Our Team
Cindy Brew (she/her/hers), Executive Director
Cindy Brew joined the Children’s Advocacy Center in 2020 with over 21 years of victim service experience. She initially began working with crime survivors as a volunteer. Cindy has experience in program development, public speaking, fundraising, grant management, team engagement, trauma-informed care, leadership, and direct service as a victim advocate. Cindy leads with empathy and a growth mindset, often reiterating:
“You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.” — Sophia Bush
Jessica Gealy (she/her/hers), Victim Advocate
Jessica Gealy joined the CAC in 2021. She has 11 years of social service experience and three years of victim advocacy experience. Her experience comes from direct services advocacy with adult sexual assault survivors, crisis intervention, and case management. Jessica helps clients navigate the pain and confusion of trauma. Jessica has experience in trauma-informed care, how trauma affects the body, in educating law enforcement on the effects of sexual assault, and in court advocacy.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” — Martin Luther King
Jessica Hoskin (she/her/hers), MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, Nurse Interviewer
Jessica Hoskin joined the CAC in 2019. Jessica has been a Registered Nurse since 2012 and completed graduate nursing education in Pediatric Primary Care in 2017. Jessica’s CAC training includes NCAC-Forensic Interviewing of Children and Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Exams. Jessica provides forensic interviews, medical exams, testing, and treatment for children and teens who have experienced abuse. Jessica is grateful to be able to promote health, safety, and provide medical care for children and teens in Portage County.
Leanne Biltz (she/her/hers), Education and Outreach Coordinator
Leanne Biltz joined the CAC in 2022 with over 10 years of victim advocacy experience. Leanne began working with survivors of crime while working in community corrections after receiving her Bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in 2011. Leanne has experience in program development, public speaking, marketing and fundraising, leadership, trauma-informed care, and direct services as a victim advocate.
Madison Emanuel (she/her/hers), Education and Outreach Advocate
Madison Emanuel joined the CAC in 2023. Starting as our intern, Madison has gracefully moved into our full time Education and Outreach Advocate. She is currently enrolled at the University of Kentucky for Social Work. Madison has experience with Trauma-Informed Care, social media marketing, community collaboration, and advocacy.
Samantha Luyster (she/her/hers), LPCC-S
Samantha Luyster joined the CAC in 2023. She has been a licensed mental health clinician since 2013, and worked in crisis stabilization for two years prior to receiving her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Counseling. Prior to coming to the CAC, Sam provided both agency-based and school-based therapy services to children, teens, young adults, and their families. She gained her supervisory designation in 2018 and enjoys training the next generations of child and adolescent therapists. She has specialized training in trauma therapy, including TF-CBT, PSB-CBT, AF-CBT, DBT, CBT, EMDR, and in working with youth on the autism spectrum.
“The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.” – Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City
Kendall Crawford (she/her/hers), Victim Advocate
Kendall Crawford joined the CAC in 2023. Kendall has three years of direct service victim advocacy experience. She is a registered advocate through the Ohio Advocate Network and is currently working on the national credentialing. She has has an educational background in criminology, sociology, and anthropology. Although busy, she is currently pursuing her MSW through Ohio University. She has experience with survivors of domestic violence, providing case management, safety planning, and crisis intervention.
Kimberly Hughes (she/her/hers), Victim Advocate
Kimberley Hughes joined the CAC in 2023. Kim has past experience in social work and mental health. She has her BASW and LSW from Ursuline College. She has also been trained in Forensic Interviewing. Along with her background in mental health and social work, she has experience in advocacy, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and safety planning.
Corinn Stonebraker (she/her/hers), Education and Outreach Advocate
Corinn Stonebraker joined the CAC in 2023. She has her Bachelor’s of Science in Integrated Social Sciences from Penn State University, and will graduate with her MSW from The Ohio State University in May 2024. She is also interning with our therapist, Samantha. Corinn has experience in domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy with children and adults, safety planning, hotline/crisis calls, trauma-informed care, court, social media marketing, public speaking, and community outreach and collaboration.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.”
Board Members
- Victor Vigluicci, President
Portage County Prosecutor - Randy Griffith, Vice President
Maplewood Career Center - Claudia Amrhein, Treasurer
Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority - Scott Flynn, Secretary
Flynn Keith & Flynn - Bill Benoit
University Hospitals Portage — Medical Center - Sabrina Christian-Bennett
Portage County Commissioner
- Mike Finley
Hall-Green Insurance Agency - Keith Fletcher
Family & Community Services - Shawn Gordon
UH Portage Medical Center Foundation - Kathy Hartung
Community Member - Kellijo Jeffries
Portage County Job & Family Services - Amanda Lewis
Paoloni & Lewis Attorneys - Kathy Regal
Children’s Advantage
- Melissa Roubic
Portage County Municipal Court Judge - Heidi Singer
Kent City Schools - Geri Strange
Community Member - Ben Ribelin
Ravenna City Schools - Bruce Zuchowski
Portage County Sheriff - Dean Tondiglia
Kent State University Chief of Police