Who We Are | safv

SAFV's Staff and Board of Directors

SAFV has a staff of three and a Board of Directors of six. We also have multiple volunteers that allow our organization to staff a 24-hour Helpline.

Staff

Mandy Moffat

Executive Director

Mandy was born and raised in Big Piney. She graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor's of Arts in Social Work. She never thought she'd be living in Sublette County but has now been working at SAFV for over 15 years. In 2018 Mandy was nominated and received the Peace Award for “ Outstanding Advocate” from the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence Sexual Assault and Stalking. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her amazing family and fabulous friends.

"Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." - Howard Zinn

Tessa Miller

Direct Service Coordinator, Victim Advocate I

Tessa grew up in the North. She graduated with honors from both the University of Montana with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature and from Montana State University with a Master's in Education. She joins the SAFV team after teaching English/ Language Arts in the public-school setting for five years. She is a published author. Her most recent informational-text series is titled "Animal Tech: Technology Inspired by Animals" and is geared towards readers in upper-elementary and middle school. Tessa is also a traveler, quilter, rockhounder, and avid reader.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dezi Saathoff

Violence Prevention Coordinator, Administrative Assistant

Dezi was born and raised in Rock Springs, Wyoming. She has been a resident of Pinedale, Wyoming since 2011. She graduated with her Associates of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Salt Lake Community College in 2010. In 2022 she graduated with honors from Liberty University where she received her Bachelors in Science for Business Administration/Human Resources. She has experience working at a youth rehabilitation center for troubled youth and has a passion for helping people through hard times. When she isn’t at work she loves anything outdoors, including snowboarding, camping, paddle boarding, and kayaking. She started her career with the SAFV Task Force in April 2022 and is excited to help this community through prevention and advocacy.

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” -Rikki Rogers

Board of Directors

Shane Templar

Chair

Shane has been in law enforcement for over 20 years and a resident of Sublette County since 2005. His work with different advocate agencies has shown him the value they add to the communities he has lived and worked in. When Shane was given the opportunity to join the board for SAFV and add whatever help he could, he jumped at the chance.

Kay Mahaffey

Vice Chair

Kay has live in Sublette County since 1959. She retired from Sublette County after over twenty years in the Sheriff's Department and Treasurer's Office. She has been with SAFV for a number of years first as a volunteer Advocate in 1999, then on the board.

Mark Mickelson

Treasurer

Pat Schwab

Sectretary

Pat moved to Pinedale 15 years ago. She is married, has two children and two grandchildren. She enjoys being in the mountains, boating the lakes, and camping in the beautiful surroundings of Pinedale. Pat enjoys serving our community any way she can. She brings years of banking knowledge to SAFV and also served as Town Clerk of Pinedale. So many people in our small community have made a positive impact in her life that they have inspired her to serve on the SAFV Board.

Sarah Hixson

Sarah moved to Pinedale in January of 1993 from Connecticut, where she was born and raised. She came here to take her first job in social work and is still working in the field. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and cross-country skiing. "I care deeply about the issues addressed by the SAFV Task Force and am grateful to be on the board."

Janel Scurlock

Janel moved to Pinedale in 2001 and her first job was as a Social Worker and Area Manager for Head Start. That ignited her desire to be actively involved in this community by serving on local boards and building partnerships with people who are underserved. She then pursued her passion for teaching Spanish in Teton County and later at Big Piney High School. In 2011, she transitioned to SCSD #1 as an ELL Teacher and then as the Elementary Assistant Principal for 8 years. She is now the Executive Director at Sublette BOCES and is honored to serve on the board of SAFV, a vital and critical resource for Sublette County.

Dereth Gehlhausen