MEET OUR DEDICATED TEAM

At Voices Beyond Assault (VBA), we promote and take action toward sexual assault/abuse. With fierce optimism, we individually and collectively fight the social injustices that impact all of us. Our commitment to this has allowed our VBA team to create a space for people to heal and flourish.

 

BRIANNA MICHELLE

Founder & President

She/Her pronouns.

Brianna Michelle is on a mission to bring more awareness to the epidemic of sexual assault, and refuses to turn a blind eye to an act that has already affecting so many lives.

A brutal rape and kidnapping while in college woke up a sleeping giant that said,”NO MORE” to sexual abuse and she began using her voice as power. For so long she was silenced by molestation as a child, now there is no holding her back from telling her story.

Being that most sexual assault goes unreported, Michelle aims to tackle the taboo issue of sexual assault and give a voice to men, women, and children around the world.

Brianna had her wings clipped by adversity, but she has still been able to thrive and work toward goals; graduating college, studying/living abroad, traveling the world advocating, and pursuing a career as a model and spokesperson. Her pain has now turned into ambition, and she is determined to make a name for herself in the modelling/acting industry. She is inspired to change laws, empower others, and build one of the world’s most effective organizations in dealing with sexual assault/abuse.

Her mission is to bring sexual assault/abuse to the forefront of our society, and inspire survivors to be empowered by their individual stories of sexual assault/abuse and healing.

BOB ROACH

Chief Financial Officer

He/His pronouns.

Bob Roach is a financial services and operating company executive with extensive experience in investments, finance, compliance (SEC & FINRA), and capital raising/investment banking. As a Chief Financial & Compliance Officer, Bob has established and maintained financials, financial reporting and compliance policies, overseen regulatory filings, reviewed marketing collateral, and managed infrastructures for broker-dealers, investment advisers, and investment funds as well as their respective clients.

Mr. Roach has been a licensed Series 24 principal since 1996 and a licensed Aeries 2 FINOP since 2003. He possesses extensive experience as a broker-dealer principal, CFO, FINOP and Chief Compliance Officer. In this capacity, in addition to financial oversight and regulatory (FINRA) filings, Bob’s experiences include: raising equity & debt capital for small/middle market businesses, private placements, mergers and acquisition advisory, and oversight of investment banking and fund wholesaling broker-dealer businesses. Mr. Roach holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 28, 66, 79, 87 & 99 licenses.

Mr. Roach holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago – Booth School of Business, and a BA in Economics from Dartmouth College.

ALEXANDRA RICHARDSON

Director, Community Engagement

She/Her pronouns.

Alexandra Richardson is a student from Ireland, currently undertaking an MPhil in International Peace Studies at Trinity College, Dublin. She has always felt deeply dissatisfied with the current injustices that many members of our society presently face, particularly in relation to sexual assault/abuse. This sense of injustice has led her to explore the different ways that she can address sexual assault/abuse, and encouraged her to play a more significant role in ending these prevailing social issues.
 
Alex believes that one of her leading inspirations in life is to emancipate any individual who has experienced sexual assault/abuse, and is always willing to offer as much help as she can, to anyone who needs it.

CURTISHA THOMAS

Director, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives

She/Her pronouns.

Curtisha Thomas stands out in all that she does in philanthropy. She is a woman who is dedicated to ending the cycle of sexual assault/abuse and domestic violence. Curtisha knows first hand about the effects of abuse and is using her experience, skills, and passion for this area to make sure that Voices Beyond Assault (VBA) conquers its mission in empowering survivors.

Curtisha is a highly analytical thinker and excels in identifying, scrutinizing, improving, and streamlining complex work processes. She has proven experience in relationship-building and a compassionate heart, which VBA is elated to have on their team.

SARAH MOLYNEUX

Associate Director, Community Engagement

She/Her pronouns.

Sarah Molyneux is a STEM college student who is passionate about speaking out against sexual assault/abuse. Sarah had a very hard time accepting and talking about her own experience of sexual assault initially, and so, she wants to encourage people to believe that their story is important – no matter who they are, or what happened to them!

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ROBBIN TURNER

Chair of The Board of Directors

She/Her pronouns.

Robbin Turner is the Founder and Botanical Formulator of Violet Botanical Skincare. She holds a Master’s Degree (MA) from Temple University in Kinesiology, and holds advanced knowledge in the Applied Integrative Physiology of Exercise. Robbin is an active member of the Global Wellness Institute’s Beauty Meets Wellness Committee. In addition to writing her own blog, she’s the contributing writer for DLG Naturals. Robbin has over ten years of applied clinical experience studying the relationships among physical activity, health, and wellness. Now, she uses her expertise to bridge the gap between wellness, clean beauty and healthy skin care.

GIMARI LADD JONES

Chair of The Board of Directors

She/Her pronouns.

Gimari is a service driven Equity and Social Justice Leader, and Former Teacher whose life’s purpose is serving and uplifting people in communities most in need. Specifically, her work ensures African American and Hispanic/Latinx students, and students of low-income, are justly positioned to reach their highest potential in schools through the desegregation of advanced courses. 

At the core of Gimari’s passion is empowering voice, which is central to the mission of Voices Beyond Assault. Due to her repeated experiences of having had loved ones, colleagues, and even students during her tenure teaching who had been sexually assaulted, Gimari has personally witnessed the pain and anguish sexual assault causes, and its heavy burden on an individual’s voice. Gimari believes that Voices Beyond Assault’s mission and cause is of utmost importance to the health and well-being of thousands of people who need to feel, and know, that they are not alone, and they can again use their voice. Gimari lends her non-profit, communications, and equity experience to ensure the mission of VBA is aptly served.

Gary Smith

Member of The Board of Directors

He/His pronouns.

Gary Smith is an experienced professional businessman and entrepreneur. A
qualified CPA, he has worked as an Investment Manager in the City of London
and established two movie businesses listed on the London Stock Exchange – as Chairman and Chief Executive. He has over 40 movie credits with budgets in excess of $400 million. His experience covers finance, production, marketing and sales. In 2019, he arranged the financing for the purchase of Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, California; where he is co-owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He currently has business interests in a winery, feature films, venture capital, online real estate, yachts and video technology.

Gary has extensive philanthropic experience, and is extremely passionate about stimulating changing and empowerment for others. Gary is a trustee of several charities, and is excited to be a part of Voices Beyond Assault. Gary is passionate about making sure that all men, women and children are safe from the pandemic of sexual violence, and has prioritised this as one of his most mobilising goals. Gary is committed to making the world is a better place, by helping those who have suffered emotional trauma and encouraging them to flourish.