Anne serves as TESSA’s Chief Executive Officer, bringing a deep commitment to the organization’s mission and long-standing leadership experience to her role. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Colorado. Before becoming CEO in 2019, Anne served on TESSA’s Board of Directors for eight years, including two years as Board President, providing her with a strong foundation in organizational governance and strategic leadership. She is an active member of the nonprofit community in Colorado Springs and is deeply passionate about advancing TESSA’s work to support survivors and end interpersonal violence. Prior to joining TESSA in a staff leadership role, Anne worked in marketing and advertising with a focus on nonprofit organizations, experience that continues to inform her approach to community engagement and organizational growth.

Darryl serves as TESSA’s Chief Legal Services Officer, bringing extensive experience in public service, law, and leadership to the role. Prior to joining TESSA, he served for more than 15 years in public office as an El Paso County Commissioner and a Colorado Springs City Council Member. Darryl is an attorney with a focus on family law and protection orders, supporting survivors as they navigate complex legal systems. A retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Darryl completed more than 21 years of combined active and reserve service. He earned his law degree from New England School, an MBA from Western New England College, and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy. A lifelong Colorado Springs resident, Darryl is deeply connected to the community TESSA serves.

Tammi serves as TESSA’s Finance and Human Services Director, bringing more than 20 years of experience in accounting and bookkeeping to her role. She earned her associate degree in accounting from Pikes Peak Community College and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University. Tammi’s professional background includes work in nonprofit organizations, legal administration, public accounting, and government contracting throughout the Colorado Springs area. She began her time at TESSA as a Staff Accountant and advanced into her current leadership role, supporting the organization’s financial operations and human services functions. Tammi has found her passion in working alongside TESSA’s administrative team, ensuring staff are supported so they can best serve survivors and their families.

Denise serves as TESSA’s Clinical Director. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Texas Christian University and her master’s degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Denise brings extensive experience working with individuals impacted by severe and persistent mental health challenges, grief, and trauma in both direct service and leadership roles. Denise joined TESSA in January 2022 as a therapist and quickly moved into clinical supervision before stepping into the Clinical Director role. In this position, she has expanded the quality and scope of TESSA’s clinical services to include individual therapy, group services, short-term case management, and community connection. She takes pride in leading the clinical team in providing accessible, trauma-responsive care for both youth and adults. Outside of work, Denise’s greatest joy is traveling with her husband and four young adult children and making memories together.

Marissa holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with concentrations in Women’s and Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado. Her academic work centers on women’s and ethnic experiences, gender equity, and social systems impacting marginalized communities. Paired with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, business development, and event planning, her work supports fund growth, grant-writing, and the advancement of TESSA’s programs and community initiatives. Marissa is deeply committed to empowering families affected by interpersonal violence, breaking cycles of abuse, and providing preventative education that promotes healthy relationships.

Bri serves as TESSA’s Safehouse Program Director, overseeing Safehouse operations and ensuring survivors and their families receive compassionate, trauma-informed support. She began her work at TESSA as a Daytime Safeline Advocate, later serving as the Colorado Springs Safehouse Manager for almost four years before stepping into her current leadership role. Bri studied psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma and continued her education after relocating to Colorado Springs in 2017. Her professional background includes early childhood education and applied behavior analysis therapy, where she worked as a childcare provider, Registered Behavior Technician, and Operations Manager. She also holds certifications in crisis de-escalation and professional crisis management, strengthening her ability to lead in high-acuity environments. As Safehouse Program Director, Bri is dedicated to helping survivors and their families find safety and stability after violence across all communities

Kamri serves as the Douglas County Safehouse Manager, overseeing a dedicated team of case managers who provide on-site, trauma-informed support to survivors seeking safety, stability, and healing. She manages the daily operations of the Safehouse program and collaborates closely with other TESSA departments and community partners to ensure individuals and families receive comprehensive, survivor-centered care. Prior to joining TESSA, Kamri worked within California’s Department of Human Services as both an Eligibility Worker and a Child Welfare Social Worker, supporting families in accessing public benefits and navigating family reunification. This experience gave her a strong understanding of complex systems and deepened her commitment to helping families interrupt cycles of violence. She strives to ensure every survivor knows that change is possible, drawing on the resilience and growth she has witnessed even in the most challenging circumstances. Kamri is deeply aligned with TESSA’s values of dignity, respect, and empowerment and believes in meeting individuals where they are while honoring their autonomy. As a pet parent to one dog and one cat, she also recognizes the vital role pets play in families and works to support survivors in keeping their pets safe during times of transition.

Caitlyn serves as TESSA’s Youth and Children’s Program Manager, overseeing services that support children’s safety, autonomy, and well-being. In this role, she ensures children and youth have access to trauma-informed services and also supports TESSA’s youth education outreach efforts, providing prevention education across El Paso County. Prior to stepping into this leadership role, Caitlyn worked as a Youth and Children’s Case Manager, supporting families actively fleeing relationship violence with ongoing care and advocacy. Before joining TESSA, she served as a high school counselor for at-risk youth, further strengthening her commitment to supporting young people during times of transition and crisis. Caitlyn holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work. She has dedicated her career to working with vulnerable children and is deeply passionate about helping them feel seen, supported, and safe. Outside of work, she enjoys getting lost in a good book, crocheting, and tending to her many exotic plants.

Yhatisse serves as TESSA’s Advocacy Manager and has spent the past five years supporting survivors and leading advocacy staff through trauma-informed, survivor-centered care. She works closely with both clients and advocates to ensure services remain accessible, compassionate, and responsive to community needs. Yhatisse previously served as a Confidential Victim Advocate and Hospital Advocate, experiences that continue to shape her leadership and approach to advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and is deeply committed to TESSA’s mission of reducing the burden that domestic violence places on individuals and families. Yhatisse is proud to be part of TESSA’s work and remains dedicated to fostering safety, empowerment, and healing for survivors. Outside of work, she enjoys caring for her plants and spending time with her family, drawing strength from her faith.

Susan serves as TESSA’s Prevention Education and Outreach Coordinator, providing direction for prevention education and outreach efforts across El Paso, Douglas, and surrounding rural communities. Her work supports TESSA’s mission by helping to create a safer future through education and outreach to schools, businesses, and community organizations. Susan helps lead a variety of free educational programs for K–12 students, colleges, and adult groups focused on healthy relationships and violence prevention. Susan brings more than 30 years of experience teaching and mentoring youth through education and nonprofit work, along with a master’s degree specializing in youth leadership. She is an accomplished conference presenter at local, statewide, and national conferences focused on youth development and violence prevention. Susan believes prevention education offers a powerful opportunity to equip young people and adults with information that supports healthier life choices. Outside of her work at TESSA, she is a certified yoga and fitness instructor and enjoys creating art in her free time.

Kristen serves as TESSA’s Rural Advocacy Manager, supporting rural communities through domestic violence and sexual assault education, prevention, and case management. She focuses on building strong, collaborative relationships with law enforcement, forensic nursing teams, and county health departments to strengthen coordinated, survivor-centered responses across rural service areas. Kristen serves on both the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and the Adult Sexual Assault Response Team. She brings a background in social work, has supported the Colorado SANE/SAFE program, and is currently pursuing a nursing degree through Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her cross-disciplinary experience allows her to approach advocacy with both compassion and systems-level insight. Kristen is deeply committed to expanding access to services in rural communities and empowering survivors through responsive, trauma-informed care.

Al serves as TESSA’s Housing First Program Manager in Colorado Springs, supporting survivors in accessing safe and stable housing while also providing education to the housing community. He is committed to helping survivors build long-term stability by addressing housing as a critical component of safety and healing. Al earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Wyoming. He began his work at TESSA as an Overnight Safeline Advocate before moving into Safehouse case management, where his passion for working alongside survivors continued to grow. He was drawn to the Housing First program after recognizing the essential role housing plays in long-term independence and well-being. Outside of work, Al enjoys quilting and listening to K-pop. He is dedicated to advancing inclusivity within victim advocacy and providing trauma-informed, survivor-centered care.