Becoming a single mother made Denise realize she was unable to do everything and most importantly realized it was ok to ask for help. Denise also, grew up as a child in a household of alcohol and physical abuse until her mother stopped being a victim and became a survivor of Domestic Violence.

Awards:

1. 1. 1. Congressional Proclamation from Michael Turners office
      2. Rising Star Award Women of Color Caucus (WOCC)
      3. 2022 Heart of Gold Honoree Eta Phi Beta Sorority Inc Lambda Chapter
      4. WIBN Women of Impact 2022
      5. Member of Toastmasters International
      6. Registered Advocate Advanced Standing with Ohio Advocate Network

Lesha J. Wallace, Ph.D. currently serves as the human resources supervisor for Huber Heights City Schools. She has been in education for over 25 years, having worked at the junior high, high school, and college levels. Dr. Wallace has served a few educational institutions in various capacities, including but not limited to, teacher, school counselor, and curriculum supervisor. She is a proud graduate of Spelman College and the University of Dayton. Dr. Wallace has a passion for social justice and community service, and has participated in these activities since she was a teenager.

Brittini Lacy’s personal vision is to achieve advancement in all areas of the workplace by increasing her knowledge in areas that may be challenging, and challenging others to strive for the best and meet their personal goals.

She dedicates her time to helping people through life with a Servant Leadership attitude inside and outside of the workplace by inspiring, encouraging, coaching, and developing the community around her to serve others.

Brittini Lacy currently serves as the Regional Support Manager at Wright Patt Credit Union for all seven of the North Area Member Centers. She has worked at Wright Patt Credit Union for 14 years. Within those 14 years, she has served partner-employees, members, and senior level managers. She has worked in many different departments, projects and can serve in any capacity with excellence. She pushes her partner-employees outside of their comfort zones to reach their full potential. Many have advanced as high performing employees inside and outside Wright Patt Credit Union.

Previously Brittini was the Member Center Manager of the Wright Patt Credit Union on Siebenthaler Ave in Dayton, Ohio, where she learned the importance of serving her community through financial education. Her first step was educating her partner employees on how to encourage every member that they can achieve home ownership, retirement solutions and financial freedom. Within her 4 years, the growth of the member center increased significantly. The Member Center won several awards for the top sales of loan protection products along with achieving high scores in Member Service.

Brittini has also served the community through volunteerism in high school she taught students in elementary school how to read and tutored them in math. In college, she worked at a library where the focus was to teach children and their parents how to read and develop computer skills. She has worked in a group home with teenage girls and was able to impact their lives in a positive way by relating to them and showing them that they matter.

Brittini holds a Master’s Degree in Management, from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University. Brittini is a proud member of Eta Phi Beta Sorority, where she serves as the Senior Membership Intake Coordinator. She is also a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts of America Troop #75, Resource Development Committee Member for the Boys and Girls Club of Dayton, Diversity and Inclusion Collaborative Committee Member at Wright Patt Credit Union (IDEAS), and Board Member for the Boys and Girls Club of Dayton.

One of the most precious accomplishments Brittini has is being a mother of two wonderful boys, Michael and Daylen. Her greatest assets include creativity, a positive personality, servant attitude, ability to connect with all people, and willingness to serve any and ALL people. Brittini encourages everyone to be themselves. Her favorite life quote is “Today you are You, that is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” -Dr. Seuss.

LaQueita Roberts is a content marketing professional for Multi Family Housing company Monarch Investment and Management Group. She has over 10 year experiences in sales, leasing and training. She currently assist in managing a CRM platform for Dayton, Cincinnati, Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The CRM platform help attracts new prospects to the properties to lease apartments homes. Previously, LaQueita worked as Assistant Property Manager and help with daily property operations. She graduated from DeVry University with A Bachelor degree in technical Science. LaQueita, is a member of multiple community organizations in Dayton, Ohio. 

Denise Kontras, R.A., M.A. is the Training Coordinator for Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN), the coalition of 70 domestic violence programs and agencies and the leading voice advocating for safety, well-being and justice for all Ohioans in their relationships. Denise oversees ODVN’s statewide training program and helps develop the continuing education curriculum for regional programs, ODVN’s Training Institute and the Online Learning Academy. She provides support to staff trainers, allied professionals, domestic violence programs and community groups. A member of the National Speakers Association, Denise has presented at state, regional and national conferences on a variety topics related to domestic violence.

Denise is a Registered Advocate and a member of the Ohio Advocate Network state review committee. She serves on the executive committee of the Ohio Faith-Based Coalition Against Domestic Violence working with faith leaders and their communities to create best practices, and responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. Prior to joining ODVN, Denise served as a victim advocate for almost 20 years. She is a former newspaper reporter and graduated Phi Beta Kappawith a master’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University.

Cierra Davis is a Victims’ Rights Advocate at Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center.

Cierra graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences with paired minors in English, Psychology and Legal Studies. Cierra was awarded Liberal Arts & Sciences Department Scholar of the 2018 graduating class. After graduation, Cierra graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice & Criminology with a concentration in Victimology at Kent State University.

Prior to joining the staff at Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center (“OCVJC”), Cierra worked as a Summer Associate at Legal Aid of Western Ohio within the Stability & Independence for Survivors Practice Group and volunteered at the Child Abuse Council, Sexual Assault Prevention Human Trafficking Chair, Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project, and Lighthouse Youth and Family Services New Beginnings Our Girls’ Group Home.

Throughout her time at OCVJC, Cierra has served as the first line of contact for victims who are seeking OCVJC assistance. She works in conjunction with OCVJC’s attorneys to educate crime victims of their rights in the criminal justice system and to evaluate their cases for a potential victims’ rights violations. She provides victims of crime direct communication and trauma-informed advocacy while assisting them with case intake, restitution, victim impact statements, safety planning, and additional community resources as needed. Additionally, Cierra was approved by the Ohio Supreme Court to provide Marsy’s Law Victims’ Rights Trainings to Judges, Prosecutors, Advocates and other criminal justice professionals.

Cierra also serves as a member of the Human Trafficking Street Outreach Task Force at Oasis House and sits on the Advisory Board of Single Parents Rock to uphold crime victims’ rights.

Ashley Merino lives in Columbus, Ohio, where she works as an attorney at a law firm that specializes in complex civil litigation. Ashley graduated magna cum laude from The University of Dayton in 2013, where she studied political science, criminal justice, and sociology. In 2017, Ashley received her juris doctor degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. In law school, Ashley was elected to serve as Chief Managing Editor of the Criminal Law Journal, worked part-time as a certified legal intern at the Franklin County Prosecutor’s office, and privately tutored high school students in history and civics. 

Ashley has a passion for justice and protecting the vulnerable. She credits her academic and professional successes to her faith in God and to the many mentors and helpers that He has placed in her life. In her free time, Ashley provides career mentorship to young female students who aspire to practice law.

Aaron M. Primm is a Mediation Specialist II at the Dayton Mediation Center, City of Dayton. Aaron manages the Center’s Landlord/Tenant Homelessness Prevention programming. He has been a part of the Dayton Mediation Center since 2014. Aaron attended Fisk University and earned a degree in biology. He grew up and still resides in Huber Heights, Ohio.