STAFF

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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 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: julie@tharrosplace.com

​LaToya Scott, Residential Director
LaToya is fiercely passionate about serving those in need through empowerment and education. LaToya has devoted her career to supporting vulnerable populations to enhance their overall well-being. LaToya started her Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Social Work at Albany State University before completing a program in Liberal Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice at Armstrong Atlantic’s State University. Following graduation LaToya began her social service career in her hometown of Brunswick, GA with the Glynn County Division of Family and Children Services. During her time as a case manager for the Office of Family Independence, LaToya contributed to the success of the families on her caseload through education of the eligibility process and other programs that assist during financial hardships. After this, she transitioned to Child Protective Services as a Foster Care case manager.  During her tenure with the Division LaToya assisted families with services needed to become independent through implementing and supervising case plans. These case plans led to family reunification and ongoing support services for youth who transitioned into independent living programs.


LaToya has been in the human services and social work field for 12 years. She has served in non-profit residential servicing for the last 7 years. With her substantial experience, LaToya has developed shelter operations, enhanced policies and procedures, participated in accreditation processes, and implemented staff trainings regarding safety and person-centered care.  While working for non-profit organizations such as Safe Harbor Children's Center and Morningstar Family and Children Services, LaToya developed a passion for working with abused and neglected youth who have developmental disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and other significant traumatic experiences. To strengthen her commitment to serving youth and families as well as to enhance her professional development LaToya has completed training in Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, trauma informed care, person centered care, managing aggressive behavior, autism awareness, interviewing family and children, and ethics.


Additionally, LaToya is an active member of Empowerment City Church where she serves as an Executive Administrator and Praise and Worship Leader. She is an active member of Eta Upsilon Sigma Chapter, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. where she serves as Vice President.  LaToya enjoys singing, writing music, shopping, and spending time with family. She has one son and spends most of her free time attending his extracurricular sporting events.

​Email: latoya@tharrosplace.com

​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: kate@tharrosplace.com

Jenn Steele, Compliance Manager
Jenn Steele is the compliance manager for Tharros Place, assisting the team with policy and licensure. Jenn comes to us with a multitude of experiences to include a background in counseling and post graduate degrees in both counseling and human rights studies. Jenn has worked as an advocate to stop child abuse and neglect teaching warning signs to students, with at-risk youth providing in-home services, and as a school counselor for both elementary and high school levels. 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 to the team. Jenn is most driven to ensure that the rights of girls are protected and to help build a community that discourages gender-based violence while supporting victims to live full and abundant lives- because every girl deserves this! 

​Email: jenn@tharrosplace.com​

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: makala@tharrosplace.com

Luke Earley, Education Coordinator
Luke is excited to use his skills and experience to help young people in need return to health and normalcy through learning and growing in education. As a state-certified educator, he firmly believes that children (and adults) should always be learning and challenging themselves. He has been a classroom teacher in both China and here in Savannah, teaching English and Social Studies. In addition, Luke holds an MA in Human Services Counseling from Liberty University, with a focus on helping people overcome childhood trauma. Most recently, Luke was helping young people learn with Junior Achievement of Georgia, a non-profit dedicated to helping students learn about financial literacy and gain career readiness skills.

Luke and his wife, a Savannah firefighter, have been in coastal Georgia for five years. They have one son, who is currently learning about zippers, buttons, tying his shoes, and much more. Luke and his family are nature-lovers, and they enjoy biking, hiking, and swimming.

Email: luke@tharrosplace.com

Jonathan Martinez, AmeriCorps VISTA
My name is Jonathan Martinez, I grew up in Savannah, Georgia. I am a first-generation student at Georgia Southern University pursuing a bachelor's degree in Information Technology. I have background experience working in the service industry with Marriott hotels and enjoy traveling and immersing myself in new cultures and experiences. I'm here to help create an online space in which community members can learn, engage, and connect. I am enthused for the opportunity to help out my local community while also developing my skills and collaborating with other professionals.

Email: jonathan@tharrosplace.com
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​Malorie Flynn, Fall 2023 Intern
Malorie is from Baltimore, Maryland. She is a senior at Georgia Southern University and is a psychology major. She plans to obtain a master’s in counseling. Malorie is very passionate about mental health. She plans to use her knowledge to help others in continuing to grow and adopt a lifestyle of health and wellness. ​

​Catherine Morris, Fall 2023 Intern
Catherine Morris is from Savannah, Georgia. She attends Georgia Southern University at the Armstrong campus and is in her senior year earning a B.S. in Psychology. She will soon pursue her graduate degree in Psychology, concentrating in clinical/counseling psychology. She is the president of the Wellness Ambassadors student organization and has a deep passion for increasing the accessibility of mental and physical health education.

Melody Waguespack, Fall 2023 Intern
Melody is in her senior year at the Savannah College of Art and Design, pursuing her B.F.A. in interior design. Part of the original SCAD student design team, she is excited to be working with Tharros Place again to help implement the design solutions her team presented this past spring. She believes good, research-based design can beneficially impact someone's life, connecting to their needs, emotions, and overall health.

Tingting Wu, Fall 2023 Intern
Tingting Wu is a 2023 SCAD graduate, recently completing her Bachelors of Fine Art in Illustration with a minor in Ceramics. Originally from Harare Zimbabwe, she’s now a freelance illustrator and designer based in Savannah. 
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As an illustrator she is passionate about work that embraces femininity and female empowerment, especially for girls. She hopes to create art that brings joy and motivation to people.

BOARD

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Marsha Buford, President
Rev. Marsha Buford is the Founder and Pastor of The House of Favor Full Gospel Ministries located in Savannah Georgia. She is a graduate of Savannah Vocational College and the Word Alive Bible School. 

Rev. Buford has trained with the Georgia Sheriff’s Association Chaplains’ Division from March of 2012 to March of 2017. Her training has included Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support from University of Maryland at Baltimore; Group Crisis Intervention from UMBC; Crisis Support Solutions Refresh Scenarios in Crisis Intervention; Group and Individual Role Playing in Real Life Scenarios. In March of 2016 Chaplain Buford received her Law Enforcement Chaplain Basic Certification and in March of 2017 she completed Law Enforcement Chaplain Advanced Training from Georgia Sheriff’s Association Chaplain Division. She is currently active in GSA’s Region 9 Chaplain’s Division. 

Chaplain Buford is also active in her community by serving on several Boards which include West Savannah Ministers Alliance; Aglow Lighthouse Fellowship; Vision 21 in Douglasville Ga.; West Savannah Community Organization as President and The Coastal Family Institute; Tide to Town Board member and The Mediation Center Board.. She currently teaches the Fatherhood Program at the Smith Transitional Center in Claxton, Ga. She has served as a job coach for Family Restoration Network from January 2010 through 2014. 

Her extensive work in Ministry from 1993 until present has given her the ecumenical, mission focused, and community-based ministry that continues to keep her focused on the ministry of Jesus, the Christ.

Kate Blair, Treasurer​
Kate Blair joined Brightside Child & Family Advocacy as the Executive Director in 2018. Before joining, she served as the Director of Development & Communications with Step Up Savannah. Her past professional and volunteer experience include communications, corporate foundations, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Kate has her BA in Professional Communications. She is a graduate of Leadership Savannah and a Board member of Migrant Equity Southeast.

Denise Cooper, Secretary​
Denise M. Cooper is a Savannah, Georgia native and the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Savannah. Formerly, Attorney Cooper was the owner and operator of a general law practice. Attorney Cooper holds a Sociology Degree from Spelman College and a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Prior to her matriculation to law school, Attorney Cooper was employed with the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles as a P.O.S.T. certified parole officer in Fulton County, Georgia.

With a strong passion for community service and outreach, Attorney Cooper is engaged as a volunteer with various community organizations/agencies – State Bar of Georgia Committees: Children and the Courts (2016 – present); Local and Voluntary Bars (2016 – present); Civics (2015-2016); and Committee to Promote Inclusion in the Profession (2014-2015); Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.), Board Member; Savannah Bar Association; Port City Bar Association, President (2015-2016); Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Vice President Savannah Region; Mock Trial Team, attorney-coach and State Competition Judge; Savannah Law School Mock Trial – Competition Judge; Savannah Chatham County Public School System, Audit Committee Chair; King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation, Board Member; Leadership Savannah Graduate (2010); Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys Judicial and Political Office Academy Graduate; 2016 Savannah Bar Association, Young Lawyer’s Division recipient of the John B. Miller Award for community service; State Bar of Georgia, Commission on Professionalism 2017 Justice Robert Benham Award for community service; and 2017 recipient of The Savannah Sisterhood Symposium Award for legal services.​
Additionally, Attorney Cooper is an active member in various organizations including Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (President, 2019-2020), Savannah (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated (President), National Alumnae Association of Spelman College – Savannah Chapter (President), and Junior League of Savannah. Attorney Cooper serves as a Trustee, Director of the Board of Christian Education, and Teen Church Advisor at St. Paul CME Church.

Phylicia Anderson, Board Member
Phylicia Anderson, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, mental health champion and a dedicated leader with a passion for creating intentional space for individuals to flow; to move freely throughout the world healthy, protected and empowered.
 Phylicia’s clinical work and advocacy has been the catalyst to develop mentally healthy, resilient young people for the past ten years. Her professional experience ranges from diversity inclusion, clinical therapy to community outreach and strategic leadership.

In her professional role, Phylicia currently sits on the executive leadership team of Gateway Community Service Board as the Director of Child and Adolescent Services and the Director of Outreach. 

Although she is proud to be from Cincinnati, Ohio, she has affectionately declared Georgia her home for the past eight years. As a mother and a community stakeholder, she is personally invested in the betterment of young people to make our community a healthier place for all.

Ashlee Aspden, Board Member
​Ashlee Aspden is originally from central Pennsylvania and has lived in the Lowcountry for over 15 years. She has spent most of her professional career in Human Resources at Gulfstream Aerospace where she’s held senior leadership positions in Leadership & Organizational Development, Diversity & Inclusion, Global Compensation, and most recently as a business partner in the Manufacturing and Operations Engineering space. Ashlee has her B.S. in Applied Mathematics, holds a secondary mathematics teaching certificate and has several professional certifications including project management, change management and a variety in leadership development. She is an active volunteer at her children’s school, the church her family attends and also provides tutoring in math to local students.  Ashlee is passionate about education reform and creating pathways for future employment opportunities, solving childhood hunger in our local communities and spending quality time with her husband and two young daughters.

Lieutenant Keith L. Edwards, Board Member
Lieutenant Keith L. Edwards is the Acting Precinct Commander for the Eastside Precinct with Savannah Police Department. He is a native of Savannah, Georgia who was a military dependent. He graduated from Robert W. Groves High School in 1990 and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Valdosta State University in 1995. In 2009, he received his master’s degree in Adult Education with a concentration in Human Resources. Lieutenant Edwards has been with the Savannah Police Department for over 25 years. During his tenure, he has held several positions to include the following: Patrol Officer, Domestic Violence Investigator, Homicide Investigator, Patrol and Criminal Investigation Sergeant and Patrol Lieutenant. He has also served on the Special Weapons and Tactics Team as an operator, assistant Team Leader, Team Leader and Assistant Commander for over 12 years. Lieutenant Edwards is an active member of the Sigma Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc seated in Hinesville, GA. Lieutenant Edwards also serves in the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard where he is a Chief Master Sergeant. He is currently the Human Resource Advisor for the Wing which promotes a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout Wing. Lieutenant Edwards also volunteers as a board member for the Department of Children and Family Services for Chatham County and the Coastal Georgia Council for the Boys Scout of America.

Farrah Lawrence, Board Member
Farrah Lawrence is originally from Brooklyn, New York and now resides in Savannah, Georgia.
With 19 years of experience in the social service field, Farrah Lawrence began her career in social services in 2004 working with the homeless population in New York City. During this time, she assisted families with transitioning from the shelter system to securing permanent housing. In 2007, she began her career in the child welfare system. Farrah Lawrence was dedicated and committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of New York City’s most vulnerable children. Understanding the need to strengthen community partnerships and bridging the gaps between child welfare and community stakeholders, Farrah Lawrence worked diligently to strengthen community partnerships and demystify the negative connotation about the child welfare system.
As she continues this work in Savannah, Georgia, Farrah Lawrence is the County Director for Chatham County Division of Family and Children Services. She continues the vision to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families.
As a strong advocate for education, Farrah Lawrence will continue the work in Chatham County of ensuring children receive the most appropriate services to meet their educational needs. The promotion of education among those that we serve is critical to the future success of our children and young people.
Farrah Lawrence has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Brooklyn College. Master’s degree in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is a mother of two young men.
Fun Fact: Farrah recently joined a Double Dutch group, loves to play basketball with her son and recently added a Peekapoo puppy Tyson to her family.  
Farrah Lawrence shares her key goal is staff retention and to strengthen and sustain effective practices that will improve outcomes for children, youth and families. She envisions Chatham County to be a place where children and young people are safe and thriving and receiving adequate support which promotes stability.

Paul Meyer, Board Member​
Paul is a founding partner of Meyer and Sayers LLP and has over 20 years of experience in representation of private clients, family businesses and fiduciaries. Paul focuses primarily on the creation of advanced estate plans which minimize transfer taxes, the administration of estates, and business succession strategies. He specializes in transaction-oriented planning techniques using family limited partnerships, limited liability companies, advanced trusts and charitable bequests. Paul represents and consults fiduciaries, such as trustees and executors, in all areas including litigation of legal claims against fiduciaries by beneficiaries.  Paul also has significant experience advising fiduciaries and managing the estate and trust administration process during litigation among fiduciaries and beneficiaries. He regularly coordinates multi-state estate, tax and litigation matters for his family clients. Paul also has created and managed multi-national corporate structures and start up ventures.

Paul graduated, cum laude and as salutatorian, in 1996 from Mercer Law School where he was a Managing Editor of the Mercer Law Review and received the Outstanding Senior Award from the law faculty.  He was also a member of the Moot Court Board and served as one of three members of a championship team at the Domenick L. Gabrielli National Family Law Competition in Albany, New York.  Paul also holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech where he graduated with honors.

Paul is a past president of The Savannah Estate Planning Council and is listed in Best Lawyers in America in Trusts & Estates. He is listed as an “AV” rated Preeminent attorney by Martindale Hubbell, and he is the recipient of numerous professional distinctions.​
Paul is an advocate of philanthropy and serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of Hospice Savannah, Inc., as a Board Member of the Coastal Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America and he is the Scout Master of Troop 57 on Skidaway Island.  Paul is also an Eagle Scout.  He is an avid Rotarian where he has served as President of the Skidaway Island Rotary Club and as an Assistant Governor of Rotary District 6920.  Paul is a frequent speaker at professional and philanthropic events and he attends many of the nation’s top tax and business succession seminars.  He is a member of both the Georgia and South Carolina Bars.

Justin Vanderbrink, Board Member
Justin is a Savannah, Georgia native, is a managing partner of VanderBrink Paasch Builders, Inc., (VP Builders) and has over 20 years of experience in building construction. VP Builders is a local general contracting/construction management firm focused on small-to-medium healthcare construction. Prior to forming VP Builders in 2019, Justin led preconstruction and construction efforts for two large southeast/national construction firms building projects for nearly every market segment.
Justin graduated summa cum laude from Georgia Southern University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction and Contracting with a Business minor. Justin has continued his support for his alma mater by joining and then chairing the GSU Associates Council where he led multiple clay shooting fundraisers to provide scholarships to students in the Construction Management program. Later, he joined the GSU Industry Advisory Board to provide input from industry professionals to shape the Construction Management program’s learning objectives.
Some of Justin’s accolades and accomplishments include being selected for Generation Next’s 20 under 40 Rising Stars of Business in 2015 and graduating from Leadership Southeast Georgia.
Justin has led efforts to raise funds for other philanthropies such as Cystic Fibrosis (Clays for a Cause) and Ronald McDonald House (Chef of the House Challenge). In 2015, Justin joined the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run of Coastal Georgia and the Lowcountry where he started an annual golf tournament to raise funds for lower-income girls to be able to participate in Girls on the Run at no cost.