Leadership & Governance
Leadership Committed to Youth Safety
For more than four decades, National Safe Place (NSP) has worked to ensure young people have someplace to go and someone to help. Guided by experienced leaders and governed by dedicated volunteers, the organization brings together expertise in youth services, crisis response, prevention, nonprofit leadership, training and technical assistance, organizational capacity building, public safety, and community partnerships.
Together, our leadership, Board of Directors, National Advisory Board, and staff provide strategic direction, responsible stewardship, and a shared commitment to strengthening the systems, organizations, and communities that support young people across the country.
Leadership Committed to Youth Safety
NSP is led by an experienced executive team dedicated to advancing youth safety through innovation, collaboration, and organizational excellence.
Under the leadership of Laurie Padilla, President and Chief Executive Officer, NSP has expanded its national impact by strengthening Safe Place®, growing TXT 4 HELP™, advancing professional learning through The Community™, and leading national prevention initiatives such as Operation Angel Summit. With more than three decades of experience serving runaway and homeless youth and strengthening youth-serving organizations, Laurie provides strategic leadership that ensures National Safe Place remains responsive to emerging needs while advancing its mission to keep young people safe.
Executive Leadership
NSP’s executive team provides vision, operational excellence, and national coordination to ensure Safe Place remains a trusted, accessible pathway to safety for youth in crisis.
Laurie Padilla
President and Chief Executive Officer
Laurie Padilla serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of NSP. With more than 37 years of experience in the youth services field and extensive national leadership experience, Laurie leads the organization's strategic vision, programs, partnerships, and operations. Her expertise spans direct service, program development, organizational leadership, organizational capacity building, financial management, federal grant administration, training and technical assistance, and national policy engagement.
Under Laurie's leadership, NSP continues to strengthen the national response for youth in crisis by expanding access to safety and support, advancing prevention initiatives, strengthening youth-serving organizations, and building strategic partnerships that improve outcomes for young people nationwide.
Board of Directors
NSP's Board of Directors provides governance, strategic direction, fiscal oversight, and accountability for the organization. Board members contribute diverse experience across youth services, nonprofit leadership, business, philanthropy, public safety, education, finance, communications, and community engagement.
Working in partnership with executive leadership, the Board helps ensure NSP remains financially strong, mission-focused, and well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of young people and the organizations that serve them.
Doug Butcher
Board Chair
Senior Vice President
CBRE
James Wallace
Board Vise Chair
Senior Principal, Chief of Staff
Discover Financial Services
Julia Richardson
Board Tresurer
Government Relations Advisor
King & Spalding
Gayle Watts
Board Secretary
Community Volunteer
Former CEO
Children's Aid Society
Lisa Butcher
Senior Vice President, Commercial
Real Estate Lending Division
Republic Bank
April Christina Curley
Engagement and Partnerships Manager
Last Mile Education Fund
Sammy Davis
Vice President of Safety and Security
Papa Johns International
Joli Guenther
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Executive Director
Wisconsin Assn. for Homeless and Runaway Services
Curtis Joe
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Executive Director
Sea Haven for Youth
Jeff Lenard
Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives
National Assn. of Convenience Stores
Brian Mallory
Board Chair Elect
Consultant
GE Appliances
Rick Nord
Regional Security Specialist
Special Assistant, SVU
United States Secret Service
Lauren Sherry
Community Relations Manager
QuikTrip Corporation
Michelle Tutunjian
Community Volunteer
Our Staff
NSP's multidisciplinary team brings extensive experience in youth services, crisis response, prevention, training and technical assistance, organizational capacity building, public awareness, evaluation, nonprofit management, and community partnerships.
Together, our staff supports young people, strengthens organizations, advances prevention, and builds safer communities through Safe Place®, TXT 4 HELP™, The Community™, Operation Angel Summit, and other national initiatives.
Whether responding to a young person in crisis, developing new resources, delivering professional learning, supporting local partners, or building national collaborations, our team is committed to ensuring every young person has access to safety, support, and hope.
Advisory Board
NSP's National Advisory Board brings together youth-serving professionals, community partners, licensed Safe Place representatives, young adults, and subject matter experts from across the country. Advisory Board members provide strategic insight that helps shape National Safe Place's programs, resources, trainings, prevention initiatives, and organizational priorities.
Working alongside Advisory Board members and partner organizations, NSP collaborates with youth and young adults, including those with lived experience, to help inform resources, trainings, and national initiatives. By integrating youth and young adult perspectives alongside professional expertise, we strengthen professional practice, identify emerging trends, and ensure our work remains responsive to the evolving needs of young people, the organizations that serve them, and the communities in which they live.
Joli Guenther
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Wisconsin Association of Runaway and Homeless Youth Services
Curtis Joe
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Sea Haven, Inc.
John Andoh
El Paso Transit Authority
Halla Banafa
Pendleton Place
Promod Bishnoi
Mountain Comprehensive Care Center
Judith Clark
Community Volunteer
Valerie Douglas
The Center for Youth
Sydney Foster
Immerse Arkansas
Misty Gattie-Blanco
Fresno EOC
Arash Ghafoori
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth
Melinda Giovengo
Victory Programs
Mahoganey Smart
ACH Services
Kelsey Mosley
Haven House Services
David Mount
Seton Youth Shelters
Brigitt Nasby
Indiana Youth Services Association
Chelsea Parker
Safe Harbor Children's Center
Elizabeth Sanchez
Prevail
Jamie Snyder
Our Family Services
Melanie Soldevilla
CDS Family and Behavioral Services
Erin Strohbehn
Youth in Need
Soutdaly Sysavath
Wichita Children's Home
Bryan Thompson
Cocoon House
Michelle Tutunjian
Community Volunteer
David Vance
Community Volunteer
Lyric Wardlow
Ending Community Homelessness Texas
Accountability & Stewardship
National Safe Place is committed to transparency, responsible stewardship, and organizational excellence. Strong governance, sound financial management, quality assurance, and continuous improvement help ensure our programs and initiatives remain effective, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of young people and the organizations that serve them.
Our commitment to accountability includes:
- Independent annual financial audits
- Strong fiscal oversight and internal controls
- Board governance and strategic planning
- Continuous quality improvement and program evaluation
- National standards and quality assurance practices
- Strong partnerships with communities, licensed agencies, businesses, government agencies, and youth-serving organizations
By investing in strong leadership, responsible stewardship, and meaningful partnerships, National Safe Place strengthens the national network of organizations and professionals working together to keep young people safe.
Together, We Lead with Purpose
Across our Board of Directors, National Advisory Board, staff, and partners, we share a common purpose: ensuring every young person has someplace to go and someone to help.
Through strong governance, strategic leadership, trusted partnerships, and a commitment to continuous improvement, National Safe Place strengthens the youth-serving field, advances prevention, builds organizational capacity, and improves outcomes for young people nationwide.
For Youth... Someplace To Go. Someone To Help.
