Meet the Staff

 

Mariah Stidham Wineski, Executive Director

Mariah Stidham Wineski has 19 years of experience working throughout the United States and internationally on social change campaigns, violence prevention, and curriculum development. She is the current chair of the Louisiana Domestic Violence Prevention Commission and previously served on the board of directors for Boulder Sister Cities. She also serves on the Victim Services Advisory Board of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, the Membership Committee of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and the advisory board of the Louisiana Violent Death Reporting System. She is trained as an instructor by the Stalking Resource Center, a program of the National Center for Victims of Crime. She has extensive experience with statewide organizations, having previously served as Director of Education at Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault. Ms. Wineski has coordinated legislative policy, public affairs, and media relations for regional and national women’s health organizations and has managed several regional gang violence prevention initiatives. She has provided international consultation on educational policy and curriculum development. She has a B.A. in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies and an M.S. in Sociology. 

 

LeTesha Davis, Director of Public Affairs and Ally Engagement

LeTesha Davis manages LCADV’s training and technical assistance to allied professionals, as well as the coalition’s strategic communications and public policy efforts. LeTesha began her work in the domestic violence movement in 2012, serving in direct advocacy, training, and social change roles, and building relationships necessary to promote survivor safety in the Acadiana region. In 2014, LeTesha was named Faith House’s employee of the year. LeTesha has extensive experience in legal advocacy, working with law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to promote best practices in domestic violence response. She participated in the Lafayette Domestic Violence Council, where she assisted with the planning and development of opening the Family Justice Center of Acadiana. LeTesha has played important roles in various coordinated community responses to domestic violence, having served as a member of the Lafayette Domestic Violence Council, Quality Assurance Steering Committee, Social Services Agency Network, Lafayette’s High Risk Response Team, and the Fatality Review Team. She is a certified danger assessor, and has a B.S. Degree in General Studies with a concentration in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

 

Crystal Scrantz, Director of Program Development

Crystal Scrantz has worked in the domestic violence movement for over 15 years.  Her experience includes the provision of direct services to adults and children affected by domestic violence, program development, HUD housing programs, navigating civil and criminal court systems, database management, supervision, and training.  She was the founding chair of the Lafayette Domestic Violence Council and was also the founding Director of the Family Justice Center of Acadiana. Crystal has worked on many community based domestic violence projects including a High Risk Response Team, Fatality Review Panel and VOICES of Acadiana.  She has conducted trainings regionally, statewide, and nationally on issues affecting survivors of domestic violence.  Crystal is passionate about survivor safety and is committed to ensuring that high quality, trauma informed services are provided to survivors of domestic violence in Louisiana.

 

Donna Dupre, Finance Manager

Donna Dupre’ is currently the Finance Manager of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Ms. Dupre’ has a diverse background, holding an Associate of Science Degree in Business Management with extra course work in Accounting as well as an Associate Degree in Information Technology and Practical Nursing. Ms. Dupre’ is a Certified Quickbooks ProAdvisor and offers private consulting services for Quickbooks. Ms. Dupre’ has over 20 years of accounting experience in the private, corporate, and small business sector. Ms. Dupre’ has held positions as a Bookkeeper, Office Manager, Accounting Manager and most recently as a Controller for a local Engineering firm. She is excited to join the LCADV team and looks forward to using her expertise to further the Coalition’s mission.

 

Donna Lavigne, Operations Administrative Assistant

Donna Lavigne provides administrative support to the LCADV staff. Donna retired from the Department of Transportation and Development with over 30 years of service. As Director, she worked with all transit programs funded by the Federal Transit Administration. Her experience includes administering, managing, and monitoring the Federal Transit Programs statewide and developing the annual operation budget. She served on numerous committees, associations, and commissions. Donna has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education/Administration from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

Chelsee Green, Staff Attorney

Chelsee received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Southern University and her Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center. Prior to joining the team at LCADV, Chelsee worked in several different capacities, earning her a wide range of experience. Chelsee began her legal journey as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Alvin Batiste, Jr. in the 18th Judicial District Court whereby she drafted written decisions, researched relevant case law, and assisted the Judge in all aspects of trial from voir dire to jury deliberation. At the completion of her clerkship, Chelsee worked as Associate Attorney for Tucker & Associates and E Eric Guirard Injury Lawyers. Here, she gained valuable experience doing personal injury work but soon realized that she wanted to do something more fulfilling than simply pursuing monetary damages for injured clients.

Chelsee then became the Immigration Staff Attorney at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. There, Chelsee conducted Know Your Rights presentations at detention facilities across Louisiana, identified and provided services for pro bono detainees, prepared immigration law cases including VAWA, U-Visa, and family-based cases. After over 2 years of serving as Staff Attorney for Catholic Charities, Chelsee was appointed as Administrative Law Judge for the Louisiana Workforce Commission. At LWC, Chelsee conducted hearings related to unemployment insurance benefits which included taking testimony, considering evidence, ruling on motions, compiling records, and rendering decisions. It didn’t take long for Chelsee to realize that she wanted to get back to doing “good work”.  She is excited to join the LCADV team and looks forward to using her expertise to further the Coalition’s mission.

 

Nicolette Joseph, Children’s Advocacy Coordinator

Nicolette is an experienced social service professional, with over 10 years of experience in working directly with clients that have experienced crisis related trauma. She was formerly a Forensic Interviewer at Hearts of Hope: A Children’s Advocacy Center in Lafayette, LA, where she conducted non-leading forensic interviews when there were criminal investigations relating to sexual abuse, physical abuse, severe neglect, and/or violent crime. Nicolette has additional experience in specialty court settings, working directly with clients enrolled in drug court programs. She has also provided school and home based counseling services to youth who suffer from emotional, mental, and behavioral issues. Nicolette has a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

 

Hatari Washington, Housing Advocacy Coordinator

Hatari Washington is an experienced housing professional with over 15 years in the housing industry. Throughout her career she has held various roles, from property manager to certified housing specialist. Her extensive frontline housing experience includes work as an Intake Specialist, being the first point of contact with the Housing Choice Voucher program and various other special housing programs for veterans, domestic violence survivors. Ms. Washington has received certifications as a property manager and housing specialist. She is knowledgeable of HUD regulations, and passionate and committed to helping individuals access housing and other related resources.

 

Joni Goulas, Rapid Rehousing Coordinator 

Joni Goulas oversees the Rapid Rehousing Program at LCADV. She began her work in non-profit organizations six years ago in Baton Rouge, LA.  Throughout her career, she has worked as a case manager, assisting youth and families enrolled in Rapid Rehousing Programming.  Joni is proud to have connected many participants to the community resources needed to achieve housing stability through this work.  In addition, she has experience managing a Coordinated Entry program, which is a housing prioritization process for HUD funded programs.  Joni is the current co-chair of the Domestic Violence Working Group of the LA Balance of State Continuum of Care.  She holds an Associate degree in Communications and enjoys hiking, taking exercise classes, and watching 90’s TV shows.  Joni’s goal is to ensure that domestic violence survivors in Louisiana have access to safe, stable housing of their own.