Meet the Team
Behind The NATRC
Our Staff and Steering Committee bring a diversity of experience and expertise to furthering the mission of the NATRC. We share a commitment to removing barriers to care for all people impacted by violence and systemic inequities.
NATRC Staff
Alicia Boccellari, Ph.D.
Founder, National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers
Alicia Boccellari, Ph.D.
Alicia Boccellari, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at the University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF) and the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG). Dr. Boccellari has spent her career creating, implementing, and overseeing new programs designed at removing barriers to care for underserved populations. She is the Founder of the UCSF Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) model of care. Dr. Boccellari has been working with local and State governments across the U.S. to transform victim’s services using the TRC model as a vehicle of change. Dr. Boccellari has conducted longitudinal research and randomized treatment trials with victims of violent crimes and homeless populations. An overarching goal of this work is to not only contribute to evidence-based clinical practices, but to potentially influence public policy and to improve healthcare services for underserved populations, and those impacted by violence and systemic inequities.
Gena Castro Rodriguez, Psy.D.
Executive Director, National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers
Gena Castro Rodriguez, Psy.D.
Dr. Castro Rodriguez holds a master’s in counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her educational background and professional journey have equipped her with a profound understanding of the complexities of trauma and the necessary interventions for effective recovery.
Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Castro Rodriguez has held several pivotal roles that underscore her commitment to social justice and mental health advocacy. She is the co-founder and former Executive Director of the Youth Justice Institute, where she spearheaded initiatives to reform juvenile justice and support at-risk youth. As the Chief of Victim Services for the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, she led efforts to provide comprehensive support to crime victims, ensuring their voices were heard and their needs met within the justice system. In her role as Director of the Survivor Resource Center at Prosecutors Alliance, she continued her advocacy, focusing on empowering survivors of violent crime through access to resources and support.
In addition to her executive leadership roles, Dr. Castro Rodriguez is also an esteemed educator. She is a professor in the Graduate Counseling Psychology program at the University of San Francisco, where she inspires and mentors the next generation of mental health professionals. Her academic and professional contributions reflect her unwavering dedication to advancing trauma recovery and mental health services.
Dr. Gena Castro Rodriguez’s lifelong passion for working with marginalized populations and her relentless pursuit of systemic change make her a formidable advocate for trauma recovery and victim services. Her leadership at the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers continues to drive innovative solutions and transformative support for those impacted by trauma.
Stacey Wiggall, LCSW
Director, TRC Training and Technical Assistance Program
Stacey Wiggall
Stacey Wiggall, LCSW, is the Director of Training and Technical Assistance for the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers and a co-author of the UCSF Trauma Recovery Center Manual: A Model for Removing Barriers to Care and Transforming Services for Survivors of Violent Crime. Stacey leads the TTA team, guiding the development, delivery, and evaluation of all training and technical assistance for the Trauma Recovery Centers. Stacey has 25 years of clinical, supervisory, training, consulting and management experience and has extensive experience supporting the onboarding and implementation process of over 50 TRCs. She incorporates a comprehensive approach to mental health and wellness that recognizes the systemic inequities that perpetuate cycles of trauma and violence. Stacey is a licensed clinical social worker in the State of California, holds a Master of Social Work from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish from Lake Forest College.
Gabriella Lewis, ACSW
Senior TRC Technical Assistance Program Specialist
Gabriella Lewis
Carla Francis, LCSW
TRC Technical Assistance Program Specialist
Carla Francis
Carla Francis is a member of the Training and Technical Assistance Team at the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers. Carla is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with various populations with the majority being in underserved and underrepresented communities. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work and identifies as a lifetime learner. Due to her concentrated studies, she has been afforded the opportunity to work in the field of Social Work for 22 years and has been a licensed clinician in the world of mental health for nine years. She has served as a clinical supervisor/field instructor and as an integral member of the management team at a TRC in South Los Angeles. During her time at the TRC, she assisted over 40 clinicians and MSW students in their pursuit of licensure and higher education. She has a specific focus on the implications of trauma, learning to take power back from what’s happened, and the healing journey.
Arturo Covarrubias, LMFT
TRC Technical Assistance Program Specialist
Arturo Covarrubias
Kathy Vang-Liu, MBA
Director of Operations, TRC Technical Assistance Program
Kathy Vang-Liu
Kathy Vang-Liu is the Director of Operations for the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers. Ms. Vang-Liu is responsible for executing the operations for the organization’s comprehensive program implementing the trauma recovery center model of care that serves underserved communities affected by violent crime. A financial administration background including pre and post award contracts and overseeing complex budgets. A marketing background with experience managing and coordinating internal and external communications. In her previous role, Ms. Vang-Liu was the Operations Manager for the UC San Francsico Trauma Recovery Center, the first TRC in the nation, supporting a team of clinicians and administrative staff that provided comprehensive psychotherapy and case management services to survivors of violent crime in San Francisco County.
Ms. Vang-Liu holds a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s in psychology. She strongly advocates and has a passion for social justice issues such as diversity in the workplace, equity for BIPOC persons, and inclusion for all.
Angela Inglis, MPH, CHES
Information and Data Specialist
Angela Inglis
Clara Asuncion, MFA
Communications Specialist
Clara Asuncion
Clara Asuncion is a Jane-of-All-Trades leading efforts in social media strategy, website development, newsletter/email distribution, graphic design, and anything else that has to do with content and communications. Ms. Asuncion received her master of fine arts in creative writing from the University of California, Riverside, and she completed her bachelor’s degree in English at the University of California, Irvine, with Latin honors. She taught herself to be fluent in HTML/CSS and Photoshop in high school and adores the fact that she can use these skills to promote and uplift NATRC’s mission and brand identity every day. As a word nerd, Ms. Asuncion enjoys the rigor of the Chicago Manual of Style, but also has experience with AP Style, MLA Style, APA Style, and the Microsoft Writing Style Guide. Ultimately, Ms. Asuncion draws from nine years of communications experience across automotive manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, mobile games, real estate, and tech to bring vision and strategy to all of her communications work.
NATRC Steering Committee
Alyson Simmons
Alyson Simmons
Ms. Simmons is the Founder and Executive Director of the Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center and the CEO of A. Simmons Consulting, LLC. Ms. Simmons has over twenty years’ experience in health care and contract administration, specializing in policy development, systems change, crisis management, fund development, cultural responsiveness training and implementation, and sustainability. She has advised and provided technical assistance to numerous private companies and government agencies including the Iowa Department of Human Services, Public Health, Corrections, Transportation, Commerce, Human Rights, and the IA Office of the Attorney General – Crime Victim Assistance Division. Ms. Simmons is also a past member of the Governor’s Health and Human Services Appropriations Team and Iowa’s Sexual Violence Prevention Committee. Throughout her career, Ms. Simmons worked independently and as a lead member of a grant writing team to secure over $55,000,000 to advance health care and social services for medically underserved Iowans. As Executive Director, Ms. Simmons oversees the organization’s administrative and strategic priorities. With compassionate accountability, she leads a dedicated team of mental health and trauma informed professionals to implement Iowa’s first trauma recovery center. Ms. Simmons is a state certified victim counselor and nationally credentialed survivor advocate specializing in program management and sexual assault services. She is deeply committed to elevating the standard of care for all survivors.
Bita Ghafoori, Ph.D.
Bita Ghafoori
Dr. Bita Ghafoori is a Professor of Counseling Psychology at California State University Long Beach (CSULB) and the Founder and Director of the CSULB-based Long Beach Trauma Recovery Center (LBTRC). Her research and clinical work focuses on mental-health equity, mental-health services, and dissemination of evidence-based trauma treatments to culturally diverse groups. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, one book, and was the lead author on a policy paper on “Global Perspectives on The Trauma of Hate Based Violence” which was commissioned by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Dr. Ghafoori has given presentations to multiple groups internationally on her research and clinical work.
Brenda Glass, MSSA, LISW-S
Brenda Glass
Brenda Glass, MSSA, LISW-S, is the founder and executive director of the Brenda Glass Trauma Center. Ms. Glass leads the Trauma Center staff in the delivery of all services.Ms. Glass specializes in trauma, cultural inclusivity, and innovative recovery practices for healing and thriving after trauma from violent crimes. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she graduated from Ursuline College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and obtained her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel School of Social Administration where her focus of study was Adult Mental Health. Ms. Glass is an advocate for all those who need a voice. She speaks out for justice through her membership with the Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. She is a member of the Cuyahoga County Regional HIV Ryan White Planning Council and is co-chair on the Membership, Retention, and Marketing sub-committee. Ms. Glass also is a member of the steering committee for the National Association of Trauma Recovery Centers which joins providers across the United States to develop standard practices to address the complex nature of trauma among people of color.
Dawn Lochbaum
Dawn Lochbaum
Dawn has worked for OSF Healthcare System in leadership since 2006. She has been involved in many Quality and Safety committees and has helped to create a safer environment for patients as well as staff. She has helped to create many policies and procedures that are currently still in use within OSF Healthcare System and has been helpful in assisting other hospitals create a psychiatry consult service within their own hospitals.
Since April of 2018, Dawn has been the Manager for two multi-disciplinary teams of Master Level Therapists, Case Managers, RNs, Psychiatrists and Support Staff. Responsible for managing OSF Strive, a grant funded Trauma Recovery Center. Responsible for application, planning, design, development and implementation on new grant funded department and responsible for managing a 24 hour-7 day a week department that serves the Emergency Department and Inpatient Medical Units within a level one trauma center. Proficient in change management, coordinating and collaborating with the community and experience in both budgeting as well as statistical analysis.
Dawn is currently a steering committee member for the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers.
Prior to her work at OSF Healthcare System, Dawn worked at Children’s Home Association of Illinois in multiple different positions, the most recent within the Foster Care Program. Dawn also taught multiple semesters at Illinois Central College in the Psychology department.
Diana Cortina-Rodriguez, LMFT, RPT
Diana Cortina-Rodriguez
Diana Cortina-Rodriguez is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Registered Play Therapist, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Sciences with a Minor in Psychology from Florida State University, as well as a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mercer University.
With over 12 years of experience in the mental health profession, Diana specializes in trauma-informed therapy and is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). She is also an approved consultant by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and holds a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification.
Diana brings a unique dimension to her therapeutic approach by incorporating animal-assisted therapy interventions with her dog, Louis. Her profound passion for helping people is channeled through the transformative power of therapy. Viewing therapy as a platform for growth and change, Diana’s overarching goal is to empower her clients and guide them toward their desired path of development.
Since May 2021, Diana has been at the helm of managing the Grady TRC and eagerly anticipates the opportunity to share her expertise with the NATRC Steering Committee.
Dulande Louis, PhD, LMSW, SIFI
Dulande Louis
Dulande Louis is an Afro-Caribbean licensed social work practitioner, adjunct professor at Adelphi University and Touro College in New York, and the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island’s Trauma Recovery Center—JCCGCI’s TRC Founding Director. Dr. Louis was the former Education Manager at VNS Health for four years and the Associate Director of Global Trauma Research for ten years. Dr. Louis has extensive training in Trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth, Healthcare, Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), Health Equity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). Dr. Louis has held numerous leadership positions in the not-for-profit space for over fifteen years and has developed, implemented, and evaluated programs designed to increase service access for individuals at the margins of society in the United States and Haiti.
Dr. Louis earned her Bachelor’s degree in Community Health and Human Services from Saint Joseph’s College and her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Social Work from Adelphi University. Dr. Louis’ primary research interests and scholarship are illiteracy and limited educational attainment among women in developing nations. Dr. Louis’ dissertation focused on the lived experiences of Haitian women with illiteracy and low educational attainment—a passion derived from her experience being raised by an illiterate mother and maternal grandmother. Dr. Louis won the NASW-NSY Outstanding Doctoral Student Award in 2022. Dr. Louis is a servant leader, critical thinker, problem solver, an agile and empathetic clinician, a proud mother, and an incredible cook.
Calvin Kelly, Ph.D., LPC
Calvin Kelly
Dr. Calvin Kelly, a licensed mental health professional, currently serves as the Chief Clinical Director of the Harvest Trauma Recovery Center, operating under the auspices of the African American Youth Harvest Foundation and his own practice of Dr. Calvin Kelly and Associates. With over 25 years of teaching experience in Psychology and Counseling course at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as 27 years of experience in private practice as a psychologist and Certified Trauma Expert. Dr. Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to his new role.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kelly has exemplified a commitment to leadership grounded in the Servant Leadership Model, prioritizing the needs of others, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. He has also been a sought-after presenter on diverse topics related to mental health, both locally and nationally.
Dr. Kelly’s areas of expertise encompass trauma and post-traumatic stress-related issues, Racial Identity Development, men and depression, secondary trauma, holistic wellness, organizational development and leadership and team building. His deep belief in the importance of family and his close spiritual connection to a higher power serve as guiding principles in his work, keeping him grounded and focused on his mission.
Iris Cruet-Rubio, LMFT
Iris Cruet-Rubio
Kim Miiller, Ph.D.
Kim Miiller
Kim Miiller, PsyD is the Director of Trauma Recovery & Resilience for Advocate Aurora Health in Illinois. Dr. Miller is currently the Director over two Trauma Recovery Centers in the Chicagoland area, serving eight counties. In addition to her work with the Trauma Recovery Centers, she is leading an initiative that is focused on changing the culture in the hospitals and ambulatory care for Advocate Aurora Health by providing evidence based trainings to 30% or more of the team members and physicians. Dr. Miiller has experience in clinical research, project management, inpatient and outpatient clinical work as well as over ten years in management. She found her passion when being given the opportunity to start one of the first two Trauma Recovery Centers in Illinois and is dedicated to helping survivors of trauma by continuing to promote the work of the Trauma Recovery Center model.
Stephen Massey, MS
Stephen Massey
Stephen Massey is currently the Chief Operations Officer of the Citilookout Trauma Recovery Center where he has been entrusted to develop the program design for the crime victim’s advocacy program. 8 years ago, he developed the program design for “Journey to Freedom” a Domestic Violence Intervention program at has served those in Clark and surrounding counties for many years. Stephen Massey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in mental health counseling. He has a professional coaching graduate degree. Some of the areas of specialty include addiction’s coaching, client advocacy, and trauma recovery. Mr. Massey has worked in the social service sector in Springfield since the 1990s; throughout this period, developing many skills and an extensive network of support. Throughout this period, he has been doing coaching, counseling, advocacy, facilitating and human service work. Also, he has experience working among the community’s many nonprofit and social service agencies; he is grateful for the amazing relationships with many church leaders here in Springfield.
His goal is to serve his community with the skills developed over the years through Awakenings, LLC; at this time, he is running as a nonprofit through the Nehemiah Foundation.