Our Staff and Board of Directors
Center Staff
Sally Sheppard
Executive Director
Sally Sheppard is a clinically licensed social worker and has been working with victims of sexual assault and abuse for over 15 years. Sally received her Bachelors of Arts degree from Appalachian State University in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and Social Control. She has a... Read more
Hannah Anderson
Child Services Program Manager
Hannah is a graduate of Valdosta State University with a Bachelor's in Sociology. Hannah has been working in the field of child abuse for over 7 years. She completed Finding Words GA and Advanced Finding Words GA in 2004 beginning her career in Forensic Interviewing. Hannah receives continuing ed... Read more
Devon Sanger, MSW
Adult Advocate
Devon G. Sanger earned a B.A. in Sociology with a focus on Gender Studies from Ithaca College in 2008, and received a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia in 2011. Over the course of her academic and professional career, Devon has worked to advocate for disenfranchised in... Read more
Lori Karr
Victim's Assistance Program Manager
Lori has a bachelor’s degree from The University of Georgia in Child and Family Development. She has worked with children and families for over fifteen years in a variety of settings. She joined our team as the Family Advocate in September of 2009 and has since been trained in Finding Words Georg... Read more
Board of Directors
Kelly B. DeFilippis
Vice President
Certifying Officer US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Read more
Melanie Burden
Community Member Read more
Ken Mauldin
Western Judicial Circuit, District Attorney Read more
Rob Trevena
Programs Administrator Athens-Clarke County Human & Economic Development Department Read more
Cecilia Herles
Institute for Women's Studies The University of Georgia Read more
Dana Hogan
Sunshine Pediatrics Read more
Ed Risler
School of Social Work The University of Georgia Read more
Charles Junior
The University of Georgia Read more
Sue Plaksin
Community Member Read more
Rachel Allen
Rachel Allen Media Services Read more