Meet Our Team

The Compass Center has a growing team of experts ready to give trauma informed care to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. They work relentlessly to break the cycle of violence through community education and by working directly with batterers.

Executive Director

Michelle T, MS, NCC, LPC-MH

Michelle joined the Compass Center in January 2014 as a Counselor/Advocate. She added the title of Clinical Director in 2018, and was named Executive Director in 2020. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from South Dakota State University. Michelle serves as an individual counselor as well as an advocate on the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Michelle heads the educational efforts of the agency and recently developed "It's Our Business," a free training available to local businesses. Her past experience includes working with families and children in home-based counseling, providing case management to children with developmental disabilities and their families and providing case management to adults with severe and persistent mental illness.

michelle@thecompasscenter.org
Chief Development & Communication Officer

Kristin Hayward

Kristin joined The Compass Center in the fall of 2023. She comes to TCC with fifteen years of broadcast journalism across the state of SD. This lead to an expansion and awareness of what goes on in our community, so it was a natural fit to lean into the world of non-profit communications. After working for larger non-profit in management, advocacy and development, Kristin is immersing herself into all that TCC does for the greater Sioux Falls area. Look forward to seeing you!

kristin@thecompasscenter.org
Director of Clinical Services, Registered Play Therapist

Briana H, MA, LPC (MN), LPC-MH (SD), RPT-S

Provides therapy for ages 3-18 years old.

briana@thecompasscenter.org
Director of Community Advocacy

Sara K, SWA, CA

Provides advocacy for children, teens and adults including but not limited to, civil/criminal assistance and referrals, safety planning, community referrals, protection orders, related to any sexual, relational and/or family trauma.

sara@thecompasscenter.org
Director of Operations

Nicole O

Nicole joined The Compass Center in October 2017. Nicole came to The Compass Center with 11 years of experience at a large corporation, holding various administrative and operations positions. She is passionate about art, mental health, and building relationships with every client who walks through our door.

nicole@thecompasscenter.org
Staff Therapist

Gianna Wright, MS, LPC Supervisee

Provides therapy for adults & teens, and also facilitates group therapy.

gianna@thecompasscenter.org
Supervising Therapist I

Kelsey K, MA, LPC (SD, MN), LPC-MH Supervisee, CCTP, IoWA-PCIT trained

Provides therapy for teens and adults.

kelsey@thecompasscenter.org
Supervising Therapist I

Michele J, RN, MA, LPC, LPC-MH Supervisee, CCTP

​Provides therapy for adults, EMDR, and women's support groups.

shelly@thecompasscenter.org
Supervising Therapist I

Maranda H, MA, LPC, LPC-MH, IoWA-PCIT trained

Provides individual therapy to teens and young adults and provides Parent- Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to children 3-12 and their caregivers.

maranda@thecompasscenter.org
Staff Therapist

Ashley ZL, MA, LPC, ATR Supervisee, CCTP

Provides individual therapy for children, teens, and adults. Ashley is trained in art therapy, and also offers art-based groups and individual art-based sessions.

ashley@thecompasscenter.org
Crisis Care Navigator

Melisa M, MSW, LCSW

Provides crisis, walk-in support services to individuals who are impacted by sexual, relational, and other family trauma.

melisa@thecompasscenter.org
Little Navigators Program Manager

Cruz TR, MS, LPC-MH (South Dakota), LPC (South Dakota), RPT, NCC, QMHP

Cruz received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Play Therapy from South Dakota State University. In addition, Cruz received a graduate certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from Georgetown University. Throughout her career, Cruz has provided individual and group therapy to children and their families. Cruz has worked in community mental health and private practice. Cruz currently is the Little Navigators Program manager. Cruz oversees the Little Navigators programming and provides therapy to children ages 3 and older. Cruz is licensed as counselor in South Dakota and is a Registered Play Therapist.

cruz@thecompasscenter.org
Little Navigators Program Therapist

Shannon N, MS, NCC, LPC-Supervisee

Shannon received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from South Dakota State University in 2019. She continued her higher education at South Dakota State University to receive her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in play therapy in 2022. During her education, Shannon had the opportunity to work directly with children and young adults providing individual and group therapy sessions. Shannon also has a background in working early elementary age children of all abilities. Shannon came to The Compass Center as a therapy intern in early 2022 to work with children ages 3-12 years old. After her internship ended, Shannon transitioned into full time position as a Little Navigators Program therapist.

shannonn@thecompasscenter.org
Little Navigators Program Therapist

MSW, LCSW, LCSW-PIP Supervisee, RPT Supervisee

Haley received her Bachelor of Social Work degree with a minor in child development from the University of South Dakota. She then completed her Master's of Social Work in 2022 at the University of South Dakota. Haley has previous experience working within a childcare center as a staff member, and has worked with children, teens, and young adults in a clinical setting. Haley is currently pursuing her play therapy certification, as well as her LCSW-PIP. Haley joined The Compass Center with the Little Navigators Program in August of 2022.

haleym@thecompasscenter.org
Little Navigators Program Therapist

Charlotte H, MS, NCC, LPC-Supervisee

Charlotte received her Master of Science in Counseling and Human Resource Development specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at South Dakota State University. She has previous experience working within a childcare center as an assistant teacher, in the public education system providing therapeutic services to elementary students, and working as a substitute teacher. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Charlotte worked within a domestic violence shelter providing care for children in emergency foster care placement. Charlotte has been with The Compass Center since 2022 and has primarily provided therapy services to children ages 3-12. Charlotte is working towards licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor and has completed education requirements to become a Registered Play Therapist.

charlotteh@thecompasscenter.org
Administrative Assistant

Vonda VW

vonda@thecompasscenter.org