Our Team
Casey Gwinn, Esq.
President
Casey Gwinn Bio
Casey Gwinn is the President and Co-Founder of the Alliance. Casey is also the visionary behind the Family Justice Center Movement, first proposing the concept of the Family Justice Center model in 1989. He is a national expert on domestic violence, including prosecution, strangulation, and best practices. 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.
Natalia Aguirre
National Director of the Family Justice Center Alliance
Natalia Aguirre is the National Director of the Family Justice Center Alliance. She provided training and support to developing and operating Family Justice Centers worldwide. Natalia also develops and maintains new products and tools which are utilized by Family Justice Center staff and partner agencies. Natalia also leads our Polyvictimization Initiative which provides planning and support services to the six demonstration sites.
Michael Burke
Director of Community Engagement
Michael Burke is the Director of Community Engagement for the Alliance. He works with Family Justice Centers, VOICES Survivors Network, Camp HOPE America and the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention. He supports the Alliance and our allied agencies with training on trauma-informed approaches, branding, fund development, media relations and more. Michael was previously the founding executive director of a rural Family Justice Center in Shasta County California.
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.
Yesenia Aceves
Director of Pathways to HOPE
Yesenia Aceves is the Director of Pathways to HOPE and is responsible for the development and coordination of this program which works with Camp HOPE youth, guardians and volunteer mentors. The evidence-based Pathways program aspires to raise HOPE for trauma-exposed youth while exploring STEAM career paths. She is also a professional artist infusing creativity into all aspects of the Alliance including art projects, branding and graphics.
John Hamilton
Director of Camp HOPE America
John is the National Director of Camp HOPE America. He collaborates with the Camp HOPE team, family justice center sites, and partner camps to bring a hope-filled experience to campers around the country.
John holds a master’s degree from Western Seminary where he focused on leadership, cultural justice, and hospitality. He specializes in forging unlikely partnerships, developing unified teams, and moving people from theory into practice. He is a growing leader, frequently presenting or teaching at camps, conferences, and retreats. His focus is in the area of communal impact and collaborative leadership.
Raeanne Passantino
Assistant Director – National Family Justice Center Programs
Raeanne Passantino is the Assistant Director of National Family Justice Programs for the 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.
Chelsea Armstrong
Regional Coordinator – Camp HOPE America
Chelsea Armstrong is a Regional Coordinator for Camp HOPE America. Chelsea provides logistical support to help Alliance partners implement Camp HOPE America across the nation. Chelsea worked directly with survivors as an AmeriCorps member with the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault by facilitating empowerment classes to women in the Wyoming Women’s Prison. A native of Denver, Chelsea is an avid camper and is a graduate of the University of Wyoming where she majored in Criminal Justice.
Kamiah Thomas
Regional Coordinator-Camp HOPE America
Kamiah Thomas is a Regional Coordinator for Camp HOPE America. She supports the Camp HOPE America team to implement the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the Alliance and Camp HOPE America. Kamiah is a graduate of California State University San Marcos, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies and Sociology. Kamiah has an extensive background working with adult and children survivors of domestic violence. Prior to joining the Alliance, she worked for four years in a domestic violence shelter both directly with children in the program, and as a shelter manager supervising the emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis hotline.
Cami Morrill
Regional Coordinator – Camp HOPE America
Cami is a Regional Coordinator for Camp HOPE America. She supports new and existing Camp HOPE America sites as they implement the vision, mission, and goals of Camp HOPE America. Prior to joining the team at the Alliance she worked directly with teens in a therapeutic setting with a program in Hawaii that incorporated the outdoors and a holistic approach. Cami is a graduate of San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Three Departments; Psychology, Sociology and Recreation and Tourism Management. Cami is grateful to be able to bring her love for outdoor adventure and her passion for offering children impacted by trauma healing together at Camp HOPE America.
Alexa Peterson
Administrative Assistant – Camp HOPE America
Alexa is an Administrative Assistant for Camp HOPE America. After graduating from Arizona Christian University she spent a month in Uganda working with children who are orphaned and in need, as well as painting a large mural in a new preschool. She has experience working with nonprofits, homeless outreach programs, and children with disabilities. Alexa is passionate about assisting others on their path of growth and is thrilled to be a part of this team where children are offered hope and healing.
Gloria Kyallo
Program Assistant – Polyvictimization Initiative
Gloria Kyallo currently serves as the Program Assistant for the Polyvictimization Initiative. She assists in coordinating the Polyvictimization Initiative strategic planning objectives and responsibilities of Alliance for HOPE International and the Polyvictimization Demonstration Sites across the United States. Gloria has a strong international development background and received her Master’s degree in African Studies from Stanford University. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science International Affairs from the University of California, Riverside. Gloria is passionate about the protection of human rights and is elated to be a part of the Alliance team.
Alison Bildsoe
Program Assistant – Polyvictimization Initiative
Alison Bildsoe is a Program Assistant for the Alliance’s Polyvictimization Initiative which seeks to develop a national set of best practices on how domestic violence professionals can support survivors who have experienced multiple types of trauma. Alison is a recent graduate of the University of California, San Diego where she received an award for the Most Outstanding Senior Honors Thesis on The Role of Race and Ethnicity in Pocketbook Voting. Prior to working at the Alliance, Alison provided fundraising and programmatic support for a San Diego homeless and women’s shelter.
Melissa Aguiar
Program Assistant – Pathways to HOPE Project
Melissa Aguiar is the Program Assistant for the Pathways to HOPE Project, an innovative year-round mentoring program for children exposed to domestic violence and childhood trauma. Melissa helps coordinate monthly activities exposing teenagers to different areas of interest such as Nature, Arts, and STEM to spark career goals and develop pathways to achieve those goals. Melissa is a graduate of California State University, Chico where she earned a B.A. in Sociology and in Spanish. She previously assisted domestic violence survivors while working with a San Diego attorney.
William Ackerman
Development Coordinator
William Ackerman is the Development Coordinator for the Alliance. Previously, he worked for two years serving San Diego’s refugee community in East County, where he networked and formed partnerships with donors and community partners on behalf of YALLA San Diego. Before coming to San Diego in 2015, William acquired his master’s degree in International Administration from the University of Denver, and studied International Affairs and Political Science as part of his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
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.
Rylie Shore
Administrative Assistant – Family Justice Center
Rylie is an Administrative 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.
Patricia Middleton
Program Assistant – Family Justice Center and Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention
Patricia Middleton is a Program Assistant for the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention. Before joining the Alliance team she completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Arizona State where she majored in Sociology. While completing her degree she worked as a Victim Witness Advocate, specializing in Domestic Violence as well as Child Assault cases. In addition to advocacy, she worked as a certified Child Forensic Interviewer conducting interviews with children ranging from 4-16 years old who had been victims of a crime. She brings a unique perspective and specialized training from her direct work with victims.”
Karly Gersberg
Program Assistant – Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention
Karly is a Program Assistant for the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a dual Bachelors’ in Sociology and Legal Studies and went on to get her Masters’ of Public Administration from San Diego State University. She previously worked as an advocate with Human Trafficking survivors and incorporates her experience in direct service work in her position at the Institute.
Yolanda Ruiz
Intern
Yolanda Ruiz is an Intern for the Alliance and provides administrative and programmatic support. For the past two years, Yolanda has served as a Camp HOPE America youth counselor making her the perfect fit to assist Pathways to HOPE program staff by managing calendars, participating in project planning and events.
Jenny Dietzen
Intern
Jenny Dietzen is an Intern providing administrative and programmatic support at the Alliance. Jenny has served as a Camp HOPE America counselor since 2012, and her experiences at Camp HOPE America -California motivated Jenny to work with kids. Jenny is currently a junior at San Diego State University, where she is studying social work.
Arturo Bustos
Intern
Arturo Bustos Ochoa is an Intern for the Alliance and provides administrative and programmatic support under the development coordinator. Prior to beginning his internship at the Alliance, he was a camper from 2014 through 2017. In the summer of 2018, he served as a counselor for Camp HOPE America. He recently graduated from Morse High School with honors and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in political science.
Alek Gastelum
Intern
Alek Gastelum is an intern at Alliance for HOPE International, providing administrative and programmatic support for Camp HOPE America. Alek has been a camper since 2014, and Camp HOPE America counselor since 2017. Alek currently attends Grossmont College, where he is studying Psychology.
