Meet Our Staff

If you're a volunteer here at Grace, it's very likely you've gotten to know (by email) one or more of the fine people below. To the rest of the world, welcome and meet our team! When you’re working with a super keen, super hard-working staff, (pro bono, no less!) it is hard to get them to lift their heads from the keyboard to brag about themselves. Here is a chance to put a face/description to an email!

 Kimberly Olson

        Texas
        Send Kim a message!

Impressed by the military culture, I knew I wanted to be a part of an organization that instilled pride and commitment...I found that when I joined the U.S. Air Force. Being a part of the first generation of female military pilots certainly had its challenges, but I’d like to think that our generation not only opened doors for women, we took those doors off the hinges. After 25 years of service, becoming a command pilot with 3,700 hours of flying time in six different aircraft, and commanding a KC-135 air refueling squadron, and serving in Iraq, I retired as a colonel. My family and I moved to Texas, near my husband's hometown. Here is where I met the wonderful founder of Grace After Fire, who inspired me to get involved with Grace's exceptional mission of helping women and families. Now, I am truly honored to serve our veterans as Grace's Executive Director. Our excellent Board of Directors, dedicated staff members, and generous partners are committed to helping women who hurt. Hope you'll get involved too.

 Stephanie L. Moles

        Casper, WY

Stephanie Moles is the founder here at Grace. Wearing anywhere from 6-17 different hats on a given day, she tries to focus focused her attention on gathering the right people for the best work – though we think she should focus more on raising capital! She is also a little bossy but in kind of a weird good way. It must work! After stealing the idea from Chris (see below) to help our veterans, Stephanie was sitting on the beaches of San Diego munching on tacos with her friend Shelley and discussing the plight of women veterans – then and there they came up with the name Grace After Fire. Before creating Grace, Stephanie worked demonstrating online support program through The Woman’s Heart. And in her younger years, she worked at the Intel Corporation in the America’s Marketing Division, and in San Francisco in the world of Venture Capital – both the boom and the bust!

 Tousha Barnes

After the atrocity of 9/11, I found myself wanting to make a difference for the sake of our country. A recent graduate from West Texas AM University in Canyon, Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree, I found myself struggling to find my calling. My father, a Marine Vietnam veteran, died when I was only 11 years old. This personal tragedy left me with a void growing up in which I found fulfillment through the military, my way of "bonding" with Dad. At the age of 34 I tested that theory when I enlisted in the US Army. By the grace of God, loving support of my family, and a renewed sense of humor, I survived Basic Training and AIT, only to be nicknamed "Grandma Airborne" by my drill sergeants. I was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC with 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, Motor Transportation Company. Five months later we deployed to Afghanistan.
Within every US military branch I have at least one family member that has served or is currently serving. I come from a strong family heritage of military service. I am proud to have served my country. My challenges during that journey of life have made me the strong person that I am now.
I am married to my best friend, Richard, and eighteen months ago God blessed us with our little miracle boy, Braxton. I feel privileged to work as a Military Outreach Coordinator for our local veterans. As a female veteran, I struggled with the transition from military to civilian life. I know now, without hesitation, my passion is to help others, and what an honor it is to assist those veterans that have sacrificed so much for our nation’s freedom. Hugs and Kisses,
Tousha Barnes

 Carolyn Cooper-Muriel

I'm the Outreach Coordinator for Denton and Tarrant Counties after 24+years of active duty Army service. I'm now what many would call the "The Invisible Soldier" - a female veteran. Grace After Fire is the organization that's going to put a face on that Invisible Soldier. I'm honored to work with a body of professionals that are passionate about veterans and their families...my peeps.
One of the many underappreciated aspects of being a Soldier is the opportunity to travel to exotic places such as Alaska (-20C Training), Korea 3x (Who would have thought sour cabbage could be so good), Germany, and the wonderful (NOT) state of New Jersey, I miss Georgia and it’s red clay about as much as I miss the mountains and terrain of Afghanistan. I had no idea that traveling the globe with my Uncle Sam could be so rewarding and free....
I've served in every Signal leadership position in the Army from SATCOM Team Chief, section sergeant, platoon sergeant first sergeant and sergeant major. Additionally, I once served as a Basic Airborne Instructor (BLACKHAT) and a Drill Sergeant (I LOVED those jobs!). The Army ensured that I was trained to lead Soldiers and I decided that some post secondary education could be useful so I completed a Bachelors Degree in Social Psychology and a Masters Degree in Information Systems Management. Presently I'm accumulating many gray hairs trying to get a Masters Degree in counseling, who would have thunk it that I needed a degree to help my people (Veterans and their families).
The Army issued me three husbands, but I only kept one (Jeff- 26 year vet) and we reside in east Dallas, Texas with my two sons that I love always and like on most days. (ages 24 & 16...that’s why I don’t always like them) It’s all about the Vets BABY!!!!!!

 Lee Cothren

Hello Everyone!! My name is Lee Cothren. I served as a PSYOP Team Leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006-2007 and 2008-2009. I am currently a Team Sergeant and a member of the 345th PSYOP CO in Dallas, Texas. I have a beautiful family!!! I am married with four children. My wife Stacey,is a two-time combat veteran to Iraq. When I am not out on the trail working alongside and assisting veterans, you will find me at the local fishing hole or driving children around to about a hundred different locations.

 Heather Huhnke

Heather is one of our Outreach Coordinators serving the Brazos Valley – home of the Fightin' Texas Aggies. She joined the Army in 2000 and found there was a great big world outside of Texas after being stationed in Germany. Minus a trip to Iraq in 2003, she loved the culture, history, and traveling so much she stayed there for six years. After finally realizing it was time to act like an adult, she returned to Texas and graduated from Texas A&M with a B.A. in History which has proven useless. Her desire to help veterans has pushed her to go to work for two veterans organizations including Grace After Fire and to be an active officer in her VFW Post. This also made her realize what she wants to be when she grows up, and she plans to return to Texas A&M for a PhD in Counseling Psychology. Gig 'em!

 Tammi Jean Franklin

Tammi Jean has "come home to Texas" after spending 35 years in a number of American cities. She serves the 19 Texas Hill Country Counties as an Outreach Coordinator for Grace. Tammi Jean served as an Air Traffic Controller for the U.S. Navy from 1973-1977. Having joined the Navy on "Senior Ditch Day," she "saw the world" at NATC Glynco, GA; NAS Cecil Field, FL; OLF Whitehouse Tower, FL; and NAS Keflavik, Iceland. Frequently described as a Girl Scout devoted to God and country, she loves uniforms and pomp and circumstance. She was born in Tokyo, raised in Arvada, Colorado, and currently lives in the Texas Hill Country with her 4 dogs, 8 cats and several herds of deer. Tammi Jean recently reached a milestone by completing her MBA, thus proving to herself that as a woman in her fifties she can accomplish great things. Tammi Jean wants to encourage women veterans to follow their dreams and never give up. When she's not reaching out to women veterans and their family members, you will find Tammi Jean out with her dogs or feeding fruit salad and corn to her deer or trying to match wits with her 8 feline companions.

 Tish McCullough

Tish is a transplant Texan from the great state of Louisiana but took a detour through Alabama on the way. Tish is a 20 year Army Veteran who feels very blessed to be married to a retired Air Force Veteran (that's fun) and the proud mother of 3 awesome kids, two of which are in college. The word "service" is very important to the whole family so it makes it easy for Tish to do what she loves best which is to serve and support veterans. As a veteran who served in Iraq from 03-04, co-located with a med evac unit, she understands the meaning of the word "sacrifice" and from that time on vowed to never forget. Having the opportunity to directly communicate and support women veterans is a blessing from God. The fact that her God given gift of gab is a bonus and she's not afraid to use it, so hold on to your seats.

 Seon Yun-Stokes

I served honorably in the Navy as an Aircraft Mechanic for over 11 years and separated in Oct. '07. While in the Navy I traveled most of the world; was stationed in Maryland, California, Illinois, and Japan; met my best friend and husband (I never thought I'd be one of those people to say that); and after all that time, figured out what to do with my life. I am a veteran with some disabilities, was a victim of discrimination and MST but absolutely do not live by those labels. I have a BA in Business Administration from Columbia College and plan to continue my education in Pharmacy. While on my road of life, I needed a break from being a full time student and decided to go back to work (who does that but us crazy workaholics?) Sooner than expected, Grace After Fire had me hooked. Here I am in Georgetown, TX with my Navy Recruiter (very active duty) husband, 2 sons, and 3 dogs. I truly hope I can share my experiences to better service the women veterans of our military.

 Jeanna Pollaro

Jeanna is a veteran who served during the Post Vietnam Era as a field medic in the Army. Although she did not serve at a time of war, Jeanna fought a long battle with MST (Military Sexual Trauma) and other issues similar to those that many women veterans experience. Jeanna understands the "domino effect" that a traumatic experience can have on a woman’s life. But, she also knows that understanding and support from someone who has "been there, done that" is one of the keys to recovery. After years of working on her own recovery, she has since decided to use her knowledge and experience in peer support programs. She wishes to extend her hand of hope and support to all members and their families.

 Jamie A. Lee

Jamie A. Lee is our film producer and friend - she creates compelling and accessible work while enjoying every minute of the storytelling process (see her pic)! We are thrilled to have her on our team! She is an award-winning filmmaker who runs Visionaries Filmworks, a production company dedicated to social justice media. Jamie Lee advocates for self-representation and so is thrilled to collaborate with Grace After Fire to hear women's stories of survival -- breaking stereotypes of what it means to be a woman and in the military. She is dedicated to teaching youth the complexities of telling our own stories. Lee teaches documentary film at City High School in Tucson, AZ and facilitates Grrrls Literary/Media Activism Workshops through Kore Press, where she also created the book trailer for POWDER: Writing by Women in the Ranks, from Vietnam to Iraq. Jamie is the recipient of the 2009 Arizona Commission on the Arts Artist Project Grant to assist her in post-production on her fourth documentary feature film, aguamiel: secrets of the agave.

 Julie Hurley

Julie Hurley drives our online marketing and affiliate program bringing to Grace only the business that gives to women veterans. In her spare time, Julie gratefully chases her two daughters and she’s pregnant with another baby girl due in August! Whew, we’re tired just thinking about it. She grew up in a loving but alcoholic home and began drinking at 13. Fortunately, she got sober at 25, over ten years ago, and married Mark, who also is in recovery. Formerly a pastry chef and cook in the back of the house in restaurants (a great job for an alcoholic in training), then, in recovery Julie moved into management, where she ran a four-star restaurant as general manager until the baby was six months old. Julie’s now a stay-at-home Mom, managing a busy and expanding household, as husband has taken on extra work as a custom wood craftsman to support the family. The challenge for Julie, and her family, is to live life differently – simply, creatively, passionately – to raise healthy children and to be contributing members of a community as many in her family have dealt with trauma and addiction. Grace After Fire is an organization that is needed now. More than any other time in our country’s history, women are serving in the Armed Forces. They return to lives and families, children and communities, heroes with hidden wounds. Julie wants to be able to give them the same chance at a different life that she was given; she wants to be of service. Julie is helping Grace develop relationships with companies about opportunities for service through advertising and donations.

 Serena Hayden

Serena, our Veteran Communications Officer, hails from the most wonderful state of Texas where, believe it or not, they stopped riding horses as their primary mode of transportation last year. Serena has embraced her deep passion for Grace to continue giving to something far greater than herself. As a recent veteran with a plethora of communications skills and life experiences, she is the internal "voice" of Grace - allowing us to better serve you, our lovely lady vets. A veteran, daughter, sister, friend and partner, she joined the Army in 2003 to challenge herself and see the world. She saw the armpit of Oklahoma (Lawton), the armpit of Texas (Killeen) and Diyala province, Iraq – which about sums up her luck. With a degree in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University, she decided it was not time to be the female version of Frank Lloyd Wright. Instead, she took her complete disdain for proper grammar, punctuation and spelling, and became the Public Affairs NCOIC for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Diyala just so happened to be the terrorists' safe haven at the time, blessing Serena with 15-18 hour days filled with media, press releases, writing, photographing and editing news stories, and developing powerful speeches for the brigade commander. With 110 Soldiers killed from her brigade, she also gained an amazing perspective on life, love and the pursuit of true happiness. Now out of the service, she will probably become an astronaut or something else that makes absolutely no sense.

 Elaine Hanks

Seems to be a very serious sounding title for a woman who can see the humor in almost any situation. Prior to being hatched, her parents snagged four brothers from the stork while saving the best for last! Growing up the youngest and the only girl (and a tomboy at heart), she learned to fight for what she wants and backing down to a challenge was never an option. Elaine feels that this trait has definitely been an asset to her survival in the male dominated profession she has chosen to pursue.
Although Elaine's father and grandfather were both in the military, they were retired prior to her and her brothers' arrival. Elaine is honored to be able to give back to those who have given so much to our country. Her family history also gives her a special appreciation and understanding of the purpose and goals of women helping women through Grace After Fire.
Other than being a non-stereotypical accountant (NOT boring and VERY fun), Elaine began her college career pre-med, finishing with a BBA (sounds like a blond moment) from Tarleton State University. She has extensive experience with the financial aspects of a non-profit, having been in public accounting and on the other end of the whipping-stick as a non-profit auditor for over 17 years. Knowing the ins and outs is always a benefit to help keep everyone on budget, within guidelines, and out of trouble.
Elaine shares her home and her heart with husband/best friend, Scott, with which she has helped to raise three awesome step sons (and waiting impatiently on the oldest and his wife to make her a Grandma). For leisure she enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing crafts, traveling, and keeping up with her mini-zoo which includes three yorkies, a pit bull and fish aquariums.

 Dottie Natal

Dottie is director of information systems and design. She also has a special affection for delivering information via eHealth and Telemedicine platforms. When she is not busy programming at mach-speeds she hikes the CA Sierra's for days on end, by herself. Dottie is a woman of nature, has a great laugh and more compassion than most humans comprehend. But don't kid yourself; she's a pillar of strength. She single-handedly has kept Stephanie facing forward and alive for years now! Dottie is also an artist of the soul, and as comfortable playing with nuclear physics as with metaphysics! Other then working endless (unpaid) hours to make Grace happen, Dottie devotes her love and energy to her really cool ocean surfing husband Dave, dogs and wild animals, and the kids that stray the neighborhood.