Brandie Stringer

Founding Executive Director​

Brandie Stringer is a dedicated social worker, Army veteran, and seasoned advocate who currently serves as Assistant Director of the Sexual Violence Advocacy and Support Center at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. 
Her commitment to survivor support began in 2007 while on active duty in the U.S. Army, where she served as a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. Since then, she has held a variety of leadership and frontline advocacy roles at victim service organizations throughout Rhode Island. 
Originally from Connecticut, Brandie has called Rhode Island home since 2012. She is a proud mother, a lover of nature, and a passionate community builder dedicated to social justice, healing, and systems change.

Alana Sacks-West

Board President

Alana Sacks, MSW, LICSW (Pronouns: she/her/hers) is a licensed independent clinical social worker who has worked with survivors of sexual and relationship violence for over a decade. She currently serves as the Associate Director for Response Services in the Department of BWell Health Promotion at Brown University. Before working at Brown, she served as the Assistant Director of Programs and Services at RESPOND, Inc., New England's first domestic violence survivor support organization, as well as working for Safelink, Massachusetts’ state hotline for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Her clinical practice has served clients with diverse needs across the lifespan, practicing in myriad settings, from outpatient mental health clinics to inpatient psychiatric care. Alana trained at the award-winning Victims of Violence Program, which holds a national and international reputation and has made major contributions to the field of psychological trauma. A fierce feminist and advocate, she is passionately committed to fostering safe, fulfilling, and equitable relationships and to supporting those who have experienced harm in their unique journeys towards healing and recovery. In her free time she loves to cook and eat, spend time with loved ones, snuggle her cats, and engage in different forms of art and expression. Alana holds a BA in Philosophy from Boston College and a Masters in Social Work with a certificate of specialization in trauma from the Boston University School of Social Work.

Amanda Ronchi

Board Secretary

Amanda Ronchi is an experienced professional in the events industry. She has worked at Fete Music Hall, Foxwoods Resort Casino and is presently leading a community nonprofit performance arts venue, the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich, RI. At the Odeum, Amanda leads a team of staff and volunteers, handles all of the marketing initiatives and works closely with the Odeum’s Board of Directors on fundraising efforts. Amanda is also involved with the National Independent Venue Association where she serves as the Secretary for the New England Chapter. She is honored to be a part of the Haven Box Board of Directors and contribute to such important work. Originally from Brazil, Amanda moved to Providence in 2001 where she presently resides. During her free time, she enjoys attending live music shows, reading, going to the beach and traveling.

Shana Ortman

Board Treasurer

Shana Vanderweele Ortman (she/her) is thrilled to join the Haven Box Board of Directors. Shana currently works at the Rhode Island School of Design, managing events for the President’s Office. Her professional roots are as a grassroots organizer for environmental and social justice causes. She has run programs, fundraising, and operations at several non-profit organizations, including the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich, RI. As an events professional for the past decade, Shana has worked primarily at independent music venues, including as the Private Events Manager for two historic music venues in San Francisco. She has continued her events career in Rhode Island, and has overseen catering, event rentals, and special constituency events at RISD. Shana resettled in Rhode Island from California in 2017 so she could raise her kids closer to their extended family. She and her husband are raising two dynamic and energetic young children. When she’s not cheering on her kids from various sidelines, she enjoys visiting estate sales, making and enjoying art, and spending time with friends and family.

Hann Woodhouse

Board of Directors

Hann Woodhouse, M.Ed is a career advocate for an expanse of social justice issues, from equitable access to basic needs to reproductive justice. She has worked in the field of violence prevention for almost a decade, educating thousands of Rhode Islanders a year on topics such as healthy relationships, interpersonal violence, bystander intervention, sexual health, and diversity and inclusion, among others. Though passionate about all of her work, her main focus is on youth empowerment and peer advocacy; she is a founding member and current advisor for the Rhode Island Student Collaborative (RISC) which connects college students across the state and elevates young voices about campus sexual and domestic violence. She is also in the process of developing and implementing a peer advocacy program for Rhode Island middle and high school students, to be launched early next year. In her free time (of which there is little) she is also a musician and creative: her first album was released in October 2021. She is excited to be on the Board of Haven Box and to expand the reach of these necessary services in her community.

Jeannine Shoos

Board of Directors

Jeannine Schoos, Esq. (pronouns: she/her) is an attorney focused on social justice and poverty law. She is currently a Supervising Attorney for the Housing Unit at South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS) working with clients to prevent evictions, stabilize safe and affordable housing, and address sub-standard living conditions. Throughout her career, Jeannine has focused her work on representing survivors of crimes and other harms, specializing in domestic violence and sexual assault. Jeannine has practiced in a variety of civil legal areas including housing, safety and protection, privacy, and education. Prior to joining SCCLS, Jeannine was a Staff Attorney at the Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC) and worked exclusively with survivors of sexual assault to address their legal needs. Jeannine is a graduate of New York University, and the City University of New York School of Law. She is barred in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Virginia. In her free time, Jeannine loves cooking for family and friends, chasing her kids around, and travelling. ​

Katie Hart

Board of Directors

Katie Hart is honored to be joining the Haven Box team and support the organization’s amazing work.  Katie is a primary care pediatrician in Rhode Island.  She loves working with children and their families to help them become healthy in mind and body.  When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially outdoors, hiking, reading, bird watching, and attempting to garden. ​

Leota Stringer

Board of Directors 

Leota Stringer, originally from the picturesque state of Connecticut, made the heartfelt decision to relocate to Rhode Island in October of 2021 to be closer to her daughter and beloved family. Currently, she dedicates her time and skills as an administrative assistant at the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Beyond her professional commitments, Leota finds immense joy in her roles as a proud mother to her daughter, Brandie Stringer, and as a devoted nana to Mia and Bella. Notably, she also embraces the esteemed position of personal assistant to Masha the cat, a responsibility that brings both challenges and gratification. In her leisure moments, Leota indulges in her passions, including singing, solving puzzles—a cherished pastime passed down from her grandmother and father—and relishing peaceful walks and delectable cuisine.

Email [email protected] with questions or concerns.