Meet the Team
Meet the dedicated team behind ANDVSA
Brenda Stanfill
Brenda Stanfill has served as the Executive Director of the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) since September 2021. Before joining ANDVSA, she dedicated 25 years as the Executive Director of the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she supported survivors across Interior Alaska.
Brenda is an active participant in numerous statewide and national groups, where she advocates for Alaska’s survivors, ensuring their rights are upheld and they can access vital healing services.
She holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus on restorative justice practices from the University of Southeast Alaska and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Outside of work, Brenda cherishes time with her large family, including her children, grandchildren, and a spirited Dachshund who keeps her on her toes.
Brenda Stanfill
Executive Director
Brenda Stanfill has served as the Executive Director of the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) since September 2021. Before joining ANDVSA, she dedicated 25 years as the Executive Director of the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she supported survivors across Interior Alaska.
Brenda is an active participant in numerous statewide and national groups, where she advocates for Alaska’s survivors, ensuring their rights are upheld and they can access vital healing services.
She holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus on restorative justice practices from the University of Southeast Alaska and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Outside of work, Brenda cherishes time with her large family, including her children, grandchildren, and a spirited Dachshund who keeps her on her toes.
Christine Mcleod Pate
Christine Mcleod Pate
Legal Program Director
Cindy Lind
Cindy is the Assistant Capacity Building Director for ANDVSA. Cindy has many years of leadership, board and non-profit management experience within the Alaska Native communities and federal government that she brings to the Capacity Building Team who provide training and technical assistance for the ANDVSA Network Program Members to help build a strong foundation for their staff and agencies. Cindy loves spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and being in the outdoors – camping, fishing and nature walks. She also appreciates the challenge of being an older person at the boxing gym she goes to.
Esse Smith
Since rejoining ANDVSA in 2021, Esse has coordinated Prevention Technical Assistance and Training and helped facilitate peer connection within the Statewide Prevention Community. Esse brings years of experience working with two local ANDVSA programs (AWARE and STAR) and a deep commitment to social justice, equity, and community-centered prevention to this role. They manage the Statewide Prevention Community listserv and access to shared resources, can support efforts to make prevention work more accessible, and are the point-person for Prevention TA and Training. Some of their greatest passions in life include creating healing-centered visual art, harvesting medicinal plants, building communities of care, and snuggling their cat Monkey.
Jen Mitchell
Jen Mitchell is the Capacity Building Specialist and provides comprehensive technical assistance and support to advocates across the state, ensuring they have the resources and knowledge needed to effectively serve survivors in their communities. With 7 years of experience as a victim advocate at one of our member programs, Jen is deeply dedicated to empowering advocates and supporting survivors. Outside of work, Jen enjoys life with her partner, dog, two cats, and thriving collection of over 80 houseplants.
Lexi Amstutz
Lexi Amstutz joined ANDVSA’s Capacity Building Team as a Shared Services Specialist. This positions her to help member agencies bridge financial, HR and grant compliance gaps. Bringing more than 8 years of experience in small business consulting and a strong background in nonprofit finance and grant management, Lexi also holds an MBA and has spent the past decade serving as an adjunct instructor within the University of Alaska system. As a survivor of DV herself, she is ecstatic about bringing her experience and passion to ANDVSA. Outside of work, Lexi is a single mom of four, an avid gardener and reader, and a hobby chicken farmer who loves the simple joys of life in Alaska.
Josh Medina
Joshua (he/him), like many other Alaskans, immigrated to the United States at a young age. Coming from the Philippines, the transition was stark, but Alaska quickly became his home. Growing up in the small town of Kodiak, Alaska, Joshua grew up fishing and hiking. However, Joshua’s appreciation for Alaska and its natural beauties only deepened with time. Wanting to give back to Alaska and the communities that helped raise him, Joshua’s career has been devoted to serving others. in addition to working for the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence as a prevention specialist, Joshua works as a juvenile justice counselor for the McLaughlin Youth Center, helping adjudicated youth make positive changes in their lives.
Zoë Schultz
Zoë is one of our Prevention Specialists and works closely to provide support services for youth engagement and education across the state. She first came to Alaska as an AmeriCorps volunteer at the Tundra Women’s Coalition in Bethel, Alaska and coordinated their violence prevention and youth leadership program, Teens Acting Against Violence. This year of service changed her entire trajectory. She decided to pursue a Master of Public Health with a focus on Child, Youth, and Family Health and found her way back to Alaska. To decompress, you can find her doing yoga, ballroom dancing, or reading a book.
Lindsey Mathis
Lindsey is our Grants and Administrative Director. Although, she says never hesitate to reach out with any questions, if she can’t help you, she will find you the right person who can! Lindsey loves iced coffee, video games and anything crafty but as a first-time mom to a one-year-old little girl, she spends most of her free time showing her daughter all the exciting adventures and experiences life has to offer.
Katy Ruff Soden
Katy Soden is the senior staff attorney at the ANDVSA Legal Program. She has been with ANDVSA since 2010. Katy’s primary role is recruiting, training, and mentoring volunteers to represent survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Emily Fossum
Emily Fossum provides technical assistance and support to legal advocates across Alaska, helping ensure they have the tools and knowledge needed to effectively serve survivors in their communities. She hosts educational webinars for advocates and coordinates ANDVSA’s annual Legal Advocacy and Wellness Sharing (LAWS) conference.
Emily’s passion for this work began in college through Pards Against Sexual Assault at Lafayette College, where she supported education on healthy relationships, consent, and bystander intervention. She later worked at the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living in Fairbanks as a Shelter Advocate, Sexual Assault Response Advocate, and Prevention Advocate, and most recently served as a Paralegal with the Fairbanks District Attorney’s Office before joining ANDVSA in August 2025.
She is motivated by creating spaces where survivors feel seen, safe, believed, and empowered. Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her animals, hiking, skiing, traveling, and crafting.
Lauree Morton
Lauree helps facilitate our sexual assault response support for member programs. She staffs the Membership committee and acts as liaison for new member agencies. She is the go-to person for legislative engagement. Lauree enjoys jam/jelly-making in the spring and summer; and crocheting during the winter months.
Lorraine Willis
Lorraine Willis is responsible for developing and providing training and technical assistance to advocates, law enforcement, forensic nurses, and people interested in responding to sexual violence across the state of Alaska. Her background in mental health and sociology and terminal degree in macro social work allow her to bring a unique and trauma informed perspective to her work. When she is not working, she enjoys hanging out with her animals and family, cultivating her indoor jungle, loud music, and all things moody, dark and spooky.
Majorie John
Marjorie is responsible for providing travel and event support for ANDVSA. She works closely with the Executive and Deputy Director and in tandem with all the ANDVSA team, arranging venues, setting up catering and ground transportation, and organizing materials for events. She provides a lot of behind-the-scenes support, such as purchasing office supplies, business cards, and promotional material. Marjorie also books travel for both staff members and program participants.
Mary Norcross
Mary Norcross
Financial Administrator
Amber Adams
Amber Adams is the Communications Manager at ANDVSA, where she leads internal and external communications, supports member engagement, and manages storytelling efforts across platforms. With a background in recruiting, coaching, and strategic consulting, Amber brings a people-centered approach to her role—one rooted in clarity, collaboration, and equity. Passionate about strengthening communities through effective communication, she is committed to amplifying the voices of survivors and advancing statewide efforts to end domestic and sexual violence. Outside of work, Amber enjoys reading, creating intentional moments with her family, and finding new ways to blend creativity, faith, and strategy in her personal ventures.
Natasha Patterson
Natasha Patterson (she/her), Paralegal and Legal Program Coordinator at ANDVSA. She provides essential support to volunteer and staff attorneys and the survivors they serve. Her work includes, but is not limited to; drafting legal documents, conducting research, managing case files, and trial preparation.
A U.S. veteran with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Natasha brings both professional expertise and a deep commitment to survivor-centered work. Her previous experience as a Legal Advocate at Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis continues to inform her dedication to helping families move toward safer, more secure futures.
Outside of her professional work, Natasha enjoys reading and baking whenever time allows.
Rodney Gaskins
Rodney Gaskins is the Capacity Building Director at the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA). A retired U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, he has extensive experience in leadership, training, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With a background in nonprofit leadership and business consulting, Rodney is dedicated to strengthening agencies and individuals who support survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Stephanie Degner
Stephanie Degner is the Legal Program Coordinator at ANDVSA, where she manages applications from victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, schedules intakes, and assesses how to address their legal needs. With five years of experience at the Alaska Court System prior to joining ANDVSA, Stephanie brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Outside of work, she is a devoted mother to three school-age children, a loving pet owner, and shares her life with a wonderful partner. Stephanie enjoys exploring nature and spending time on the water.
Laura Tuttle
Laura Tuttle is the Administrative Specialist at the Alaska Network for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, where she provides essential support to the organization’s daily operations and statewide initiatives. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare administration, financial coordination, and executive support, Laura ensures that ANDVSA’s internal systems run efficiently so staff and advocates can focus on advancing safety, justice, and equity across Alaska. Laura was drawn to ANDVSA by its powerful mission and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in her community. She believes that strong administrative support is the backbone of effective advocacy and is proud to be part of a team that uplifts survivors and strengthens systems of care throughout Alaska. Outside of work Laura loves to spend time with her family, travel, and hang out with her 11-year-old Shih-tzu Truffy.
