Our Team
Our team is based in Grand Marais and serves the surrounding area with care and confidentiality. Each staff member and volunteer is dedicated to supporting those affected by relationship abuse through respect, compassion, and collaboration. Together, we work to create safety, promote healing, and strengthen our community.
Board of directors
Kelsey Saladin ONeil, Ellen Seltz, Diane Pearson, Amanda Weberg, Mary Charlier, Sarah Hallberg Jorgenson, Shoshanna Matney, Karen Sevareid, Kory Bowman, Brian Bowman
Sara
Executive Director
Sara joined the Violence Prevention Center as Executive Director in July 2025. She has worked in the field of domestic violence since 2018, with prior experience leading operations for an international organization focused on legal and policy reform on violence against women and girls. Sara holds a master’s degree in nonprofit policy and management and brings over 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She is deeply committed to advancing safety, equality, and dignity for all people.
Jessica
Program Advocate
Jessica has been the Program Advocate at the Violence Prevention Center since 2021. Jessica has a degree in Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies. She is passionate about disrupting the cultural conditions that allow domestic and sexual violence to occur. Jessica believes in empowering victims/survivors by walking alongside them in support and recognizing that each victim/survivor is the expert on their own life.
Ashley
Office & Development Coordinator
Ashley joined the Violence Prevention Center in March 2025. She has a strong background in nonprofit volunteer work and fundraising, and she enjoys keeping the organization’s daily operations running smoothly. Ashley values connection, organization, and service, and takes pride in supporting both her team and the community.
our mission
The mission of the Violence Prevention Center is to foster a community which cultivates healthy relationships, empowers systems to serve individuals with compassion, and does not tolerate violence. We serve all who have been affected by or subjected to domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
who we serve
The VPC serves Cook County and Grand Portage Minnesota. We provide free and confidential services to anyone who has been affected by or subjected domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, teen dating violence, stalking, harassment, and elder abuse. Our services are available to victims/survivors regardless of when the abuse took place; whether it is currently happening or is something that took place years ago, the VPC is here to support you. We work with both primary survivors as well as secondary survivors. Secondary survivors are those who are close to the primary survivor are affected by the consequences of the abuse alongside the primary survivor. Secondary survivors can be friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, religious leaders, coaches, community members, etc. Our staff and volunteers create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for everyone.
