GRW staff have been working in the violence against women field for decades and are tireless in their efforts to ensure that our network of partners has consistent access to the current best practices and developments happening across the globe on bettering responses to violence against women.
Our Staff
Laura Williams
Director of Systems Advocacy
Laura started the first Sexual Violence Justice Institute (SVJI). As a founder of the Sexual Violence Justice Institute, she has written, consulted, and trained extensively on the multi-agency, multi-disciplinary response to sexual assault.
Lori Flohaug
Director of Law & Policy
Lori has dedicated her twenty-five year legal career to helping others in crisis; focusing on women and children.
Sophia Morrissette
Administrative Associate
Sophia is a recent graduate of Chapman University in Southern California. Sophia is passionate about creating sustainable solutions to end global gender-based conflict and tackle international policy reform.
Hunter Cardwell
Pathways to Family Peace Program Coordinator
Hunter recently graduated with her Master's from Lindenwood University in Criminal Justice Administration. She found a passion in helping victims of violence seek justice.
Patricia Cumbie
Communications Manager
Patricia's career has been focused on working with mission-driven organizations seeking to tell their stories through partnership and collaboration.
Nazifa Wazirzada
Program Manager
Nazifa received an International Studies and Communication degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2019. She has developed a passion for finding sustainable and effective ways to alleviate ongoing inequalities on a local and international level.
Sara Mowchan
Director of Development
Sara brings over 10 years of experience in driving organizational growth, including nonprofit consulting and management for organizations in Minnesota, Washington D.C. and abroad.
Christy Flikke
Finance Manager
Christy has a Finance Degree and worked with high net worth clients and their businesses at U.S. Bank Private Client Group and before that in Credit Administration at Marquette Bank.
Cheryl Thomas
Founder and Executive Director
Since 1993, Cheryl has worked with partners around the world to promote women’s human rights and achieve effective reform on violence against women.
Melissa Scaia
Director of International Training
Melissa brings a wealth of experience as the former executive director of Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (DAIP), also known as “the Duluth Model.”
Helen Rubenstein, Contractor
Senior Counsel
Helen has traveled to Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Tanzania, Moldova, and Russia and Turkey to conduct trainings and presentations, and carry out human rights fact-finding on the legal system response to violence against women.Consultant Expert Trainers
Kay Arola
Carol Arthur
Marcus Brunning
Judge Elizabeth Cutter
Gabrielle Davis
Judge Shaun Floerke
Lori Flohaug
Laura Goodman
Lieutenant Scott Jenkins
Judge Kathryn Quaintance
Julie Tilley
Board of Directors
Lynn Anderson, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Holiday Companies
Rebecca J. Bentzinger, (Development and Communications Chair)
Kathryn Goodwin Brackney, Board Member
Holly Eng, Assistant General Counsel, Employment, Labor, Business Operations & Supply Chain, Cargill Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd.
Bob Hamilton (Treasurer), Chief Operating Officer, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Imani Jaafar, Director, Office of Police Conduct Review (City of Minneapolis)
Jim Jacobson, (Board Chair), Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Medica
Imrana Jalal, Chair of World Bank Inspection Panel
Kelley Lindes, Board Member
Rachel Pollock, Board Member
Lynn Schubert, President, Surety & Fidelity Association of America (retired)
Sally Spence, Global Studies Program Specialist, Office of Global Studies, St. Catherine University
Janet Walsh, Senior Fellow, University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs
