meet our team

Sharon was one of the founding members of the Juvenile Justice Coalition and served as its Director from 1993 – 2014. She has been a consultant in human services and juvenile justice. Sharon has worked in the public sector (Cuyahoga County and Ohio Department of Youth Services) and the private sector (Center for Community Solutions and Youth Advocate Programs). While retired, she remains active with several community organizations. Sharon has a Master of Public Administration. She is the Chair of JJC’s Board of Directors.

Marissa’s professional experience stretches across the nonprofit, philanthropic, and labor sectors. She currently manages operations for the State Power program at the Service Employees International Union. Prior to this, Marissa held several positions at the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, directed donor services for the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, and coordinated programming for the Chicago branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Marissa is committed to building sustainable organizations and nurturing the leadership of those most marginalized.

Dr. Samantha Boch, PhD, RN is a nurse scientist at Nationwide Children's Hospital in the Center of Nursing Excellence and Center of Child Health Equity and Outcomes Research. She has over 15 years of clinical, academic, and research experiences on the health and well-being of children and families affected by incarceration and has ben consistently funded by internal and external sponsors at the local, state, and national levels.  

Brittany Dohman is a public affairs strategist and the Founding Partner of 4th Street Strategies, where she leads the firm's Political Activations and Government Affairs practice. She brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of advocacy, public policy, and strategic communications, with a focus on building power for communities often left out of decision-making.

Her work centers on advancing equity through coalition-building, legislative strategy, and community-rooted campaigns that create lasting change. Brittany is deeply committed to justice, especially for young people and families impacted by systemic inequality, and brings that lens to every space she enters — from grassroots efforts to government halls.

Néna Roy recently onboarded with YWCA GC in the capacity of Public Policy and Grants Manager. Having spent her childhood between New Orleans, Louisiana and France, she moved to Ohio in 1995 to join the University of Akron, where she is a Professor Emerita of French. After serving as executive director of Akron Promise, she moved to Cleveland to work in government relations. A passionate advocate for youth and education, she recently joined the Board of Directors of the Juvenile Justice Coalition.

Throughout her professional career, Néna specialized in and authored works on the French Enlightenment, Contemporary French Fiction, Cinema Studies, and Women’s Studies. With undergraduate diplomas from both France and the United States, she holds both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University, and is a 500-hour RYT certified yoga instructor. She has guest-lectured and taught throughout the United States, as well as in France and Italy. A mother of two grown children and a stepmother of three, Néna currently lives in Cleveland’s near West Side with her family and a smattering of feline companions. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing fiction and poetry, practicing yoga and playing tennis, cooking, and exploring Cleveland’s vibrant arts and culture scene. She aspires to acquire a green thumb and perfect her one-handed backhand.

Lindsay Williams is a life and leadership coach, trainer, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in child welfare, human services, and youth advocacy. She has held several leadership positions at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and in the non-profit community. As the owner of Elevate 365 Coaching, Training, and Consultation LLC, Lindsay is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose. Her work centers on equity, systemic change, and improving outcomes for youth and families. Lindsay brings a deep commitment to advancing justice, strengthening communities, and creating spaces where all young people can thrive.