STAFF
“As Executive Director of Project SAGE, I feel fortunate to be part of an agency that believes in helping to transform communities for the better. We do this by giving support and services to those experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Those in need are our neighbors, our friends, our families. When one life transforms for the better, so does the entire community.”
Linda, Director of Community Engagement
Linda joined Project SAGE after a 30-year career in adult and higher education and over a decade of volunteerism and advocacy work with various disability organizations in New York, where she lives with her husband and children. She is thrilled to continue her lifelong pursuit of effecting change through education as part of the Project SAGE team.
Virginia, Director of Client Services
Virginia joined the Project SAGE team in May 2017. Virginia has a Masters in Social Work and has worked for the past 25 years in community organizing / non-profit agencies in MA, VT, and CT, including therapeutic foster care, community mental health, and hospice work. She and her children are back home in Cornwall and she is delighted to be part of the Project SAGE team.
Kaitlyn, Director of Appeals and Fundraising Events
Kaitlyn joined Project SAGE in January 2022, after many years in museum management and development. Kaitlyn has an AAS degree in early childhood education from Dutchess Community College, a BA in history from SUNY New Paltz, and an MA in American Studies from Trinity College. She lives with her husband and many pets in the Hudson Valley region of
New York.
Kelly, Interim Executive Director
Kelly originally joined Project SAGE in June 2018 as the Trade Secrets Event Coordinator. After leaving to support another organization in the fight against gender-based violence, she returned to Project SAGE in 2022 as the Director of Operations. Her previous experience includes the field of education and supporting educational nonprofits. She earned her BA in Child Study/Early Childhood Education from the University of Saint Joseph and her MS in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy from Bay Path University. Kelly lives with her family in Kent and loves making a difference in her community as part of the team at Project SAGE.
Yamile, Adult Advocate
Yamile began working at Project SAGE in September 2021. She graduated with a BS in Psychology in 2012 and has been working in the fields of addiction, human rights, and domestic violence ever since. She loves pets and plants and is actively involved in the arts.
Brenna, Fund Development Administrative Assistant
Brenna joined Project SAGE in January 2023 as the Trade Secrets Event Assistant and quickly changed roles to the Fund Development Administrative Assistant. Brenna has an AAS degree in Hospitality Management from Great Bay Community College. She recently moved to the Lakeville area with her husband and son from New Hampshire. Brenna is excited to join our incredible team and to help support Project SAGE mission in her community.
Thom, Office Administrator and Development Assistant
Thom joined the Project SAGE team in 2022. After spending the past decade working with local nonprofits engaged in fostering direct change within our communities, Thom is delighted to be able to help support the Project SAGE mission and our amazing team. When he is off the clock, Thom loves spending time with family, hiking, and gardening
Lisa, Family Violence Victim Advocate
Lisa has been part of the Project SAGE team since 2012. She began working in the domestic violence field 25 years ago as an intern at a sister agency and knew immediately that she had found her passion. That position led to a full-time position where Lisa provided both individual and group counseling to victims of DV. She has also been a social worker for the Dept. of Children and Families, and as a clinician before joining Project SAGE as the Family Violence Victim Advocate. As the FVVA, Lisa spend her days providing support to victims in criminal domestic violence cases at the GA 18 Torrington Superior Court. When Lisa is not at work she enjoys yoga, kayaking, and hiking with her dog Beau.
Jesi, Housing Specialist Advocate
Jesi joins Project SAGE, bringing with her 15 years of working in the field of gender and equity in India, Bangladesh, Tanzania and the United States. Jesi holds an AS in Criminal Justice from Berkshire Community College, a BA in Sociology & Religion from Smith College and an MPP from UMASS, Amherst. Jesi grew up in a military family, moving around the US as a child, but has put down roots in the Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts where she loves to hike, garden and explore. Jesi considers herself a social justice warrior and is excited to join the amazing team at Project SAGE.
Sarah, Prevention Educator
Sarah joins Project SAGE with higher education experience predominantly in Russia, Indonesia, and nearby in New York City. She enjoys connecting with and appreciates each student she engages with. She brings enthusiasm and a deep care to her work in prevention education. Her primary responsibility is educating and empowering local youth in order to diminish their chances of being a victim of domestic violence or human trafficking. She loves spending time outdoors at her home in Amenia, NY.
“I am proud to say that I am a formerly battered woman, and I believe that when one door closes another opens. Therefore, when I fled and made a better and safer life for myself and my son, it was important for me to give back to those experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). I feel strongly that self-identification and speaking out is a great force in healing from trauma and promoting social change...I am grateful to have worked for an agency focused on partnership, kindness, ethics, and a commitment to empowerment. Without the support of our community the progress in this field would not be possible. This is an incredibly strong agency with strong community support. ”