Karina Vargas - SafeSpace Florida

Eileen Heely

Eileen Heely joined SafeSpace as the Director of Human Resources in early 2025, bringing with her over 30 years of comprehensive HR experience. Her career has spanned both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, demonstrating a versatile and deep understanding of human capital management. Eileen holds an MA in Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Organizational Change and Consultation from Columbia University, as well as a BS in Business and Communication from Adelphi University.

Melanie Afanador recently joined SafeSpace, Inc. in October 2023 as the Director of Programs.

Since 2007, Melanie has dedicated her career working towards social change by addressing the need to respond and prevent domestic violence in collaboration with survivors and communities to promote safe and equitable relationships.

Melanie is a certified Core Competency Trainer with the Florida Department of Children and Families, and has experience providing professional trainings and workshops to child welfare professionals, community based agencies, medical practitioners, professional sports teams, and culturally specific audiences through various public media outlets.

In her current role as the Director of Programs with SafeSpace, Inc., Melanie oversees our direct service programs that include our Outreach community based intervention and prevention services and our essential residential programs.

Melanie Afanador believes that change is possible and everyone has the right to live safely and free from violence. To achieve a future where individuals, families, and children have a safe home in a safe community, our “SafesSpace” welcomes survivors to be heard, believed, and trusted to progressively lead the change.

Nancy Stern, CPA, CMA

Nancy Stern joined the SafeSpace team as Director of Finance in October 2024, bringing 30 years of experience in both profit and non-profit organizations. Originally from Canada, she attended the University of Windsor and has a CMA (Certified Management Accountant) designation and a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation. Nancy has a diverse background which includes senior leadership roles in the fulfillment and distribution industry, manufacturing, and federally funded non-profit organizations. Nancy is excited to make a difference at SafeSpace by sharing her knowledge, experience, and leadership!

Karina Vargas

Karina Vargas is the Child Welfare Advocate Lead. She is a graduate from Indian River State College and has her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Human Services. She is currently pursuing a degree in Business and has been with SafeSpace since May of 2018. Karina has 10 years of experience in the Child Welfare system where she worked with families that have been impacted by domestic violence, abuse, or neglect. Karina Vargas is co-located at the Department of Children and Family Office where she provides ongoing training to child welfare professionals. She is able to connects with survivors to advocate within the child welfare system. As partners we can work together to achieve freedom from domestic violence.

Charles Trujillo

Charles Trujillo is an attorney who has been with SafeSpace, Inc. since 2017. He graduated with a law degree from Florida International University in 2016. He is proud to serve the community and assist survivors in obtaining injunctions against their abusers. Charles enjoys his sweets and will normally have candy hidden in his work desk.

Carmen Saladin

Bio Coming Soon!

Christine Newman

Christine Newman joined SafeSpace in February, 2022 as the Administrative Assistant to the CEO. She possesses over 20 years of experience in office administration providing support to senior executives in the financial field. Christine brings to SafeSpace knowledge and expertise in various areas of office management, coupled with strong organizational capabilities, problem-solving skills, and excellent customer service abilities.

Kristen Gelinas-Sullivan

HR Manager Kristen Gelinas-Sullivan joined SafeSpace in 2024. Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. She started her human resources career in law enforcement and is passionate about finding individuals who are dedicated to helping others. In her free time, Kristen enjoys reading and spending time with her family. Go Celtics!

Nady Francois

Nady Francois is the Director of Finance at SafeSpace. He is responsible for overseeing all finance-related tasks of the organization, such as reporting, budget development, processing, and summarizing all financial data. SafeSpace is tackling a global issue that is close to his heart as well, since domestic violence is often misunderstood and considered taboo in the country he is from. In his free time, Nady loves to cook and grow his own spices and produce.

Abigail Andújar

Abigail Andújar is the Outreach Programs Manager for SafeSpace, Inc., where she provides administrative oversight to the Outreach programs. She has been with our agency since 2018. Throughout her time in this position, she has initiated collaborative partnerships in the community that have reduced barriers faced by survivors of intimate partner violence, ensuring victims have access to safety, support, and education to achieve independent lives free from abuse.

Abigail holds a Certification in the Master Class In Leadership along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. She is also a certified Florida Victims Services’ practitioner through the office of the Attorney General and a certified Core Competency trainer for our agency.

Development Manager

Art Ciasca earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education from Bowling Green State University, and Master of Science degree in health services administration from the College of St. Francis. Art Ciasca has worked in healthcare and social service leadership roles for 30 years, and has taught in public and private institutions, full and part time, for 17 years. Prior to retirement, Art was the Chief Executive Officer for a local community mental health center, and Director of Development for SafeSpace. Art currently is an Adjunct Professor in the Healthcare Management Department at Indian River State College.

During Art’s career he has served in various leadership roles for community social service groups, including the St. Lucie County Council of Social Agencies (COSA) and the Indian River County Council of Community Services (CCS). Art Ciasca is the recipient of the Friends of The Rupert J. Smith Law Library Community Heroes Award for Outreach (May 2013) and is a Graduate of the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class 2003.

Art Ciasca has provided dozens of radio and television appearances in the four-county area addressing health and social issues and has written several published articles for the Friendly Passages Magazine, a publication of the Friends of The Rupert J. Smith Law Library.

CEO Jennifer Fox began leading SafeSpace in June 2023. Ms. Fox graduated Magna Cum Laude from Augsburg University with a Masters of Social Work and a Masters of Business Administration. She has extensive experience in developing effectiveness-based program design and evaluations relating to shelter, transitional living facilities, and outreach programs for people experiencing domestic violence, sexual exploitation and homelessness. Her experience also includes strategic planning, community collaboration, complex project management, grant compliance, and developing curriculum for outreach to traumatized and marginalized populations.

Bio to come

Michelle Beninda

Michelle Beninda is a long-time Martin County resident with over 30 years of experience in accounting, auditing and business analysis. She is a seasoned professional who is well-versed in various aspects of financial management, strategic planning, and business process improvement; specializing in real estate and the automotive industry. As an Excel specialist, Michelle is an expert in using this powerful spreadsheet software to manage and analyze financial data. Her proficiency in Excel enables her to provide accurate and insightful financial reporting and analysis, as well as develop efficient and effective financial models and forecasting tools.

Apart from her professional work, Michelle has a keen interest in reading and enjoys exploring different genres of literature. She actively participates in numerous Bible studies and book clubs. She also has a passion for cooking and loves to experiment with different recipes and cuisines in her spare time. In addition to her personal interests, Michelle is actively involved in various charities and philanthropic causes and enjoys contributing to her community in meaningful ways. She joined the SafeSpace Board in 2023.

Bryan Gardner

Bryan and his wife Lori moved to the Treasure Coast in 2003 from Seattle. Bryan and his wife Lori have been happily married for over 25 years and have two children. Bryan is the President of both Level 4 Telcom and MicroTech Systems. Bryan possesses a strong background in both VoIP telecommunications and Information Technology.

Bryan founded MicroTech Systems in 2003 on the principle of providing excellent products, services and customer service that is second to none. In 2008, Bryan launched his hosted VoIP telecommunications division, Level 4 Telcom based on these same core principles. Through determination, hard work and of course, a little luck, Bryan has successfully grown his companies to be two of the region’s premier Telecommunications and IT managed services providers.

Bryan has served on many local organizations’ boards of directors over the years. Some of these organizations include the St Lucie Chamber of Commerce, Safe Space of Florida, Inner Truth Project, Port St. Lucie Planning and Zoning Board as well as the Seacoast Bank Community Board. He is also a proud graduate of Leadership St. Lucie Class 24. In his spare time, Bryan enjoys spending time with his family while traveling, boating, and enjoying our wonderful Florida Lifestyle.

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Director of Operations of SafeSpace, Inc.

Bio

Arati Hammond is the #1 ranked individual real estate agent at Keller Williams Treasure Coast for 2020 and 2021. Serving the Treasure Coast real estate market since 2002, she has an in-depth knowledge of the properties in the Tri-County area, as well as the local schools, the area’s many golf courses and other amenities. She and her family live in Palm City where they enjoy fishing and exploring the waterways.

Prior to real estate, Arati received her Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering and has worked in sales and advertising. She is a Founding Member of Impact100 Martin, is on the Board of Directors for the Education Foundation of Martin County and the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County, and was awarded the Business Partner of the Year for Palm City Elementary and Hidden Oaks Middle School. Giving back to the community is very important to Arati. She joined the SafeSpace Board in August 2022.

Nancy Wong
– Martin County resident; joined SafeSpace Board in 2017 and has served as Governance Chair, Board Secretary, President-Elect and President.
– Retired; former Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for domestic and international divisions of Kraft Foods, Inc.
– Founding member of Impact 100 Martin; currently serves on Advisory Committee; former Executive Committee Chair and Grants Committee Co-Chair
– Current member of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Foundation Advisory Board
– Barnard College A.B. degree with major in Psychology and minor in Economics; served on Board of Trustees and received Alumnae Service Award

Sharon Dvir has been in the Wealth Management and Private Banking field for over 14 years, specializing in servicing the complex needs of highly successful individuals and Privately Held Business Owners. As a Vice President and Senior Relationship Strategist at PNC Private Bank, she takes a goal based financial planning approach with a focus on clients’ unique needs related to cash flow, business succession and exit strategies. By reviewing the impact to their legacy, trust and estates, she is able to provide proactive service to challenge, educate, protect and grow clients’ overall financial well-being in order to sustain their current life styles, provide for future generations and philanthropic passions.

Sharon is new to the Treasure Coast, having relocated from New Jersey in July of 2021 with her daughter and 2 dogs. She is passionate about being an active member of her community. She has a personal connection to the mission of SafeSpace and joined the Board in April 2022. She is an avid runner who enjoys spending time outdoors kayaking, fishing and hiking.

Charity Ginger joined the SafeSpace Board of Directors in March 2021. Since moving from Michigan in 2010, she has been a dedicated philanthropist and volunteer for numerous local organizations, including Treasure Coast Hospice, Mariner Sands Charity Week, Madison’s Miracles, Stuart-Jensen Elks Lodge, Celebrities Fore Kids, and Impact100 Martin.

Charity has been the event chair for the Little Treasure Pediatric Hospice Gala held annually at Mariner Sands Country Club for 9 years, a member of the Pediatric Care Advisory Board, the Treasure Coast Hospice Volunteer of the Year and Joan Hay Madeira Award Recipient, and co-chair of the 2021 Madison’s Miracles Gala.

Charity is a resident of Stuart’s Mariner Sands Country Club; where she enjoys tennis, pickleball, golf, and the dog park with her fur-baby, Kaline. She holds an MBA with a specialty focus in Healthcare Management and worked at Martin Funeral Home & Crematory as the Advanced Planning and Family Care Counselor prior to joining ExecOnline, Inc. as Director of Corporate Partnerships.

Charity attributes both her professional successes and passion for helping others to her faith and Christian values.

Captain Joshua Kloster has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University and has over 13 years of combined law enforcement experience. He began his law enforcement career working as a Police Officer for the State of Florida in 2008.

In 2011, Captain Kloster was hired by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and sworn in as a deputy sheriff assigned to the Uniform Road Patrol Division. In 2013 he transferred into the Special Investigations Unit and was a member of the SWAT Team. In 2015, he was transferred into the Fugitive Warrants Unit where he was assigned to the U.S. Marshals Task Force. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2017 and transferred to the Uniform Road Patrol Division and then the Criminal Investigations Division.

In 2020, while in the Criminal Investigations Division, Captain Kloster was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Captain Kloster was then assigned to the Community Operations Division where he assisted with the Community Policing Unit, School Resource Officer Unit, Behavior Health Unit, Community Programs Unit, Media Relations Unit, School Crossing Guards Unit, Animal Services Unit, Court Security, Civil Process, and Pre-Trial Release Units. In 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Captain where he is now in command of the Community Operations Division. He joined the SafeSpace Board in March, 2022.

Jessica Malasek is a business executive with more than 25 years of experience in overseeing operations and solving complex business problems. Since 2006, she has served as President and Chief Financial Officer of OnDemand Resources, a 4-time Inc500/5000 innovative provider of project and interim consulting talent in supply chain, procurement and operations globally. She was with Capital One Financial for 5 years before that, where she implemented large, enterprise-wide strategic initiatives including: integrating new businesses, building a cost-conscious culture, and developing/implementing controls and governance. Prior to Capital One, Jessica was a Strategic Planning Manager at Pfizer where she led efforts to reduce the cycle time of new drug registration processes in the Asia and Africa regions. She started her career at Dreyfus Corporation as a member of the municipal bond portfolio management and trading team, with responsibilities for all cash management of long-term bond funds.

Jessica relocated to Florida in 2021 from Charlottesville, Virginia where she played an active role in fund raising and event planning for the Shelter for Help in Emergency, as well as the Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia. She is a graduate of Barnard College and holds an MBA degree from the Darden School, University of Virginia. She joined the SafeSpace Board in January, 2022.

Sandee Jo Crocker joined the SafeSpace Board in October 2021. She grew up in Tampa, Florida, where most of her family still lives. She earned her RN degree and has worked in fields ranging from long-term care to dialysis. Though not working for the last six years, Sandee Jo keeps her license active. She regularly volunteers at the VIM (Volunteers in Medicine) clinic serving the local community’s needs. She has recently written a book entitled “In the Blink of a Black Eye,” which details an extraordinary story of abuse, survival, hope, and freedom from the life she once knew.

Sandee Jo moved to Stuart in 2014 and married James Crocker, founder and CEO of Hog Technologies, the county’s largest privately owned manufacturing company. They have five children ranging from 16 to 30 years old and one granddaughter. She enjoys traveling with her husband, cycling daily, and spending the summer months with family and friends on their boat. She and her husband actively support many local, national, and international charities.

Thomas Bakkedahl joined the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office in 1991 as a misdemeanor prosecutor. During his tenure with that office, he has held positions as the attorney-in-charge of both the Martin and Saint Lucie County offices and the Chief Assistant State Attorney. On January 5, 2021, he assumed the position of the State Attorney for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit.

During his tenure with the State Attorney’s Office, Tom has come to appreciate the devastating consequences that the crime of domestic violence has on the individual and the family and to that end he has dedicated himself to the eradication of this scourge on our community. This dedication brought him to Safe Space as a Board member in 2017.

Dan Pimpo was raised in Buffalo, New York and has lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, and now lives and works in St. Lucie County, Florida. Dan has been recognized as a true leader and tops in his profession. Working for over 17 years at Toshiba, a global leader in technology, has provided the pathway to much success for him. He has earned several awards of Excellence & Leadership and believes in supporting his community.

Dan joined the SafeSpace Board in 2016. As a past President of the Board, he is concerned with how the COVID pandemic has escalated domestic violence worldwide and would like everyone’s participation to help put a stop to this crisis.

Joyce Page served two terms as President of the Board of Directors from July 2019 to June 2021. She received the SafeSpace 2018 Board Member of the Year award. The passion and dedication of the SafeSpace staff to change the lives of victims of domestic violence inspired her to join the Board in 2016.

Joyce was the 2018 Festival of Trees Grande Dame for Tykes & Teens, a nonprofit dedicated to children’s mental health services. She has also served on the Martin Health Foundation’s Chrysanthemum Ball committee for over 15 years.

A native of Nashville, Joyce attended college at Western Kentucky University, then moved to Florida after graduation. She is a founding member of The Norman-Page Team, an award-winning real estate team at Water Pointe Realty Group in Stuart. She and her husband have lived on the Treasure Coast for over 30 years. She loves gardening, cooking and she, along with her husband, is an avid boater.

Linda Weiksnar lives in Martin County, working at Crary Buchanan since 2005 as Chair of the Family Law Department. She founded Moms for Mental Health, is a founding member of Impact100 Martin, was a founding member of Hobe Sound Port Salerno Rotary Club; and, with another parent, chartered a Venturing Crew. She has volunteered with both the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts (and each of her kids received the highest rank in those organizations, of which she is especially proud). Each year, she speaks to local students about the U.S. Constitution. She was the 2020 Soroptimist Woman of Distinction, Business/Professional.

She joined the SafeSpace Board as of July 2021 and has served on The Lyric Theatre Board (continuing), Martin County Bar Association (President, 2008-2009), Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce, LEADERship Martin County, Justice Major B. Harding Inns of Court.

She is presently a member of the Stuart Sunrise Rotary Club (and a 3-time Paul Harris Fellow); a member of the Order of the Eastern Star; has been honored several times for her pro bono services, including receiving the St. Thomas More Award. She has written guest editorials for the Stuart News related to family law and mental health, and often speaks at continuing legal education seminars in the area.

Linda graduated from Duke University and Georgetown University Law Center with a JD/MSFS. In addition to her two kids, both currently at UF, she has a giant dog.

Linda Houston retired from a 33-year career in financial services with numerous leadership roles, ultimately as the Managing Director and New England Division Executive of Merrill Lynch/Bank of America Wealth Management.

She currently is an executive board member of Virginia National Bank in Charlottesville Virginia. She also is the sole owner of LGH Consulting LLC that consults to wealth management business needs.

Linda is on several nonprofit boards on the Treasure Coast: Florida Oceanographic Society serving as the chair of the Development committee; The Community Foundation of Martin-St Lucie serving on the Investment committee; and Sailfish Point Foundation serving as the chair of Development. She most recently joined the board of SafeSpace in July of 2021

Linda moved with her husband to Sailfish Point, Stuart in 2017.

Theresa is a native of Nassau, Bahamas who relocated to South Florida with her mother and siblings in 1982. After high school, she attended Barry University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Administration and later a master’s degree in Human Resource Development with a focus on Leadership.

Theresa is Co-Owner of Legacy Private Care, Inc, a Florida licensed Nurse Registry, that provides care for the elderly on the Treasure Coast. She is a vivacious and enthusiastic individual who strives to see the good in others and prefers to take the “glass half full” approach. Her faith and family are the driving factors in her life and she credits it all to her mother who is a domestic violence survivor and the most phenomenal woman she knows.

Theresa believes her introduction to Safespace was/is divine and is eager to lend her time, talents and treasures to support the mission of the organization by joining the SafeSpace Board in July 2021.

Aimee Cooper was born and raised on the Treasure Coast. She serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, where she has been employed since 2018. Aimee earned her Masters of Science in Financial Management in 2010 and went on to become both a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner. Her previous work experience includes nonprofit and government auditing at a local CPA firm. She joined the SafeSpace Board in 2020.

Aimee credits her faith in God as her driving force in both her personal and professional life. She identifies her value system as being rooted in perseverance, determination, and a passionate desire to pursue excellence. When not crunching numbers or serving her community, she loves boating on the Indian River Lagoon or enjoying many of the other benefits of life in Florida with her family.”

Captain Adam Goodner was born in Fort Pierce and graduated from Fort Pierce Central High School. He completed the Florida Basic Recruit Law Enforcement Officer Academy and his Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Technology from Indian River State College.

In September of 1992, he was hired by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office as an Auxiliary Deputy and then as a full-time Deputy in April of 1993. During his tenure with the agency, Captain Goodner has worked in the following divisions: Criminal Investigations, Internal Affairs, Special Investigations, and Uniformed/District Patrol.

For many years, Captain Goodner has served as the team commander for the Crisis Negotiation Team. He has become a statewide leader among crisis negotiators, completing his first of two terms as the President of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators. He joined the Board of SafeSpace in 2018.

Linda Hengerer has lived on the Treasure Coast for over 20 years. Her home and office are in Indian River County. She served on the SafeSpace Board of Directors for six years from 2012 to 2018, during which time she was on the Executive Committee as President. She rejoined the Board in 2019 and serves as Governance Chair. Her experience working for major corporations and small businesses has guided her work for SafeSpace. Linda is also the author of non-fiction and fiction, and incorporates social issues such as domestic violence into her cozy mystery series.

Emmelis Keaney is a Financial Professional with a decade of experience in the financial services industry offering an array of financial services to clients across 16 states. She is Executive Vice President at Keaney Financial Services Corp., based in Stuart, Florida. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor’s in Communications with a major in investigative journalism. An avid community advocate, Emmelis is passionate about women empowerment, youth entrepreneurship and making a positive impact in her community. Emmelis joined the SafeSpace Board in 2018.

Erica Snowberger is a Florida native and long-time Vero Beach resident. She attended St. Edwards for grade school and graduated from Vero Beach High School with honors before she went on to pursue her college degree from Virginia Tech. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology, and also met her fiancée, Danny, while there. Blacksburg, Virginia will always hold a special place in her heart, but after graduation Erica was inclined to move home to Vero Beach where her family resides.

Erica is an Investment Consultant with Fidelity Investments, and has enjoyed spending the last 5 years working for a company that prioritizes women in the workplace. When she is not helping clients build financial plans to help realize their goals, she is excited to dedicate her time to the SafeSpace Board which she joined in 2020. She looks forward to sharing SafeSpace mission and raising awareness about domestic violence and the need for support in the community. In her free time, Erica enjoys traveling, tennis, golf, running & boating.

Interested in using my knowledge and experience to give back to the community. The mission of SafeSpace holds a special place in my heart, resulting in my joining the Board in 2020. I am a big promoter of women and being able to help women become stronger and independent has been a goal of mine. I am also a supporter of Girls, Inc. in Houston, Texas.

Certified Public Accountant with over 35 years of experience in all aspects of Financial, Construction, Property Management and Real Estate Development Accounting as well as US and International Tax. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Coventry Development Corporation since December 2006. Coventry manages and develops the real estate assets, consisting of large land tracts in Florida, Texas and Colorado, for a private European family. Coventry is focused on transformative real estate development with mixed-use, compact planned communities that begin with major new employment uses and then adds amenities and enhanced value to the surrounding community. Major projects under development include Master Planned Communities in SE Denver and North Houston. Responsible for management of over 16 Joint Ventures projects with multiple partners, 300,000 sf of retail space in South Houston and Denver as well as all accounting functions involved in the management of over 9,000 acres of real estate throughout the United States and Guam.

Involved in the daily management of four (4) Municipal Utility Districts in Houston, Denver and Martin County, Florida. Direct involvement in structuring Municipal Bond financing for public infrastructure projects.

Treasurer for both Condo Boards where I reside in Fort Pierce, Florida and Morristown, New Jersey. Have two grown married children and three grandchildren. Graduated with Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York.

Dr. Jack Mitchell is an independent HR consultant and Master Trainer. His clients have been international and domestic. He has recently been the CEO/Owner of T Coast Studios, a social media marketing and video company located in Port St. Lucie. He has also functioned as a Division President of Seitlin HR, the largest HR consulting firm in Florida; CEO of Personality Profiles Institute; Senior Vice President, World-wide Director of Human Resources for the largest PR firm in the US; as well as VP for a top advertising agency headquartered in NYC.

Dr. Jack was also in religious life for seventeen years and served four years at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. He holds advanced degrees in Theology, Psychology and Law. He lives in Port St. Lucie with his wife, Karin, and serves on a number of Boards of Directors in the community. He has been on the Board for SafeSpace since 2014 and currently is the Chair of the Donor Development Committee.

Wendy Gomez has been with SafeSpace, Inc. since 2016 and an Administrative Assistant since 2018. She absolutely loves the mission of SafeSpace and truly enjoys working for such an amazing organization. In her spare time, Wendy enjoys shopping with her two daughters and playing with the family’s pets.