Meet the Team

Executive Director

Brenda Maddox

MSN/ED, SANE-A

Brenda Maddox has been a driving force behind the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center. As founding Program Director, she built and launched the Center’s clinical program, establishing a strong foundation of trauma-informed care, and later transitioned to Executive Director, leading its strategic growth and community partnerships over the past seven years. With a background in nursing, education, and healthcare administration, Brenda has guided the Center’s expansion and strengthened its role as a vital resource in West Alabama. Over the next year and a half, she will thoughtfully transition leadership to Melissa Hanks as she begins to slow down and spend more time with family.

Brenda@tuscaloosasafecenter.com

Associate Executive Director

Melissa Hanks

MSN, RN, SANE-A

Melissa recently assumed the role of Associate Executive Director while continuing to serve as Program Director at the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center. A nurse by training, she brings 12 years of experience, including time on a medical-surgical unit and 5.5 years in the Emergency Department.

Melissa joined the SAFE Center in the summer of 2019—just nine months after it opened—starting as an on-call Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Since then, she has steadily advanced within the organization.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband, twin boys, and their friendly Great Dane.

Melissa@tuscaloosasafecenter.com

Sexual Assault Therapist & Advocate Coordinator

Shannon Swatloski

LICSW, CTP

Shannon earned her Master’s in Social Work from Arizona State University in 2005 and has been working in the field ever since. She joined the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center in 2022 as a full-time therapist. In 2024, she became a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and plans to continue offering individual and group therapy at TSC for the foreseeable future.

Outside of work, Shannon enjoys spending time with her many pets, unintentionally killing houseplants, and relaxing with friends.

Shannon@tuscaloosasafecenter.com

Outreach & Education Coordinator

Sara Morace

BSW

Sara graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama with her Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2025. She is currently continuing her academic journey as a graduate student studying social work with a concentration in mental health and substance use. Passionate about supporting survivors of sexual assault, she hopes to continue this work long term and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves. Outside of work and school, Sara enjoys unwinding with yoga, binge-watching her favorite TV shows, and diving into anything crafty she can get her hands on.

Sara@tuscaloosasafecenter.com

Clinical Coordinator

Angela Trimm

RN, SANE-A

Angela has been a nurse since 1991. She has an Associates Degree in Nursing and a BS in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on forensic. She was trained as a forensic nurse in 2021 at The Tuscaloosa SAFE Center and later obtained her certification as a SANE-A. In 2024 she left the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center and later became the Clinical Coordinator at the Crisis Center in Birmingham. This year she was Given the opportunity to return back to the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center as the Clinical Coordinator and was so happy to return. She hopes to finish her MSN in Nursing Education specializing in Forensics. She is a strong believer in holistic patient care.

Angie@tuscaloosasafecenter.com

Full Time clinical SANE

Samantha Giambalvo

MSN, RN, SANE-A

Samantha Giambalvo began her nursing career in 2007, with experience ranging from oncology and hospice to pediatric emergencies—essentially, if it’s high-intensity, she’s been there. Today, she serves as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, blending clinical expertise with deep compassion and advocacy.

She’s also a mom of seven (yes, seven) and married to her longtime partner-in-chaos, Josh—making her a seasoned pro in multitasking, crisis management, and snack distribution. After living all over the country, Samantha has happily settled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she continues the hard, meaningful work of showing up for people when they need it most.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs)

At the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center, our SANE's are specially-trained, registered nurses who work with sexual assault patients to begin the healing process from the moment they step into the center.

Aisha Guy

MSN, RN, SANE

Alexus Edwards

MSN, RN, SANE-A

Amber Strickland

BSN, RN, SANE

Alexus Edwards began her nursing career in a trauma-surgical ICU and started working part-time as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) in October 2022. At home, Alexus lives with her two cats, Frank and Tootsie, who keep her on her toes—and motivated to keep the food bowls full.

Amber began her nursing career working in the emergency department and joined the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center in May 2024 as a part-time Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her family.

Britnee White

BSN, RN, SANE

Britnee White began her nursing career in 2021working as a RN at DCH on the post procedure cardiac unit after graduating with her ADN from Shelton State. In 2023, she began working at Hope Pointe Crisis Center as a RN assisting those dealing with substance abuse and mental illness. Currently, she is back at DCH working as a RN on the cardiac prep and discharge unit in the Cath Lab and has since gone back to school to earn her BSN from The University of Alabama.

Darby Wheat

RN, SANE

Darby Wheat began her nursing career in the Surgical ICU and started working part-time as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) in August 2022. She enjoys traveling and spending time with friends. Darby lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with her cat, Kitty, and her dog, Moose.

Dee Cole

BSN, RNC-OB, SANE

Dee Cole began her nursing career in obstetrics in 1990 and has worked across a range of specialties, including labor and delivery, high-risk antepartum, postpartum, gynecology, and hospice care. She joined the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center as a part-time Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) in January 2023. Dee is married and has two adult daughters.

Emma Baldwin

BSN, RN, CCM, SANE

Emma is a graduate student in public health and currently works as a clinical liaison in healthcare. She joined the SAFE Center in 2023 and took a brief hiatus after the birth of her fifth child. Her areas of focus include environmental health, trauma-informed care, and the intersection of policy and population well-being. With a background in nursing, Emma brings both professional expertise and a strong personal commitment to advocacy and equity.

Advocates

Abby Galatro

Amanda Phillips

Dallas Lampkins

Elizabeth Weiss

Emery Lee

Grace Shaughnessy

Hallie Chojnacki

Hannah Valette

Jaycee Esters

Karsen Mumm

Kate Raborn

Lee Burnett

Lexi Alcott

Lucy Rumbley

Mae Hudson

Megan Copeland

Meg Hoggle

Nick Nobile

Riley McGrath

Sophia Disimone

Sophia Haley

Teagan Freeman

Victoria Del Cid

Board of Directors

Andy Hamlin

Brandi Lester

Byron Thetford

Chad Tindol

Terri Tompkins

(President)

Ray Hayes

(Past President)

Carl Jamison

(Vice President)

Jonathan Koh

(Secretary/Treasurer)

Dawn Alexander

James Dodds

Julie Aldridge

Karen Jones

Karen Thompson-Jackson

Nikki Calloway

Rodney Clark

Steven Hood

Tammy Farmer