LEADERSHIP

912-226-7531

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Julie Wade, Executive Director
Julie Wade is lawyer by training who has served Savannah’s non-profit community since 2017. As Executive Director of Park Place Outreach, a teen homeless shelter, she added new programs and doubled the budget to be able to serve more youth more comprehensively. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood Southeast and UGA Alumni Association.

A Georgia native, Julie attended UGA for undergrad and law school. She clerked for a federal judge and practiced law in Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Savannah. She currently provides legal services for non-profits to build capacity and ensure compliance. Julie is a graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Southeast Georgia, and Leadership Savannah and has been recognized as a UGA 40 Under 40 and a Bulldog 100 business. For 10 years, Julie served as an elected member of the Savannah Chatham County Board of Education, representing District One.

Email: [email protected]

LaToya Scott, Residential Director
LaToya is fiercely passionate about serving those in need through empowerment and education. She has been in the human and social services field for 12 years and has devoted her career to supporting vulnerable populations to enhance their overall well-being. LaToya graduated from Armstrong Atlantic’s State University and obtained her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a minor in Criminal Justice. With her substantial experience, LaToya has developed shelter operations, enhanced policies and procedures, participated in accreditation processes, and implemented staff training regarding safety, emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and person-centered care. Through employment with non-profit youth residential organizations, LaToya developed a passion for working with abused and neglected youth who have developmental disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and other significant traumatic experiences.

LaToya is an active member of Empowerment City Church where she serves as an Executive Administrator and Praise and Worship Leader and is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. LaToya is a 2023 graduate of Step-Up Savannah Neighborhood Leadership Academy and a 2023 graduate of United Way of the Coastal Empire’s BIPOC Nonprofit Leadership Symposium. LaToya enjoys attending her sons extracurricular sporting events, singing, writing music, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.

Email: [email protected]

Kate Templeton, Outreach Coordinator
Kate is a 2022 graduate of The University of Georgia where she obtained her Master of Public Health degree. Her undergraduate degree, also from The University of Georgia, was a B.S. in Health Promotion and Behavior with minors in Spanish and Music (Voice). Kate is a Savannah native and is excited to be working with Tharros Place.

In the past, Kate has interned with multiple organizations in the Athens, Georgia area such as Unified Healthcare for the Rural Underserved and Live Forward (formerly AIDS Athens). Kate has a passion for health education and loves working with children.

Outside of work, Kate serves as a Community Investments Volunteer on the Youth Development Panel for United Way, is involved in The Savannah Children's Theatre, is a Certified Professional Coach through the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches, and is a mentor for students in the UGA Mentor Program.

Email: [email protected]

Makala Owens, Human Services Professional
Makala Owens is our Human Service Professional and a returning Savannah native who is excited to assist with creating a culture of courage among the human trafficking victims that Tharros Place will serve.

Makala initially earned her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Troy University before returning to school and obtaining her Master of Social Work Degree from Capella University. Makala had the opportunity to intern with Savannah Chatham CASA while completing her BSW before she transitioned into working with a non-profit hospice agency, Hospice of South Georgia in Jesup, GA. Makala comes with a strong background in case management, community resource navigation, creating continuity of care, and working with diverse groups of individuals with varying backgrounds. Makala has a love for helping others succeed and is passionate about the mission statement of Tharros Place.

Email: [email protected]

Ti'Airra Hill, Residential Case Manager
Ti'Airra Hill is the dedicated Residential Case Manager at Tharros Place. With a passion for supporting and empowering minor survivors of human trafficking, Ti'Airra brings a wealth of experience and compassion to her role. She is committed to providing personalized care and guidance to each resident, ensuring they receive the support they need to heal and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

Email: [email protected]

Jenn Steele, Education Coordinator
Jenn Steele is the Education Coordinator for Tharros Place. Jenn comes to us with a background in counseling. Jenn has worked as an advocate to stop child abuse and neglect teaching warning signs in school settings to children, has experience counseling in in-home settings, and she has worked as a school counselor at the elementary and high school level. As a military spouse, Jenn has had the opportunity to collaborate with a multitude of people across different states and settings and brings a wealth of information about problem solving and governmental oversight. Jenn most recently completed a Master’s in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University and is excited to hit the ground running protecting the right of girls from sexual exploitation.

Email: [email protected]

Gabriella Marvaldi, Development Manager
Gabriella is a 2023 graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Social Strategy and Management. She is honored that Tharros Place is where she can start her professional career.

Gabriella has had the opportunity of representing Team USA internationally as a figure skater and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the sport to rising generations in the Savannah community. She has formerly worked as a special Olympics instructor bringing joy to children through passing on her love of being on the ice.

Email: [email protected]

Jada Washington, AmeriCorps VISTA
Jada was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA where she has volunteered since the age of 12 years old, and even assisted in painting murals with Mural Arts Philadelphia. Her goal is to give back by creating new opportunities for any community she becomes a part of. She believes that her lived experiences are to be used helping those who have gone through what she has and to provide empathy to those she has yet to understand. Throughout her professional journey she found a passion in helping children express themselves, creating art and being a part of a team. She moved to Savannah, GA in 2023 for a previous term of service.

Jada believes that everything in life happens for a reason and there are no coincidences. She believes that in your youth is when you develop the necessary building blocks of critical thinking, problem solving and awareness.

Besides having two left feet and lacking athletic ability you can find Jada doing just about anything that sets her heart a blaze. From badminton, floating in the sea, painting murals, singing, writing music and books, her life outside of work is filled with new experiences and new journeys. She believes you should always strive to be better today than you were yesterday. Yesterday I was only a friend, but today I am now a mother, and so I look at life through a different lens, I want to give these ideas and love to somewhere that would thrive with it. I’m so glad to join the team and I’m ready to be a better friend, a better person and a better worker and together utilize our power of compassion!

Email: jada@tharrosplace.com

Angie Larsen, MSW Intern
Angie recently relocated to Savannah after living in California for the past 17 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from UWF in Pensacola. She is currently working on her Master's in Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

She is excited for the opportunity to work for Tharros Place and help the community. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, seeing live music, and hanging out with her partner and their fur babies.

Email: [email protected]

Lexis Botello, Intern
I was raised in Savannah for all my life, and I am currently attending Georgia Southern University to obtain a bachelor's degree in Psychology. I hope to continue my education by attending graduate school and pursuing research in Cognitive psychology. My passions lie in helping others in any way I can. This is why I am excited to be a part of Tharros Place!