interviewing protocols. Angela has completed hundreds of forensic interviews and has testified in court on multiple occasions as an expert witness. Angela is dedicated to providing children a safe place and opportunity to tell their experiences so they can start the healing process.

Carla Claudio-Silva, Bilingual Senior Forensic Interviewer

Carla is SafeSpot’s Bilingual Senior Forensic Interviewer. She has a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from George Washington University and has been trained in two nationally recognized, evidence-based forensic interviewing protocols. Carla started working in Children’s Advocacy Centers in 2018 and has completed over a thousand forensic interviews of children and individuals of varying cultures, languages and abilities since then. She has received advanced training specializing in forensic interviewing of individuals with different disabilities, cultural backgrounds and complex trauma. Carla is very passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) education and strives to provide empathetic and culturally competent services to help vulnerable populations feel safe when talking about their experiences.

Hannah Cordova, Forensic Interviewer

Hannah is a forensic interviewer at SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Legal Spanish minor from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from the University of North Dakota. Hannah is trained in two nationally recognized, evidence-based forensic interviewing protocols. Since starting at SafeSpot in 2023, she has conducted hundreds of forensic interviews. Hannah further shows her dedication to the field by attending advanced trainings which gives her the skillset needed to interview at-risk and high-risk populations. With over ten years’ experience interacting with youth of all ages, Hannah is driven to give children a voice and an opportunity to be heard.

Alexandra Monan, Forensic Interviewer and Family Advocate

Alexandra fulfills dual roles as a Child Forensic Interview Specialist and Family Advocate at SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center. Alexandra’s comprehensive academic and professional background supports her daily work. She earned a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from The George Washington University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University.

With extensive experience across multidisciplinary domains, Alexandra has collaborated with multiple law enforcement agencies in Virginia and Michigan, contributing to her profound understanding of investigative and advocacy processes. Her four-year tenure at a Children’s Advocacy Center in Michigan played a pivotal role in cultivating her expertise in forensic interviewing and family advocacy, areas that reflect her deep vocational dedication. Alexandra’s professional practice encompasses working with children across all developmental stages and engaging effectively with individuals from a wide array of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Driven by an unwavering commitment to justice, Alexandra advocates for the empowerment of children and their families and the protection of their rights. Her efforts exemplify a steadfast dedication to advancing equitable outcomes within the framework of multidisciplinary child advocacy and forensic practice.

Isabel Dungas, Bilingual Family Advocate

Isabel Dungas Simmerman is a Family Advocate at SafeSport Children’s Advocacy Center. Transitioning from a career as a corporate attorney, Isabel earned a Master’s in Forensic and Legal Psychology, focusing on child protection and juvenile justice. Her recent work managing youth and family services at the YMCA highlights her commitment to empowering vulnerable populations. As a Family Advocate at SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center, Isabel hopes to bring her advocacy skills and compassionate approach to creating positive outcomes for children and their families.

Jacquelin Portillo, Bilingual Family Advocate

Jacquelin is a Bilingual Family Advocate at SafeSpot with a degree in Human Services and a minor in Psychology from Old Dominion University. She has experience working with vulnerable populations, including caregivers and children who have experienced abuse at INOVA Health System, Fairfax County Government, and Mary’s Center.  She has worked with families, assessing their needs for resources, connecting them to community providers, and providing post placement services and comprehensive case management for unaccompanied minors, many of whom experienced abuse.  She is passionate about bridging the gap between families and the resources they need.

Lindsey Kerber, Clinical Director

Lindsey Kerber is an LCSW. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and also holds a Master of Science in Social Work degree from Columbia University. She is trained in TF-CBT and has 4 years of experience conducting acute mental health crisis assessments in the community and hospital setting.

Leannah Farbotko, Therapist

Leannah Farbotko, LCSW is a therapist at SafeSpot. She graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and received her Masters of Social Work from George Mason University. Leannah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified as a TF-CBT provider, and has over 10 years of experience in providing services to child abuse victims and their families. Leannah specializes in offering support for traumatic grief cases, in which a child has lost a loved one to violent death. She describes her style as a mixture of fierce kindness, sprinkled with humor and fueled by coffee.  At SafeSpot, Leannah strives to create a safe and welcoming environment to empower children and their families to overcome challenges and discover their inner strength.

Angela Asta, Therapist

Angela Asta, MSW, LCSW, is a bilingual therapist at SafeSpot.  She graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and earned her Masters of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. She has been trained in various trauma-focused interventions, including TF-CBT, EMDR, and CFTSI.  Previously, Angela worked with children and families in the school and community settings.  At SafeSpot, Angela enjoys working with children and families to support their healing journey.

Emily Perez-Clark, Therapist

Emily Perez-Clark, LCSW, is a bilingual therapist at SafeSpot. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Marymount University and her Masters of Social Work from George Mason University. She has years of experience working with the Spanish speaking immigrant community in Northern Virginia. Emily is trained in EMDR, CFTSI and TF-CBT. She is passionate about providing a supportive and compassionate space for children and families to begin the healing process and to find hope for the future.

Jharezee Villalba, Bilingual Therapist

Jharezee Villalba, MSW, is a Bilingual Therapist at Safespot. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology-Counseling and Human Development and a master’s degree in Human Services Counseling from Liberty University, and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Jharezee has 5 plus years’ experience in the CAC world as she previously worked at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo & Starr Counties in Edinburg TX. She has worked as a family advocate and mental health liaison providing advocacy, crisis intervention, mental health screenings, training to staff, and resources to families. She is passionate about providing trauma informed psychoeducation and implementing an empathic approach when working with children and non-offending caregivers. Jharezee hopes to help families find healing and justice while also receiving support and resources from a trauma informed perspective.

Sarai Dutcher, Bilingual Therapist

Sarai Dutcher, LCSW is a bilingual therapist at SafeSpot. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Adelphi University and holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. Sarai previously worked as an advocate at a CAC in Long Island, and as a social worker in a hospital-based CAC in Manhattan. She also has experience working as a clinician using EMDR in a school based mental health clinic. Sarai is currently training to become a certified TF-CBT therapist.

Haley Padgett, Therapist

Haley Padgett obtained a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and spent the first six years of her career as an elementary educator at various Title I public schools around the country. After witnessing the intense, unmet mental health needs of her students, she realized she wanted to serve in a different capacity as a mental health professional. She received a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from William and Mary in August 2023 as a Pat Tillman Scholar and is now working towards clinical licensure in Virginia as a Resident in Counseling.

Maeve Berman, Therapist

Maeve Berman, MSW, is a therapist at SafeSpot. She received a bachelor’s degree in French and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia, and her Masters of Social Work from George Mason University. She has previous mental health experience working in an inpatient setting with children and teens in crisis, as well as in child welfare settings. Maeve is currently receiving training to become certified in providing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and is working towards clinical licensure as an LCSW.

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