Our Team
Casey Gwinn, Esq.
President
Casey Gwinn Bio
Casey Gwinn is the President and Co-Founder of the Alliance. He is the visionary behind the Family Justice Center Movement, first proposing the concept of the Family Justice Center model in 1989. Casey founded Camp HOPE America in 2003. He is a national expert on domestic violence dynamics, including investigation and prosecution, the handling of non-fatal strangulation cases, and is one of the leading thinkers in the country on the science of hope. Prior to this position, Casey was the elected San Diego City Attorney.
Gael Strack, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer
Gael Strack Bio
Gael Strack is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of the Alliance. Gael is a national expert on domestic violence and strangulation. Prior to this position, Gael was the founding director of the San Diego Family Justice Center, former prosecutor with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, defense attorney and deputy county counsel.
Susan Williams
Interim Director
Susan Williams is the Interim National Director of the Family Justice Center Alliance. Prior to this position, Susan served as a Deputy Director in the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), providing leadership for OVC’s National Programs Division and oversight of OVC’s Vision 21 Initiative programs, national-scope training and technical assistance initiatives, national demonstration initiatives, and OVC’s human trafficking program portfolio. Susan also served as an Associate Director in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), and as a Grant Advisor in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Susan comes to the Alliance with 24 years of experience working at the federal level to enhance the nation’s response to violence against women and all forms of crime victimization. During this time, Susan provided leadership in numerous special initiatives, including the President’s Family Justice Center Initiative (2004 – 2006), and OVW’s New Orleans Family Justice Center Initiative (2007 – 2014).
Yesenia Aceves
Director of Pathways, Culture and Creative Services
Yesenia Aceves is the Founding Director of the Pathways to HOPE Project, responsible for the development of this program which works with Camp HOPE America youth, guardians and volunteer mentors. She is also the Alliance’s first Director of Culture, and is responsible for measurably increasing employee Hope, engagement, and well-being while managing employee development and retention. In addition, Yesenia is a professional artist and graphic designer, overseeing branding and design for all of the Alliance’s programs.
Jackie Anderson
Director of Finance
Jackie Anderson is the Bookkeeper for the Alliance. She is responsible for supporting the Director of Finance in all accounting functions, including grant management. Jackie assists in the preparation and maintenance of financial data and reporting for internal analysis and external audits. She also helps out with other day-to-day administrative functions of the agency.
Priya Bhat-Patel
Policy Analyst and Program Manager, California Family Justice Center Network
As a health professional, Priya has worked with leading healthcare agencies, biotech companies, universities, the County of San Diego, the State of California, and the United Nations. Priya has her bachelor’s degree in physiology and neuroscience from University of California, San Diego, her master’s degree in public health from University of Southern California, and her doctoral degree in public health from Loma Linda University. Priya is dedicated to being an advocate for human rights and is glad to be part of a passionate team.
Kayla Halsey
Program Assistant, Family Justice Center Alliance
Kayla Halsey is a Program Assistant for the Family Justice Center Alliance. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and Public Health from the University of Arizona and a Master’s of Science in International Health from the University of Leeds in the U.K. Prior to joining the Alliance, Kayla completed her dissertation research in Jordan where she looked at access to health services for Syrian and Palestine refugees. Kayla’s passion for providing services to trauma survivors stems from her aid work with refugees internationally in emergency settings in Thailand, France, and Greece and domestically with refugee aid NGOs in Arizona and California. She is excited to join the evidence-based intervention and prevention efforts at the Alliance.
Jessica Kimsey
Events Coordinator
Jessica Kimsey is the Events Coordinator for the Alliance. She is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Alliance’s annual conference and provides administrative and organizational support for the Alliance’s training programs, workshops, and events. Jessica received her Bachelor of Science degree from Champlain College in Hospitality Management and has had extensive experience in all aspects of the hospitality industry. She is excited to bring her experience and management skills to a non-profit organization.
Raeanne Passantino
Assistant Director, Family Justice Center Alliance
Raeanne Passantino is the Assistant Director of Family Justice Alliance. She provides support and technical assistance to Family Justice Centers across the country, including those funded by Office of Violence Against Women (OVW). Raeanne has been in the domestic violence field for over 24 years as a volunteer, counselor, grants manager, domestic violence program coordinator and in program development. She has extensive experience with Family Justice Centers in the capacity of development and operations.
Sarah Pike
Program Manager, OVC Vision 21 Technology Initiative
Sarah Pike is the Program Manager for the OVC Vision 21 Technology Initiative. She is responsible for updating the centralized intake system tool for the Family Justice Center network. Her role requires leading the collaborative efforts to design, implement, adopt, and provide training around the centralized intake tool. She comes to the Alliance with a Bachelor’s of Social Work and Master of Arts Degree in Economic and Social Development. She is honored to join the Alliance team.
Holly Duffy Regan
Program Assistant, Family Justice Center Alliance
Holly Duffy Regan is a Program Assistant for the Family Justice Center with the Polyvictimization Initiative. She provides planning and support services to participating demonstration sites. Holly received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations with an emphasis on Russian & Eurasian Studies from Mount Holyoke College and her master’s in Social Work at Arizona State University. Holly is dedicated to the research and development of hope-centered services for survivors of traumatic experience.
Rylie Shore
Program Assistant, Family Justice Center Alliance
Rylie is a Program Assistant for the Family Justice Center. Prior to working at the Alliance, Rylie directed an after-school program in Kansas City, taught conflict resolution in elementary schools, and worked for a nonprofit that does interfaith peacemaking. Rylie is passionate about using writing and storytelling to fight for social change and to further the impact of the Alliance.
Brynne Spain
Program Assistant, Family Justice Center Alliance
Brynne is a Program Assistant for the Polyvictimization Initiative. She graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a minor in Human Rights. Brynne worked with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as a crisis counselor and support group co-facilitator at crisis centers in Sacramento and San Francisco. She looks forward to learning from and contributing to the groundbreaking work achieved by the Alliance.
Amy Stobbe
Administrative and Finance Assistant
Amy is an Administrative and Finance Assistant at Alliance for HOPE International.
She enjoys providing office support to all areas of the organization with an emphasis on finance. Amy is honored to be part of the team and looks forward to growing in her role.
