Our Experts
Renée E. Layman
President & CEO
Renée is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with almost thirty years of experience in mental health. In her various leadership roles, Renée has been a passionate advocate for child and family health, equity, and bringing high quality prevention, early intervention, and trauma-informed services and solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing vulnerable children, families, and communities.
Dominika Nolan, LMHC, RPT-S
Senior Director, Development and Events
Dominika is a licensed mental health counselor, registered play therapist supervisor, national certified counselor, and certified clinical mental health counselor. She is EMDR certified and a Circle of Security Parenting facilitator. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Arts with a major in Psychology from Dublin Business School in Ireland in 2012 and a Masters Degree in Science, with a focus in Counseling Psychology, from Lynn University in 2016.
Cherie Benjoseph, LCSW
Director, National Outreach and Education
Cherie is a subject matter expert in the field of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and founded KidSafe Foundation in 2009. She received an MSW from Boston University and has worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in multiple school and nonprofit settings in the Northeast and Florida. Cherie grounds her work in prevention using a public health framework.
Elysse Dion
Director, Digital Learning and Innovation
Elysse, a seasoned technology and project management professional, brings over ten years of experience in project management, operations, and administrative leadership. She has a strong background in learning management systems and collaborates closely with content creators to develop and deliver engaging educational trainings. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Worcester University.
Yassaira Martell
Director, Early Intervention Services
Yassaira is a professional educator with over 15 years of experience. She received her BA in Early Childhood and Primary Education in Puerto Rico. She moved to Florida in 2013 where she continued her passion in education by becoming a Certified Pre-School Director with certifications in the Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies and Beyond Centers and Circle Time. She is a Registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator and Infant Mental Health Endorsed.
Jibby Ciric, PsyD
Senior Director, Strategic Impact
Jibby has a Bachelor Degree in Public Health, Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling, and Doctorate in Psychology. Her passion is bringing healing to others and promoting not only individual health, but improving the welfare of our entire community. She is a leader, bringing extensive experience in mental health to our work, including development of innovative programs and building the workforce pipeline.
Stephanie De La Cruz, LMHC
Clinical Supervisor
Stephanie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Boston University, and then completed her Master's of Science in Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University. Stephanie has advanced trauma training and certification in numerous evidenced-based treatment models including EMDR, PCIT, Play Therapy, TF-CBT, and CPP.
Anne Holland Brown, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Anne is a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and over twenty-six years of mental health experience working with children who have experienced abuse and trauma. Anne has served in many roles, including clinician, psychological and forensic evaluator, program director, clinical supervisor, researcher, and victim activist.