Meet Our Board

Caitlin McGinn has worked in the Michigan Department of Corrections for almost nine years. During that time she has served in many capacities including facilitating violent prevention programs for offenders and training staff. Caitlin is the current Board of Directors’ President and has been a board member since 2017. As a survivor of domestic violence herself, she works passionately to ensure that other survivors know that they are not alone and that they can access the resources they need. Caitlin uses her tenacity to fight against the myths surrounding domestic and sexual violence and to relentlessly facilitate change for survivors- both for the individual clients that EVE serves and system-wide. By being a part of EVE, Caitlin is helping educate the community, dispel myths, and stand with survivors

Amanda Elliott has been with the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) for 18 years and currently serves in the Offender Success Administration. Amanda has always been passionate about supporting women within criminal justice, including training staff to facilitate programming in cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and domestic violence. After working to implement batterers’ intervention programming and programming for women who have used force in intimate partner relationships within the MDOC, Amanda focused on providing resources and support for survivors. Amanda has been on the EVE Board of Directors since 2018 and serves as Board Secretary. Amanda holds an MS from Grand Valley State University and a BA from the University of Michigan

Caitlin O'Rourke is a Senior Associate at Capitol Fundraising Associates (CFA), where she manages a diverse portfolio of clients. At CFA, Caitlin provides fundraising and event management for a number of organizations across the state of Michigan, including those addressing hunger, LGBTQIA+ rights, housing, and more. She is a graduate of J.W. Sexton High School and Grand Valley State University with a degree in Political Science.

Caitlin has been recognized for her extensive volunteering and commitment to building up other young leaders. She uses this knowledge and experience to help EVE find creative ways to educate the community on the reality of domestic and sexual assault, and to stand with survivors in the Lansing area.

Harriet Greenstone is a retiree from the State of Michigan, Department of Social Services, and has been supporting and volunteering with EVE since 2003. She joined the board at End Violent Encounters in 2017 and continues to use her tenacity to fiercely advocate for survivors both at the board level and by being a voice in the community advocating for change.

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Harriet sees serving on EVE’s board as an extension of her life-life work to support women through the hardest points of their lives. She believes in the power of a strong support network and the difference that can be made when you refuse to let someone be isolated and alone. Harriet has shown repeatedly that she is willing and eager to do whatever it takes to support survivors wherever they are in their journey. She is tireless in her work to educate the community on the severity of the problem and how they can help. According to Harriet, “I want anyone that I talk to about EVE to come away knowing that violence is an equal opportunity destroyer. There is no typical victim/survivor and abuse cuts across all socio-economic lines, all races, ages, and genders. It's never acceptable to engage in victim-blaming and the best way to be supportive when needed is to listen, believe and avoid being judgmental.”

Ayanna D. Neal joined Grewal Law PLLC as an attorney and Team Leader of the Criminal and Family Divisions after dedicating over fifteen years to representing the people of the state of Michigan in prosecution for Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office. Ayanna began practicing law two years prior to working as a prosecutor and handled child custody, contracts, and estate planning cases. Ayanna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor with a concentration in Business Transactions from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and has been practicing law for 19 years.

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During her work as an assistant prosecutor, she has worked in the family, district, and circuit courts. She has handled thousands of cases and has litigated numerous cases. She handled major drug crimes prosecution in the Ingham County Drug Addiction Response Unit and also handled civil forfeiture cases. She was a special prosecutor for arson cases and she also reviewed criminal sexual conduct cases as part of the Criminal Sexual Conduct Review Team. Ayanna has also served as a special prosecutor for felonious domestic violence crimes and child criminal sexual conduct cases.

Ben Marciniak-Jennings is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones

Ben sees EVE as a catalyst for empowerment in the community they provide resources and education to change lives in the local community and he wants to be part of the process.

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He believes his ability to educate and network throughout the community will help EVE grow and reach a larger audience.

He is full of compassion for people, has a wiliness to help, and can resolve to make a difference.

Karen Stefl is a producer and director with a flair for storytelling. With more than 20 years of experience, Stefl specializes in long-form narrative for corporations, small business and nonprofits. Nationally recognized for producing effective and creative videos, Stefl focuses on comprehensive communication strategies that engage audiences, create emotional impact and inspire action.

In her role at Render Studios, Karen has helped nonprofits ranging from the Dart Foundation, United Way, and Gift of Life Michigan to share their stories and connect with individual donors, foundations and corporate sponsors. Her work with Ele's Place brought home to Lansing a national ADDY award -- the American Advertising Federation's highest honor and Lansing's only national ADDY that year.

As an entrepreneur, there is little that deters her from moving her company forward. There is a push-you-back-in-your-seat experience when Stefl produces creative work. Her tenacious but positive style of producing lends itself to exciting outcomes. Her skill set is deep as a producer, director and business owner, and she pursues each with great energy.

Karen’s service on several non-profit boards allows her to explore her love of business development and passion for philanthropy and community service. She is past president of the Old Town Commercial Association in Lansing, Mich, and previously served on the boards of Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance and a national women’s leadership organization. She currently serves as a director at EVE, Inc. (Ending Violent Encounters) to support their mission to support domestic and sexual abuse survivors on their journey of healing and empower our community through education and awareness.

This is your Team Member description. Use this space to write a brief description of this person’s role and responsibilities, or add a short bio.

Amy is a clinical social worker, licensed since 2003, specializing in Mental Health, Addictions, and EMDR. Experienced in working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use. Amy is a presenter of trainings on topics such as Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, Self-Harming Behaviors, Problem Gambling and Stress Management. Amy also provides supervision for limited-license Social Workers and support letters for HRT/other procedures. Amy is a certified Hypnotherapist, a reflexologist, trained in Esoteric and Vibrational Energy Healing, and a Michigan Notary.

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A graduate of Michigan State University in the Master’s of Social Work program in 2001, and a graduate of Hope College with a Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2000, Amy began working with domestic violence in 2003 as a volunteer with the C.A.R.E. program and as a case manager at the SIREN/Eaton Shelter.

Joining the board of EVE, Inc. in 2022, Amy is looking forward to contributing to her community and sharing her clinical skills on a broader level to advocate for survivors and ensure there are resources available when needed and helping to educate the community on the dynamics of power and control.

Hyunkag Cho, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Michigan State University. His research is focused on intimate partner violence,  prevalence, health outcomes, and help-seeking; and their variations across gender and race/ethnicity. He has primarily used quantitative research methods, such as survey and secondary analysis of national data. He has led several projects, collaborated with domestic and international researchers, and produced several peer-reviewed publications from each project. 

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He teaches for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students in the areas of theory of social change, community organization, research, and statistics. He worked with the EVE to translate service materials to Korean for the clients who have a limited English proficiency. 

Peggy McNichol, CPA, founder and President of McNichol, CPA PC (ATS Associates)

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· Married to Hugh for 48 years and counting

· Mother of two and grandmother of 4 grandsons

· Graduate of Davenport University, B.S., Accounting

· Small business owner for more than 20 years

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I have been fortunate throughout my life to have had supportive parents and a supportive spouse. I know that many people have not. I was very naïve about abuse until a family member, and later a friend, became victims of spousal abuse. I couldn’t help them, other than listening and being there for them, but EVE does help! EVE is there to help victims become survivors.

Stephanie Halfmann, MS, RD, graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition, Master’s Degree in Distance Education and Nutrition.  Her primary focus was Women and Children’s health and safety.  Stephanie is the Director of Affiliate Services at MPHI.  She provides administrative direction and leadership to MPHI affiliate staff and clients at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).  She is responsible for assisting clients with program activities including analyzing project needs, reviewing work plans, timelines and staffing needs.  She is the first line MPHI representative assisting affiliate supervisors in meeting their needs including developing position descriptions and sitting on interview panels. She provides direction to financial analysts to ensure clients are provided with requested financial information including budget projections and guidance on budget management.

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