Rafael de Castro

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Rafael de Castro has worked in Business Development and Non-Profit Management for over 31 years. Before joining LaFASA he served as the Executive Director of Youth Oasis, a nonprofit agency that primarily operates a Homeless Shelter for youth ages 10-17 years old. During his time at Youth Oasis, Rafael was responsible for a complete transformation of the agency resulting in a 170% increase in provided bed-nights and the development of the gulf coast region’s first Transitional Living Program for LGBTQ homeless youth ages 16-21. In a previous role as Executive Director of the National Independent Nursery Furniture Association, he worked to ensure safer sleeping environments for infants by serving as a member of the CPSC Infant Bedding Task Force Committee and participating in ASTM subcommittees to establish the ASTM Consumer Safety Specifications for Full-Size Baby Cribs (F1169). Rafael is a Louisiana native and excited to lead the LaFASA team.

Jessie Friere

Director of Education and Prevention

Jessie Freire received her Master of Public Health from Tulane University in the Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Science and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Santa Barbara in Women's Studies. In her 20 years of work on sexual violence prevention, survivor services, and health care access, Jessie has designed, implemented, and evaluated programs; conducted outreach and engagement efforts with diverse communities; and raised funds through direct appeals, grants, and events. She enjoys traveling, camping and hiking, and cooking.

Sean Cassidy

Director of Legal Services

Sean graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans (B.A. Political Science, 1996 and J.D., 2000) and was a civil litigator for 15 plus years, mostly focusing on environmental litigation. He was a proud member of litigation teams nominated as finalists in the Public Justice Foundation’s Trial Lawyer of the Year in both 2012 (Mingo County Coal Slurry Litigation) and 2013 (Hairston v. Equitable Production Company). He is honored to zealously advocate for survivors of sexual assault by providing direct legal services to survivors statewide, by providing technical legal assistance to LaFASA’s member sexual assault crisis centers, by providing training, education, and technical assistance to other attorneys and allied professionals with respect to the law and sexual assault, and by providing legislative advocacy to monitor state and federal legislation with the goal of protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.

Tia Coates

Legal Secretary

Tia Coates is truly honored to be a part of LaFASA as their Legal Secretary. "I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring my paralegal skills into this role, especially in work that supports survivors of sexual assault and helps make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I’m passionate about learning, growing, and contributing to a mission that centers advocacy, compassion, and justice. I look forward to continuing to develop my skills while supporting those who need it most."

Her attitude in taking this job is,“Be the voice for those who feel unheard, and the strength for those finding their way.”

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of such important and impactful work.

Kelli Knight

Campus & Community Development Coordinator

As Campus & Community Development Coordinator, Kelli is responsible for collaborating with colleges and universities to support their efforts in creating spaces that nurture students affected by sexual assault, and ensure campuses are free from sexual violence. Additionally, she manages LaFASA's website, assists to promote the statewide helpline, LaFASA's social media, and newsletter. The campus and community development coordinator also collaborates with the 11 crisis centers, outside businesses, and agencies and organizations to ensure that survivors have all the necessary contacts and resources for trauma-informed care. Kelli Knight is a Baton Rouge native and graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Arts and Baton Rouge Community College with her Associates in General Sciences, pre-med sciences. Her professional background is in graphic design and marketing, with extensive experience in social causes. Some of the organizations she's worked extensively with are The American Red Cross Southeast Louisiana, Girl Scouts Louisiana East, Companion Animal Alliance, St. Jude Church, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. Her other passions include promoting adoption for homeless pets. She is excited that her 27 years of advocacy, non-profit marketing, and outreach can make a difference in the lives of survivors and promote change to end sexual assault.

Cecilia Schexnayder-Cardwell

Grant Assistant & Membership Coordinator

Cecilia graduated from LSU with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies. Earning a degree in anthropology and excavating ancient ruins in Belize sparked her interest in the study of human beings, while classes in WGS ignited a deep passion for advocacy and support toward survivors of violence and sexual assault. After graduating, Cecilia went on to work in the forensic field assisting with autopsies and organizing 50+ years of case files for missing/unidentified people. During her time in the forensic field, she saw and read about many cases involving domestic violence/sexual assault and quickly understood just how prevalent these issues were in Louisiana. Cecilia now works as a grant assistant and a membership/volunteer coordinator for LaFASA and is beyond excited to be able to work for an organization that directly assists and serves survivors.

Jencie Olivier

Strategic Partnerships Coordinator

Jencie Olivier has dedicated her career to sexual violence response and prevention, bringing over a decade of experience advancing survivor-centered care and strengthening coordinated systems across Louisiana. She has led multidisciplinary Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) and provided supervision and support to teams of advocates and volunteers who deliver direct, trauma-informed services to survivors of sexual violence.

Her work has focused on building and sustaining strong partnerships across advocacy, healthcare, and law enforcement systems, ensuring survivors receive a seamless, coordinated response. Jencie has extensive experience collaborating with forensic medical providers and SANE programs, working to improve access to care, enhance response protocols, and reduce systemic barriers for survivors. She has also supported regional and statewide collaboration efforts through her involvement in Louisiana’s Sexual Assault Regional Plans, working alongside partners across multiple regions to strengthen coordination and align best practices.

Jencie is deeply committed to empowering survivors, supporting the professionals who serve them, and advancing trauma-informed, coordinated responses to sexual violence throughout Louisiana.

Courtney Cook

Crisis Chat Intervention Program Coordinator

Courtney Cook is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a passion for policy, research, and program management. As a first generation college graduate, she received her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees from Louisiana College. As an undergraduate student Courtney interned at STAR in Alexandria where she assisted in therapeutic interventions for sexual assault survivors, answered hotline crisis calls, and accompanied survivors of sexual assault at the hospital as an advocate during forensic medical exams. Before joining LaFASA, she interned with the Title IX department at Louisiana College developing virtual Title IX workshops for students and faculty. She researched Title IX policies and procedures as well as campus based interventions for sexual assault survivors to improve current practices on campus. She also worked for the department for students with disabilities managing peer tutors and collaborating with the director to develop an online program for students to access remote or in person tutoring. Courtney began her career at LaFASA as a grad school intern working alongside the previous Crisis Chat Intervention Program Coordinator during the development process of the chatline program. Courtney picks up the trailblazing pathway established to manage and build the text and chat helpline. She brings an incredible foundation to continue the prodigious efforts that serve survivors in Louisiana’s 64 parishes.

Aubri Davis

Crisis Chat Intervention Program Supervisor

Aubri is from Pineville, Louisiana. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Louisiana College with a minor in Communication studies, which is a plus in the role as a Support Specialist Supervisor. Her experience and leadership assignments with support specialist groups thoroughly qualified her to take on this position. She will soon be pursuing a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. Aubri has a passion for the helping profession and utilizes this position to make a positive impact on people in any way she can.