Advocacy Day Speakers
Sen. Angelique Ashby Senator, California State Senate
Senator Angelique V. Ashby is the first woman elected to represent Sacramento in the California State Senate in more than 20 years. Prior to joining the legislature, she was elected to the Sacramento City Council, where she served for 12 years. She was the sole woman for more than half of her tenure, and is the only member in city history to serve as Vice Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem for 8 years. In her time as a state Senator she has worked hard to make this California safer for women and families.
Senator Angelique V. Ashby is the first woman elected to represent Sacramento in the California State Senate in more than 20 years. Prior to joining the legislature, she was elected to the Sacramento City Council, where she served for 12 years. She was the sole woman for more than half of her tenure, and is the only member in city history to serve as Vice Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem for 8 years. In her time as a state Senator she has worked hard to make this California safer for women and families.
Joyce Bilyeu Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center (SRFJC)
Joyce Bilyeu is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center (SRFJC), where she leads a comprehensive, multidisciplinary model serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and elder abuse. Under her leadership, SRFJC provides integrated services including legal assistance, case management, housing support, Camp HOPE America, child therapy, and human trafficking response. Read More
Joyce Bilyeu is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center (SRFJC), where she leads a comprehensive, multidisciplinary model serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and elder abuse. Under her leadership, SRFJC provides integrated services including legal assistance, case management, housing support, Camp HOPE America, child therapy, and human trafficking response.
With more than 40 years of experience in victim advocacy and direct service, Joyce is a nationally recognized expert in high-risk domestic violence, strangulation assessment, and coordinated community response. She has trained thousands of professionals, including law enforcement, healthcare providers, prosecutors, and advocates, on identifying and responding to near-fatal violence and high-risk cases.
Joyce played a pivotal role in establishing the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center and was instrumental in developing Sacramento County’s first countywide strangulation prevention protocol and Domestic Violence High-Risk Team. She has contributed to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), helping to strengthen domestic violence training standards for law enforcement statewide. In 2020, she testified before the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice, offering recommendations to improve responses to domestic violence and prevent homicides.
She is a graduate of the Advanced Strangulation Prevention Training and the Master’s Summit through the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention and has also attended the Alliance for HOPE International’s Hidden Homicide trainings, strengthening her expertise in identifying domestic violence-related deaths. Joyce took an active role in advocating for Joanna’s Law (SB 989), legislation aimed at improving the identification and review of suspicious deaths linked to domestic violence to ensure warning signs are not overlooked and accountability is strengthened.
Joyce serves as a national trainer for Alliance for HOPE International, the California District Attorneys Association, and the California Forensic Medical Institute, and she co-chairs the National Advocacy Committee for Alliance for HOPE International.
Locally, Joyce is an active leader in collaborative system change efforts. She serves on the Sacramento County Domestic Violence Prevention Collaborative, the Domestic Violence Death Review Team, and the District Attorney’s Voices for Victims Coalition. She has trained international delegations on best practices in addressing domestic violence and child abuse and was featured in the documentary We Made It Through the Rain, highlighting survivor resilience and hope.
A survivor of domestic violence and gun violence herself, Joyce brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She is deeply committed to ensuring that every survivor has access to safety, support, and a pathway to healing.
Mark S. Drobny Non-Profit Organizer
Mark S. Drobny has served on the boards of most major Northern California charities, including The American Cancer Society (President of Sacramento Chapter in 1994 and led the ballot initiative to ban indoor smoking in California), The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, Sutter Hospitals Foundation, Stanford Settlement, St. Hope Academy, McGeorge School of Law and California State University, Sacramento Foundation and was co-chair of California State University Sacramento’s Endowment Committee from 2004-2024. He received the CSUS President’s Medal for Distinguished Service in June of 2014. Mark has formed or chaired the planned giving committees for many major Northern California charities and is widely regarded as one of the region’s top experts on Planned Giving concepts. Mark has been a member of The Sacramento Estate Planning Council since 1982, was the founding editor of their monthly newsletter, a member of their Board of Directors for eight years, and President in 1992 and 1993.
Mark S. Drobny has served on the boards of most major Northern California charities, including The American Cancer Society (President of Sacramento Chapter in 1994 and led the ballot initiative to ban indoor smoking in California), The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, Sutter Hospitals Foundation, Stanford Settlement, St. Hope Academy, McGeorge School of Law and California State University, Sacramento Foundation and was co-chair of California State University Sacramento’s Endowment Committee from 2004-2024. He received the CSUS President’s Medal for Distinguished Service in June of 2014. Mark has formed or chaired the planned giving committees for many major Northern California charities and is widely regarded as one of the region’s top experts on Planned Giving concepts. Mark has been a member of The Sacramento Estate Planning Council since 1982, was the founding editor of their monthly newsletter, a member of their Board of Directors for eight years, and President in 1992 and 1993.
Paul Durenberger CFJN Executive Team
Paul Durenberger led the Sacramento County Domestic Violence Death Review Team for 15 years as part of the management team of the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office. Now retired, Paul served for 6 years as volunteer Vice Chair & Board Chair of the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center and is now Board Chair Emeritus. He is a founding member of the California Family Justice Network Executive Team.
Paul Durenberger led the Sacramento County Domestic Violence Death Review Team for 15 years as part of the management team of the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office. Now retired, Paul served for 6 years as volunteer Vice Chair & Board Chair of the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center and is now Board Chair Emeritus. He is a founding member of the California Family Justice Network Executive Team.
Yolanda Gaffney Local Organizer
Yolanda is a Sacramento-based philanthropy and fundraising professional with over two decades of experience dedicated to youth development, education, and expanding opportunities for under-resourced communities She has worked with a variety of causes and agencies, focusing on youth programs, education, and community empowerment. Read More
Yolanda is a Sacramento-based philanthropy and fundraising professional with over two decades of experience dedicated to youth development, education, and expanding opportunities for under-resourced communities She has worked with a variety of causes and agencies, focusing on youth programs, education, and community empowerment.
She is an alumna of CSU Sacramento, and a member of Sacramento’s Impact 100, the Sacramento Breakfast Optimist Club and Somos El Poder, a nationwide organization which improves the effectiveness of Latino-focused nonprofits’ fundraising practices.
Claudia Grasso Executive Director, One Safe Place, Deputy District Attorney, San Diego
Claudia Grasso is a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego where she is assigned as the Executive Director of One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center, overseeing the DA’s Family Justice Center in San Marcos that provides wrap-around services to victims of abuse. Claudia has served San Diego’s District Attorney’s Office for over 21 years, first as a volunteer attorney and then as a Deputy District Attorney.
Claudia Grasso is a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego where she is assigned as the Executive Director of One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center, overseeing the DA’s Family Justice Center in San Marcos that provides wrap-around services to victims of abuse. Claudia has served San Diego’s District Attorney’s Office for over 21 years, first as a volunteer attorney and then as a Deputy District Attorney.
Catherine Johnson CEO, Alliance for HOPE International
Prior to her current role as CEO of Alliance for HOPE International, Catherine Johnson served as Founding Director of the Guilford County Family Justice Center (FJC) in North Carolina, where she worked to provide comprehensive services for victims and survivors of violence and abuse. She also served as the interim director of Camp HOPE America - North Carolina. Catherine is a licensed therapist and counselor in North Carolina.
Prior to her current role as CEO of Alliance for HOPE International, Catherine Johnson served as Founding Director of the Guilford County Family Justice Center (FJC) in North Carolina, where she worked to provide comprehensive services for victims and survivors of violence and abuse. She also served as the interim director of Camp HOPE America - North Carolina. Catherine is a licensed therapist and counselor in North Carolina.
Megan Joseph CEO, Impact Launch
Megan Joseph is the CEO of Impact Launch, a collective of social impact professionals that work with individuals, organizations and initiatives for equitable and sustainable outcomes. Megan has worked for over two decades with community-based organizations and multi-sector collaboratives to facilitate leadership development, strategic planning, capacity building and project design. Megan serves on the Board of the Community Foundation of Nevada County and United Way Nevada County and is an advisor for One of Us Global Foundation.
Megan Joseph is the CEO of Impact Launch, a collective of social impact professionals that work with individuals, organizations and initiatives for equitable and sustainable outcomes. Megan has worked for over two decades with community-based organizations and multi-sector collaboratives to facilitate leadership development, strategic planning, capacity building and project design. Megan serves on the Board of the Community Foundation of Nevada County and United Way Nevada County and is an advisor for One of Us Global Foundation.
Dr. Kate Kuzminski, DVM COO
Dr. Kate Kuzminski is a veterinarian and co-founder of Ruthless Kindness. Dr. Kuzminski has worked as Field Medical Director with the Humane Society of the United States, Shelter Medicine Director with San Francisco SPCA, and Medical Director with Guide Dogs for the Blind. She is a published veterinary author, has studied veterinary forensics, and received both her DVM and business degree in her native Canada. Read More
Dr. Kate Kuzminski is a veterinarian and co-founder of Ruthless Kindness. Dr. Kuzminski has worked as Field Medical Director with the Humane Society of the United States, Shelter Medicine Director with San Francisco SPCA, and Medical Director with Guide Dogs for the Blind. She is a published veterinary author, has studied veterinary forensics, and received both her DVM and business degree in her native Canada.
Dr. Kuzminski is committed to improving the lives of both people and animals, especially the people and animals who are too often forgotten and unable to access services. Kate lost her soul mate dog, Maui, in 2020 and is waiting for her next soul mate dog to reveal itself.
Marsha Lucien CFJN Board Member and Executive Director, Family Justice Center of Sonoma County
Marsha Lucien has experience in both non-profit and the public sector working with vulnerable populations. She is a certified Trauma-Informed Care trainer and a S.T.C Certified Instructor through the Board of State and Community Corrections. Prior to working in non-profits, Marsha was a probation officer for over a decade in both Alameda and Solano Counties. During time in non-profits Marsha led multiple programs that focus on underserved populations. She was Commended by the Sacramento County Board of Directors as well as the Sacramento County Drug Court for the successful development of the AB109 program pilot. Today, she brings her breadth of experience to the Family Justice Center Sonoma County as its Executive Director.
Marsha Lucien has experience in both non-profit and the public sector working with vulnerable populations. She is a certified Trauma-Informed Care trainer and a S.T.C Certified Instructor through the Board of State and Community Corrections. Prior to working in non-profits, Marsha was a probation officer for over a decade in both Alameda and Solano Counties. During time in non-profits Marsha led multiple programs that focus on underserved populations. She was Commended by the Sacramento County Board of Directors as well as the Sacramento County Drug Court for the successful development of the AB109 program pilot. Today, she brings her breadth of experience to the Family Justice Center Sonoma County as its Executive Director.
Brent Nibecker Chief Deputy DA of Victim and Community Services, Ventura County
Brent Nibecker joined the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office in 2007, where he primarily handled sexual assault and child molestation trials. In 2014, Brent authored successful legislation allowing victims of sexual assault and child molestation to obtain criminal protective orders. From 2015 through 2022 Brent served as a supervising prosecutor overseeing the Misdemeanor and Sexual Assault and Family Protection Units. He has also served as an adjunct professor of law at Pepperdine University. Read More
Brent Nibecker joined the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office in 2007, where he primarily handled sexual assault and child molestation trials. In 2014, Brent authored successful legislation allowing victims of sexual assault and child molestation to obtain criminal protective orders. From 2015 through 2022 Brent served as a supervising prosecutor overseeing the Misdemeanor and Sexual Assault and Family Protection Units. He has also served as an adjunct professor of law at Pepperdine University.
In 2022, Brent was selected to help lead the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (VCSAKI), an effort to test all sexual assault kits with modern DNA technologies and prosecute cold case sexual assaults. In July of 2025, Brent was promoted to Chief Deputy District Attorney of Victim and Community Services where he oversees the Ventura County Family Justice Center, the Crime Victims Assistance Unit, and the Safe Harbor multidisciplinary interview centers.
Lisbet Perez Victim Advocate, One Safe Place, The North County Family Justice Center San Diego
Lisbet is an advocate, author, and inspiring voice for survivors. Drawing from her own experience with intimate partner violence, she has spent over a decade advocating for the rights of immigrant survivors and their families. In her professional role as a Victim Advocate at One Safe Place, The North County Family Justice Center in San Diego County, she leads the center’s VOICES and creates a bilingual community for survivors through advocacy, peer-coaching, and education. Her dedication has earned national recognition , as she has ignited critical conversations around the ene for inclusive, diverse, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered programs.
Lisbet is an advocate, author, and inspiring voice for survivors. Drawing from her own experience with intimate partner violence, she has spent over a decade advocating for the rights of immigrant survivors and their families. In her professional role as a Victim Advocate at One Safe Place, The North County Family Justice Center in San Diego County, she leads the center’s VOICES and creates a bilingual community for survivors through advocacy, peer-coaching, and education. Her dedication has earned national recognition , as she has ignited critical conversations around the ene for inclusive, diverse, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered programs.
Assm. Rhodesia Ransom Assemblymember, California’s 13th Assembly District
Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom represents California’s 13th Assembly District, serving Stockton, Tracy, and Mountain House. With more than two decades of public service, she has built her career on delivering results for working families and ensuring the Central Valley has a powerful voice in Sacramento. She is currently serving her second term representing Assembly District 13. She is a champion in the legislature for survivors of abuse.
Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom represents California’s 13th Assembly District, serving Stockton, Tracy, and Mountain House. With more than two decades of public service, she has built her career on delivering results for working families and ensuring the Central Valley has a powerful voice in Sacramento. She is currently serving her second term representing Assembly District 13. She is a champion in the legislature for survivors of abuse.
Dr. Sarah Reidenback, DVM CEO
Dr. Sarah Reidenbach is a veterinarian and co-founder of Ruthless Kindness. Sarah’s vision is to work to prevent and heal trauma for the most vulnerable animals and people. Her work is grounded in the belief that empathy and justice are antidotes to violence and cruelty. Read More
Dr. Sarah Reidenbach is a veterinarian and co-founder of Ruthless Kindness. Sarah’s vision is to work to prevent and heal trauma for the most vulnerable animals and people. Her work is grounded in the belief that empathy and justice are antidotes to violence and cruelty.
Dr. Reidenbach studied Brain and Behavior at Stanford University, Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, and Non-Profit Management at Duke University. She worked briefly in research at NASA Ames Research Center, and has since worked exclusively in the nonprofit sector. She has held positions as a veterinary fellow at San Francisco SPCA, Medical Director at Berkeley Humane, Veterinary Medical Director at the Humane Society of Sonoma County, and Executive Director of Sonoma Community Animal Response Team. She lives out by the coast in Sonoma County with her family, including many farm and companion animals. Her soul mate dog Buck is never too far away.
Erin Saberi Consultant, CA Family Justice Network
Since January 2022, Erin Saberi has served as consultant to the California Family Justice Network, supporting statewide efforts to strengthen, expand, and sustain California’s Family Justice Center movement. She is honored to work alongside Family Justice Center leaders, multidisciplinary partners, and survivor advocates to advance coordinated, survivor-centered services across the state. Read More
Since January 2022, Erin Saberi has served as consultant to the California Family Justice Network, supporting statewide efforts to strengthen, expand, and sustain California’s Family Justice Center movement. She is honored to work alongside Family Justice Center leaders, multidisciplinary partners, and survivor advocates to advance coordinated, survivor-centered services across the state.
Erin brings more than 25 years of experience across the public and private sectors, with leadership in government, public affairs, policy, advocacy, and strategic communications in Washington, DC, California and abroad. She specializes in supporting executive leaders, organizations, and public officials to strengthen organizational capacity, communications, and engagement strategies that advance policy and systems change.
Her work spans federal, state, and local government partnerships, with a focus on government systems change,, policy development, strategic communications, and capacity-building support for nonprofit organizations. She also has extensive experience in cross-sector collaboration, community engagement, and coalition organizing, and has helped design and implement high-profile Capitol advocacy days for broad-based coalitions in Washington, DC and California State Capitol.
Alexis Wilbur Program Manager, San Joaquin Family Justice Center
Alexis Wilbur serves as the Program Manager of the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center. Ms. Wilbur comes to our office from the Stanislaus County Probation Department. During her ten years with the Stanislaus County Probation Department, Alexis worked as a School Resource Officer mentoring at-risk youth utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy. She was promoted to Assistant Supervisor in September 2018. Her duties included supervising staff, monitoring the Department’s sex offender programming, and maintaining the containment model standards per California Law. In addition to her supervisory duties, Alexis co-coordinated the Stanislaus County Probation Department peer support program and provided staff training on LGBTQIA+ issues, interpersonal communication skills, and other topics.
Alexis Wilbur serves as the Program Manager of the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center. Ms. Wilbur comes to our office from the Stanislaus County Probation Department. During her ten years with the Stanislaus County Probation Department, Alexis worked as a School Resource Officer mentoring at-risk youth utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy. She was promoted to Assistant Supervisor in September 2018. Her duties included supervising staff, monitoring the Department’s sex offender programming, and maintaining the containment model standards per California Law. In addition to her supervisory duties, Alexis co-coordinated the Stanislaus County Probation Department peer support program and provided staff training on LGBTQIA+ issues, interpersonal communication skills, and other topics.