Leanne Graham was named the successor of founding director, Dr. Robert Denton, in August of 2012. Leanne obtained a Bachelor of Sociology with a Certificate of Criminology and Law from Suffolk University and completed a Massachusetts Legislative Internship. Leanne then moved to Ohio, where she obtained a Master of Justice Studies from Kent State University. Throughout her career, she worked with victims of all types of crime and held numerous administrative positions with multiple victim service agencies. Leanne's experience allowed her to receive the highest victim advocate credentialing status, Comprehensive Crisis Intervention Specialist, from the National Accreditation Certification Program (NACP) of the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA.) Leanne continues to use the knowledge and skills gained throughout her career to professionalize victim advocacy across the country, guides Summit County's response to victims' needs, and ensures the Victim Assistance Program successfully carries out its mission 24/7/365.
Christel Durbec started her career as a Victim Advocate in September of 2019; became a credentialed advocate through NACP; and is currently a member of the Summit County Youth Suicide Prevention Subcommittee. In her new role as the Supervisor of Crisis Services, Christel oversees Victim Assistance Program’s Summit County Crisis Response Team Volunteers and all after-hours staff members. Christel also facilitates all Group Crisis Intervention responses for staff, faculty, and students within the local school systems of Summit County after the loss of a child or teacher.
Deneen-Marie Brant holds a Bachelor of Applied Conflict Management, a minor in Justice Studies, from Kent State University. She holds several certifications in the social service field that have increased her knowledge of serving victims of crime and trauma. Deneen has been with the Victim Assistance Program for over 5 years, holding multiple Victim Advocate roles in the agency.
Charlie Phillips graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a minor in sociology. He is an accredited advocate through the NACP and an advocate working at the Domestic Relations court. He is a member of various coalitions including ODVN's coalition for LGBTQ+ community and other organizations focusing on courtroom and legal advocacy for those experiencing victimizations of intimate partner violence and domestic violence.
Shelley Blundell joined Victim Assistance Program as the Director of Education in May 2024. Unbeknownst to her, the several careers she had prior to this role at VAP (and her eclectic ‘academic mix’ of bachelor’s degrees in journalism and history, her master’s degree in library and information science, and her doctoral degree in Communication and Information) were actually providing her with the diverse range of skills, tools, and experiences she would need to do justice to this incredible role, the agency itself, and everyone she has the good fortune to collaborate with internally and externally. Shelley is both humbled and excited to combine her previous professional and academic skills from higher education and the corporate (education) sector with Summit Victim Assistance Academy’s indelible legacy of quality advocacy and crisis intervention education and looks forward to creating innovative educational offerings to add to SVAA’s curriculum.
Ripley has been a Victim Advocate with VAP since 2021, when they started as an intern. They provide crisis intervention and advocacy services Monday through Friday at the main office and after hours during on-call shifts. This includes speaking with victims on the 24/7 hotline and chat, responding on scene with law enforcement or the medical examiner, going to the hospital to talk with a victim after a trauma, sitting in court with a family, and so much more. Ripley has an associate's degree in Human and Social Services from Stark State College and is currently working towards their bachelor's in Social Work through Walden University. They also hold the basic level as a credentialed advocate through the NACP. Victims shouldn’t have to feel like they are going through their journey alone, and Ripley’s role at VAP helps ensure that’s not the case.
Dana Zedak started her career during the anti-rape movement, in 1988, while attending the University of Akron, acquiring a Bachelor of Psychology. Dana’s proficiency in direct service for victims of trauma and administrative leadership roles, across Northeast Ohio, have allowed her to become a nationally credentialed advocate with advanced standing through the NACP. Dana also serves as a crisis response team (CRT) member, trainer for NOVA, and certified to present QPR: Gatekeeper. Dana, a licensed social worker, certified yoga instructor, and an expert witness for prosecuting domestic violence offenders, has provided education on victimization and trauma topics nationally, statewide, and locally for more than 35 years. She previously served as a leader for our education department and currently acts as a coordinator of the Victim Assistance Program's week-long course, The Essentials of Victim Advocacy.
Becky Cool oversees a team of Supervisors, Victim Advocates, Interns, and Volunteers who provide 24/7 crisis intervention and advocacy services to victims of crime and trauma in Summit County. Becky holds a Master of Social Work from The University of Akron. Additionally, she is a licensed Social Worker (LSW) and holds the intermediate level as a credentialed advocate through the NACP. Throughout her career, Becky has held several roles in both direct services and administrative capacities in Summit and Cuyahoga Counties. Becky has dedicated her career to implementing the fundamentals of trauma-informed care not only in serving clients directly, but in program and policy development and execution, supervision, and leadership.
Zach Gilgenbach oversees the main office Victim Advocates who provide crisis intervention services on scene, court advocacy in the Akron Municipal Court, and coverage for the 24/7 hotline. Zach holds a Master of Criminal Justice, from Tiffin University, and is a credential advocate through the NACP. Throughout his career Zach has worked in municipal and county courts; worked in offender services; and spent a brief time working with the Summit County Medical Examiner. This has given Zach a widespread knowledge of the Criminal Justice System which allows him to share this knowledge with others.
Rev. Dr. Sandy Selby is Pastor of Furnace Street Mission and Consultant and Chaplain for Tough Work Outreach, which serves people in crisis and those who work with them. She served for twenty years as on-call chaplain at both Akron Children’s Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Her doctoral research examined compassion fatigue and resilience in individuals who work with people in crisis. A graduate of Leadership Akron, Sandy received the Bernard Rosen Community Service Award from Victim Assistance Program, and the Women of Achievement Award from Women’s Network of Northeast Ohio. She is a member of the Summit County Social Services Advisory Board and serves on the Boards of Child Guidance and Family Solutions and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Kim Laurene (she/her), PhD., is the Director of Grants & Organizational Giving at Victim Assistance Program. In this role she oversees a diverse portfolio of grants and foundations, managing all stages of the grant’s contractual lifecycle to achieve the organization’s initiatives, goals, and mission to serve victims of crime and trauma. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of positions in juvenile courts (Psychology Aide, Community Service Supervisor, Intake Officer). She has also worked at institutes of higher education, where she most recently oversaw several federal and state grants focused on well-being. She is a certified QPR and Mental Health First Aid instructor and has also created several mental health awareness trainings.
Staci Manfull has been a victim advocate for 20 years. She is a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. Ms. Manfull began her career as an intern with the Stark County Prosecutor's Office and after graduating in 2005, she was offered a position with the Stark County Prosecutor's Office. She served many roles there beginning with Canton Municipal Court Advocate and ending with Coordinator of Victim Services with Adult Felony Courts. Staci developed expertise in servicing the survivors of homicides. Staci has had memberships with the Domestic Violence Collaborative as well as SART (Sexual Assault Response Team). Her different roles with Stark County was crucial in serving victims of the most violent crimes. Throughout Staci's career, she has attended numerous trainings and is a certified victim advocate by the State of Ohio and nationally. After leaving Stark County she worked with the State Attorney's Office in Clearwater, Florida to serve victims within Pinellas County, Florida. Staci has been with Victim Assistance Program in Akron, OH since March of 2024 where he began working in the evenings with the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau. Currently Staci Manfull is the Senior Victim Advocate at Stow Municipal Court where her passion is to help victims navigate their way through the criminal justice system.