Our board members are dedicated to reducing domestic violence nationwide and to helping victims in need.
Jessica Yaffa, President
Jessica Yaffa is a survivor of extreme domestic violence and has transformed a set of extremely traumatic circumstances into a triumphant story. Ms. Yaffa has spent the past two decades working in the social services field, with the intention of coming alongside those who have experienced relationship trauma in its’ various forms. In addition to her professional roles, Jessica is the co-founder and President of NoSilence NoViolence, Inc., a non-profit committed to providing education, training, resources, and community development in order to eliminate stigma surrounding relationship abuse and sexual assault, while creating awareness, shifting perspectives, and facilitating change around the way we talk about domestic violence.
As a certified professional relationship coach, Ms. Yaffa has also recently created a unique and innovative training program titled RVARS (Relationship Violence Assessment and Response Specialist) and travels the country offering this program to first responders, clinicians, military advocates, and more. Jessica formerly served as the President of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council and has been featured on both television and in print as one of the leading experts surrounding this topic.
Sara Carroll, Vice President
Sara Carroll was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio. She has over 10 years’ experience in the environmental, oil and gas, and solar industries. She began her career in the environmental industry as an environmental engineer, and quickly became Project Manager of gas pipeline inspections, utility-scale solar construction, and now solar development. She has found her passion in solar, which has become her main focus for the past few years. She is active in many women’s organizations (WRISE, WCS) and has been involved in many humanitarian efforts to bring clean, sustainable energy to third world countries. She has also presented at the Women in Cleantech and Sustainability Conference and serves as an advocate and mentor to help others find careers in solar. Since moving back to San Diego, Sara has also begun teaching spin classes because it provides not only a great cardio workout, but a chance to provide inspiration, and motivation to her clients. She has a strong understanding of the impact of trauma on the human spirit and wants to provide an outlet and space for others to feel heard and understood. Sara has the ability to connect people and bring great minds together to help many causes. She is excited to provide the opportunity to support NoSilence NoViolence and be an advocate and voice for the LGBTQ+ community.
Dorian Lopez, Esq., Secretary
Dorian Lopez is the founder and managing attorney of The Law Offices of Dorian Lopez. She has been a member of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council’s Steering Committee since 2016. She is a survivor of domestic violence and has prosecuted DV cases as an attorney. She previously volunteered at the Family Justice Center assisting with DV Restraining Orders and represents victims of domestic violence who are seeking restraining orders. She has served as the Committee Chair for the Legal Action Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council and is also a member of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. Her most important accomplishment to date is her son, Vincent.
Kevin Dusi, Treasurer
Kevin is a Tax Partner and the Office Tax Leader of the San Diego office of Moss Adams, a regional accounting firm based on the west coast. He is also a coach with Your Infinite Life Training & Coaching Company, where he first was introduced to NoSilence NoViolence. As a San Diego native, the opportunity to work with an organization dedicated to helping those touched by domestic violence in the community gave him an opportunity to give back to the community he grew up in.
Kevin joined the board in 2019 and brings his accounting knowledge to the organization. He holds a degree in business administration from Cal State San Marcos.
Ellen Yaffa, Board Member
Retired after a 40-year career in social services in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Experience ranges from health and human services in Northern California and the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress, to community activism and leadership roles with nonprofit organizations devoted to improving schools, strengthening families, and responding to neighborhood needs. Retired from SAY San Diego (Social Advocates for Youth) in 2014. Masters Degree in Social Work obtained from SDSU. Community service includes serving on several nonprofit Boards of Directors and managing local school board campaigns to help qualified candidates get elected.
Anita Munkres, Board Member
Anita Munkres, a native of Colorado has made a 29-year career in land management and project development working across the real estate, oil and gas, and renewable energy fields. She is active in several women’s organizations including Women’s Energy Network (WEN) and Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE). She is a vocal advocate for equality in the workplace and feels a calling to encourage people to find their inner confidence and love themselves exactly as they are. She is a strong LGBTQ community ally and advocate. Volunteer service includes Habitat for Humanity, The Food Bank, and Toys for Tots. She is always looking for opportunities to support her passions helping foster care youth and ensuring at risk toddlers begin their educational journey at the same level as their peers.
“Our Children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation.” Nelson Mandela
Charo Prater, Volunteer Coordinator
A native of Toronto, Canada, Charo has called California home for the past 18 years. She has extensive Public Relations & Marketing experience in the areas of entertainment, corporate and consumer relations. However, it is her years of volunteering through her children’s schools and extra-curricular activities, which will help her in her Volunteer Coordinator role.
Charo, a volunteer herself, lends her writing skills to the San Diego Moms Collective. She is also a qualified yoga instructor and life coach, and facilitates the Eat Breathe Thrive program, a non profit supporting prevention of disordered eating.
She has felt the pull to the non-profit sector for a while and now wants to use her career skills and love of giving back to NoSilence NoViolence, an organization she finds dear to her heart.
Charo is married with two teenagers and lives in San Diego.
