"The most important thing in life is to love what you’re doing, because that’s the only way you'll ever be really good at it."
Ben Harper | President
As a corporate communications consultant, Ben has a decade of experience in steering companies through strategic initiatives and fostering sustainable growth, and his commitment to strong corporate governance and sound business practice supports agency values and enhances organizational integrity. He holds a degree in Economics, Business, and Law from the University of Oregon.
As a corporate communications consultant, Ben has a decade of experience in steering companies through strategic initiatives and fostering sustainable growth, and his commitment to strong corporate governance and sound business practice supports agency values and enhances organizational integrity. He holds a degree in Economics, Business, and Law from the University of Oregon.
Courtney Prothero | Vice President
Courtney Prothero works as a Communication Specialist and Community Schools Manager with the Non-Profit agency TOGETHER! In her role, Courtney serves students and families in Tumwater School District by providing intensive case management and providing resources to remove barriers so students can be successful. Courtney also serves as Executive Board President of 4 The Love Foundation, which is a local nonprofit foundation that aims to fill basic needs and provide support for Thurston County residents. Courtney is passionate about child advocacy work and uses her degree in Organizational Communications to collaborate on ways to reduce harm in this community.
Courtney Prothero works as a Communication Specialist and Community Schools Manager with the Non-Profit agency TOGETHER! In her role, Courtney serves students and families in Tumwater School District by providing intensive case management and providing resources to remove barriers so students can be successful. Courtney also serves as Executive Board President of 4 The Love Foundation, which is a local nonprofit foundation that aims to fill basic needs and provide support for Thurston County residents. Courtney is passionate about child advocacy work and uses her degree in Organizational Communications to collaborate on ways to reduce harm in this community.
Cal Barker | Treasurer
Cal works in outreach and marketing at the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. Previously, he worked in executive management for a nonprofit offering shelter programs, outreach and advocacy, after spending his early career working in investments, specializing in helping families and retirees. With his MBA and Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist (CRPC) designation, Cal brings a wealth of knowledge and over ten years experience in finance and investments.
Cal works in outreach and marketing at the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. Previously, he worked in executive management for a nonprofit offering shelter programs, outreach and advocacy, after spending his early career working in investments, specializing in helping families and retirees. With his MBA and Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist (CRPC) designation, Cal brings a wealth of knowledge and over ten years experience in finance and investments.
Nick Aitoro | Secretary
Nick has nearly three decades of leadership experience in facilities management and tribal gaming, serving as Director of Facilities and Owners Representative for multiple Western Washington Tribes. In these roles, he has overseen operations and major capital projects, including sustainability initiatives and large-scale renovations. He also brings direct experience as a domestic violence and sexual addiction facilitator, grounding his perspective in survivor advocacy and healing. A relational, servant leader, Nick balances operational excellence with human development, rooted in trust, values, and long-term community impact. He is passionate about fostering organizational cultures built on integrity, mentorship, and engagement, aligning closely with SafePlace’s mission to create safe, supportive, and resilient communities.
Nick has nearly three decades of leadership experience in facilities management and tribal gaming, serving as Director of Facilities and Owners Representative for multiple Western Washington Tribes. In these roles, he has overseen operations and major capital projects, including sustainability initiatives and large-scale renovations. He also brings direct experience as a domestic violence and sexual addiction facilitator, grounding his perspective in survivor advocacy and healing. A relational, servant leader, Nick balances operational excellence with human development, rooted in trust, values, and long-term community impact. He is passionate about fostering organizational cultures built on integrity, mentorship, and engagement, aligning closely with SafePlace’s mission to create safe, supportive, and resilient communities.
Lauren Pilnick
Lauren has served around issues of violence and crime victimization for over 20 years in roles with focuses on survivor advocacy, program development and enhancement, and prevention. Her experience spans a variety of sectors including county and federal government, higher education institutions, and community-based nonprofits much like SafePlace. Currently, Lauren serves as Senior Court Program Analyst and Hope Card Program Coordinator with the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Lauren has served around issues of violence and crime victimization for over 20 years in roles with focuses on survivor advocacy, program development and enhancement, and prevention. Her experience spans a variety of sectors including county and federal government, higher education institutions, and community-based nonprofits much like SafePlace. Currently, Lauren serves as Senior Court Program Analyst and Hope Card Program Coordinator with the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Crissy Anderson, J.D.
Crissy is the Equity and Access Program supervisor at the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Crissy has decades of experience in the legal field, as a legal aid attorney specializing in family law and domestic violence, and through policy and programmatic support for the Supreme Court Gender and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges’ Association. Through her work at the Administrative Office of the Courts she provides strategic, legislative, and programmatic support for judicial branch priorities and initiatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law.
Crissy is the Equity and Access Program supervisor at the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Crissy has decades of experience in the legal field, as a legal aid attorney specializing in family law and domestic violence, and through policy and programmatic support for the Supreme Court Gender and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges’ Association. Through her work at the Administrative Office of the Courts she provides strategic, legislative, and programmatic support for judicial branch priorities and initiatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law.
Sam Heck
Sam brings over a decade of experience in Washington State healthcare, with a background in technical and data infrastructure modernization, human-centered design, communications, and digital accessibility. Her work has focused on improving user experience, accessibility compliance, and enterprise data platforms across complex systems, helping ensure equitable access to services and high-quality data insights. In her current role, Sam bridges business and data to support robust, data-driven decision-making. She leads efforts to modernize enterprise data platforms and pipelines, ensuring data is optimized for analytics, policy design, and state and federal reporting. Originally from the Olympia area, she brings deep community roots and a strong commitment to advocacy in support of SafePlace’s mission.
Sam brings over a decade of experience in Washington State healthcare, with a background in technical and data infrastructure modernization, human-centered design, communications, and digital accessibility. Her work has focused on improving user experience, accessibility compliance, and enterprise data platforms across complex systems, helping ensure equitable access to services and high-quality data insights. In her current role, Sam bridges business and data to support robust, data-driven decision-making. She leads efforts to modernize enterprise data platforms and pipelines, ensuring data is optimized for analytics, policy design, and state and federal reporting. Originally from the Olympia area, she brings deep community roots and a strong commitment to advocacy in support of SafePlace’s mission.
