Our Staff

Jessica Aronoff is an attorney and a long-time advocate on issues affecting women and youth. Jessica has been involved with Break the Cycle since just after its founding in 1996, starting out as the organization's first volunteer and then joining the staff in 1998. She was appointed Break the Cycle's Executive Director in 2004. Originally from New York City, Jessica received her BA in English from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, and her JD from UCLA School of Law.

Cristina Escobar graduated from Occidental College in 2006, a Phi Beta Kappa member with degrees in English Comparative Literary Studies and Spanish Cultural Studies. Along with garnering academic honors, Cristina worked with youth and women’s organizations both on and off campus. The Communications & Outreach Coordinator for Break the Cycle, Cristina works to foster community involvement in our work through communication, volunteer and fundraising efforts.

As Youth Education Coordinator at Break the Cycle, Susannah Faxon-Mills works on multiple levels to educate young people about domestic and dating violence. Susannah graduated with honors from the University of California-Santa Cruz in 2006 with a BA in Community Studies. Her commitment to young people and their right to stay informed and healthy has guided her academic and professional choices. She organized youth in Chicago, co-created and taught a class on Youth and Sexual Politics at UCSC, and served as a Resident Advisor and instructional assistant in college.

With a lengthy career in domestic and sexual violence issues, Juley Fulcher opened Break the Cycle's Washington, DC Office in 2004. She had spent more than five years as the Public Policy Director for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence where she successfully led a grassroots campaign to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Currently, Juley serves as Board of Directors Chair for the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and teaches at Georgetown University. Originally from South Carolina, Juley received her law degree from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Johns Hopkins University.

Colleen Gallopin began working at Break the Cycle in 2007. As the Policy & Technical Assistance Attorney, Colleen works with local government and schools to create effective policies to address dating violence. Prior to that, she worked as a staff attorney for House of Ruth Maryland, legally representing survivors of domestic violence. Colleen has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Oberlin College and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Giselle Garcia joined Break the Cycle in 2007. As the Advocacy & Resource Coordinator, she develops The Safe Space website, expanding its reach and scope, and responds to help and information requests, ensuring effective and sensitive youth services. She holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of La Verne and a Masters in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Prior to her work at Break the Cycle, Giselle worked as a litigation researcher.

Marjorie Gilberg began working at Break the Cycle in 2004. She has a long-standing commitment to social justice and the nonprofit sector. Since 1997, Marjorie has raised funds for causes ranging from homelessness to the arts to at-risk youth. Originally from Florida, Marjorie received her Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Southern California and attended Emory University School of Law.

Tabitha Joyner began working with Break the Cycle in October of 2007. As the Education & Outreach Coordinator, she educates youth and service providers about teen dating violence, conducts community outreach and provides public education in the Washington, DC area. Tabitha is a long-time advocate of youth and community based services, recently helping launch a statewide bilingual outreach program for the Florida Department of State. Originally from Indiana, Tabitha has traveled extensively and worked in the private, government and nonprofit sectors.

As an attorney, Liza Lorenz has demonstrated commitment to public interest work. Liza became involved with Break the Cycle as a legal intern in 1999 and joined the organization as a full-time staff attorney in 2001. From intern, to staff attorney to director, Liza has held positions of increasing responsibility at Break the Cycle, first in Los Angeles and now nationally. Born and raised in Southern California, Liza received her BA in History and Humanities from Scripps College and her JD from the Program in Public Interest Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law.

Darlene Mowrey began working for Break the Cycle in 2004. Prior to becoming the Controller, she lent her time as a volunteer. In 2003, Darlene left her career as an accountant at a CPA firm and committed herself to working in the nonprofit sector. She served as accountant at MotherNet LA and then Richstone Family Center before joining Break the Cycle. Darlene received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Christibelle Salazar joined Break the Cycle in 2005 and supports the organization’s development and communications efforts with a focus on grants management. She immediately fell in love with the nonprofit sector and has gained experience in both programmatic and administrative aspects of the field since 2001. A San Diego native, Christibelle graduated from University of California, Riverside with a Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology-Administrative Studies.

Chaitra Shenoy joined Break the Cycle in 2008 as the Policy & Technical Assistance Attorney. In 2004, she served as a Break the Cycle legal intern while earning her JD from American University, Washington College of Law. After graduation, Chai worked in the New York City government researching and developing city and state-wide domestic violence policies. Chai earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of California, Los Angeles.

With over 12 years in non-profit management, Rhonda Waller brings experience in strategic planning and evaluation, program design and implementation, coalition building, and fundraising. Rhonda is known for organizing teams to develop innovative, comprehensive and inclusive strategies to insure organizational success. A graduate of Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and Howard University, Rhonda earned a Ph.D. in Psychology with a minor in Program Planning and Evaluation. As Director of Operations, Rhonda ensures the smooth operation of the Washington, DC Office through organizational and fund development, grant management and volunteer recruitment.