Presenters

The Supporting Survivors Summit brings together expert voices from across the region, featuring WC&S professionals and distinguished leaders in their fields, including attorneys, physicians, nonprofit professionals, researchers, and advocates.

Presenters represent organizations such as Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Jones Day, K&L Gates, Blackburn Center, Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA, the Butler County District Attorney’s Office, and the Allegheny County Bar Foundation Juvenile Court Project.

  • Beth H. Boroumand is the founder and owner of New Day Family Law, LLC.  She focuses her practice on all aspects of family law, including divorce, custody, and support.  Beth received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she graduated cum laude.  Beth received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in History from the University of Pittsburgh, where she graduated summa cum laude.  Beth was formerly a partner at Family Legal Center, LLC, where she managed their family law practice. Beth was rated as a Rising Star family law attorney by Super Lawyers in in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025, which is an honor awarded to only the top 2.5% of attorneys in the Pittsburgh area.

    Since earning her law degree, Beth has made a conscious effort to provide complete, professional and empathetic legal services to her clients. She understands that family law issues are about more than just dollars and cents; they are about parents, children, and siblings, and how they will continue to be a family after their family law issues are resolved. Beth treats her clients as human beings rather than merely as cases on a docket sheet.

  • Kate Branagan has served as WC&S' Systems Response Manager since 2022 and holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. Kate spearheads the High Lethality Survivor Initiative, where she works directly with survivors identified as being at high risk of intimate partner violence fatality. Survivors connect with Kate through referrals by other WC&S staff members and the Allegheny County High Risk Batterer Work Group. 

  • Alexandra Brooks has worked at Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania for the past 13 years, dedicating much of her career to helping teens recognize and build healthy relationships. Through classroom instruction and community-based programming, she has empowered young people to identify unhealthy relationship dynamics while fostering environments where they feel safe to ask questions, seek support, and share their experiences.

    Alexandra is passionate about creating a world where everyone feels safe and respected in their relationships. She holds a master's degree in Applied Criminology from California University of Pennsylvania and believes that meaningful community connections are key to preventing violence before it begins.

  • Amy Burleson is an Education Facilitator with the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh with experience in trauma-informed education, youth programming, prevention work, and wellness-centered facilitation. Her work focuses on helping young people and communities build healthy relationships, emotional awareness, and supportive connections through prevention education and advocacy.

  • Willa Campbell, MPH (she/her) is currently the Lead Prevention Educator with the University of Pittsburgh’s Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Education. As a part of her role, Willa manages their dialogue-based sexual misconduct prevention program, Circle Up She also helps to oversee the Survivor Support Network, a community of faculty, staff, and graduate students who are trained to provide trauma-informed support to survivors across campus. 

  • Caroline Charles, LSW, is the Legal Advocacy Service Coordinator for the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. She has been with WC&S since October 2021, beginning her career as a Direct Service Advocate in the emergency shelter. In 2022, Caroline transitioned to the legal department, where she worked as a Legal Advocate until she was promoted in 2024 to her current role. Before her work at WC&S, Caroline’s passion for working with survivors of crime began as a Children’s Advocate at a Child Abuse Center in Sanford, Florida. While working for the CAC, Caroline obtained her bachelor’s in clinical psychology from the University of Central Florida. She graduated with her MSW from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work in 2023 and received her License in Social Work in 2024. When Caroline is not advocating for victims of domestic violence, she enjoys teaching dance at a local studio in her community.

  • Jamie Edwards-Pasek is an educator, attorney, mediator, and violence prevention specialist.    She is the founder and director of Rex Solutions, LLC, a training and consulting company focused on helping institutions prevent and effectively respond to sexual and interpersonal violence.  Jamie has worked with multiple universities in the Title IX space, including: establishing and overseeing the first stand-alone Title IX Office at a private university; serving as a University-provided advisor for students and employees involved in Title IX grievance processes; and facilitating alternative resolution of sexual misconduct cases as a neutral. Previously, she worked as a commercial litigator at McGuireWoods LLP, and clerked in Family Court in New Jersey. Jamie received her J.D. with a Certificate in Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University in Political Science, History & Policy, and Gender Studies.  

  • Jenny Eubanks, LSW is an Outreach Advocate Contractor at Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S). She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice from the University of Delaware. Under Dr. Susan Miller, and in conjunction with the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, she compared Protection from Abuse hearing information and Victim’s Services Arrested Women’s surveys to provide feedback to the New Castle County Family Court System regarding mandatory and pro-arrest policies. After her undergraduate degree, she completed her Master of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh. In her current role, Jenny is responsible for the Court Ordered Support Group (an alternative to traditional Battering Intervention, offered to survivors who have been arrested on domestic violence charges), non-resident support groups, community trainings, and supporting clients through WC&S’ Wellness Team.  

  • Kimberly Fox, BA Sociology, is an Education Specialist for Blackburn Center with 30 years of education experience.  She presents to thousands of students each year on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Personal Safety, Empathy and many other Prevention and Education Programs. She also trains college students and community groups in prevention and response to violence. Additionally, she seeks to do her part to create a safe, fair and satisfying human experience for everyone.

  • Reg is a Research Coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh who investigates the intersections between gender, sexuality, and healthcare to improve health outcomes for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients and engages with the TGD community to bring forward marginalized voices. Reg's scholarship includes provider education on gender affirming care, community engaged work, and alcohol-involved sexual violence prevention and intervention on college campuses. They received their MSW from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and their undergraduate degree in Psychology and Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. 

  • Richard A. Goldinger graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1992, and The University of Akron School of Law in 1995. He had a private law practice from 1995-2007, focusing on criminal defense and family law. He was elected District Attorney of Butler County, Pennsylvania in 2007, and has served as the District Attorney since that time to the present. He is a former Chair of the Butler County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, the Butler County Commissioners’ Commission on Drugs and Alcohol, and the Butler County Domestic Violence Local Policy Board. He is a former President of the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association and the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Institute.

  • Amy Groff is a partner in the Harrisburg office of K&L Gates and oversees the law firm's pro bono practice, which includes local and global initiatives and projects aimed at increasing access to justice and providing representation for a broad range of pro bono clients. As part of that role, she helps to run the firm’s Cyber Civil Rights Legal Project, providing legal assistance to victims of nonconsensual distribution of intimate images, also known as “revenge porn.” Before moving into a dedicated pro bono role, her practice involved employment law, general civil and commercial litigation, and appellate work.

  • Andrea has represented indigent parents accused of abuse and/or neglect in Juvenile Dependency cases since she joined the Juvenile Court Project (JCP) in 2014.  As Appellate Counsel for JCP, Andrea represents parents in appeals to the Superior Court and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, as well as ChildLine administrative appeals.   Andrea supervises an interdisciplinary staff of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who work together to help parents navigate the child welfare system and Juvenile Court. In addition to courtroom advocacy, Andrea has been invited to speak to diverse audiences of doctors, nurses, social workers and educators about the parent experience in Juvenile Court and the role of Parent Advocate Attorneys.  Before entering public service, Andrea represented clients in child custody, divorce, support and Protection from Abuse matters in private practice.  

  • Kenneth R. Harris Jr.is a 2002 Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Attorney Harris has over twenty years’ experience as a litigation attorney in Family and Criminal Law. Attorney Harris has represented clients all over Western Pa in all matters concerning Criminal and Family law. Attorney Harris has experience litigating Estate, Custody, Divorce, and PFA matters.

    Attorney Harris is a Member of the Butler County, and Pennsylvania State Bar Associations. Attorney Harris also serves as a Mental Health Commitment Hearing Officer.

  • Dr. Jakubowski is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. Her NIH-funded program of research is focused on identifying modifiable risk factors linking interpersonal violence and cardiovascular disease across the lifespan, with an emphasis on women’s cardiovascular health and sleep. Dr. Jakubowski's research incorporates subclinical measures of cardiovascular disease risk, ambulatory measures of sleep, qualitative interviewing methods, and community-based research approaches. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and practices in the UPMC Western Wellness clinic.

  • Anne Jiang is an attorney in Jones Day’s Pittsburgh office.  She represents clients across multiple industries in complex federal and state court litigation, with focus on defending financial institutions.  Anne maintains an active pro bono practice, and she co-leads the Pittsburgh Start Anew Clinic, which brings together community partners to provide job readiness, financial literacy, and other resources for survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.

     

  • Lynn Kacsuta, MSW, is the Criminal Justice Coordinator for the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. She has spent 29 years with WC&S, all of which have been within the Legal Advocacy Department. A proud graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and Carlow University, Lynn has served as lead advocate on the Zone-Based Advocacy Project—a collaboration with the Pittsburgh Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office to provide outreach to victims of domestic violence. This project won the 2001 Mutual of America Award. This work predated the Lethality Assessment Program, which her department has collaborated on since 2013. She facilitates the Court-Ordered Support Groups at WC&S, which exists to provide emotional support to domestic violence victims who have been arrested for defending themselves. Lynn developed a curriculum for this group based on the Sanctuary Model. When she is not working diligently to help the women of Pittsburgh, Lynn is likely browsing local shops to add to her antique collection, planning her next trip to Italy, or spending time with her grandkids.

  • Hannah Kail is an attorney in Jones Day’s Pittsburgh office.  She focuses her practice on representing financial institutions and companies in connection with secured and unsecured credit facilities and has experience in various types of financing transactions.  Among other pro bono matters, Hannah represents victims of child sexual exploitation in seeking restitution from federal criminal defendants across the country and has secured a significant number of restitution awards on behalf of her client.

  • Sarah Moran, Esquire. Senior Specialty Refugee, Immigrant, and LEP Attorney since September 2018. Previously worked as an immigration attorney at a local boutique law firm, and worked in the Pitt Law Immigration Clinic my third year in law school. 

  • Maddi Potter is the Legal Advocacy Manager at Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. Maddi graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Minors in French Language Studies and Children’s Literature. She began her career working in the psychiatric field, first with in-patient treatment and then outpatient mobile therapy with specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders.  In 2012, her career aspirations shifted after a growing desire to support to those affected by violent crimes.  Her first position as a legal advocate at Center for Victims gave her the knowledge and skillset to later supervise a Specialized Victim Service Unit that supported child abuse, elder abuse, and family violence victims throughout the court process.  In 2019, Maddi became a National Child Advocacy Center certified Forensic Interviewer at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh where she also coordinated a Multidisciplinary Team to support the investigation and prosecution of child abuse crimes while advocating for the protection for child abuse victims and their families. 
    In 2021, Maddi joined Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.  She currently assists survivors and supervises a team of nine legal advocates who support victims of intimate partner violence, daily, as they navigate the civil and criminal justice systems.  She and her team accompany victims to court in Allegheny County and maintain a working relationship with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office to emotionally support victim’s and ensure their rights are upheld throughout the criminal justice process.  In Family Court, Maddi and her team are present to safety plan with plaintiffs and help them prepare temporary Protection From Abuse Orders.  She is passionate in ensuring accessibility of services to all individuals in Allegheny County, especially non-English speakers, immigrants, and refugees. 
    In addition to court accompaniment, Maddi provides training opportunities and systems advocacy throughout Allegheny County, namely through Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) work groups and task forces and outreach to community resources and universities.  Maddi is a Domestic Violence Committee member for the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, a national group devoted to promoting victims’ rights and services throughout the United States.  Maddi is a trainer to local law enforcement and other community professionals on IPV Dynamics, the Maryland Model of the Lethality Assessment Protocol, and Animal Abuse and its intersections with Domestic Violence. 

  • Dr. Ragavan is a pediatrician and researcher whose work focuses on dating violence prevention and supporting IPV survivors especially in healthcare settings. Her work is funded by multiple federal agencies (NIH, DOJ, PCORI, CDC) and she uses community-partnered approaches to amplify the voices of adolescents, caregivers, and survivors. She has been passionate about IPV prevention for over 20 years and started her work as an IPV advocate. She also serves on the Allegheny County IPV Reform Task Force.

  • Bridgette Schossow Reinsmith, LPC is a Master’s Level Clinician with nearly 20 years of experience in the mental health, addiction and offender treatment field. Bridgette has presented information on IPV, including IPV and impression management at conferences, to medical professionals and probation officers. She also served in multiple officer roles of the Metro Denver Domestic Violence Task Force. Mrs. Schossow Reinsmith currently serves as a Battering Intervention Program facilitator within Southwest Pennsylvania. Her focus is that of assisting the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in promoting social, judicial, and criminal change in approaches toward IPV.

  • Sarah Scott, PhD, MPH, is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, supported by an HRSA NRSA T32 Primary Care Research Fellowship. She earned her MPH in Behavioral and Community Health Sciences and her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she developed expertise in social epidemiology, community-based participatory research, qualitative methods, and human-centered design. Her research is grounded in community-engaged approaches and focuses on preventing adolescent relationship abuse, with particular emphasis on teen economic abuse (TEA), caregiver–adolescent relationships, and financial socialization as protective factors. In addition, her work examines financial empowerment and economic security interventions for survivors of intimate partner violence, including perinatal populations. Dr. Scott has led some of the first national studies on the prevalence, risk factors, and health impacts of TEA and is developing community-partnered, caregiver–adolescent interventions designed to strengthen financial literacy, promote economic empowerment, and reduce relationship violence across the life course.

  • Karen Sellers is the Program Associate at STANDING FIRM, supporting the STANDING FIRM team in all facets of its strategic programing and acts as liaison to partnering organizations and associations. Prior to entering the non-profit arena, Karen worked in the financial industry for over three decades, primarily in corporate  and regulatory compliance. With 23 years at the executive level, Karen’s knowledge and skillset is vital in helping employers recognize their critical role in supporting survivors of partner violence.

  • Sheriff Michael T. Slupe has served the citizens of Butler County, Pennsylvania, with over 35 years of dedicated law enforcement experience. Beginning his public safety career as a 911 dispatcher in 1985, Sheriff Slupe went on to serve as a patrolman and Deputy Sheriff before being elected Sheriff of Butler County in 2010. He currently manages a $3.5 million budget, oversees a staff of more than 35 employees, and has led the Sheriff’s Office to achieve Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation status since 2018.

    A recognized leader across the Commonwealth, Sheriff Slupe is a past President and current Executive Board member of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association and has held leadership roles in numerous local and state law enforcement organizations. Under his leadership, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office has implemented innovative community and safety initiatives, including the Crisis Intervention and Veterans Response Teams, school safety collaborations, public firearm safety education, and the countywide Naloxone program.

    Sheriff Slupe’s dedication extends beyond law enforcement. He has volunteered with the Special Olympics, Boy Scouts of America, and local nonprofits supporting victims of abuse. His leadership was instrumental in hosting the 2024 Can-Am Games, raising over $95,000 for the Pennsylvania Special Olympics.

    A graduate of the Allegheny County Police Academy and the National Sheriffs Institute, Sheriff Slupe is widely respected for his integrity, innovation, and lifelong commitment to public service and community safety.

  • Dr. Tracy Veri is the Chief Executive Officer of VOICE (Victim Outreach Intervention Center) in Butler County, Pennsylvania — a nonprofit agency providing confidential support, advocacy, and prevention education for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes.

    She earned her Ph.D. in Human Services with a specialization in Criminal Justice from Walden University.

    Earlier in her career, Dr. Veri served as a probation and parole officer in Butler County, where she gained extensive experience in offender supervision, rehabilitation, and community safety. She also taught as an adjunct professor at Clarion University in the Department of Criminal Justice, where she shared her professional expertise and research-based insights with students preparing for careers in the field of criminal justice.

    Through her leadership at VOICE, Dr. Veri has been a vocal advocate for increased state funding for rape crisis and domestic violence centers, with particular emphasis on the needs of child survivors. She has also guided initiatives to expand and modernize services, ensuring greater access to trauma-informed therapeutic support and survivor-centered care.

    A cornerstone of Dr. Veri’s leadership is her focus on collaboration with law enforcement agencies to strengthen coordinated community responses, enhance public safety, and ensure survivors receive comprehensive and compassionate support.

  • Ashley Woolheater is the Intimate Partner Violence Program Manager with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ Office of Community Services. She addresses IPV through a multifaceted lens that supports both survivors and individuals who use violence.

    In her role, Ashley strengthens connections between social service, victim service, and systems‑level providers to build coordinated, comprehensive responses to IPV. She develops evidence‑based interventions for those who cause harm and ensures survivors receive tailored, empowering support from well‑prepared providers. Her work centers on bridging system gaps, fostering collaboration, and advancing impactful solutions that disrupt cycles of violence while supporting survivors.

    Ashley also works closely with community violence interrupters, particularly where intimate partner violence and community violence overlap. She supports shared messaging, cross‑training, and aligned strategies that help practitioners safely and effectively navigate the dynamics present when IPV contributes to or intersects with broader patterns of community violence. This collaboration strengthens countywide violence‑prevention efforts and promotes consistent, trauma‑informed communication across teams.

    Prior to joining DHS, Ashley held several direct service and leadership roles at Center for Victims, where she gained extensive experience as a victim advocate and advanced survivor-centered, systems-level approaches. She brings a unique blend of advocacy expertise, systems navigation, and program leadership to her work, with a strong commitment to coordinated, compassionate, and evidence‑driven responses to intimate partner violence.