We Are Praesidium

Aaron Lundberg, MSW

President and CEO

Aaron Lundberg works with leadership of large-scale human service organizations across the United States to develop, implement, and monitor abuse prevention policies and training programs. He supervises Praesidium’s team of account managers and has trained thousands of direct care workers, supervisors, administrators, and parents in preventing the sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in social work from The University of Texas at Arlington, Lundberg has conducted extensive research in the etiology, scope, and prevention of abuse in residential treatment centers.

Ann Bartnik

Chief Operating Officer

Ann Bartnik works in conjunction with risk consultants to support new initiative implementation for Praesidium’s largest clients and has over 30 years of industry experience. Ann led the implementation of a new LMS system, Praesidium Academy, a tool that facilitates abuse prevention training modules for 450,000 individual learners across the organization’s client base. She has also facilitated process improvements across Praesidium’s providers for health insurance, 401k plan, IT and phone services, and product support. Additionally, Ann is leading the implementation of Praesidium’s new Assessment tool. Ann’s cultivated business operations experience across diverse industries includes risk management, non-profit, and healthcare IT. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.

Brooke Pratt

Senior Vice President of Growth

Brooke Pratt boasts an impressive 15-year career in the field of Marketing and Sales. She has spent the last nine years focused on nurturing the growth of B2B consulting firms. A turning point came during Brooke’s role as a juror in a horrific case involving the sexual assault of a child. This experience ignited a profound desire to redirect her marketing skills toward a more purposeful cause.

In the capacity of Senior Vice President of Growth, Brooke is committed to expanding Praesidium’s mission reach. With a focus on awareness and partnerships, Brooke aims to connect numerous organizations, contributing to the prevention of harm and the establishment of safer environments for children and vulnerable adults.

Christy Schiller, MA

Vice President of Consulting

Christy Schiller has over 20 years of industry experience applying social science and public health strategies to prevent abuse and its long-term effects. In her role at Praesidium, Christy has developed customized solutions for complex organizations such as religious institutes and denominations, risk pools, fraternal organizations, K12 schools, universities, and healthcare systems. She has worked with clients in the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy.  Christy led content development for Praesidium’s Creating a Safe Environment (C.A.S.E.) signature training program and continues to lead the training and development of Praesidium’s consultants. She is a former complex litigation research analyst and holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a master’s degree in Medical Anthropology.

Kiran Rupani, MPH

Vice President of Accreditation and Analytics

As Praesidium’s Vice President of Accreditation and Analytics, Kiran leads the Accreditation Department and the Research and Analytics Department, overseeing efforts to help organizations hold the highest standards in abuse prevention. With a commitment to using data-driven insights to inform best practices, Kiran plays a critical role in shaping Praesidium’s strategic direction, content development, and innovative solutions.

Kiran has extensive experience in analyzing complex abuse prevention trends, guiding organizations through the accreditation process, and advancing Praesidium’s mission to help organizations protect those in their care. Her work spans special projects, IT initiatives, and developing research-backed resources that help organizations identify risks and strengthen prevention efforts.

Kiran holds a Master’s degree in Public Health, and with her background and experience in prevention, she gets to combine her expertise and passion every day at Praesidium.

Candace D. Collins, JD

Senior Director of Strategic Alliances

Candace D. Collins supports Praesidium’s client growth across industries and builds relationships with insurance partners, foundations, and relevant associations. Candace has worked with clients across the globe in the UK, Australia, and other countries. As Senior Director of Strategic Alliances, she works with multiple clients to build organizational prevention strategies while also supporting Praesidium’s crisis response work. Prior to joining Praesidium, Candace served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas. In this position, she focused on consumer and elder protection prosecuting abuse and neglect in group homes and long-term care facilities. Additionally, she has ten years of experience working in the insurance coverage and defense field. Candace holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a Juris Doctorate (JD).

Audrey Oliver, JD

Senior Director of Consulting

Audrey Oliver works with several Youth Development clients. She helps build Praesidium’s reach within National Governing Bodies (NGBs)—including USA Swimming and USA Gymnastics—and national and local sports organizations. Audrey’s ten years of industry experience helps her oversee our work with YUSA and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. As Senior Director of Consulting, she works alongside Vice President of Consulting Christy Schiller to ensure that the team uses a collaborative consulting model with clients. Audrey has been instrumental in creating and continually updating content for the Certified Praesidium Guardian program and was a part of the creation and launch of Praesidium’s Know Your Score! tool. As a licensed attorney in Texas, Audrey previously worked for the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office on Crimes Against Children cases. She holds a Juris Doctorate (JD) and is humbled to have a career that helps create and maintain safe environments within organizations that serve youth and vulnerable adults.

Michelle (Morris) Wood

Senior Director of Finance and Operations

Michelle is instrumental in enhancing processes across Praesidium’s Accounting Department and automating processes within the organization’s Accreditation, Course Development, and Consulting groups. Outside of Praesidium, she was a Board Treasurer for Ryan House in Phoenix, Arizona (2006-2008) and a PTO Treasurer (2011-2016). With 29 years of industry experience, she has always been drawn to supporting non-profit organizations. She has a passion for keeping children and vulnerable adults safe. Michelle has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Lindsay Meyer Bond

Senior Director of Client Success

Lindsay Meyer Bond strives to make the world a better place, one day at a time. Lindsay is the Senior Director of Client Success for Praesidium, responsible for finalizing, implementing, and scaling Praesidium’s Guardian Certification to ensure participants are provided with skills, resources, and opportunities to successfully lead their organization’s abuse prevention efforts. She is also responsible for building and maintaining strategic relationships with clients, partners, and other stakeholders to guide our work to ensure that clients’ needs are understood and met.

Monica S. James

Senior Director of Learning & Development

Monica oversees the design and development of eLearning courses across the industries and audiences that Praesidium serves and the Certified Praesidium Guardian (CPG) program. Additionally, she applies best practices using Agile, Design Thinking, ADDIE, SAM, and Kirkpatrick Methodologies when developing eLearning courses for clients to address the specific needs of their industry. Monica has 23 years of experience in Learning and Development. She applies her expertise to child abuse protection and internal programs such as Praesidium’s Leadership Training Program, designed to help Praesidium’s Managers, Directors, and Senior Leaders improve and grow within their respective roles. Prior to joining Praesidium, Monica worked for the Department of Defense, Red River Army Depot, and Family Support Activity. She also worked as the Youth Group Director with Grace Community World Outreach Church. Monica chose Praesidium as it aligns with her purpose in serving and empowering others, and she enjoys collaborating with individuals who share this mission. Monica has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Kevin Neudecker

Senior Director of Background Screening

Kevin Neudecker has over 20 years of experience in the background screening industry. As Praesidium’s Senior Director of Background Screening, Kevin works with our clients that utilize Praesidium background screening services. He is proficient in compliance, policy development and review, quality control, and process improvements. Kevin is FCRA advanced certified by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

Latoya Arps

Director of Product Services

Latoya Arps is a seasoned professional with 18 years of industry experience in customer service and client relations. She holds an Associate of Arts degree, which has provided her with a solid foundation for her career. Throughout her time at Praesidium, Latoya has held various positions, showcasing her versatility and commitment to the organization. She started as an Armatus Support Specialist, providing valuable assistance to clients using Praesidium’s Armatus software. Latoya has been instrumental in the transition from Armatus to Praesidium Academy, supporting the organization’s efforts to provide comprehensive training and education. She was crucial in successfully implementing the Training and Screening integration, ensuring a smooth implementation for clients.

Her dedication and expertise led her to advance to the roles of Product Support Manager, Product Services Liaison, and, ultimately, Director of Product Services. In these positions, she has contributed significantly to Praesidium’s mission. Latoya is involved in various projects within Product Services and Operations at Praesidium. Latoya Arps also supports setting up and onboarding large and complex clients, leveraging her expertise to provide tailored solutions.

Adriana Dominguez, JD

Director of Consulting, Latin America

Adriana Dominguez supports numerous youth and vulnerable adult serving organizations from a variety of industries to help them develop, implement, and maintain abuse prevention initiatives and frameworks. Dominguez oversees a significant amount of Praesidium’s international work and collaborates closely with our Praesidium Chile office. As a licensed attorney in the state of Texas, Dominguez brings to Praesidium her experience of working with several immigration nonprofit organizations, specifically on cases involving asylum and unaccompanied minors, and at a family law firm. Dominguez graduated with honors from Villanova University, obtaining bachelor’s degrees in political science and Spanish language and literature. She received her Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

Brandie Le Clair

Senior Manager of Accreditation

With over 23 years of experience in youth development, risk management, and accreditation, Brandie Le Clair is a dedicated leader and innovator in creating safer environments for organizations serving children and youth. Her passion for safety and organizational excellence has shaped her career, from her foundational role in recreation management to her current position as Senior Manager of Accreditation at Praesidium.

Brandie holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management with a focus on Camp Management, which laid the groundwork for her expertise in health, safety, and risk mitigation. At Praesidium, she has been instrumental in leading and growing the Accreditation team, supporting diverse industries, and achieving impactful milestones. Notably, she managed a landmark collaboration with Y-USA, working to bring 300 YMCA associations into the Praesidium Accreditation process by 2025.

Brandie has driven innovations within her team by formalizing the Accreditation Reviewer program, recruiting and developing a skilled team of Accreditation Specialists, and guiding large national organizations like Varsity Spirit through rigorous accreditation processes.

Her career highlights also include serving as a Risk Consultant for a national insurance partner and as Accreditation Manager for the American Camp Association (ACA), roles in which she cultivated deep expertise in industry best practices and accreditation standards. She continues contributing to her field as an Accreditation Visitor for ACA, a National Volunteer Partner with Girl Scouts of the USA, and a certified 2024 American Canoe Association Paddle Sports Facilitator.

Her work has earned her recognition, such as the 2023 ACA Southeastern Appreciation Award, underscoring her commitment to advancing safety and operational excellence across youth-serving organizations and beyond.

Jamie Fray Mills

Business Development Manager

Jamie Fray Mills focuses on building relationships with new and existing clients and has expanded Praesidium’s client base to include government organizations and organizations that serve elderly populations. Jamie also supports YMCAs, schools, and social service organizations in ensuring youth and vulnerable adults are protected from abuse. In addition, she has developed over 100 policy reviews on behalf of Praesidium’s insurance partners, consulted on countless helpline calls, and overseen numerous management system reviews and risk assessment visits. With more than 15 years of industry experience, Jamie conducted research focused on screening and selection, training, and codes of conduct for child abuse prevention measures on behalf of client boards. Prior to joining Praesidium, Jamie served vulnerable populations as a pediatric physical therapist and worked in education for ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Physical Therapy and believes that we can make the world a better and safer place for children with every interaction.

Jacqueline Burnes

Marketing Manager

Jacqueline Burnes is an experienced marketing lead with a demonstrated history of working in the consulting industry. With over 11 years of dedicated experience in marketing and operations, four years in finance, and eight years in customer service, Jacqueline is a seasoned business management professional. Her extensive career has been shaped by pivotal roles within a global consulting firm, an insurance brokerage, and the retail sector, providing her with a comprehensive skill set and a nuanced understanding of various facets of the business landscape.

As a Marketing Manager, Jacqueline works closely with internal teams and is committed to fostering collaborative relationships for mutual growth. In her previous positions, Jacqueline played a pivotal role in engaging with franchisees and team members across international markets, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Latin America, and Canada. Her global exposure has honed her ability to navigate and thrive in diverse business environments.

Becca Haas

CPG Product Manager

Becca Haas oversees the Certified Praesidium Guardian (CPG) workshops using Praesidium’s Safety Equation as the framework. With more than six years of industry experience, she uses best practices to guide participants and equip them with the tools to develop safe environments within their respective organizations. Before joining Praesidium, Becca spent two years teaching English in Samoa in the Peace Corps. This experience taught her the importance of collaboration and building strong relationships in achieving collective goals. Becca has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She believes that everyone deserves to learn, grow, and succeed in a safe environment.

Mary Hammonds

YMCA Accreditation Manager

Mary Hammonds holds a strong background in psychology and industry experience that directly relates to the work conducted by Praesidium. With three years of industry experience, Mary has a diverse background that includes working in a social service organization for two years and providing therapy to individuals with autism in a healthcare setting for three years prior to joining Praesidium. This experience has given her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and the importance of creating safe environments. In her role at Praesidium, Mary serves various clients, including religious and consumer-serving organizations.

She has worked with clients in Canada and Mexico, demonstrating her international experience and ability to adapt to different cultural contexts. Her industry focus centers around providing support and guidance to these organizations to ensure they implement effective abuse prevention policies and practices. Mary has achieved significant accomplishments during her time at Praesidium and has played a crucial role in assisting over 50 organizations to attain accreditation, highlighting her commitment to helping organizations meet the highest standards of safety and protection. Additionally, Mary has had the opportunity to work on extensive research projects, further expanding her knowledge and expertise in the field. Mary holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, providing her with a solid foundation in understanding human behavior.

Kirah Patterson

Accreditation Administrative Manager

Kirah Patterson is a dedicated professional with three years of experience in abuse prevention and organizational safety. As a member of Praesidium’s Accreditation Team, she supports both Religious and Consumer-Serving Organizations, helping them implement best practices to protect those they serve.

Since joining Praesidium, Kirah has made a significant impact, coordinating the accreditation process for over 200 clients and improving internal processes to better assist organizations. Her dedication and contributions were recognized with the Praesidium Rock Solid Award in 2023.

Passionate about service beyond her professional role, Kirah volunteers with the Sisterhood Program at Austin Street, supporting women experiencing homelessness and trauma. Driven by a desire to work toward a greater mission, she transitioned from client-facing roles focused on revenue generation to work that aligns with her core values. At Praesidium, she finds fulfillment in knowing her efforts contribute to creating a safer, more just world for vulnerable populations.

Ronni Holley

Client Success Manager

Ronni is a Client Success Manager at Praesidium with a PBSA-FCRA Advanced Certification and over two years of industry experience. Her prior experience includes working in the children’s ministry at her church, which provided her with valuable insights into the importance of abuse prevention work. Ronni serves clients from various industries, helping them identify, reach, and maintain their abuse prevention goals. At Praesidium, she has created personalized templates and action plans for clients, established strong relationships with administrators across different organizations, and facilitated admin webinars.

Sarah Soto

Client Success Manager

Sarah Soto is a dedicated professional who brings a wealth of industry experience to her role at Praesidium. Sarah holds a PBSA-FCRA Basic Certification, demonstrating her commitment to upholding industry standards. Prior to joining Praesidium, Sarah had a strong background in customer service and worked in the foster care system. This experience has provided her with a deep understanding of the importance of the work carried out by Praesidium and the value it brings to various industries. As a member of the Client Success team, Sarah has the privilege of serving many of Praesidium’s clients across different industries. Her role involves providing assistance and guidance to clients, ensuring their needs are met and their questions are answered effectively.

In addition to her Client Success role, Sarah has been involved in significant projects related to Product Services and Operations. She played a vital role in the successful migration and ongoing support of Praesidium’s training platform, Praesidium Academy. Through her contributions, she helps support Praesidium’s mission of providing comprehensive training resources and tools to create safer environments.

Doug Berkel

Senior Risk Consultant

Doug serves Praesidium’s youth development clients, including YMCAs and youth sports organizations. He facilitates training and Certified Praesidium Guardian Workshops and conducts risk assessments, management systems reviews, and policy reviews. Before joining Praesidium, Doug spent 20 years with YMCA, where he was promoted to Vice President of Youth Development and Executive Director roles. During his tenure at YMCA, he saw the direct impact Praesidium has in promoting a culture of safety within youth programs. Doug has a Bachelor of Social Work and believes quality youth programs begin with creating a physically and mentally safe environment.

James J. Bourgeois, JD

Senior Risk Consultant

James works with Praesidium’s higher education institutions, youth-serving and athletic programs, municipalities, and insurance partners. He consults with clients to ensure they exceed the standards of abuse prevention and response. Additionally, James presently serves on the Board for the Higher Education Protection Network (HEPNet), and he is a licensed attorney. James has a Juris Doctorate (JD) from South Texas College of Law and attended Florida State University for his undergraduate degree.

Megan Eastabrook, LMSW

Senior Accreditation Specialist

Megan Eastabrook is a dedicated abuse prevention specialist with a background in education, social work, and nonprofit service. As a Senior Accreditation Specialist at Praesidium, she works closely with YMCAs as well as social service organizations across the U.S. and Canada, helping them implement the highest standards in abuse prevention.

Megan holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from UT Arlington, a Bachelor’s in English from UT Austin, and multiple certifications, including Texas LMSW licensure, a Texas ELA 7-12 teaching certificate, and Trauma-Focused CBT certification. She has three years of experience in K-12 education, teaching 10th-grade English and supporting college access initiatives, including a summer in Indonesia where she taught English. During her MSW program, she interned with an organization serving LGBTQ youth and helped develop abuse prevention training for volunteers. She was also accepted into the competitive Match Made in Schools grant program, which focused on the intersection of social work and special education.

At Praesidium, Megan has contributed to significant projects, particularly in YMCA accreditation. She is also passionate about advocating for LGBTQ youth as a vulnerable population and is committed to helping organizations implement strong safeguards to protect them. Outside of her work, Megan was recognized with a volunteer recognition award from LGBTQ SAVES for her dedication to the community

Saúl Espinoza

Senior Accreditation Specialist

Saúl is a Senior Accreditation Specialist focused on serving Praesidium’s religious clients and many of Praesidium’s clients in Latin America. In his role, he enjoys the macro level work he does with clients. Additionally, Saúl is a Co-Chair of the organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee. Saúl has 6+ years of experience. Prior to joining Praesidium, Saúl worked as a probate court investigator. He conducted guardianship assessments and presented cases of abuse to probate judges. He also worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. Saúl has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work.

Laura Hardin, LMSW

Senior Risk Consultant

Laura supports and oversees Praesidium’s social service clients, including residential and shelter services, foster care, mental/behavioral health programs, and community-based programs that serve youth and vulnerable adults. Additionally, she leads projects with foundations, healthcare, and education clients. In her eight years with Praesidium, she has been promoted to Senior Risk Consultant, helped 15 organizations achieve Praesidium Accreditation, and facilitated more than 35 Certified Praesidium Guardian workshops. Before joining Praesidium, Laura worked in youth development, outpatient behavioral health, and child welfare programs. Laura has a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sociology and a Master of Social Work from TCU. As a Licensed Master Social Worker, she is interested in creating a macro-level impact to prevent and address sexual abuse within organizations and communities.

Amber McKeen, MSW, MPH

Senior Risk Consultant

Amber McKeen is a child abuse prevention expert with over 16 years of experience helping youth-serving organizations strengthen safety measures. At Praesidium, she specializes in abuse prevention for K-12 schools, conducting risk assessments, policy analyses, and training sessions—delivering 27 in-person and virtual school trainings in her first year. She has built strong client relationships, handled dozens of helpline calls, and contributed to Praesidium’s research, training, and content development efforts.

Before joining Praesidium, as part of the CDC Foundation, Amber led a team of CDC scientists focused on preventing child sexual abuse in youth-serving organizations. She previously spent six years at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, developing their webinar education program, training over 35,000 professionals, and conducting research on foster care, child exploitation, and first-responder abuse prevention interventions.

Her extensive research portfolio includes leading a large-scale environmental scan of youth-serving organization policies and procedures to prevent child sexual abuse, collaborating with CDC scientists on research to strengthen primary prevention efforts, and co-developing training programs for first responders on child abuse intervention and prevention. She has also contributed to evaluating and implementing foster parent training programs using a community-based participatory research model.

Amber’s professional expertise is complemented by her global perspective, having traveled to over 34 countries across five continents. While her primary work has been U.S.-based, she has contributed to a Praesidium project in Australia.

Katie Reese, JD

Senior Risk Consultant

Katie Reese is a senior risk consultant and helps youth-oriented organizations that offer educational, charitable, cultural, and recreational services and activities. Katie provides guidance to organizations that want to continue fostering a culture of safety that builds upon their current foundation and standards for child protection. In addition to supporting numerous clients, she has conducted more than 100 interviews and trainings on behalf of Praesidium. In addition, Katie has been extensively involved in research projects to develop various client and state-specific resources. Before joining Praesidium, Katie practiced law and has experience working in a juvenile sex offender program that incorporated counseling and therapeutic intervention. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Juris Doctorate (JD). Katie enjoys providing preventative-based guidance and resources to organizations worldwide.

Alyssa Bailey

Accreditation Specialist

Alyssa Bailey is a dedicated abuse prevention professional with five years of experience helping organizations create safer environments. As a Certified Praesidium Guardian, she specializes in guiding consumer-serving organizations and religious clients through the Accreditation process to ensure they meet the highest standards in abuse prevention.

Before joining Praesidium, Alyssa managed a short-term group home for youth whose behavior did not qualify them for traditional foster care, providing critical support and structure for at-risk children.

Beyond her professional work, Alyssa is an active member of the largest community orchestra in the United States, which boasts over 300 musicians. Her passion for both community service and the arts reflects her commitment to fostering safe, supportive spaces in all aspects of life

Lindsey Castellanos

Risk Consultant

Lindsey Castellanos serves as a Risk Consultant at Praesidium. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is a Certified Praesidium Guardian with 15 years of experience in child abuse prevention and intervention. Her career began with three years of investigating child abuse through Child Protective Services, followed by seven years as a specialized forensic interviewer and expert witness in child sexual abuse cases. Additionally, she spent five years training over 10,000 individuals in child abuse prevention skills.

Lindsey’s expertise extends to designing, programming, and implementing child abuse prevention strategies in schools, churches, and youth-serving organizations. Currently, she serves the insurance industry by assessing and addressing potential gaps in protecting youth and vulnerable adults from abuse. Her focus is on providing multi-layered solutions for abuse prevention. Previously, she supported children who experienced sexual abuse and their families. Lindsey finds her most significant accomplishment in witnessing the bravery of children and youth who courageously speak out about their abuse.

Hannah Evans, LMSW

Risk Consultant

Hannah Evans leverages her 10 years of experience in youth development to guide organizations in preventing sexual abuse. As a Risk Consultant at Praesidium and a Licensed Master Social Worker, Hannah partners with social service and youth development organizations to assess risk, implement prevention strategies, provide education, and ensure effective survivor-focused responses to abuse. Her passion stems from a decade of working with youth in mentoring programs, nonprofits, schools, summer camps, and support groups. Hannah holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Social Work focused on organizational sexual abuse prevention. She is committed to helping all organizations create safe environments to protect the individuals they serve and achieve their missions.

Becca Gutwirth

Risk Consultant

Becca Gutwirth is a seasoned youth protection advocate with over 30 years of experience in education, camp, and childcare settings. As a Certified Praesidium Guardian, she brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges youth-serving organizations face—particularly YMCAs—and partners with clients to build strong foundations for abuse prevention.

Before joining Praesidium, Becca served in various leadership roles, including Director of Education at a wildlife refuge and Executive Director of School Age Childcare at the YMCA. Her early roots as a Special Olympics coach and camp counselor reflect a lifelong commitment to creating safe, enriching environments for children.

In 2023, Becca was recognized nationally as an Afterschool Ambassador by the Afterschool Alliance, demonstrating her dedication to youth development.

Gabriela Monreal, MPA

Accreditation Specialist

Gabriela Monreal is a dedicated professional with six years of experience in abuse prevention and public service. At Praesidium, she guides organizations through accreditation, ensuring they implement standards that create safe, abuse-free environments for clients, employees, and volunteers.

Prior to working with Praesidium, Gabriela worked as a Prevention of Sexual Abuse Coordinator for a nonprofit supporting refugee youth, a Texas Work Advisor for the Texas Health & Human Services Commission’s Healthy Texas Women program, and a direct care staff member at a residential treatment center for troubled teens.

Gabriela holds a Master’s in Public Administration, a Certificate in Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from St. Mary’s University. Her research background includes a state-by-state quantitative analysis of homelessness and mental illness, which found that low education attainment, rather than mental illness, had the strongest correlation with homelessness.

With a passion for public service and research-driven solutions, Gabriela continues to help organizations strengthen abuse prevention practices and foster safer communities.

Paola A. Muñoz, LL.M., MPA

Risk Consultant

Paola A. Muñoz brings 14 years of experience working with non-profit organizations focused on child welfare, adults with disabilities, abuse prevention, and trafficking victims. She collaborates with religious organizations and social services to develop policies and procedures. Paola supports Latin American clients in preventing abuse and fostering a culture of safety, including assisting with Praesidium’s first Spanish CPG in Mexico and becoming a Certified Praesidium Guardian.

Paola has translated standards, model policies, and other resources and assisted in reviewing translation accuracy for the Praesidium Spanish website. She is currently consulting with five international organizations on their accreditation efforts. She has conducted policy reviews and training for various congregations, delivered Spanish CPG, provided support with C.A.S.E. trainings, and assisted with helpline calls since June 1, 2024.

Paola is certified as a HIPAA expert and SAMA trainer and is also working on a data analysis certification. In October 2013, she co-wrote and published an article titled “Assessment on Pandemic Preparedness in a Socially Vulnerable Community in Texas” in the Journal of Health and Human Services Administration. Paola practiced law in Colombia, representing foreign families adopting Colombian children.

Sarah Musa, MPH

Accreditation Specialist

Sarah Musa is a dedicated public health professional specializing in maternal, child, and family health, with a focus on gender-based violence and abuse prevention. She has four years of experience supporting organizations in strengthening their safety measures. She works closely with social service organizations to help them achieve Praesidium Accreditation.

Prior to joining Praesidium, Sarah worked with direct service organizations that support survivors of sex trafficking and domestic violence, developing programs that provided critical resources and fostering partnerships with medical and legal service providers. Her graduate studies centered on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and
health education.

Sarah has also contributed to the development of a sexual assault prevention education program for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This program is now being delivered in Special Education classrooms across multiple public and private schools in central North Carolina. In her free time, she volunteers with domestic abuse treatment organizations, furthering her commitment to survivor support and violence prevention.

Erin Reese, MSW

Accreditation Specialist

Erin Reese is a dedicated social work professional with a Master of Social Work (MSW) specializing in Organizational Leadership. Her passion for systemic change stems from over four years of experience in abuse prevention and organizational improvement.

Before joining Praesidium, Erin served as the Performance and Quality Improvement Coordinator for a residential group home provider in Ohio, where she developed strategic action plans to enhance program outcomes and maintained the organization’s accreditation with the Council on Accreditation (COA). Prior to that, she worked as a Diversity Development Manager Intern with Knox County Government in Knoxville, TN, focusing on policy development, community outreach, and stakeholder engagement.

At Praesidium, Erin combines her expertise in client collaboration with her macro social work background to help organizations strengthen their structures, cultures, and abuse prevention initiatives.

Kayla Wood

Risk Analyst

Kayla Wood is a risk analyst and works with YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) facilities. She focuses on providing training to prevent sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults and handles helpline calls for both groups. In addition, she has conducted numerous management system reviews, over 100 interviews during risk assessment site visits, facilitated Certified Praesidium Guardian online workshops and conducted virtual training on behalf of clients. Before joining Praesidium, Kayla worked in a scientific lab researching ischemic stroke prevention. In addition, she also worked on and presented research on CARE – Census of Athlete Rights Experiences. Kayla has a bachelor’s degree in Biology.

Elisa K. Anthony, M.ED

Bilingual Learning Experience Facilitator

Elisa Anthony supports Praesidium by developing and delivering training for bilingual clients to help prevent abuse and preserve trust in their organizations. She has a B.A. in Anthropology, Latin American Studies & Spanish Literature, and a Master’s in Education. She is a certified TEA Professional School Counselor, Crisis Intervener in Suicide Prevention, NOVA Crisis Response Team, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention CPI. With 15 years of industry experience and eight years in abuse prevention, she has led yearly staff trainings on organization abuse prevention policies and procedures throughout her career. Elisa is passionate about abuse prevention and believes that it can be taught to anyone willing to learn it; we are all responsible for protecting those at risk for abuse.

Jon Crosson, M.Ed

Learning Experience Developer

Jon Crosson, an educator with over a decade of experience, holds a B.S. in Secondary Education and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. For 12 years, he taught history at middle and high school levels. As a Learning Experience Developer at Praesidium, Jon combines his experience as a teacher, volunteer, and coach with his eLearning and curriculum expertise. His commitment to youth welfare is evident in his volunteer work with organizations like Heart & Sole, as a teacher mentor, and coaching varsity softball and Special Olympics volleyball. He was pivotal in developing the ‘Foundations: Preventing Abuse in Youth-Serving Organizations’ course, producing instructional videos for the Praesidium Assessment Tool, and revamping custom client coursework. As a vital member of the Praesidium team, Jon Crosson’s dedication and expertise play a crucial role in shaping impactful learning experiences and safeguarding the well-being of youth.

Krisha Thomason

Account Specialist

Krisha facilitates partnerships with insurance companies for Praesidium’s clients across religious organizations, schools, daycare centers, and country clubs. Specifically, she is instrumental in building solid partnerships with Selective Insurance and increasing background screenings and academy services. Krisha has 15 years of experience in sales and customer relations. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications.

Ashleigh N. Acosta

Senior Team Coordinator

Ashleigh N. Acosta, a Senior Team Coordinator, leverages her extensive administrative background to excel at Praesidium. Specializing in Youth Development and Higher Education, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of Virtual Certified Praesidium workshops. Ashleigh’s expertise extends to efficient data migration, where she seamlessly transferred client information from an outdated tracking form to a new system, enhancing operational effectiveness and client services. Her meticulous approach, adaptability, and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to the team.