Main Staff
Amanda Krier
Executive Director
Amanda Krier was raised in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, graduating from Lake City High School in 2008 before attending North Idaho College on a softball scholarship. She finished her collegiate softball career and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Adelphi University in 2012 and soon after earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven in 2013. When she isn't working, you can find her at one of our local hiking trails, watching her nephew play baseball at Lake City High School, or finding the best glass of wine in town.
Amanda is honored to lead the organization in forging strong partnerships with community stakeholders, fostering innovative prevention strategies, and empowering survivors through comprehensive support services. With a vision of a society where every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered, Amanda is dedicated to advancing Safe Passage's mission and ensuring its services are accessible to all who need them.
Leslie Johnson
Director of Development & Communications,
Helping Donors Give Smarter
Hailing from the picturesque state of Idaho, Leslie proudly stands as a second-generation graduate of Coeur d'Alene High School, drill teaming for the Vikings. Despite a nearly decade-long detour to Southern California, Leslie's heart eventually led her back to the serene lakes and majestic mountains of her Idaho home.
With an impressive track record of two decades in sales, training, and management, Leslie embarked on a transformative 9-year journey in community outreach and social services at The Salvation Army Kroc Center. There, she connected with individuals from diverse backgrounds, honing her passion for making a positive impact in people’s lives and her community.
Presently, Leslie serves as a dedicated steward of donor relationships and a skilled fundraiser for Safe Passage, a role that allows her to align personal passions with the organization's noble purpose—creating a community free from violence. Coeur d'Alene remains the cherished home for Leslie, her husband Ken, and their two daughters. Their lives are enriched daily by the presence of their beloved fluffy companions, one of whom is a rescue, and the other a cherished inheritance from a dear friend.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Leslie finds joy in an active lifestyle, whether it's cycling, waterskiing, rediscovering golf as her daughters grow older, or simply spending quality time with family and friends. Safe Passage holds a special place in Leslie's heart, as she deeply respects the agency for its invaluable contribution to the community, impacting lives and instilling hope in future generations.
Patty Wheeler
Senior Program Director
Patty boasts a remarkable three-decade career as a staunch advocate in the movement against violence against women. Her journey commenced in the trenches, first as a counselor and later as a legal advocate. With a profound commitment to the cause, she dedicated 13 years to directing domestic violence programs at the YWCA in Spokane, leaving an indelible impact.
Currently serving as the Senior Program Director at Safe Passage, Patty brings a wealth of experience to the table. Throughout her tenure, she has overseen pivotal aspects such as shelter management, housing programs, and counseling services. Her influence extends beyond the organization, as she has actively contributed to various boards, including the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and IHFA's Housing Idaho Collaborative.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Patty finds joy and fulfillment in her role as a mother of two and a grandmother to six wonderful grandchildren. Beyond the titles and roles, Patty's enduring dedication to the cause and her multifaceted contributions define her as a trailblazer in the ongoing fight against violence.
Carolyn Krieger
Director of Finance
Scott Coleman
Director of Children's Advocacy Center
Scott served for 12 years as a police officer at an internationally accredited law enforcement agency in Southern California. He held various assignments, including hostage negotiator, field training officer, trauma response officer, and detective. When an injury ended his career in law enforcement, Scott authored a set of trauma-informed safety curricula that is currently utilized by over 100,000 K-12 students across the country. Scott’s background as a law enforcement professional and his expertise in youth trauma led him to his current mission as the Director of the Safe Passage Children’s Advocacy Center in Coeur d'Alene, ID in November 2020. Since that time, Scott has led our SPCAC to achieve full accreditation through the National Children's Alliance.
Board of Directors
Megan Lorincz
President
Megan has been a nurse for nearly 15 years, mostly in the Emergency Department setting. As Manager of the Forensic Nurse Examiner Program at Kootenai, she is expanding the sexual assault nurse program into one to care of all victims of crime that may present to Kootenai Health for care. Her desire to pursue forensic nurse came from the opportunity to sit down with the patient, connect with them, and aid them as they begin their journey to healing, an opportunity you do not get often in Emergency Nursing.Â
Over the years, she has instructed or co-instructed many trainings throughout the Inland Northwest and has been involved in many organizational and community committees. She also works with local prosecution in both Spokane and Kootenai Counties as an expert witness. Â
In her free time, she, and her daughter (17) enjoy spending time at the lake, paddleboarding, and in the winter, skiing. They also enjoy traveling and are working on some pretty big travel goals. As Megan only has 2 states left, she has not visited, her new goal is visiting every national park (21 of 63), while getting her daughter to every state (she is at 26).
Maria McCabe
Secretary
Originally from Pocatello, Idaho, Maria McCabe has always been driven by a commitment to making a difference in her community. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and a Master's in Public Administration, both earned from Idaho State University. Her strong academic foundation laid the groundwork for a career devoted to public service.
Maria began her journey as a bilingual advocate, working directly with survivors of domestic violence immediately after completing her undergraduate studies. Her commitment to helping those in crisis and her ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish allowed her to make a significant impact in the lives of many survivors.
Beyond her work with survivors, Maria has also channeled her passion into the education sector, advocating for first-generation and limited-income students and their access to higher education. She firmly believes that education is a key driver of empowerment and a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of violence.
Currently residing in Coeur d'Alene, Maria continues to serve her community and is committed to Safe Passage.
Sgt. Jordan Ferguson (Retired)
Law Enforcement Liaison/Firearms Technical Assistance Project Coordinator | Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition
Jordan Ferguson has been with the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition since January 2023. Before that, he was the sergeant for the Spokane Police Department Domestic Violence Unit since 2016. He has been with SPD since 1999. Before SPD, he worked as a law enforcement officer with three other agencies. He has been a Field Training Officer, Polygraph Examiner, and Background Investigator. He teaches a nationwide Background Investigations for Law Enforcement class to agencies nationwide. He has also been a guest lecturer at Eastern Washington University and Washington State University. He has provided training to several law enforcement agencies on strangulation training and the lethality assessment program. He has consulted with the Battered Women’s Justice Project, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility on the intersection of Firearms and DV.
He completed a master’s in criminal justice at Washington State University and graduated in the summer of 2018 with an emphasis on neuroscience and how fear affects humans.Â
“My responsibilities in the Domestic Violence Unit were some of the most demanding I have experienced in my 30-year career. They were also the most rewarding."
Averi Hughes
Victim Service Advocate | Coeur d’Alene Police
Meet Averi Hughes, a dedicated professional with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Martin's University. Passionate about justice, Averi currently serves as the Victim Advocate at the City of Coeur d'Alene Police Department, where she brings empathy and support to those affected by crime. Her journey reflects a commitment to making a positive impact in the field of criminal justice.
Randee Rasor
Vice President
Born and raised in central Idaho's McCall, Randee journeyed to North Idaho in 2008 to attend culinary school at North Idaho College. She holds an associate degree in Culinary Arts, Recreation and Hospitality Management and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Lewis and Clark State College.
Over 19 years in the hospitality industry, Randee has donned various hats. Her roles ranged from chef to managing restaurants, event planning, and catering. In 2018, Randee accepted the role of Director of Member Services at The Golf Club at Black Rock. She is driven, enthusiastic, and constantly seeks opportunities for personal growth, striving to lead the best life possible.
Her deep appreciation for the natural beauty of North Idaho is evident in her love for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. These adventures are often shared with her husband David and their two faithful canine companions, Olive and Dexter. Beyond her outdoor pursuits, Randee enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, as well as indulging her culinary passion. Her adaptability, exuberance, and ambitious spirit are not only evident in her professional life but also in her commitment to community involvement.
Nancy Almond
Past President
Award-winning leadership is a central theme of Nancy's wealth management career. Bank Investment Consulting Magazine named her one the country's top program managers twice, once in 2013 and again in 2016! A 150-branch regional bank honored her as its "Leader of the Year" in 2013. She served on a national industry advisory board. She is a recognized speaker and subject matter expert. Nancy is all those things plus one: Home. She is part of a family that traces seven generations in Coeur d'Alene. In addition to her degree from Oregon State University, leadership posts in western Washington added to her breadth of experience. But the communities served by Numerica are particularly close to her heart. As the leader of Numerica's talented financial services team, available through Cetera Investment Services, she is energized to prioritize solutions that help individuals, families, and businesses in the Tri-Cities, Wenatchee, Spokane, and North Idaho.
Bridget Carter-Goodwin
Community Branch Manager | STCU
Bridget has been in the financial industry since 2006, with an emphasis on financial education and community-focused volunteerism. Having grown up in Southwest Washington, Bridget attended Washington State University and ultimately moved to the Coeur d’Alene area in 1996. When not working or volunteering you can find Bridget spending time with her family, traveling or learning something new!
Heather Case
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department
Lisa Vollert
Treasurer
Lisa, born and raised in Eastern Washington on a dairy farm, attended Eastern Washington University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in accounting. With over 20 years of nonprofit accounting experience, Lisa has dedicated her career to serving others.
She has worked extensively in social services and healthcare, where she has made an impact on improving the quality of life for those in need. Currently, Lisa holds the position of Foundation Accountant for Kootenai Health Foundation. Outside of her work, Lisa enjoys spending time in nature, indulging in activities such as gardening, photography, boating, and kayaking in the beautiful North Idaho lakes.
Marvin Sears
Financial Lender | Willamette Valley Bank
Marvin is the father to two amazing children, Greyson & Elle, and a husband to a loving and patient wife, Erin.Â
In a professional capacity, he is a Mortgage Lender with Willamette Valley Bank.
Marvin loves giving back to the community! As someone who witnessed domestic violence in his home as a child, Marvin is inspired by Safe Passage’s mission and continued work in our community. This is the reason that he wanted to serve as a Board Member.
Tyrie Strong
Staff Attorney | Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc.
Tyrie Strong began her professional journey as a Software Engineer at Intel before charting a new course at Gonzaga University School of Law. In 2021, she earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) magna cum laude.
Currently, Tyrie dedicates her legal expertise to supporting survivors of domestic violence in her role as the Family Law Practice Group Lead at Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. in Coeur d’Alene. Her commitment to making a positive impact shines through in her work, where she champions the rights and well-being of those navigating the complexities of family law in the aftermath of domestic violence.