Phoenix Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board is composed of nationally recognized leaders dedicated to survivor advocacy, law enforcement, legal aid, domestic violence prevention, housing access, economic empowerment, and nonprofit strategy. With decades of combined expertise, they guide Phoenix Guardian Alliance in shaping innovative solutions, strengthening survivor support systems, and driving systemic change.
Adrienne Spires
CEO of Lapis Analytic Consulting | Public Voices Fellow on Domestic Violence and Economic Security with The OpEd Project
Adrienne N. Spires-Sar is CEO of Lapis Analytic Consulting and author of Roaring Resilience: Finding Grit in the Lion’s Den. A 2025 Public Voices Fellow with the OpEd Project on Domestic Violence and Economic Security, Adrienne has over two decades of nonprofit leadership advancing racial, economic, and gender equity. Her work focuses on preventing and addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, mental health, and children’s mental health. Originally from Illinois, Adrienne holds an MS in Education Administration.
ERIC THRELKELD
Detective Captain | Champion for Victims |
Law Enforcement Change-Maker
Eric K. Threlkeld is a Detective Captain at the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, specializing in domestic violence prevention, justice reform, and community engagement. With expertise in investigations and law enforcement operations, he leads with integrity while supporting victims and advancing public safety. As an educator and advisor, Eric has helped shape policing standards, strengthen intervention strategies, and build community trust.
MARGOT SCHWEICHLER
Domestic Violence Regional Coordinator and Advocate | Executive Director of Voices Beyond Assault
Margot Schweichler is the Domestic Violence Regional Coordinator for Los Angeles’ Service Planning Area 6 at HOPICS, where she leads trauma-informed initiatives addressing the intersection of abuse and housing instability. Margot also serves as Executive Director of Voices Beyond Assault, guiding survivor-centered strategies that advance equity, empowerment, and long-term healing. With prior roles spanning legal advocacy, counseling, and nonprofit leadership, Margot has built coalitions, driven policy reform, and amplified survivor voices to create safer, more just communities.
Jana Terre
PhD | Criminal Psychologist | Head of High-Security Prison Psychology Department in Germany
Dr. Terre, Head of Germany’s High-Security Prison Psychology Department, has worked with sexual offenders, domestic violence abusers, and children in orphanages deeply impacted by trauma. Her work required precision and discipline as she developed methods to navigate manipulation, denial, and trauma while studying abuser patterns, early warning signs, and risk factors. Jana has designed intervention strategies to break cycles of control and violence before they escalate and to ensure community safety when offenders are released. On Phoenix’s Advisory Board, Jana will help create survivor support frameworks, develop educational materials, analyze DV patterns from past cases, and contribute her expertise to AI-driven early warning detection.
PRECIOUS ODUM
Attorney | Immigration Unit at Public Law Center
Precious is a Co-Supervising Attorney in the Immigration Unit where she works with human trafficking victims in providing them immigration relief. During law school, Precious interned with the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast) and the Human Trafficking Unit at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. In addition, she volunteered in the Street Law Clinic where she provided "Know Your Rights" classes to troubled youth in the Los Angeles Community. Precious earned her B.A. from UC Riverside and J.D. from Southwestern Law School.
ELLEN KRAMER
Executive Nonprofit Leader | Writer | Strategist | Attorney
Mission-driven nonprofit leader and attorney with 20+ years of experience advancing equity for women and children through compelling storytelling, strategic grant writing, and impactful advocacy. Proven success in securing millions in public and private funding by translating complex issues into narratives that mobilize resources and inspire action. Known for building cross-sector partnerships, mentoring diverse teams, and leading initiatives that expand access to justice, healthcare, and opportunity for underserved communities.
NICHOLE BURKE
CFRE | PhD | Nonprofit fundraising advisor | Founder of JBK Fundraising Consultants
Nichole Burke, PhD, CFRE is a nonprofit fundraising advisor with 25+ years of experience and deep philanthropy connections. As Founder of JBK Fundraising Consultants, she has secured over $40M in grants, supporting organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, Brain Injury Association of America, Global Cardiac Alliance, Operation Homefront, Friends of the Port of San Francisco, Futures Without Violence, and many others.
TAL FINNEY
Attorney | Former Counsel to CA Governor
Tal C. Finney, Esq. is co-founder of Finney Arnold LLP, a minority- and woman-owned law firm. With over 30 years of experience in both public and private sectors, he has served as Counsel to California’s Controller, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor, and held leadership roles across major state agencies. His practice spans corporate transactions, regulatory compliance, environmental law, land use, energy, and international trade, representing Fortune 100 companies, government entities, and startups.
Michelle Fairburn
Entrepreneur | Domestic Violence Survivor & Advocate | Digital Creator & Community Builder
Michelle Fairburn is a mother of two, domestic violence survivor, and advocate for women’s empowerment. Nearly two decades ago, she left an abusive marriage and began the long journey of rebuilding her life. Drawing from her experiences navigating women’s shelters and overcoming the lasting effects of abuse, she has transformed her story into one of resilience, hope, and renewal.
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Through her social media platforms, which reach over 300,000 women globally, Michelle shares her journey authentically and has created a welcoming community for women seeking strength and solidarity. Her work demonstrates that leaving an abuser can be the beginning of a beautiful new chapter where women and their children can thrive. Women around the world have shared that her story has given them the courage to leave abusive relationships and the reassurance that a life of safety and possibility is on the other side.
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Now serving on the Advisory Board of Pheonix Guardian Alliance, Michelle is committed to shaping innovative tools and resources that help survivors rebuild their lives with dignity, confidence, and hope.
RACHEL WILLIAMS
Founder of SUTDA | Domestic Violence Survivor & Advocate|Ambassador& International Keynote Speaker | Winner of St David’s Humanitarian Award & Crime Fighter of the Year Award
Rachel Williams is a survivor and campaigner who endured 18 years of abuse before a near-fatal shooting by her ex-husband in 2011, followed by the tragic loss of her 16-year-old son. Emerging with life-changing injuries, Rachel transformed her pain into advocacy. She founded SUTDA (Stand Up to Domestic Abuse), created Project Titanium with Gwent Police to screen firearm holders, and launched five Change.org petitions with over one million signatures, including the successful push to criminalize non-fatal strangulation. Rachel has organized Wales’s first survivor-led domestic abuse conference, serves as an Ambassador for Welsh Women’s Aid, Llanelli Women’s Aid, and SafeLives, and was honoured with the St. David’s Humanitarian Award. An international keynote speaker, Rachel is building “The House That Jack Built,” a refuge for children and youth.
On Phoenix’s Advisory Board, Rachel's lived experience ensures the app is built for survivors, by survivors - with nothing overlooked.
