Victims' Voices Heard
Meet Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors, where we share insights, updates, and information about our leadership team and their crucial role in guiding our organization toward success."
Grace Guan
Licenced Attorney
Grace is a licensed attorney specializing in Medicare compliance in the Greater Boston area. She immigrated from China at the age of thirteen and lived in Delaware until 2018. Grace has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Delaware and a Juris Doctor degree from Delaware Law School. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
In 2013, Ms. Guan completed the Severe Violence Dialogue Program, and subsequently, she has actively engaged with Victims’ Voices Heard by participating as a guest speaker for the Impact of Crime on Victims program.
Trish Bachman
Nonprofit professional
Trish Bachman, GPC, is a nonprofit expert who places a strong emphasis on a human-centered approach. She is the proprietor of The Write Stuff Delaware, a grant consulting enterprise that assists small to medium-sized nonprofits. Trish holds the designation of Grant Professional Certified, which has been acknowledged by the Grant Professionals Association. She also serves as an Approved Trainer and played a key role in establishing the Delmarva Chapter. Additionally, Trish is an accomplished author, having contributed peer-reviewed journal articles on the subject of burnout.
Heather Sparrow-Murphy
Delaware Transplant
Heather Sparrow-Murphy is a Delaware transplant of thirteen years. After decades of sales and customer service Heather moved from Virginia Beach and made the decision to stay at home with her newborn and elementary school daughter. During that time she served as a mentor, Girl Scout leader and on a variety of boards. In 2020 she lost her seventeen-year-old daughter to an act of violence. After finally being able to participate in the criminal trial two years later, she came across a website on her own leading her to complete an entry for the Apology Letter Bank. This began her experience with Victims Voices Heard. “Being able to go into prisons and share my story has played such a pivotal role in my healing journey. I am finally being heard. I am passionate about what this program does and I hope I can give it back half of what it has given to me.”
Tara Smith
Interdisciplinary Studies Specialist
Board Secretary
Tara Smith began her journey with Victims’ Voices Heard as an intern in April 2019 and later became a board member in September of the same year.
Hailing from Laurel, Delaware, Tara earned her undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, combining Philosophy and Sociology, from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. She furthered her education with an MA in Liberal Studies from St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD. In May 2020, Tara achieved a second Master’s Degree in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland, where she has continued to hone her skills in mediation, facilitation, and leadership.
Emily Ornelas, CPA
Board Treasurer
Ms. Ornelas is a Certified Public Accountant and was a part of Book and Associates, CPAs, located in Dover, Delaware, since 1991, now Savant Wealth. She holds a Master’s of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and has earned both a Bachelor’s and an Associate’s degree in Accounting. Ms. Ornelas is a member of the Delaware Society of Accountants and the American Institute of Public Accountants (AICPA).
Originally from Texas, Ms. Ornelas made the move to Delaware in 1982. She is actively involved in various community organizations, with a particular commitment to Victims’ Voices Heard Inc., since 2009. While she has supported numerous causes over the years, her primary focus involves gathering donations for the food bank and contributing to programs that aid foster children.
Crystal Heath Stephenson
Clinical Supervisor
Mrs. Stephenson is a Clinical Supervisor whose approach centers on her clients. With over 20+ years of experience in the fields of substance use and human services, Mrs. Stephenson has worked extensively with forensic populations, adults, youth, children, and families. Mrs. Stephenson focuses on areas such as trauma, addictions, and various behavioral health challenges.
Mrs. Stephenson holds a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and a Master of Science degree in Health Services Management from the New School University. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker and a Board-Certified Human Services Practitioner. Mrs. Stephenson is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology with a concentration on Behavioral Health Leadership.
Mrs. Stephenson’s son Edwin was murdered on May 13, 2015 (case unsolved). This profound loss, along with her experience as a survivor serves as the driving force for her dedication to our work and instills in her a deep sense of empathy for others. Through the tragic loss of Edwin, a non-profit organization, Connection F4milies Justice (CF4J) was founded by Mrs. Stephenson to help others who have suffered the loss of a loved one.