Leadership

Kathy Bray serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for Volunteers of America, Utah. She is responsible for the overall management, fiscal stability, and strategic direction of the organization. She is a Certified Social Worker with more than twenty-five years of experience in direct client service and administration of homeless and substance abuse related programs. Kathy has also served as the Director of Detoxification Services and Vice President of Programs during her tenure at VOA Utah.

Audrey Rice serves as the Chief Operating Officer which oversees all agency programs, clinic operations, client assessment, group and individual therapy, and student supervision. She brings a depth of knowledge and deep commitment to the Utah population suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues. She has been with VOA Utah since 2001. 

As the Chief Financial Officer, Christa manages Finance, Information Systems, Human Resources and Facilities operations for the agency. She joined VOA in 2018, bringing over 20 years’ experience in executive leadership working with a variety of organizations including nonprofit, healthcare and government organizations. Christa earned her Masters of Business Administration from Westminster College and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Dan Benshoff serves as the Chief Development Officer and is responsible for fundraising, marketing, communications, and community engagement. Before joining VOA Utah, Dan was the Creative Director at ESPN Digital Media for 20 years before moving back west and leading teams in the outdoor industry and digital agencies. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design.

Sue Ativalu serves as the Vice President of Program Operations for VOA, Utah. She is responsible for overseeing the Geraldine E. King Women’s Resource Center, our Homeless Outreach Program and our detoxification and withdrawal management programs; VOA Detox for men and The Center for Women and Children. She has worked for VOA, Utah since 2008, serving as a Staff Coordinator, Case Manager, Program Director for the Detoxification Center, as well the Program Director for the Homeless Youth Resource Center and most recently as the Division Director of Adult Homeless Services. She received her Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Utah in 2015 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Erin serves as Vice President of Human Resources. She is primarily responsible for employment, benefits, employee relations, and training. Erin earned her Master degree in Human Resource Management (MHRM) from the University of Utah. She also holds her Certification in Professional Human Resource (PHR). Erin has worked for Volunteers of America since 2007.

Jaime Klemz has worked directly with individuals experiencing substance use disorders, homelessness, and mental health conditions since she joined VOA Utah in 2009. Her role includes implementing a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model, first in outpatient services, and then creating clinical pathways to benefit our clients in every division. She previously served as Division Director of Intensive Behavioral Services overseeing the Assertive Community Treatment team, Intensive Case Management services, and the Denver Street Apartment services, and as Division Director of Treatment Services overseeing outpatient behavioral health treatment at Cornerstone Counseling Center. She earned her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Westminster College. Outside of work, Jaime is passionate about backcountry snowboarding, hiking, and playing soccer.

Amanda Christensen oversees the Geraldine E. King Women’s Resource Center and the Homeless Outreach Program for VOA Utah. Amanda has worked directly with individuals experiencing substance use disorders, homelessness, and mental health conditions since she joined VOA Utah in 2008. Since joining the agency she has served as Recovery Assistant, Youth Advocate, Staff Coordinator, Therapist for the Assertive Community Outreach Team, and most recently as the Director of the Homeless Outreach Program. She received her Masters of Science degree in Social Work from University of Utah in 2016 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. When she is away from the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors with family, friends, and her dog.

Marie Jackson, LCSW, oversees VOA Utah's operations at Cornerstone Counseling Center and Family Counseling Center. She also works alongside Jaime Klemz managing our outpatient services. Marie previously served as Clinical Director of Treatment Services.

Dani (she/her) oversees the Youth Resource Center, Prevention Programing, and our YESS Program. Dani has been working with individuals experiencing homelessness for over four years in various positions including case management, street outreach, and with shelters. She has experience working as a Wilderness Therapy Field Guide and as a therapist providing services to college students at the University of Utah. She has a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from James Madison University and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. Dani works through a feminist-multicultural lens to provide trauma-informed and housing-first services to anyone accessing our programs. In her free time, she likes to ride bikes, engage in community organizing, play in the desert, and hang out with her dog, Noodle, and her cat, Seven.

Susan Pinegar, LCSW, oversees VOA Utah's ACT teams, Denver Street apartments, and our Theodora group home. She brings a wealth of clinical and administrative experience, having managed our ACT 2 team since its beginning in 2019.

Jeff Black serves as Director of Accounting for VOA Utah. He joined VOA in 2015, bringing 16 years of accounting experience to our leadership team. Mr. Black is responsible for overseeing organizational accounting functions, including budget preparation reporting and planning, financial statement preparation, asset management and general ledger management. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Utah State University.

Robin started at VOAUT in 2019. She received her bachelors in economics from the University of Utah before joining the agency as the Data Specialist for the Geraldine E. King Women’s Resource Center. She moved over to the admin team as the Data and Outcomes Manager. As Director of Program Evaluations and Outcomes she continues to be an integral part of the agency’s data processes and reporting as well as being the program evaluator for Certificated Community Behavioral Health Clinic grant. She represents the agency on the Utah Homeless Management Information (UHMIS) Steering Committee as a voting member. She also Chairs VOAUT’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Robin is passionate about using data driven solutions to ending homelessness. When Robin is not working she is spending time with her Pomeranian, Jelly Bean.

Brandon as the Director of Facilities has over 18 years of experience in Facilities Management, with much of that experience at healthcare facilities. His focus in facilities management include facility cost reductions, developing and enhancing facility teams, and experience with seeing through the completion of construction remodels. Brandon has a Bachelors Degree in Facilities Management from BYU, and a Masters Degree in Project Management from CSU-Global Campus. When not at work, he enjoys watching one of his children’s soccer or basketball events, or trying to fit in some golf or fishing.

Blair Hodges joined VOA Utah as director of marketing and communications in 2021. He earned a bachelor's degree in mass communication from the University of Utah and a master's degree in religious studies from Georgetown University. He brings eight years of professional public communications experience to his role at VOA Utah. Hodges is also the founder of Jazz Fans Against Racism—an independent fan collective advocating for racial equity and understanding in Utah. He also hosts a podcast called Fireside with Blair Hodges, interviewing scholars, activists, and writers about religion and culture. 

Michelle oversees our Community Engagement Program. She has worked directly with youth and women who are experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental health conditions since she joined VOA Utah in 2016. She has served previously as a Youth Advocate, Volunteer Coordinator, Community Engagement Manager, and most recently as the Director of Community Engagement. She has worked tirelessly to build healthy community relationships while educating our community about volunteer services and essential needs of the population we serve. When she is away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her family in Salt Lake City and traveling to California and Ohio to visit her children and grandchildren.