PROJECT SAGE LEADERSHIP & 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.”
Kristen, Executive Director
Kristen joined Project SAGE after a career working and leading at the intersection of arts and activism in the US, Canada and Europe. Most recently, Kristen was the co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of WAM Theatre, where she focused on stories and issues affecting those who self-identify as women and girls. During her tenure, WAM donated $100,000 to 25 local and global organizations that work toward gender equity in areas such as girls’ education, teen pregnancy prevention, gender-based violence, sexual-trafficking awareness, midwife training, and more. When not working, Kristen enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking and meditating, learning new things, serving as a monthly panelist on WAMC’s award winning talk program, The Roundtable, and attending arts and cultural events in the Berkshires, where she resides.
Brenna, Development Associate
Brenna joined Project SAGE in January 2023 as the Trade Secrets Event Assistant and quickly changed roles to the Fund Development Administrative Assistant and then Development Associate. 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.
Eliza, Family and Youth Advocate
Eliza joined the Project SAGE staff in spring 2024 and is thrilled to be working with families and youth as part of this team.
Ethan, Community Program Facilitator
Ethan joined the Project SAGE team in February of 2024. Ethan spent the two years before that, along with many summers, working in the camping world. Ethan is thrilled to continue engaging youth and community through working at Project SAGE! When not at Project SAGE, Ethan enjoys going for hikes, playing basketball, and listening to music.
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.
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.
Monica, Housing Advocate
Monica joined the Project SAGE team in August 2024. She spent the last six years working with homeless veterans and is excited to continue working on getting individuals successfully and permanently housed. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2016 and is pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work. In her free time, Monica loves reading and spending time with family and friends. Monica is thrilled to be a part of the Project SAGE team.
Sara, Development Director
Sara Gunn recently joined Project Sage as Development Director. With a career devoted to the nonprofit sector, she has successfully led teams in fundraising efforts for cancer research, food insecurity, and social justice religious organizations. Outside of work, Sara enjoys spending time with her family, tackling home improvement projects, and challenging herself with the New York Times crossword puzzle. She is looking forward to contributing to the mission of 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.
Thom, Office Manager
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.
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.
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.
“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. ”