Meet Our Directors

Betsy grew up in the Florida Panhandle and moved to Ocala in 2018. She earned her undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Management from Florida State University. She also has a Masters degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University.

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Betsy has comprehensive training in a number of different therapeutic modalities including being Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-Certified, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). With many years of experience, she specializes in working with survivors of trauma and with individuals who have experienced sexual violence.

Beyond her professional work, Betsy relishes time spent with her husband and two children. Together they support Florida State football and enjoy various activities on the

water.

 Alison was born and raised in Arizona and started her career in mental health in New York State.  She earned her AA in Communications and bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation while playing volleyball at Pheonix College in Arizona and Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. As a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist since 2005, Alison has worked in psychiatric hospitals in New York State and Florida. During her time in New York, she earned her master's degree in special education and worked with children on the Autism Spectrum.  After moving to Florida in 2020 Alison gained supervisory experience while working with adults and adolescents in the acute psychiatric setting .  This role allowed her to teach and train staff members in trauma informed care, group implementation, personal safety techniques, and therapeutic boundaries.  Alison is excited and motivated to bring her experience to MCSAC and reach those in our community effected by sexual trauma.  In her free time Alison enjoys exploring new places to hike with her dog and playing the occasional round of golf with her husband.  

Sara Lambert is a founding member of the Marion County Sexual Assault Center and the Community Engagement Coordinator for Marion County Parks & Recreation. Originally from St. Johns County, Sara moved to Marion County 6 years ago and has been an active member on several non-profit boards, notably serving as a past President of the Junior League of Ocala and the Chair of Junior League of Ocala's State Public Affairs Committee. Sara's background in outreach and advocacy fuels her passion for creating impactful change through volunteerism. When not working or volunteering, Sara is most happy spending time with her husband and their springer spaniel.

LeeAnn is from Long Island, New York, where she served in Emergency Medical Services for 9 years both volunteering and working before transitioning into a multidisciplinary Neurological Practice as a medical assistant. There, she trained and became certified in multiple testing and laboratory skills, which broadened her love for medicine.

When she moved to Ocala in 2016, she joined the local trauma department, where her passion for serving the community thrived until she became a mother in 2020. Since then, she has become a mother of three but has never given up her love for volunteering.

She hopes to never stop learning and is currently working toward becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

 Matt is a CPA and a partner at Crippen & Co. His professional background in accounting provides valuable financial oversight as he serves as Treasurer for the Marion County Sexual Assault Center. He believes that for our community to thrive, we need robust non-profits. Specifically, victims of sexual assault in our community require a strong Sexual Assault Center, and Matt is dedicated to serving and advocating for these individuals 

Kali Stauss Lourenco is a founding member of the Marion County Sexual Assault Center, former educator, former prosecutor, and currently attorney/manager of Stauss Law, PA located in Ocala, Florida. Her practice areas are Estate Planning/Probate, Business Law, and Criminal Defense. Kali was born and raised in Marion County, Florida. Kali is a graduate of the University of Florida, Barry University, and has a Masters of Law in Taxation from Washington University in St. Louis. For over 10 years Kali has served as an active member/volunteer for the Junior League of Ocala and loves helping those in need whether through her work or volunteering.

Racheal Franklin is a founding member of the Marion County Sexual Assault Center and the Victim Services Director for the State Attorney’s Office for the entire Fifth Judicial Circuit serving Marion, Lake, Sumter, Citrus, and Hernando Counties. Racheal was born in Hernando County, Florida, where she grew up and went to school, ultimately graduating cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Metropolitan University in 1998. Upon joining the Office of the State Attorney, she served as the paralegal for the Sex Crimes Unit. She was later promoted to the position of victim/witness counselor. She has been assisting victims and witnesses in Marion County since 2000, and assumed her current role as Victim services Director in 2020. Over the years Racheal has had extensive training in victim services, including the Attorney General’s Office Victim Services Practitioner Designation training. Racheal is responsible for making sure victims across the Circuit are afforded the rights provided to them by law through the Statutes and the Constitution, and ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.

Liz White is a prosecuting attorney in the Special Victims Unit in Marion County.  She has over 10 years of experience working with victims of violent crime and advocating for justice on their behalf. In her early career as a prosecutor, Liz quickly found her passion for prosecuting sexual offenders. She has successfully secured life sentences for numerous dangerous offenders in our community. Through her service on the Marion County Sexual Assault Center board, Liz is committed to getting quality services to Marion County’s survivors of sexual assault.

Emily Giovannelli is an Ocala native and a licensed clinical social worker with over 12 years of dedicated experience in the field of social work. She brings a rich background in various psychotherapeutic techniques, crisis management, and trauma-informed care, all fueled by her passion for helping people and animals.

When not working or volunteering, Emily finds joy in spending quality time with friends and family, exploring nature on woodland walks, or basking in the sun at the beach. Her deep commitment to her community is evident in her continuous search for new ways to give back. Emily firmly believes that everyone deserves a place where they feel safe, heard, and loved—a belief that inspires her service on the Marion County Sexual Assault Center board.

 Favorite quote: "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Desmond Tutu