Staff

Brandy Brafford

Executive Director

Stacy Seger

Development Director

Amber Lacewell

Community Engagement and Education Director

Megan Koontz

Development Coordinator

Amanda Douglas

Social Worker

Christy Jaro

Thrift Store Manager

Rousey

Operations Director

Tawnya Klingman

Lead Advocate

Rachael Schmidt

Programs Director

Tannis Haley

Accountant

Executive Director

Brandy Brafford

brandy@nwaws.org

Brandy came to the NWAWS after spending over 15 years at Walmart. She leads with passion, intelligence, and wisdom. Brandy frequently uses the phrase “We are better together,” and she values collaboration with partner organizations to ensure our clients are receiving the best care and service. link

Development Director

Stacy Seger

stacy@nwaws.org

For over 10 years, Stacy was a pastor. She brings the same level of compassion, love, and kindness to our clients that she had for her parish. Stacy likes to say her job is about building relationships in the community and getting to talk to people about the work she has come to be so passionate about.

Community Engagement and Education Director

Amber Lacewell

alacewell@nwaws.org

Hello, my name is Amber, and I first started working at the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter in 2012. I started as a bilingual advocate and have transitioned positions and landed where I am now. My favorite thing about the NWAWS is our awesome team of employees and our amazing clients whose stories add fuel to my fire every day. In my free time, I like to get crafty with DIY projects, I enjoy cooking, and I love to spend time outdoors. My three kids also keep me pretty busy. Thank you for being invested in our work!

Development Coordinator

Megan Koontz

mkoontz@nwaws.org

Hi, Megan here! It’s such an honor to do work I believe in so strongly, partner with individuals who are working towards healing, and collaborate with a group of deeply empathetic, creative people. My favorite thing about the NWAWS is how passionate we are as an organization to be invlusive to ALL people because domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. In my free time, I play frisbee, roller derby, read, write, hike, and hang out with interesting people.

Social Worker

Amanda Douglas

adouglas@nwaws.org

I am the social worker at the shelter and have been with the agency almost two years. I love working here because I know that the therapeutic services provided to our clients can significantly change their outlook on life after a history of trauma and abuse and alter their perspective to one of hope and healing. I love traveling, baking desserts, listening to true crime podcasts, watching live sporting events, and spending time with my two dogs.

Thrift Store Manager

Christy Jaro

cjaro@nwaws.org

Christy has over 10 years of experience starting and managing thrift stores with Goodwill. Christy has poured so much exuberance, knowledge, care, and humor into our thrift store, which directly impacts our clients. Christy cares deeply about her employees, our mission, and every customer who walks through our doors.

Operations Director

Rousey

erousey@nwaws.org

Eva has dedicated over 15 years to the NWAWS, starting out as a bilingual advocate. With her vast knowledge, wit, kindness, and drive to see our clients succeed, Eva is an asset to the NWAWS and its mission.

Lead Advocate

Tawnya Klingman

tklingman@nwaws.org

Tawnya has worked for the NWAWS for over 10 years, starting out as an advocate. She always lends a listening ear, helps clients and other staff members with problem solving, and is dedicated to seeing the individuals who come to us for shelter succeed.

Programs Director

Rachael Schmidt

rschimdt@nwaws.org

With over 11 years of experience, Rachael is creative in how she serves our clients and brings them fun and joy through classes, movie nights, excursions to NWA’s many attractions, and so much more. As a former Children’s Advocate at the NWAWS, Rachael still interacts with the kids in shelter and supervises our current Children’s Advocate and Family Advocate.

Accountant

Tannis Haley

thaley@nwaws.org

For over a year, Tannis has served our organization through her skills as an accountant. Tannis hails from Colorado where she worked at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She is focused on our mission and vision, and she is passionate about seeing the cycle of domestic violence in Northwest Arkansas and beyond end.