Melissa Holland
Melissa Holland serves as the Founder and Director of Awaken. She holds a Masters degree in Marriage Family Therapy from the University of Nevada, Reno. Melissa started as a counselor offering pro bono services to women affected by commercial sexual exploitation. In 2011 she and Jen Robinson co-founded Awaken, a nonprofit who’s mission is to increase awareness and education surrounding the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and to provide housing and restoration for its victims. Melissa believes strongly in responding to God’s call to seek justice for the oppressed, and is passionate about uniting local churches and the NV community in the fight to end the sexual exploitation of women and children.
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Melissa Holland
Founder and Executive Director
Jen Robinson
Jennifer holds a B.A in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is currently working toward an MBA at the University of Nevada, Reno. She and Melissa Holland co-founded Awaken in 2011. Jennifer enjoys building strong, trust-filled relationships with the women and children Awaken serves. She is dedicated and passionate, and truly believes she will see commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking eradicated in northern Nevada and around the world.
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Jen Robinson
Co-Founder and Youth Intervention Director
Daniel Fred
Daniel graduated from Texas Tech University in 2005. He is currently finishing his Master’s degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling at the University of Nevada, Reno and is the Associate Director for the Nevada House of Prayer. Daniel felt compelled to partner with Melissa in combating domestic sexual exploitation of women in NV after reading an article in the RGJ about Awaken INC’s outreach efforts to girls caught up in the local sex industry. Over the years, the Lord has been developing the relationship between the House of Prayer and Awaken INC in helping to bring revelation of the love of Jesus Christ to those who so desperately need it.
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Daniel Fred
John McKendricks
John has served as Pastor, Church-Planter and many other ministry positions; including Dean of Students and Assistant to the Executive Vice President and Teaching Faculty for The King’s College and Seminary in Van Nuys, CA. He was Senior Pastor/Founder at Full Life Christian Center in Simi Valley, California from 1997 to 2009 and in that capacity worked with several rescue efforts including Sarah’s House, Samaritan Center, Teen Challenge, San Fernando Rescue Mission and The Dream Center.
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John McKendricks
Lead Pastor at Valley View Christian Fellowship
Gina Battle
About Gina coming soon
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Gina Battle
Denise Lilley
Relocated to Reno from Portland, Oregon in 2013. Married with four grown daughters. 30 + years of non-profit involvement and currently serve on the boards of the Stimson Miller Foundation (Portland, OR) and National Charity League, Inc. (Costa Mesa, CA). In addition, am an active CASA with Washoe County and serve as a group leader for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). I possess strong organizational skills, business development mindset and commitment to the Awaken mission. During down time, I enjoy all sports, especially walking and hiking, meeting new people, reading and traveling to see my daughters and experiencing new cultures.
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Denise Lilley
Staff
Stephanie Sherman
Since 2013, Stephanie has been serving as a Mentor to the women seeking restoration through the services of Awaken. With a BBA in Marketing from Texas Christian University, she has worked in non-profit management, serving in local ministries and community organizations since moving to Reno after graduation. She and her husband, Bill Sherman, started Hope Community Church in 2006, where Stephanie most recently worked as Life Groups Director. They are also the proud parents of Rachel and Will, both currently finishing degrees at Nevada.
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Stephanie Sherman
Volunteer Coordinator
Katy Hartley
About Katy Coming Soon
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Katy Hartley
Clinical Director
Julie McNamara-Dahl
Julie holds an MBA from The Wharton School and an MA in International Management from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned undergraduate degrees in Economics and Russian & East European Studies from the University of Washington. Julie’s job as Director of Operations at Microsoft brought her to Reno in 2012. Her awareness of the problem of sex trafficking in Nevada led her to volunteer her business expertise to Awaken. Julie served on Awaken’s Board in 2016 and in 2017 joined Awaken full time as their Director of Operations. She considers it a great honor to answer God’s call and support Awaken’s work to seek freedom, justice and restoration for the oppressed and exploited women and children in our community.
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Julie McNamara-Dahl
Director of Operations
Deanna Logoteta
Deanna graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and obtained her Arizona CPA in 2004. Deanna first became aware of Awaken and the issue of sex trafficking in 2014 while working at Reno Christian Fellowship Church. After attending the Awaken Annual Banquet and hearing the courageous stories of the survivors, Deanna’s heart broke for these victims and she wanted to help in someway. In 2015, the Lord opened doors to allow Deanna to assist Awaken with their accounting needs. She has faith that God has Awaken strategically placed in the community to help change this city.
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Deanna Logoteta
Bookkeeper
Ashley Davis
About Ashley coming soon
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Ashley Davis
Case Manager
Brooke Duhamel
About Brooke coming soon
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Brooke Duhamel
Case Manager
Brenda Castillo
Bea’s background in administration combined with her desire to see lives restored make her a great asset to Awaken, her eyes were first opened to the reality of sex trafficking two years ago. “I never knew it was as big of a problem in Reno until I learned about the work Awaken was doing. It truly was heartbreaking to realize this was right under our nose in the city I’ve lived in my whole life.” Her hope in working with Awaken is that she is able to make a difference to the women affected by commercial sexual exploitation through bringing awareness and supporting the staff with their day to day tasks.
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