Meet the Southern Valley Alliance Team

Christie, Executive Director

Christie attended St. Olaf College for Social Work and American University in Washington D.C. to receive her Master’s in Public Policy. She has worked in a variety of social service fields including transitional housing, mental health, domestic violence, and family services. In her role as Executive Director, she works with the Board of Directors to oversee the organizational strategy and mission and ensure all programs are performing at an optimal level.

Lisa, Client Services Director

Lisa joined the Southern Valley Alliance team in early 2020. She has over 15 years of experience working in non-profit social services, ranging from survivors of domestic abuse to low-income families and mental health. Lisa graduated with a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling from North Dakota State University.

Kalyn, Housing Manager

Kalyn joined SVA in February 2023. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Concordia College. Kalyn has nearly 10 years’ experience working in social service non-profits, including domestic violence advocacy, program coordination, and administration. Kalyn is responsible for program development of SVA’s new transitional housing program. She also provides direct advocacy and supportive services to help survivors in transitional housing reach their goals.

Kaha, Legal Advocate

Kaha joined SVA in March 2024. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine. Kaha comes with many years of experience working with victims of violent crimes and families in crisis providing advocacy services and support. Kaha is incredibly passionate about providing a safe, trauma-informed space for all survivors of domestic abuse and trauma. In her free time, Kaha likes to go hiking, finding new restaurants, and traveling.

Piper, Client Advocate

Piper joined the Southern Valley Alliance team the summer of 2022. In her role, she provides advocacy services, support, and resources while overseeing our 24/7 crisis line. Prior to joining SVA, Piper worked in providing patient coordination of care in the mental health field. Piper graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2021 with degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

Jessi, Volunteer and Office Manager

Jessi joined the SVA team in spring 2022 as the Office and Volunteer Manager. She has years of experience in office management and administrative work. She holds a degree in classical music performance and performs regularly throughout the state, working to create safe, accessible, and inclusive spaces for music-making. She is passionate about volunteerism and connecting community members to community organizations, and was the recipient of Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement’s Excellence in Emerging Leadership Award in June 2024.

Kim, Community Outreach Manager

Kim joined the Southern Valley Alliance team in September of 2024. They have over six years of experience working with survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence in an emergency shelter setting. Kim received their master’s degree in Gender and Women’s Studies in 2024 from Minnesota State University, Mankato and conducted their own research regarding the primary prevention of gender-based violence in the nonprofit setting. In their role at SVA, Kim promotes community-based awareness, education, and outreach.