Teresa Cal (she/her) joined Columbia Health Sexual Violence Response in February 2025. As Prevention Coordinator, she oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of violence prevention training and education. She contributes to strategic planning and goal-setting for prevention programs and collaborates with colleagues to implement strategies addressing sexual, gender-based, and intimate partner violence.
Teresa has nearly ten years of experience in sexual misconduct prevention and response as well as creating equitable communities. Prior to joining Columbia Health, Teresa worked in several roles at Pratt Institute, RAINN, and The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Teresa has two rescue rabbits and has eaten almost every Oreo flavor ever released.
Education
- B.A., Human Services and Social Justice from George Washington University
- M.A., Nonprofit Management, Johns Hopkins University
- M.S.W., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Published Articles
- Children's Pathways into Commercial Sexual Exploitation in the United States: A Systematic Review
Madeleine (she/her) joined Columbia Health in 2025. In this role, Madeleine provides trauma-informed care, services, and advocacy to survivors of gender- and power-based violence on campus. This includes direct crisis intervention and counseling, advocacy and support services, referrals and resource linkages, and on-call support through the SVR Helpline. She provides support at the CUIMC, Morningside, and Barnard campuses.
Madeleine has experience working with survivors of interpersonal violence, with a focus on sexual and domestic violence. Previously, she was the Program Coordinator and Sexual Violence Advocate at a county-based rape crisis center in New Jersey and also interned at the Rutgers University Office of Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance during graduate school.
Outside of work, she loves running, reading, crossword puzzles, tennis, college basketball, cooking, and sewing.
Professional Experience
- Program Coordinator and Sexual Violence Advocate at a county-based rape crisis center in New Jersey
- Intern, Rutgers University Office of Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance
Education
- B.A., Social Work, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
- M.S.W., Rutgers University School of Social Work
Certifications and Licensure
- New Jersey Licensed Social Worker
- New Jersey Certified School Social Worker
- Confidential Sexual Violence Advocate
Lucy Bullock (she/her) joined Columbia Health in August 2025. She provides survivor advocacy support services and prevention education efforts as part of Sexual Violence Response. She manages and facilitates compliance-based training, outreach, as well as other prevention and education initiatives in accordance with New York State's Enough is Enough legislation. She also provides confidential, trauma-informed crisis intervention, survivor-focused services, and resources to survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and harassment.
Lucy has eight years of experience working in the field of gender and power-based violence, with roles in higher education, nonprofit, and government settings. Prior to Columbia, she managed UNC Charlotte’s Green Dot bystander intervention program, coordinating a team of volunteer trainers and leading workshops for students, faculty, and staff. Earlier in her career, she served as a survivor advocate, specializing in crisis response, economic empowerment, and housing assistance.
In her free time, you can usually find Lucy hanging with her two cats, Cleo and Polly, diving into a good book, checking out new restaurants, or hopping on a plane to visit friends and family scattered across the globe.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and French & Francophone Studies
Certifications and Licensure
- Penn Resilience Program Instructor
- Mental Health First Aid
- Green Dot Training College Curriculum Instructor
La’Shawn Rivera has led Columbia University's Sexual Violence Response & Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center (SVR) since August 2013. La’Shawn supervises all direct services and prevention-based staff members, oversees all SVR campus-wide events and initiatives, and acts as a liaison to the Columbia campus and the New York City community through her participation in multiple taskforce initiatives and community collaborative committees. She leads a team of 10 full-time staff members as well as peer advocates, volunteers, and casual staff dedicated to the eradication of sexual and gender-based violence.
Prior to joining the team at Columbia University, La’Shawn was the Assistant Coordinator at the University of Central Florida Police Department’s Victim Services Program for 6 years. Her work there focused on providing direct services to survivors and co-survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, elder abuse, and homicide. During this time, she also coordinated sexual violence prevention education programs on-campus and in the community, supervised and trained full-time Victim Advocates, and managed the volunteer program. During that time, she also served on committees implementing statewide violence prevention initiatives like Talk About It! and Coaching Boys Into Men.
She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Bethune-Cookman University and received her M.A. in Applied Sociology with a concentration in Domestic Violence from the University of Central Florida.
Professional Experience:
- University of Central Florida Public Safety and Police, Victim Services
Education:
- M.A., Applied Sociology, Domestic Violence Concentration, University of Central Florida
- B.S., Psychology, Bethune Cookman University
Kaila Eckstein (she/her) joined Sexual Violence Response in May 2022 and serves as a Prevention Coordinator. Prior to joining Columbia University, Kaila worked with Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts in supporting and organizing the work of volunteers. Kaila is trained as a community organizer and spent over a year working with the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence as their inaugural community organizer.
Kaila studied Public Policy and Political Science with a minor in Social and Economic Justice. Kaila’s love for the field of sexual and interpersonal violence prevention began when she worked as a peer educator and served as co-chair of One ACT at UNC-Chapel Hill, a student-led organization providing training in active bystander prevention of sexual and interpersonal violence. While a student at Chapel Hill she trained as a Delta Advocate, an organization creating peer resources and support for people in Greek Life.
When she’s not being inspired by the work of the students she supports, Kaila enjoys exploring New York, working with embroidery, and buying books she’ll probably never get around to reading.
Professional Experience
- Volunteer Program Coordinator, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts
- Community Organizer, Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence
- Community Organizer, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action
- Peer Educator, UNC-Chapel Hill One ACT
Education
- B.A., Public Policy and Political Science, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Certifications and Licensure
- Jewish Organizing Fellow, Jewish Organizing Institute and Network
Jennifer Lee (she/her) joined Columbia Health Sexual Violence Response as Director of Direct Services in October 2025. In this role, she supervises a team of professionals specialized in providing advocacy, trauma-informed crisis response, and overall case management to students affected by sexual, intimate partner, gender, and power-based violence. She provides training, outreach, community education, and systems-level advocacy, contributing to campus-wide sexual violence initiatives. Jennifer also collaborates with the Senior Executive Director to provide strategic leadership and manage efforts to evaluate and refine Direct Services infrastructure to ensure the delivery of comprehensive trauma-informed survivor services.
Jennifer is a social worker focused on providing trauma-informed care and strengthening gender-based violence prevention and response and child protection systems globally. Prior to Columbia Health, she worked with the International Rescue Committee on gender-based violence and child protection initiatives in Lebanon, Iraq, Myanmar, Niger, Yemen, Mexico, South Sudan, Poland, and Ukraine. She also worked as a Trauma Therapist, most recently with the Safe Horizon Counseling Center, providing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, and Trauma-Focused Psychotherapy to child and adult survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and other crimes.
When Jennifer is not in the office, she loves to cook, watch films, explore cities, and art exhibits. She is also an avid runner, hiker, and biker.
Education
- B.A., International Literary and Visual Studies, Tufts University
- M.Ed., Harvard University
- M.S.W., Columbia University
Certifications and Licensure
- Licensed Master Social Worker
- Seminar in Field Instruction Certified
Golden Brooks (she/her) joined Sexual Violence Response in January 2023 and serves as a Survivor Advocate, providing support and case management through an empathetic, anti-racist, intersectional lens by committing to effective and practical crisis intervention, immediate aid, options, referrals, resources, psychoeducation, advocacy, and support services to primary and secondary survivors of gender- and power-based violence.
Golden began her career in Social Work by interacting with New York City’s Child Welfare system through internships at foster care agencies such as Children’s Aid Society and The New York Foundling. After completing her undergraduate degree, she worked at the Pride Center of Staten Island as a Trans and Gender-Expansive Caseworker. This is where her advocacy work began. Golden fought and advocated for accessible resources for queer people—specifically Trans and Gender-Expansive (TGE) youth. As she embraced the work, she became one of the identified point people for TGE youth on Staten Island. Upon graduating with her master's degree, she stepped into a more clinical role as the Trans and Gender-Expansive Specialist & Counseling Program Coordinator but still maintained her pledge to social justice advocacy within their mental health program.
Professional Experience
- Trans and Gender-Expansive Caseworker
- Trans and Gender-Expansive Specialist & Counseling Program Coordinator
Education
- B.S.W. in Social Work specializing in Child Welfare, Minor in Women & Gender Studies with a concentration in Sexualities, Hunter College
- M.S.W. in Social Work (Clinical Practice with Families, Individuals, and Groups), Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work
Awards and Honors
- Dean's List
Languages Spoken
- English
Emiliano (he/they) joined Columbia Health in 2026. As an Intake Specialist, Emiliano serves as the initial point of contact for outreach and support for student survivors: triaging incoming calls and drop-ins, assessing urgent needs, and facilitating timely scheduling of survivor visits. He also conducts thorough intake assessments and crisis interviews, coordinates with medical and social services, and works in collaboration with the entire SVR staff to ensure services and support are provided in a timely and efficient manner.
Prior to joining Columbia Health, Emiliano was a CARES Responder at Barnard College and an Isolation Runner for Barnard's Pandemic Response Team when it was active. He has also been an afterschool art teacher for students K-12.
Outside of work, Emiliano loves stone/clay sculpture and watercolor painting. They are both hobbies and forms of self-care for him.
Education:
B.S., Applied Science, Fashion Institute of Technology
Debjani Roy is the Director of Training and Prevention at Sexual Violence Response. She designs and executes strategic community-responsive prevention and education programs and initiatives for Columbia students and affiliates. Debjani serves as the creative architect for the design and development of Training, Prevention, and Educational programs, including designing curriculum, facilitating trainings to diverse audiences, and supporting trauma-informed and violence prevention programming based in social justice and the theoretical framework that informs SVR’s work. She oversees the Training and Prevention team and the development, implementation, and evaluation of sexual, gender-based, and power-based violence for primary, secondary, and tertiary training and prevention educational activities.
She has been a thought leader and an advocate for gender equality and justice for over twenty years. Most recently, Debjani was the Training Director at Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) and prior to this was the Deputy Director of anti-harassment organization, Hollaback!, where she managed operations, led key initiatives on leadership development and bystander intervention, and contributed to the culture shifts around the issue of street harassment. At Hollaback!, she also co-founded HeartMob, an online platform providing support to victims of online harassment. She has additionally led key culturally specific initiatives as the Program and Development Manager at Manavi, the first organization working to end violence against South Asian women in the United States.
She has expertise in program creation and management, direct service provision, development, training and technical assistance, curriculum development, communications, research, and policy advocacy on issues including domestic violence, street harassment, sexual violence, forced marriage, ‘honor’ based violence, commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking, widows’ rights, and hate violence across the lines of identity.
Debjani’s work and commentary has been featured in several media outlets, including The New York Times, BBC World News, Fox News, The Guardian, NPR, Huffington Post, and Salon.
Her academic publications include South Asian Battered Women’s Use of Force against Intimate Male Partners in the Violence Against Women Sage Journal and a first ever publication: An Introduction to Forced Marriage in the South Asian Community in the United States, published under Manavi and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. She is an alumni of the Progressive Women’s Voices Class at the Women’s Media Center and is a SheSource expert.
Education
- B.S., Marketing, with a minor in Gender Studies, NYU Stern School of Business
- M.A., Cultural Studies with a focus on Gender Theory, University of London, Goldsmiths
- Certificate, Understanding Women's Human Rights, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Certifications and Licensure
- Leadership That Works, Certified Community Coach (2018)
- Certificate in the Art of Leadership, Rockwood Leadership Academy (2016)
- Certificate in Facilitation, Training for Change (2015)
- Domestic Violence Response Team 40-hr Training, Women Aware (2009)
- Counseling &Therapeutic Interventions for Working with Women Survivors of Violence Certificate, London Open College Network (2007)
- Understanding Women’s Human Rights Certificate, London School of Economics (2006)
Dallanara (she/her) is a Survivor Advocate with Sexual Violence Response (SVR). Dallanara provides crisis intervention, accompaniment, emotional support, safety planning, and the exploration of survivors' rights and resources, primarily through the 24/7 helpline. She assists survivors presenting issues of sexual violence, gender-based violence, stalking, and other forms of power-based violence. Dallanara works across Columbia Health and the various divisions and schools at the university to coordinate service provision for student survivors and help survivors navigate the on- and off-campus resources and systems aimed at supporting their needs.
Dallanara joined the SVR team as an Intake Specialist, who, as their first point of contact, facilitated outreach, crisis assistance, support, and advocacy for student survivors in need.
Dallanara moved to New York at the early age of 5 from her native country, Colombia, and was raised in Astoria, Queens. She's always had a passion for psychology and understanding human behavior. Dallanara aspires to always lend a helping hand to those in need as society continues to fight the stigma around mental health. She enjoys multiple activities, depending on the season. She most enjoys snowboarding, hiking, swimming, and exploring. Most of all, she spends her quality time with loved ones such as family and friends.
Professional Experience
- Immunization Compliance – Student Support Specialist
- GW Services of NY – Office Manager
- Peer Advisor Academy (LGCC) - Peer Leader/ Peer Advisor
Education
- LaGuardia Community College
- Hunter College
Certifications and Licensure
- Mental First Aid USA
Awards and Honors
- Dean's List
Languages Spoken
- English
- Spanish
Cynthia Alardo (she/her/ella) joined the Sexual Violence Response (SVR) department at Columbia Health in January 2025. In her role as a Survivor Advocate, and Rape Crisis Counselor certified through the New York State Department of Health, Cynthia delivers objective, empathic, evidence-based, and culturally competent interventions to support survivors, co-survivors, and bystanders of power- and gender-based violence. She helps individuals access information, resources, and advocacy aligned with their self-identified goals. Cynthia is a member of the 24/7 crisis response team and regularly supports crisis response, accompaniments, and referrals as relevant.
Prior to joining Columbia Health, Cynthia served as a Senior Mental Health Counselor with the Center for Justice Innovation, where she supported justice-involved individuals through programming rooted in restorative justice principles and violence prevention. Concurrently, she worked at the Bronx Family Justice Center, connecting survivors and their loved ones to emotional, physical, and psychosocial support, as well as housing, legal, and case management services as relevant.
Cynthia also brings over a decade of experience in creative arts leadership and community-based engagement through her long-standing involvement in non-profit and faith-based community spaces. In these roles, she supported individuals and families through periods of crisis, facilitated healing-centered programming, and led outreach efforts focused on connection, resilience, and collective care. This background informs her holistic, strengths-based approach and commitment to creating spaces where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Cynthia aims to leverage her interdisciplinary and creative expertise to advance Columbia Health’s mission and vision by supporting trauma survivors and their peers through informed, compassionate, and effective responses.
Fun fact: Cynthia has two cats named Daisy and Gatsby, inspired by the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Professional Experience
- Senior Mental Health Counselor, Alternatives to Incarceration Programming - Center for Justice Innovation
- Frontline Resource Navigator - Bronx Family Justice Center
- Creative Arts & Community Leadership Facilitator – Iglesia Padre Hijo y Espíritu Santo Church
Education
- B.A., Psychology, minors in Sociology and Music - Hunter College (CUNY)
- M.A., Forensic Mental Health Counseling - John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)
Certifications and Licensure
- Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit (LP-MHC)
- Rape Crisis Counselor Certification - New York State Department of Health
- NYS Adult Mental Health First Aid - National Council for Mental Wellbeing
- Motivational Interviewing
- Mindfulness and Modification Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- CPR
Awards and Honors
- Preventing and Managing PTSD Certificate - Academy for Community Behavioral Health
- Responding to Emotional/Behavioral Emergencies in Foster Care Certificate - New York Foundling Fontana Center for Child Protection
Languages Spoken
- English
- Spanish
Christine Janick is the Temporary Training and Onboarding Coordinator for the Sexual Violence Response (SVR) team. Prior to that, she was the Associate Director, Direct Services at SVR. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has been an advocate for Survivors of Crime for over twenty years.
Christine’s previous position began in 2014 when she joined the Student Health Center at New York University, in a new role at that time as the Director of Sexual Misconduct Support Services. At NYU, she primarily worked confidentially with students providing counseling, support, advocacy, and ran Survivor Support groups. She also partnered with her NYU Title IX Office of Equal Opportunity colleagues to conduct Consent Zone workshops on campus. Christine also provided support to various student groups on campus in a non-confidential role.
Prior to NYU, Christine was the Victim Services Program Coordinator at Bellevue Hospital Center; a program that provides comprehensive services to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and all victims of crime, in order to promote resiliency and recovery in the aftermath of a traumatic victimization. Prior to her fifteen years at Bellevue Hospital, she provided assistance to victims of crime in the Witness Aid Services Unit at the New York County District Attorney’s Office for over five years. Additionally, she began her work in the field volunteering and working in a domestic violence shelter in Rockland County, NY.
Christine obtained her Masters in Social Work from New York University. Additionally, Christine is an active member for many years in the Coalitions and Tasks forces in New York City to support the victims’ right movement. Christine’s focus in her work with survivors is providing a safe space to be empowered by understanding rights and resources, while beginning the healing process of trauma.
Professional Experience
- Associate Director, Direct Services, Sexual Violence Response at Columbia University, New York, NY
- New York University, Sexual Misconduct Support Services, Counseling and Wellness (SHC) New York, NY
- NYC Health + Hospitals | Bellevue-Victim Services Program, New York, NY
- New York County District Attorneys Office- Witness Assistance Services Unit, New York, NY
- Center for Safety and Change, Rockland County, NY
Education
- M.S.W., Masters in Social Work New York University, Silver School of Social Work New York, NY
- B.S.W., Bachelors of Science in Social Work, Dominican College Orangeburg, New York
Certifications and Licensure
- Licensed Certified Social Worker, R credential
- Student Intern Field Instructor Certification
- Licensed Master of Social Work
- Certified Social Worker
Awards and Honors
- NYU Public Safety - A Community Member Commendation Award - 2018
Brianna Saldana (she/her) joined Sexual Violence Response (SVR) in February 2022 as a Survivor Advocate. Brianna has worked at Safe Horizon as a Crime Victim Advocate at multiple NYPD precincts, assisting survivors of Domestic Violence and all victims of crimes for the past three in half years. She has worked with the police officers in performing home visits, and community outreach events. In addition, she worked at the Bronx Special Victim Division alongside detectives in assisting survivors and co-survivors of sexual assault by accompanying them in interviews and providing them with community-based resources.
Currently, Brianna volunteers as a Rape Crisis Counselor at Columbia Presbyterian DOVE Program. Brianna devotes her time to humanitarian volunteer opportunities and in 2018 she traveled to Puerto Rico to assist victims of Hurricane Maria with rebuilding homes and distributing essential items.
Brianna graduated from John Jay College in 2017 with a bachelor's in Sociology and minor in Psychology, also receiving Cum Laude Honors.
Professional Experience
- Safe Horizon Crime Victim Assistance Program
Education
- B.S., Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Certifications and Licensure
- NYS Rape Crisis Counselor
- NYS Mental Health First Aid Responder
Awards and Honors
- Cum Laude Honors
Memberships
- Columbia Presbyterian Hospital DOVE program
Sexual Violence Response Staff Directory
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