SAFEchild Staff
Executive Director
Cristin DeRonja, M.Ed, LPC, NCC
Cristin DeRonja, SAFEchild’s executive director since 2015, joined the organization in 2004 and has served many roles. She has worked with first-time moms as a mentor for SAFEchild’s Welcome Baby program, drawn upon her family systems training as a program facilitator for several SAFEchild parenting groups, including the Nurturing Program and PLUS, and presented the Funny Tummy Feelings program in schools to first graders. Cristin was instrumental in establishing the SAFEchild Advocacy Center in 2010 and achieving SAFEchild’s National Accreditation in 2017.
A Raleigh native, Cristin received her bachelor’s degree in education and psychology from Vanderbilt University and her master’s in education and counseling at NC State.
Development Director
Stephanie Davage, M.Div.
Stephanie Davage joined SAFEchild in 2016, putting her 15 years of fundraising experience to work as the organization’s Development Director. Stephanie has worked as development manager for C5 Georgia Youth Foundation; special event director for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; executive director for the Miracle League of the Triangle; and pastor of outreach at Grace Community Church in Raleigh.
Stephanie grew up in Texas where she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Sam Houston State University. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary.
Finance and Operations Director
Wanda Lassiter, MBA
Wanda Lassiter joined SAFEchild in 2021, filling the new leadership position of finance and operations director. She has more than 31 years of experience in accounting and business/operational functions. Wanda previously served as director of finance and operations at NCCHA, a nonprofit/trade association for community health centers in North Carolina, and held finance positions at PAVE Southeast Raleigh Charter School, NC Theatre and Solid Rock Ministry.
Wanda earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from NC A&T State University and a master of business administration from Strayer University.
Administrative Staff
Anna Jackson – Special Event Coordinator
Denine Schepperley – Finance and Human Resources Manager
Evelyn Hurtado – Operations Manager
Holly Cook – Development and Group Volunteer Coordinator
Linda Raynor – Grants Manager
Program Staff
Claudia Cortina-Czap, Prevention Program and Volunteer Coordinator
Laura Goulian, LCSW – Intake Coordinator
Lizzy Bain – Parent Program Facilitator
Moms Supporting Moms
Krystal Grady, Program Coordinator
MOVE and MENS
Stacey Sullivan, LCSW – Program Coordinator
Circle of Security Parenting
Laura Brimberry, MSW – Program Coordinator
Funny Tummy Feelings
Elizabeth Clark – Program Coordinator
SAFEchild Advocacy Center Staff
Jennifer Farmer Keating, BSN, RN-BC, Pediatric SANE – SAFEchild Advocacy Center Program Coordinator
Karen Todd, MD – Medical Director
Elizabeth Witman, MD – Medical Service Provider
Heather Williams, MD – Medical Service Provider
Brenna Farley – Child Abuse Evaluation Specialist
Claire Whitted – Child Abuse Evaluation Specialist
Sunisha Barbee – Child and Family Advocate
Kim Seibel – Intake and Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator
Community Engagement
Ginger Espino, MSW – Community Engagement and Training Coordinator