Kathy Bray
President and CEO
Kathy Bray serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for Volunteers of America, Utah. She is responsible for the overall management, fiscal stability, and strategic direction of the organization. She is a Certified Social Worker with more than twenty-five years of experience in direct client service and administration of homeless and substance abuse related programs. Kathy has also served as the Director of Detoxification Services and Vice President of Programs during her tenure at VOA Utah.
Audrey Rice
Chief Operating Officer
Audrey Rice serves as the Chief Operating Officer which oversees all agency programs, clinic operations, client assessment, group and individual therapy, and student supervision. She brings a depth of knowledge and deep commitment to the Utah population suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues. She has been with VOA Utah since 2001.
Christa Beauchat
Chief Financial Officer
As the Chief Financial Officer, Christa manages Finance, Information Systems, Human Resources and Facilities operations for the agency. She joined VOA in 2018, bringing over 20 years’ experience in executive leadership working with a variety of organizations including nonprofit, healthcare and government organizations. Christa earned her Masters of Business Administration from Westminster College and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Dan Benshoff
Chief Development Officer
Dan Benshoff serves as the Chief Development Officer and is responsible for fundraising, marketing, communications, and community engagement. Before joining VOA Utah, Dan was the Creative Director at ESPN Digital Media for 20 years before moving back west and leading teams in the outdoor industry and digital design and development agencies. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from BYU in Graphic Design and studied in the Fine Art Department at San Diego State University.
Erin Basta
VP, Human Resources
Erin serves as Vice President of Human Resources. She is primarily responsible for employment, benefits, employee relations, and training. Erin earned her Master degree in Human Resource Management (MHRM) from the University of Utah. She also holds her Certification in Professional Human Resource (PHR). Erin has worked for Volunteers of America since 2007.
Sue Ativalu
VP, Program Operations
Sue Ativalu serves as the Vice President of Program Operations for VOA, Utah. She is responsible for overseeing the Geraldine E. King Women’s Resource Center, our Homeless Outreach Program and our detoxification and withdrawal management programs; VOA Detox for men and The Center for Women and Children. She has worked for VOA, Utah since 2008, serving as a Staff Coordinator, Case Manager, Program Director for the Detoxification Center, as well the Program Director for the Homeless Youth Resource Center and most recently as the Division Director of Adult Homeless Services. She received her Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Utah in 2015 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Jaime Klemz
VP, Clinical Services
Jaime Klemz has worked directly with individuals experiencing substance use disorders, homelessness, and mental health conditions since she joined VOA Utah in 2009. Her role includes implementing a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model, first in outpatient services, and then creating clinical pathways to benefit our clients in every division. She previously served as Division Director of Intensive Behavioral Services overseeing the Assertive Community Treatment team, Intensive Case Management services, and the Denver Street Apartment services, and as Division Director of Treatment Services overseeing outpatient behavioral health treatment at Cornerstone Counseling Center. She earned her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Westminster College. Outside of work, Jaime is passionate about backcountry snowboarding, hiking, and playing soccer.
Amanda Christensen
Division Director, Adult Homeless Services
Amanda Christensen oversees the Geraldine E. King Women’s Resource Center and the Homeless Outreach Program for VOA Utah. Amanda has worked directly with individuals experiencing substance use disorders, homelessness, and mental health conditions since she joined VOA Utah in 2008. Since joining the agency she has served as Recovery Assistant, Youth Advocate, Staff Coordinator, Therapist for the Assertive Community Outreach Team, and most recently as the Director of the Homeless Outreach Program. She received her Masters of Science degree in Social Work from University of Utah in 2016 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. When she is away from the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors with family, friends, and her dog.
Dani Nives
Division Director, Youth Homeless Services
Dani (she/her) oversees the Youth Resource Center, Prevention Programing, and our YESS Program. Dani has been working with individuals experiencing homelessness for over four years in various positions including case management, street outreach, and with shelters. She has experience working as a Wilderness Therapy Field Guide and as a therapist providing services to college students at the University of Utah. She has a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from James Madison University and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. Dani works through a feminist-multicultural lens to provide trauma-informed and housing-first services to anyone accessing our programs. In her free time, she likes to ride bikes, engage in community organizing, play in the desert, and hang out with her dog, Noodle, and her cat, Seven.
Marie Jackson
Division Director, Treatment Services
Marie Jackson, LCSW, oversees VOA Utah's operations at Cornerstone Counseling Center and Family Counseling Center. She also works alongside Jaime Klemz managing our outpatient services. Marie previously served as Clinical Director of Treatment Services.
Susan Pinegar
Division Director, Intensive Behavioral Services
Susan Pinegar, LCSW, oversees VOA Utah's ACT teams, Denver Street apartments, and our Theodora group home. She brings a wealth of clinical and administrative experience, having managed our ACT 2 team since its beginning in 2019.
Brandon Hess
Director of Facilities
Brandon as the Director of Facilities has over 18 years of experience in Facilities Management, with much of that experience at healthcare facilities. His focus in facilities management include facility cost reductions, developing and enhancing facility teams, and experience with seeing through the completion of construction remodels. Brandon has a Bachelors Degree in Facilities Management from BYU, and a Masters Degree in Project Management from CSU-Global Campus. When not at work, he enjoys watching one of his children’s soccer or basketball events, or trying to fit in some golf or fishing.
Jeff Black
Director of Accounting
Jeff Black serves as Director of Accounting for VOA Utah. He joined VOA in 2015, bringing 16 years of accounting experience to our leadership team. Mr. Black is responsible for overseeing organizational accounting functions, including budget preparation reporting and planning, financial statement preparation, asset management and general ledger management. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Utah State University.
Alysha Sutton
Director of Community Engagement
Alysha Sutton, Director of Community Engagement at VOA Utah, has been dedicated to the nonprofit sector since 2019. With an academic background in Public Relations and Advertising from Weber State University, she is a passionate advocate for female and LGBTQ+ rights. Alysha has been honored with community service awards for her work with the American Cancer Society and the SLC LGBT community, dedicated to fostering unity and uplifting communities.
