Meet the Staff | The Compass Center

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 Officer

Jason L, M.S.Ed, CFRE

Jason joined The Compass Center in October of 2017 as the Development Director after more than 22 years serving the South Dakota Board of Regents in various capacities, most recently as Development Coordinator for the South Dakota Area Health Education Center at the USD Sanford School of Medicine. In 2020 he moved into the role of Chief Development Officer. He holds a B.A. in Community Services and an M.S.Ed. in Leadership & Administration/Guidance & Counseling, both from Northern State University. Jason served as the 2017 president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals South Dakota Chapter and has presented at the Grant Professionals Association National Conference, the COABE National Conference, and the Mid-America Conference on Fundraising.

jason@thecompasscenter.org

Director of Clinical Services, Registered Play Therapist

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

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