About SafeSpace

CEO Jennifer Fox began leading SafeSpace in June 2023. Ms. Fox graduated Magna Cum Laude from Augsburg University with a Masters of Social Work and a Masters of Business Administration. She has extensive experience in developing effectiveness-based program design and evaluations relating to shelter, transitional living facilities, and outreach programs for people experiencing domestic violence, sexual exploitation and homelessness. Her experience also includes strategic planning, community collaboration, complex project management, grant compliance, and developing curriculum for outreach to traumatized and marginalized populations.

Melanie Afanador joined SafeSpace, Inc. in October 2023 and currently serves as the Chief Program Officer.

Since 2007, Melanie Afanador has dedicated her career to driving social change by addressing the need to respond to and prevent domestic violence. She collaborates with survivors and communities to promote safe and equitable relationships.

Melanie is a certified Core Competency Trainer with the Florida Department of Children and Families and has extensive experience providing professional training and workshops to child welfare professionals, community-based agencies, medical practitioners, professional sports teams, and culturally specific audiences through various public media outlets.

In her current role as Chief Program Officer with SafeSpace, Inc., Melanie oversees our direct service programs that include our Outreach community-based intervention and prevention services and our essential residential programs.

Melanie Afanador believes that change is possible and everyone has the right to live safely and free from violence. To achieve a future where individuals, families, and children have a safe home in a safe community, our “SafeSpace” welcomes survivors to be heard, believed, and trusted to progressively lead the change.

Nancy Stern joined the SafeSpace team as Director of Finance in October 2024, bringing 30 years of experience in both profit and non-profit organizations. Originally from Canada, she attended the University of Windsor and has a CMA (Certified Management Accountant) designation and a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation. Nancy has a diverse background which includes senior leadership roles in the fulfillment and distribution industry, manufacturing, and federally funded non-profit organizations. Nancy is excited to make a difference at SafeSpace by sharing her knowledge, experience, and leadership!

Andrea Elrod brings more than 9 years of experience supporting survivors of domestic violence to her role as SafeSpace’s Director of DV Residential Operations. She began her career at the State Attorney’s Office in Leon County as an intern and went on to serve in multiple roles at Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Inc. including Legal Advocate, Economic Empowerment Advocate, and Residential Director. Andrea has extensive experience in court accompaniment, crisis response, financial empowerment programming, and residential shelter operations, and is committed to providing trauma-informed, survivor-centered services across the Treasure Coast.

Sherene Lewis serves as the Director of Human Resources, where she leads the organization’s human resources functions and supports employees throughout every stage of their employment journey. She is a Certified Human Resources Professional (SHRM-CP) and brings several years of human resources experience across both nonprofit and private-sector organizations.

Her approach to human resources is rooted in the belief that those who dedicate their careers to serving and supporting the community deserve to feel supported and valued in the workplace. She is passionate about creating thoughtful, people-centered HR practices and is proud to support our staff who work each day to empower survivors.

Aimee Cooper was born and raised on the Treasure Coast. She serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, where she has been employed since 2018. She earned her Master of Science in Financial Management in 2010 and went on to become both a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner. Her previous work experience includes nonprofit and government auditing at a local CPA firm. She joined the SafeSpace Board in 2020.

Aimee credits her faith in God as her driving force in both her personal and professional life. She identifies her value system as being rooted in perseverance, determination, and a passionate desire to pursue excellence. Having experienced domestic violence firsthand, she is committed to ensuring that resources reach anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation. When she's not managing the finances of the sheriff’s office or serving her community, Aimee enjoys strength training, bowling, and spending time with friends, loved ones, and her spoiled fur baby.

Jessica Malasek is a business executive with more than 30 years of experience in overseeing operations and solving complex business problems. Since 2006, she has served as President and Chief Financial Officer of OnDemand Resources, a 4-time Inc500/5000 innovative provider of project and interim consulting talent in supply chain, procurement and operations globally. She was with Capital One Financial for 5 years before that, where she implemented large, enterprise-wide strategic initiatives including: integrating new businesses, building a cost-conscious culture, and developing/implementing controls and governance. Prior to Capital One, Jessica was a Strategic Planning Manager at Pfizer where she led efforts to reduce the cycle time of new drug registration processes in the Asia and Africa regions. She started her career at Dreyfus Corporation as a member of the municipal bond portfolio management and trading team, with responsibilities for all cash management of long-term bond funds. Jessica relocated to Florida in 2021 from Charlottesville, Virginia where she played an active role in fund raising and event planning for the Shelter for Help in Emergency, as well as the Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia. She is a graduate of Barnard College and holds an MBA degree from the Darden School, University of Virginia. She joined the SafeSpace Board in January, 2022.

Linda Weiksnar has been a Martin County resident since 1994. In 1996 and 2000, Linda ran in the Olympic Torch Relay, fulfillment of a life-long dream. For more than two decades, Linda has been a family lawyer at Crary Buchanan; in her early years at Crary Buchanan, she volunteered with SafeSpace by speaking with its clients about their legal matters. Serving on the Board was a logical next step for Linda. In addition to running a busy law practice, Linda is an active Rotarian and volunteers with other non-profits whose missions speak to her heart. She is an avid fan of the Duke Blue Devils and the Florida Gators; college basketball season is her favorite.

Bryan and his wife Lori moved to the Treasure Coast in 2003 from Seattle. Bryan and his wife Lori have been happily married for over 25 years and have two children. Bryan is the President of both Level 4 Telcom and MicroTech Systems. Bryan possesses a strong background in both VoIP telecommunications and Information Technology.

Bryan founded MicroTech Systems in 2003 on the principle of providing excellent products, services and customer service that is second to none. In 2008, Bryan launched his hosted VoIP telecommunications division, Level 4 Telcom based on these same core principles. Through determination, hard work and of course, a little luck, Bryan has successfully grown his companies to be two of the region’s premier Telecommunications and IT managed services providers.

Bryan has served on many local organizations’ boards of directors over the years. Some of these organizations include the St Lucie Chamber of Commerce, Safe Space of Florida, Inner Truth Project, Port St. Lucie Planning and Zoning Board as well as the Seacoast Bank Community Board. He is also a proud graduate of Leadership St. Lucie Class 24. In his spare time, Bryan enjoys spending time with his family while traveling, boating, and enjoying our wonderful Florida Lifestyle.

Sandee Jo Crocker grew up in Tampa, Florida, and earned her Licensed Practical Nursing certificate from South Florida College, her Registered Nursing degree from Excelsior College, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indian River State College. She has worked in various care situations from long term care for adults, to providing strategic nursing care for intensive dialysis patients. She supports the Volunteers in Medicine clinic in Stuart, Florida where she lives with her husband, James, founder of Hog Technologies and Croc Enterprises.

The Crockers are parents to five adult children and have seven grandchildren.

Sandee Jo enjoys cycling, playing pickle ball and traveling with her husband.

She and James actively support numerous local, national and international charities.

Sharon Dvir has been in the Wealth Management and Private Banking field for nearly 20 years, specializing in servicing the complex needs of highly successful individuals and Privately Held Business Owners. As a Vice President and Senior Private Wealth Advisor at Regions Private Wealth Management, she takes a goal based financial planning approach with a focus on clients’ unique needs related to cash flow, business succession and exit strategies. By reviewing the impact to their legacy, trust and estates, she is able to provide proactive service to challenge, educate, protect and grow clients’ overall financial well-being in order to sustain their current lifestyles, provide for future generations and philanthropic passions.

Sharon relocated to the Treasure Coast from New Jersey in July of 2021 with her daughter and 2 dogs. She is passionate about being an active member of her community. She has a personal connection to the mission of SafeSpace and joined the Board in April 2022. She is an avid runner who enjoys spending time outdoors kayaking, fishing and hiking.

My name is Joseph Petito. I am the father of three beautiful children. I have worked in the corporate world for over 20 years and have learned to become a good leader by never asking anyone to do something I am not willing to do myself. After the tragic death of my daughter, Gabby, I am now the Vice President of the Gabby Petito Foundation. Although new to advocacy I have seen the gaps that need to be filled when it comes to the missing and domestic violence. I am determined and it is my goal to make Gabby proud of the work this foundation will do.

A lifelong Treasure Coast resident, John Schmahl brings a deep connection to the community and a strong commitment to service to the SafeSpace Board of Directors. Born in Martin County and raised in St. Lucie County, John began supporting SafeSpace in 2021, became a committee volunteer in 2023, and joined the board in 2026. John serves on SafeSpace’s Donor Development Committee and supports the organization’s donor relations efforts, helping strengthen the community relationships that sustain its work. His involvement also includes supporting signature fundraising events such as the Amethyst Charity Ball and Tee Fore Two.

A licensed real estate broker with Water Pointe Realty Group in Sewall’s Point, John brings experience in communications, customer service, and operations to his board service. After attending the University of Central Florida, he spent seven years with Apple Inc. in various roles across the United States. He later served as Director of Communications at Mariner Sands Country Club before becoming a REALTOR® in 2021 and earning his Florida Real Estate Broker License in 2024.

John’s community involvement also includes serving as Golf Tournament Chair for the Martin County Realtors® of the Treasure Coast since 2023, helping raise funds for Habitat for Humanity to expand affordable housing opportunities for local families. His wife, Irene Schmahl, serves as Director of Guidance at Lincoln Park Academy in St. Lucie County and have been happily married for 3 years.

I began my career at The National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD, now FINRA) as a financial and regulatory examiner in the New York District Office. At NASD I held successive staff and management positions and ultimately became an Assistant Director in the New York Office, which covered NASD and SEC registered broker/dealers in New York City’s five boroughs, Long Island and New Jersey.

I took a hiatus from NASD to spend time with my family, and returned in 2000 to assist in the opening of the Long Island District Office.

I retired from FINRA in January of 2014 and joined the firm Hagan & Burns CPA’s P.C. as Managing Director, Regulatory Compliance. At Hagan & Burns, I specialized in regulatory, financial and Anti Money Laundering matters. Hagan & Burns merged with JRS Financial Services, LLC in June 2016, where I continued to work until my retirement in January 2023.

I have been married to my husband, Bill, for over 45 years. We have two adult children. Our daughter is a Special Education Teacher in the NYC School District and teaches children (K-5) who experience mild to severe learning disabilities. Our son works for the Massachusetts Commission of Banking in Boston. On weekends, he works at various clubs playing bass guitar with his band.

Bill and I moved to Palm City part time, when Bill retired in 2018. We continue to reside in Palm City October-May and Melville, NY the remainder of the year.

In my spare time, I enjoy painting, golfing and having time to be a gym rat! I also volunteer in my community, teaching English, and have worked with staff and management to run our Lifestyle Center, as well as various other community service activities. I learned about SafeSpace and its importance from a prior SafeSpace Board Member who recruited me to be part of SafeSpace’s Finance Committee in 2023. I have been very proud and humbled to be part of SafeSpace’s important mission.