Our Staff

Gina-2022-web-min
Gina, Executive Director

ginak@safeharborsd.org

Gina is our Executive Director and has been with Safe Harbor since December 2009. She is a graduate of Northern State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication. Gina is very excited about the new direction Safe Harbor is taking and hopes that we can make a big impact in all the communities we serve. Gina enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, cooking and baking.

LaVonne-2022-web-min
LaVonne, Assistant Executive Director

lavonnew@safeharborsd.org

LaVonne is our “Jack of All Trades” doing everything from Office Manager, Business Manager, and sometimes even plumber! She has been with Safe Harbor since November of 2009. She and her husband moved here from Ashley, ND. She has two grown children and two grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. LaVonne also enjoys motorcycling, camping, water skiing, and cooking.

Brianna-2022-web-min
Brianna, Kids Konnection Coordinator

briannan@safeharborsd.org

Brianna started volunteering with Safe Harbor in 2011 and officially joined the team in 2017. She loves being a refuge for children and being able to witness special moments between families. Brianna has her degree in Human services along with multiple certifications from the Network of Supervised Visitation. She enjoys gardening and spending time outside, baking, spending time with her kids, and anything Christmas related.

Kara-2022-web-min
Kara, Shelter Coordinator

Kara is the Shelter Coordinator and has been with Safe Harbor since August 2020.  She has a passion for empowering victims of domestic violence and helping them navigate through traumatic times in their lives and helping them achieve independent living in a safe, healthy environment. Kara enjoys spending time with her family including her two French Bulldogs, Stella and Chip!

Skye-2022-web-min
Skye, Youth Outreach Coordinator

Skye has been with us since January 2022 and recently graduated from Presentation College with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services. She has a passion of working with kids and being someone they can trust and helping them understand the world. Skye loves to do outdoor activities such as water skiing and snowboarding. She also loves to spend time with her fur baby Hank and playing video games. You will usually find her watching softball or lifting in the gym!

ToriC-2023-web
Tori, Outreach Coordinator

Tori started at Safe Harbor in December 2022, she graduated from Northern State with a bachelor’s degree in business and was a part of the soccer and track team. Tori has a business degree but has the passion for helping others and making an impact on people’s life. She loves soccer, reading and working out in her free time.

Donna-web
Donna, Front Desk Assistant

Donna has been our front desk assistant since June 2022. She loves to make her own greeting cards and spend time with her family and friends. Safe Harbor has been a learning experience for Donna and she'll even tell you she loves her job.

heart divider line

Kids Konnection Monitors

Hannah-2022-web-min
Hannah

Hannah has been with Safe Harbor since September 2019, as both an intern and a supervised visitation monitor. She is grateful to be able to assist families along their healing journey, and enjoys every second of working in Kids Konnection. Hannah is attending Northern State University and double majoring in Sociology & Criminal Justice. She loves to spend time with her loved ones (including the dogs of course), reading, drinking iced coffee, and spending time outside in the sunshine.

Peyton-web
Peyton

Peyton has been at Kids Konnection since May 2023. She graduated from Northern State University in May of 2022 with a double-major in Sociology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science. Peyton’s mother was a Social Worker when she was a kid so helping others has never been out of the question for her. In her free time Peyton enjoys to travel, read, go to concerts, shop and do her hair and makeup. When she is not traveling or getting lost in a book, Peyton can be found at home with her two cats Walter and Howard and her fiancé Dominic. Peyton also enjoys spending time outside with her closest friends.

Stephanie-web
Stephanie

Stephanie started with Kids Konnection in March of 2023.  She has a degree in Radiology and Mammography.  While still working in this field, Kids Konnection helps further fulfill her desire to help others.  She loves helping bring a smile to children’s faces and being able to witness special moments some families start to experience again.  She loves spending time with her son, family, friends and puppy, Poppy.

Kansas-web
Kansas

Kansas joined our team in June of 2023 as a supervised visitation monitor. She has worked in childcare for many years and loves being able to watch the children and families grow together. She loves spending time with her daughter, doing photography and drinking iced coffee.

heart divider line

On Call Advocates

Sarah-2022-web-min
Sarah

Sarah joined our team in 2015 and is best known for being a great listener. She also has a strong passion for helping our community and helping clients find success and happiness. She says, “Often when I meet someone, they are at their ultimate low. They have been abused and pushed down so low that they have lost all self confidence. Seeing these people rise up and become strong members of our community makes it all worthwhile.”

AshleyB-2022-web-min
Ashley B

Ashley has been with Safe Harbor since January 2022 as an intern and shelter advocate. Ashley is most passionate about supporting clients to success in their lives. She is attending Northern State University and double majoring in Sociology and Criminal Justice. In her free time, Ashley loves to spend time with family and friends, reading, hiking, kayaking or anything outdoors.

AshleyD-2022-web-min
Ashley D

Ashley has been with Safe Harbor since February 2022.  She was born and raised in Aberdeen, has a son and two cats.  Her favorite hobbies are drawing, painting and hiking.  She is a great listener, loves working with people and helping them grow.

Amelia-web
Amelia

Amelia was born in California but raised in Aberdeen since she was 9 years old. She loves video games and spending time with her friends and family. She’s passionate about animal rescue and would start her own kitten rescue if she could have her way! Working at Safe Harbor and helping the men and women that come through its doors has been one of the highlights of her life.

Michelle-web
Michelle

Michelle is excited to be a new member of the Safe Harbor team. She moved from Houston TX to Aberdeen in 2010. With a background in nursing, she has taken on the role of shelter advocate to fulfill her continued passion for supporting and uplifting others during difficult times. Michelle has three adult children and two grandchildren. She enjoys doing crafts, watching true crime documentaries and last year, celebrated turning 50 by learning to ride a motorcycle.