Meet the Team Behind the Mission
Called to Protect.
Committed to Heal.
We are survivors. We are advocates. We are believers in the redemptive power of healing.
At Trees of Hope, every team member brings more than just experience—they bring heart. Many of us have walked the painful road of abuse and now count it as a privilege to walk with others on their path to freedom. We’re deeply committed to ending child sexual abuse through Christ-centered prevention and healing. Together, we’re creating safe spaces for restoration, one life at a time.
STAFF AND LEADERSHIP
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Nicole Escobar
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Nicole Escobar is a survivor, advocate, and mom who has led Trees of Hope since 2019. With over 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, she’s passionate about preventing sexual abuse and guiding survivors toward healing. Nicole has led hundreds of prevention workshops, authored several resources, and hosts the podcast “Not Just a Hashtag,” where she creates space for honest conversations about abuse and redemption. Her leadership is marked by transparency, compassion, and a deep commitment to seeing lives transformed through Christ
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Sue Koegel
REGIONAL DIRECTOR - SOUTH FLORIDA
Sue has been a vital part of Trees of Hope for over twelve years, bringing her own healing journey full circle by walking alongside others in theirs. As the Regional Director for South Florida, she has mentored countless women through our healing programs, offering steady encouragement and wisdom.
Known for her compassionate and relational approach, Sue creates an environment where women feel safe, seen, and supported—often staying connected with participants long after their group ends. She has also helped shape many of the creative and impactful elements used in our in-person groups, enhancing the healing experience with activities that foster growth, connection, and restoration..
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Marie Renwick
REGIONAL DIRECTOR - CENTRAL FLORIDA
Marie began her healing journey in 2011 after confronting repressed memories from her past. Through counseling and a Shelter group, she found connection, hope, and healing.
Now, as Regional Director for Central Florida, she leads support groups and fellowship events, encouraging women to surrender their pain to God and trust His timing. A wife, mom of five, and grandmother of twelve, Marie is also pursuing a degree in forensic psychology to better support survivors.
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Deb Marsalisi
REGIONAL DIRECTOR - MELBOURNE
Deb Marsalisi is a survivor, author, and speaker passionate about helping others heal from trauma. Through writing and podcasting, she shares her story and encourages others to find hope and restoration.
As an advocate for sexual abuse prevention, Deb mentors young women and teaches spiritual practices that have shaped her own healing. In her free time, she loves cooking for loved ones—believing that meals can foster deep connection and healing.
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Nicky Sylvester
REGIONAL DIRECTOR - NEW ZEALAND
Nicky Sylvester is honored to bring Trees of Hope to New Zealand—a ministry that deeply impacted her own healing. As a survivor, she found freedom through Shelter Online and experienced firsthand the power of Christ to redeem what was broken.
Now passionate about helping others release shame and step into wholeness, Nicky is committed to creating a safe place for women to heal and find lasting hope. She believes that while the journey is hard, it is always worth it—and that New Zealand is ready for this kind of transformation.
Her heart is to be a beacon of hope to women across the region, reminding them that healing is possible and joy is ahead.
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Lisa Travers
REGIONAL DIRECTOR - NORTH CAROLINA
As a teen, Lisa endured years of abuse from her father—abuse she tried to expose but was silenced and labeled “crazy.” For decades, she carried the weight of that trauma in silence. At 52, God led her to Trees of Hope, where she began her healing journey through a Shelter Group and continued trauma therapy.
Through the power of Christ, Lisa released the shame, embraced forgiveness, and found freedom. Now she’s stepping into God’s calling, helping other women walk the same path of restoration. Though she once thought healing resources like Trees of Hope were out of reach, she now leads groups in her own community, trusting God to use her story to bring hope to others.
MEET THE BOARD
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Kristen Torres
Mental Health Counselor, Hope Christian Counseling
Kristen brings deep clinical expertise and heartfelt compassion to the Trees of Hope board. As a licensed mental health counselor and mother, she is passionate about equipping families with the tools they need for healing and prevention. Kristen believes every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and protected.
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William Torres
Lead Pastor, Proclaim Church
As a pastor and father, William is committed to cultivating safe, gospel-centered communities where healing can take root. He champions Trees of Hope’s mission to prevent abuse and help survivors walk in freedom, believing that faith and action go hand in hand in protecting the next generation.
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Justin Young
Senior Program Director, Slavic401k
With a background in finance and creative arts, Justin brings strategic insight and heart to the board. A father and advocate for child safety, he is driven to use his gifts to strengthen prevention efforts and support lasting healing. Justin is passionate about building a world where every child feels secure and seen.
Why We Serve
Every member of this team has said yes to something bigger than themselves. Whether behind the scenes or leading groups, we all carry the same heart: to protect the vulnerable, to comfort the hurting, and to reflect the hope and healing found in Christ.
- “This isn’t just a job. It’s a calling. We get to witness lives transform—and that’s a privilege we don’t take lightly.”
Join The Mission
We’re always on the lookout for amazing new talent and individuals who share the same heart, spirit, and dedication to prevention and healing as our fantastic team. If you think your gifts and skills can positively contribute to our ongoing mission, we’d love for you to click the Join Us button below and follow the prompts. To become a volunteer or a member of our paid staff, please remember that you first need to complete one of our healing studies and participate in our Cultivate training. Unfortunately, walk-ins, completing the Contact Us form, or sending emails won’t be accepted.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Equality
We truly believe that having a diverse team is essential for our commitment to inclusion, allowing us to connect meaningfully with the large and varied group of people who have been sadly affected by childhood sexual abuse. We honor and value every individual, regardless of race, color, age, religion, gender, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, physical appearance, socioeconomic status, or any other protected class. Trees of Hope takes pride in being an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Our Compensation Philosophy
As a nonprofit organization, we understand how important it is to be commendable stewards of our donors’ generous contributions while also ensuring that our staff are fairly compensated for their hard work. We aim to attract and retain passionate and skilled individuals who excel in their roles and are rewarded with competitive pay and benefits. Our goal is to set employee compensation at fair market value according to nonprofit industry standards.