Board of Trustees "Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community." - Anthony J. D'Angelo
Gene C. Gates, AAMS®,
AWMA®, CRPC®, CLTC, President
Gene Gates (commonly known as Geno) joined the WomenSafe
Board in September, 2009. He is a
Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services in Beachwood, Ohio. He brings to the board a strong background in
comprehensive financial planning/wealth management, investment and estate
planning, real estate, taxes, and lending.
Since the age of twelve, he has valued community service and has made it
a priority to contribute his time and talents to various causes and
organizations such as tutoring youth in math and reading, the American Cancer
Society, the Sight Center of Cleveland, Hands Across America, Big Brothers/Big
Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, various homeless shelters, and coaching youth
golf. He is the proud father and
godfather of Gene II and Marquyce.
 Tameka Taylor, Ph.D., Vice President
Tameka Taylor joined the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in September 2008.
She is a Partner & Consultant of her own firm, Compass Consulting
Services, LLC. Her firm specializes in Diversity & Inclusion
Management, Conflict Management, Communications, Leadership, and Team
Building. Her volunteer
opportunities have varied, but most recently she has also been involved
with the Board of Celebrating the Arts (CAP). Tameka is an advocate who
believes that women and children's safety is extremely important and
something we should all be entitled too. She is the proud mother of
Andre'.
 Tina Salminen, CPA, Treasurer
Tina Salminen joined the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in June of 2006.
She is an assistant director with the well-respected, independent
consulting firms, SS & G Financial Services Group. Tina brings to
the WomenSafe board a strong understanding of financial planning,
auditing, tax, employee benefits and accounting. She is invested in her
community and shows a strong desire to get involved with WomenSafe's
future growth plans.
 Tim Garton, Secretary
Timothy Garton joined the WomenSafe Board in July 2008. He is an
Owner/Partner of RE/MAX Results and has been a realtor since 2000. Tim
has been involved with many charitable organizations including, the
Lake & Geauga Area Association of REALTORS, Greyhound Adoption of
Ohio, Painesville Little League, Children's Miracle Network, and the
Susan G. Komen Foundation. He is married to his best friend Carol, and
they are the proud parents of Jackson and Samuel. Tim
reflects as to why he chose to further his involvement
with WomenSafe by stating, "Since learning about WomenSafe many
years
ago, I have enjoyed the opportunity to see how the work they do
directly impacts my community. The best part of volunteering is seeing
how the small work of many can have such a large impact for all."
 Michele Barksdale
Michele
Barksdale was appointed to the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in May 2008.
She brings experience in financial management to the Board.
In addition to WomenSafe she sits on the MacDonald Hospitals
Women's Council, Jack and Jill of America and various PTAs.
Michele is the proud mother of four very active children who on a
daily basis remind her of the importance of family and community.
She has great passion for women's issues of health and personal
empowerment. Both Michele and her husband Ed embrace the spirit of
developing and contributing to the community. Through their
individual and corporate endeavors they hope to instill these same
values of community service within their children.
Jennifer Blaga
 Jane Burt
Jane Burt was appointed to the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in December
2006. She is a retired kindergarten teacher, which speaks to her desire
of making children safe in our community. Jane is married to Forrest
and they are they are the proud parents of Matthew and Erin. Hudson and
Amelia are Jane's grandchildren who are her favorite hobby. Jane
resides in Burton and has been involved in a volunteer capacity with
the Geauga Children's Alliance and the Burton Library. She believes
strongly in the mission of WomenSafe and the need throughout Geauga
County to spread the word of the agency's work. Congratulations
to Jane on being nominated Volunteer of the Year for WomenSafe (SFY
2010)!
 Ann D'Amico, Esq.
Ann D’Amico joined the WomenSafe
Board of Trustees in July 2011. She is an attorney who practices
primarily in the areas of domestic relations and probate law with the Law
Offices of Michael J. Caticchio in Mayfield Village, Ohio at Macy House.
She is a graduate of Miami University and Cleveland Marshall College of
Law. Ann is trained as a mediatior, parent coordinator and guardian ad
litem. Ann is member of the Geauga County Bar Association and has served
as secretary, vice-president and president of the organization. She is
also a member of the Lake County Bar Association, a juvenile diversion
magistrate in Lyndhurst Municipal Court and a member of the Highland Heights
Planning and Zoning Commission.
 Cynthia Danko, R.N., M.S.N.
Cynthia Danko joined the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in May 2007. She
is currently the Director of Surgical Services at Hillcrest Hospital in
Mayfield, Ohio in which she is responsible for daily operations aligned
with both the inpatient and outpatient surgery departments. Cindy is a
Registered Nurse and holds a Masters of Science in Psychiatric
Mental-Health Nursing from Case Western Reserve University. Cindy
wished to join the WomenSafe Board to give back to the community in
which she once lived and will gladly offer her organizational,
management, and operational skills to the agency. Cindy is also a wiz
in the kitchen and has provided many yummy treats for WomenSafe
fundraisers and special events.
 Terri Drushel
Terri
Drushel joined the WomenSafe Board in September 2009. She is the
Vice President and Client Executive at the Hylant Group (Insurance
Brokerage). In this position she is able to listen to the
client's issues and needs, marry solutions that meet their corporate
objectives and be able to deal with tough situations, especially when a
loss occurs. When asked why she wishes to join the WomenSafe
Board, Terri responded that "she hopes to make a difference in
someone's life by supporting the services offered by the shelter and
organization. WomenSafe gives hope for a better life and
clients deserve to no longer hurt." Terri has already held a
successful fundraiser to benefit the organization.
 Trenda Jones
Trenda
Jones joined the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in July 2010. She
offers expertise in advertising and promotion. She has three
children and lives in the area. When asked why she wanted to join
the Board she stated that, "Simply put, I just want to make a
difference. If I am able to help just one victim with the struggles
domestic violence puts on oneself and family members it would do my
heart good. I feel I have a unique opportunity and perspective on
how domestic violence impacts the entire family.
 Andrew Kabat, Esq.
Andrew
Kabat rejoined the WomenSafe Board in May 2006. Andrew is a
partner with Haber & Polk. Andrew's practice has focused
solely on litigation. He has handled almost every specialty area
involving professionals (architects, accountants, physicians, lawyers,
title companies, insurance agents, and realtors); commercial
litigation; employment litigation and intellectual property matters.
Andrew has also handled Plaintiff specialty torts. He has
tried over 70 first chair jury trials, including complex, legal,
medical, and accounting malpractice cases, real estate and title
disputes, employment cases, and commercial litigation. Andrew is
a frequent speaker at seminars, principally on subjects relation to the
representation of lawyers. He is the proud father of Alexis.
 Betsy Keck, Secretary
Betsy
was appointed to the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in February 2009.
She owns Edge Communications, a marketing and communications
firm. Since high school, she has volunteered for a number of
organizations, including The American Red Cross, United Way, and Make A
Wish. Betsy is excited to be a part of the WomenSafe board of
trustees, and looks forward to ensuring its mission, vision and goals
are achieved. Originally from Mayfield Village, Betsy lives in
University Heights
with her family.
Catherine A. Kroll
Brian Lach
Kimberly Oliver
 Lisa Ramage
Lisa Ramage joined the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in April 2007. Lisa
is the Executive Director for Global Patient Services at the Cleveland
Clinic. Comprised of the National Center and International Center,
Global Patient Services is a full-service department with more than 70
patient service specialists, patient service
coordinators, financial counselors and physician education
professionals. Lisa is well respected within her field and WomenSafe
looks forward to working collaboratively with Lisa to expand services
to our community.
 Susan Renda
Susan
Renda re-joined the WomenSafe's Board of Trustees in March 2011.
Susan was elected as Mayor for the Village of Moreland Hills in
2007 and is a recognized leader throughout Northeast Ohio. She is
invested in her community and is continuing to work to further educate
the area on the epidemic of domestic violence. Susan and her
husband, Michael, have been married for over 30 years and together they
have two adult children, Matt and Emily. Susan received her PhD
in Audiology from Kent State University in 1996.
Patricia Schauer
 Anita Siegal
Mrs.
Anita Siegal was appointed to the WomenSafe Board in September of 2008.
Since 2004, Anita has been employed as a Speech-Language
Pathologist with Partners for Success & Innovation. She
offers her additional time and talents as a volunteer for The Gathering
Place and the Park Synagogue. Mrs. Siegal also sits on the Board
of The Forever Children's Home and the Endowment Committee of the
Jewish Community Federation. She and her husband are also very involved
in supporting Rainbow Hospital at University Hospitals. When
asked why she chose the WomenSafe
Board as an additional agency to offer her service too, she responded,
" I wanted to become an educated advocate for the issues facing those
dealing with home situations which are detrimental to living a
productive, safe life." She resides in Gates Mills with her
husband Michael and is the proud mother of three grown children,
Rachel, Zachary, and Erica and the proud grandmother of two.
 James Tierney II, Esq., Vice President
James Tierney was appointed to the WomenSafe board in December of 2006.
He resides in Chardon with his wife Kathy, and three young children,
Halle, James and Campbell. For over 20 years Jim has worked for Tremco
Incorporated based in Beachwood. He is currently serving as the Vice
President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary. Jim enjoys spending
time with his family, softball, and reading. Jim chose the WomenSafe
Board to serve because of the excellent reputation that the agency
holds not only in Geauga County but surrounding areas.
 Angela Vodopivec
Angela Vodopivec joined the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in April 2007.
She is a Business Banking Officer for Charter One Bank in Beachwood,
Ohio. Her management strengths and leadership skills will help
strengthen the financial backbone of the WomenSafe Board.
Sandy Waller
 Barbara Wolfort
Barbara Wolfort was appointed to the WomenSafe Board of Trustees in
October 2006. She has been a volunteer with the agency for several
years and has spent countless hours handling crisis calls. Barbara has
a background in education and has been involved in volunteer endeavors
for as long as she can remember, especially projects relating to the
arts. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for an urban
charter school, attends classical music classes through The Cleveland
Orchastra, helps raise funds for breast cancer research, and in her
spare time enjoys traveling and reading. Barbara and her husband
have lived in northeast Ohio since 1982, and are the parents of 3 adult
children. |
