Who We Are
Our Staff
Background
Kristen came back to the Western community in December of 2021. Most recently, she worked as an Advocate at UC Santa Barbara, and before that, served as the first Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator at Central Washington University. Kristen enjoys serving students directly and helping them through their healing journeys, but also finds that it’s important to make systemic changes to improve services and processes for all people, so she works closely with Student Conduct, Title IX, and Public Safety. In her free time, Kristen enjoys taking care of her houseplants, hanging out with her cat Sally, paddle-boarding, and going to the beach!
Background
Maria is a First Generation Latina graduate from Western Oregon University who got her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology back in 2021. Maria was heavily involved as an undergraduate student through student government and organizations off and on campus where she assisted underrepresented and marginalized students like herself. She loves to work with diverse populations and is committed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion to best serve all students across campus. She is excited to work on campus as the Basic Needs Coordinator connecting students with resources on campus and within the community. Outside of work Maria enjoys being outdoors, traveling and spending quality time with her husband, friends, and family.
Background
Ashlie Lee is a first-generation college graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Social Science, Health, and Business from Western Oregon University in 2023. Prior to joining Abby’s House as a Confidential Advocate, Ashlie worked as a Child Protective Services caseworker with the Oregon Department of Human Services, supporting children and families navigating crisis situations through Child Welfare services.
Through this work, Ashlie discovered a strong passion for helping people feel heard, supported, and safe during difficult moments. She is excited to continue that work through advocacy, prevention education, and outreach, with a focus on creating approachable, supportive connections with students while empowering them with knowledge and resources. Outside of work, Ashlie enjoys spending time with her family, attending concerts, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
Background
Jasmine is a dedicated social services professional with over a decade of experience spanning crisis intervention, academic coaching, and community mental health. She is driven by a deep commitment to helping others and her core interest areas are higher education & domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault response and prevention. Jasmine graduated in 2024 from Eastern Washington University with dual Masters in Social Work and Addiction Studies. She values honesty, growth, and safety.
