LEADERSHIP TEAM

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​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 Georgia WIN List, Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty and Board Chair of Savannah Downtown Business 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 D. 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.
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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 Edwards, MPH, 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, is a B.S. in Health Promotion and Behavior with minors in Spanish and Music (Voice). Kate is a Savannah native. 

Since starting with Tharros Place in August of 2022, Kate has educated more than 20,000 individuals about human trafficking, signs to look out for, risk factors, and how to make reports. 

Outside of work, Kate volunteers at The Savannah Children's Theatre, is a member of Savannah Rotary East, is a Certified Professional Coach through the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches, is mentor for students in the UGA Mentor Program, and recently completed the Step-Up Savannah's Neighborhood Leadership Academy, and The United Way of the Coastal Empire's Board Readiness Program. 

​Email: [email protected]

Makala Owens, LMSW, 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, MSW, 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]​

Barbara Davis, MEd, Education Coordinator
Barbara Davis is a dedicated and seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in juvenile justice, having served in a variety of roles from probation officer to executive leadership. Her career has been marked by a deep commitment to supporting at-risk youth, and strengthening systems that uplift children, families, and communities.Barbara’s professional journey is defined by her unwavering belief in second chances and healing-centered approaches. Beyond her career, she has remained active in community service, working with parents overcoming substance abuse and volunteering at a local golden age center. Her heart for service also extends through her membership in Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., a national professional women’s organization committed to serving youth and adults through education, advocacy, and mentorship.

Most recently, Barbara was honored to be invited by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to serve as a panelist at their national convening titled “The Power and Promise of Healing and Restoration.” The theme of the conference ,“Trauma that is not transformed, is transferred,” resonated deeply with her own lived experience and professional insight. During the panel, she shared her personal reflections on how unaddressed trauma can shape both personal and professional pathways, and how helping others often becomes part of one’s own healing journey. Barbara also used this platform to highlight innovative local work, sharing with attendees' information about the Work Readiness Enrichment Program (WREP) she worked with during her tenure at the Chatham County Juvenile Court, which provided youth with critical job skills, academics, mentorship, and opportunities for positive community engagement.

Barbara is a proud graduate of Savannah State College, holding a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Barbara also holds a master's degree in education from Cambridge College. She is passionate about trauma-informed systems, mentoring emerging leaders, and creating spaces of safety, equity, and transformation for young people and families.

Email: barbara@tharrosplace.com​

Gabriella Marvaldi, Development Manager
Gabriella is the Development and Volunteer Manager at Tharros Place, where she is passionate about planning events and creating meaningful experiences for our residents through our life skills program. After relocating to Savannah from New Jersey, she graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2023 with a degree in Social Strategy and Management. She began her professional journey with Tharros Place in December 2023, marking a wonderful start to her career.

As a former Team USA figure skater, Gabriella has represented our country at the international level and enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for the sport with the next generation of skaters in the community. Outside of work, she loves spending quality time with her two dogs.

Email: [email protected]

Kate Gallop, Outreach Manager
Kate graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with majors in English and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. A lifelong volunteer, she learned valuable lessons at There With Care, I Have a Dream Foundation, Creating Cultures of Dignity, Dance Marathon, and St. Louis Queer+ Support and Healing. 

Kate grew up in Colorado and moved to Savannah in 2025, where she finds community at running and reading clubs. She is a writer and rates fiction submissions for Boulevard, a St. Louis-based literary magazine. 

Email: [email protected]​

Addy Blazevich, Administrative Manager
Addy Blazevich is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, where she was also a dedicated member of the cross country and track teams. She brings a strong background in counter-trafficking work, having spent her early career supporting adult survivors of human trafficking through advocacy, direct services, and community engagement.

​After relocating to Savannah, Addy was honored to connect with Tharros Place, where she continues her commitment to empowering and supporting survivors.Outside of her career, she loves traveling, running, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and their dog in beautiful Savannah.

Email: [email protected]

Rubikha Santhosham, Outreach and Development Intern
Born in Puducherry, India, and shaped by a culture of diversity and inclusivity, Rubikha Santhosham brings both creativity and strategy to her work. With a Master’s in Luxury and Brand Management from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and a background in fashion design, she has worked across design, branding, and marketing, helping brands craft compelling stories and connect with diverse audiences.
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At Tharros Place, Rubikha supports the organization’s branding and digital presence, creating social media content and visual storytelling that amplify the mission and engage the community. Influenced by her roots in Puducherry, shaped by French culture and Auroville’s ethos of creativity and sustainability, she values sustainability, minimalism, and equality, principles that guide both her personal and professional life.

Marissa Vacirca, Fall 2025 Intern
Marissa Vacirca is currently a senior at Georgia Southern University majoring in Psychology. Originally from South Florida, she relocated to Savannah in 2024 to further her academic and professional development. In addition to her coursework, Marissa is actively involved in psychological research outside of the classroom, contributing to projects that explore human behavior and cognitive processes. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her dogs and exploring nearby cities.

Sha'Niya Thomas, Fall 2025 Intern
Sha’Niya Thomas is a Savannah native and student at Georgia Southern University. She is studying for a BS in psychology. After she graduates, she hopes to be involved with non-profit organizations and help improve the community by working with others to create safe, empowering spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. 
Sha’Niya believes in the strength of resilience and the importance of meeting people where they are in their healing journey. Her approach is grounded in empathy, respect, and collaboration, with the goal of spreading information throughout the community. She is excited to be a part of the outreach team and looks forward to contributing to meaningful change by raising awareness and informing others within the community. 
Outside of her work, Sha’Niya values personal growth, and living with intention. She is often outside with her fur baby Archie walking in one of the parks or nature trails around Savannah. 

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