Creating System-Level Reforms
Champions of Change work on a state or national level, to create system-level reforms in the way we respond to sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and other forms of gender-based violence.
ADVOCATE AND MOVEMENT LEADER
Rosa Beltré is a nationally recognized advocate and movement leader whose work is reshaping how communities respond to sexual violence. As President & CEO of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, she leads with an intersectional lens — centering survivors, amplifying BIPOC and historically marginalized voices, and ensuring that all survivors remain the priority.
NURSE, ATTORNEY, MILITARY LEADER
Barbra “Barb” Bachmeier has built a career defined by service, leadership, and a fierce commitment to survivors of violence. Her journey spans roles as a nurse, military leader, attorney, and forensic nurse practitioner — each chapter united by her drive to dismantle barriers and expand access to compassionate, trauma-informed care.
CORRECTIONS SYSTEM LEADER AND INNOVATOR
Kenneth L. James has made an indelible mark on the corrections landscape, protecting incarcerated individuals from sexual abuse and harassment. As the agency Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Corrections, he works tirelessly to ensure the system centers human dignity at every level.
A CHAMPION OF CHANGE FOR CHILDREN
Tyesha M. Wood is a powerful advocate with an unwavering commitment to justice for children and victims of interpersonal violence in Indian Country. She is revered for her expertise in helping communities develop cross-jurisdictional responses to safely recover missing or abducted children.
A CHAMPION OF CHANGE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Patience Ashorkor Quaye, Assistant Commissioner of Police (retired), is a resolute champion of change in combatting human trafficking and gender-based violence in Ghana. Joining the Ghana Police Service in 1977, Patience Quaye’s journey in law enforcement has been marked by extraordinary achievements.
A CHAMPION OF CHANGE FOR CHILDREN
Tyesha M. Wood is a powerful advocate with an unwavering commitment to justice for children and victims of interpersonal violence in Indian Country. She is revered for her expertise in helping communities develop cross-jurisdictional responses to safely recover missing or abducted children.
DETECTIVE, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Detective Rick Salcedo has transformed Central Florida’s response to sexual assault survivors. He is relentless in ensuring law enforcement has the training and skills to respond compassionately and effectively when survivors seek help.
SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER, THE PLAIN DEALER
Rachel Dissell’s bold investigative journalism for The Plain Dealer, examining Cleveland’s response to sexual assault and the impacts of trauma on survivors, has led to changes in laws, policies, and public perceptions.
CHIEF OF VICTIM SERVICES AND PARALLEL JUSTICE PROGRAMS, SAN FRANCISCO, CA DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Dr. Gena Castro Rodriguez has spent her career transforming systems to help survivors access justice, heal from trauma, and reach their potential. In 2000, she created the first intensive case management program for girls and young adults at risk for and experiencing domestic violence and exploitation.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
CITY OF RIVERSIDE
Recognized by law enforcement leaders across the State of Missouri for his leadership in community safety, Greg Mills has a history of working collaboratively with others in an effort to create a community free of sexual violence.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SEX ABUSE TREATMENT CENTER
Adriana Ramelli is the Executive Director of The Sex Abuse Treatment Center, a program of Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children (KMCWC) in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.
POLICE OFFICER, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Officer Greiter is a highly requested speaker by ISU faculty and students alike, and he continues to challenge and improve the ways individuals and institutions view sexual assault.
REGISTERED NURSE/CERTIFIED SANE
A member of the National Honor Society of Nurses, as well as the International Association of Forensic Nurses, Ms. Reina provides expert testimony in the field of forensic nursing, and she contributed to the textbook entitled: Interpersonal Violence by G.W. Publishing.
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF CAMPUS SAFETY/CHIEF OF POLICE, VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
John Venuti served on the Governor’s Task Force on Combating Sexual Assault in Higher Education and is a graduate of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Violence Against Women Leadership Institute.
CRIME VICTIM SERVICES COORDINATOR, RICE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Shawn Becker has been championing positive change over the course of his 16-year career in law enforcement, including eight years as a detective specializing in…
POLICE SERGEANT, AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Sergeant Liz Donegan led the Austin Police Department to revolutionize its investigation of sexual assault, and played an integral role in forming the Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit.
PRESIDENT, ALLIANCE FOR HOPE INTERNATIONAL
Casey Gwinn is the visionary behind the Family Justice Center movement, the rapidly developing, international approach of co-locating services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and their children.
POLICE CAPTAIN, JACKSON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Captain Holt’s tireless efforts led to the opening of a Family Justice Center in Jackson-Madison County, the Safe Hope Center, which brings together multidisciplinary components of integrated criminal justice and community response to domestic and sexual violence.
CHIEF OF POLICE, YAVAPAI COLLEGE
Chief Jerald Monahan has dedicated his 38-year law enforcement career to addressing violence against women and improving responses for survivors and their families.
VICTIM/DISABILITY ADVOCATE
Shirley Paceley is an author, international trainer, counselor, consultant, advocate, and visionary, who has worked at the intersection of violence and people with disabilities for nearly 45 years.
CLINICAL FORENSIC NURSING PROGRAM CONSULTANT
In conjunction with the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Jacqueline Callari Robinson created a statewide training program for Adult/Adolescent and Pediatric SANEs.
SENIOR CRIME ANALYST, AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Tess Sherman has created change in her community by working as a Crime Intelligence Analyst for the Austin Police Department since 1998, with a current focus on violent crimes.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ALLIANCE FOR HOPE INTERNATIONAL
Gael Strack is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Alliance for HOPE International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating systems and social change through critical programs.
PROSECUTION EXPERT
Herb Tanner served as the Director of the Violence Against Women Project for the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM) from 2003 to 2016 where he trained two generations of prosecutors.
NOMINATE A CHAMPION OF CHANGE
We are looking for individuals whose heartfelt commitment and tireless dedication have improved system-level responses to gender-based violence. By challenging the status quo, they effect real change, and they inspire others to follow in their footsteps. Do you know someone who fits the bill?
A Champion of Change is someone who:
- Challenges the status quo to create system-level changes
- Helps to support survivors and hold offenders accountable
- Mentors the next generation of reformers and leaders