Meet the Team

Kristen Nicholson is a passionate survivor of domestic violence and dedicated advocate for others facing similar challenges. With extensive experience providing services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence since 1997, she has committed her career to healing and empowerment within this vulnerable population.

Kristen graduated from Alverno College with dual bachelor degrees in Psychology and Social Science. She went on to earn her Master’s degree, specializing in Clinical Psychology, from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology. As a member of Psi Chi, the Honor Society for Psychology, she has demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to the field. Since joining Advocates of Ozaukee in 2004 as the Associate Director, Kristen has played a transformative role within the organization. Her dedication and expertise led to her promotion to Executive Director in 2026. Throughout her tenure, she has provided counseling, overseen various programs, and contributed her insights to the development of other organizations serving survivors of trauma. Additionally, she has served on the board of organizations focused on supporting individuals affected by trauma.

Kristen is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Wisconsin. In addition to her work at Advocates, she has taught courses for the psychology departments at both Alverno College and Concordia University. Her teaching included instruction in coursework in the importance of working in diverse groups, focusing on inclusivity and effective communication skills in multicultural settings. This course was required for students, reflecting her commitment to educating future professionals on these critical competencies. With extensive experience in counseling, Kristen has worked with survivors diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and those who have used substances to cope with their
experiences. By integrating the skills she learned to heal in her own life, she fosters a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to her work, aiming to empower survivors in their recovery journeys.

Kristen has also pursued further education, earning a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northwestern University in Chicago. Known for her compassionate, patient, and dedicated nature, she continues to counsel clients both at Advocates and in the Milwaukee area, ensuring that her dedication to serving survivors remains at the forefront of her work. Beyond her professional commitments, Kristen enjoys spending quality time with her family, gardening, and embracing the outdoors through various activities, including workouts that keep her energized and connected to nature.

Mary Knetter has been an essential part of Advocates of Ozaukee since December 2000, beginning her journey as the Children’s Advocate. Over the years, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication, progressing through various roles including Sexual Assault Victim  Services Director and Outreach Director. Mary recently took on the position of Associate Director, where she continues to make a significant impact within the organization. With a degree in Social Work from Cardinal Stritch University and a Masters degree in Professional Counseling from Concordia University, Mary has over 25 years of experience working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Her extensive knowledge, combined with her great sense of humor, quick wit, and relatable presentation skills, allows her to effectively engage youth in discussions about healthy relationships through school presentations.

Outside of her professional commitments, Mary enjoys spending quality time with her family on her small animal farm, where they care for goats, ducks, and chickens. Her passion for community service and genuine connection with those she serves make her an invaluable asset to Advocates of Ozaukee.

Amanda is a passionate and dedicated Outreach and Housing Case Manager at Advocates of Ozaukee. She earned an Associate Degree in Human Services with a specialty in Human Services from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Amanda began her journey with Advocates as an intern in 2021, and her hard work and commitment led to her being hired in her current position upon completing her internship and degree.

Known for her strong work ethic and dedication, Amanda has gained the admiration of both clients and colleagues alike. Her bubbly personality, energetic demeanor, and positive outlook make her a joy to be around. Amanda always looks on the bright side, bringing a fun-loving and goofy spirit to the team. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her children and indulging her love for puzzles. She even secured second place in a puzzling contest, showcasing her competitive yet fun-loving nature. Amanda is also a proud pet owner of a bunny named Chromie, who adds an extra touch of joy to her home life. Amandas commitment to serving the community and her warm personality make her an invaluable member of the Advocates of Ozaukee team.

Shaina earned her Master of Social Work from UW–Milwaukee in 2019 and has been with Advocates of Ozaukee since 2020 as a Sexual Assault Outreach Advocate and Therapist, and since 2016 as a part-time associate for the shelter. A U.S. Navy aviation veteran of five years’ active duty service, Shaina brings a diverse professional background that includes adoption work, healthcare finance and advocacy, customer service, bereavement and gerontology work, and clinical therapy experience.

Her work focuses on supporting survivors through advocacy, individual therapy, support group, legal and forensic accompaniment, and community speaking and engagement. She is actively involved in anti-human trafficking initiatives and community outreach throughout Ozaukee and Milwaukee counties.  Shaina is currently finishing her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) requirements while practicing under her supervisor with APSW licensure. She is Brainspotting certified and integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, neuro-affirming practices, strengths-based lens and Mindful Self-Compassion into her work. Outside of her professional role, Shaina enjoys traveling and has visited 16 countries and only has 15 states left to explore, reading, writing, exploring different cultures, attending concerts, and spending time with her cats. She is passionate about lifelong learning, personal growth, and practicing with guidance and mentorship from the same self-care and resilience she encourages in her clients.

Vincent joined Advocates of Ozaukee in 2021 as a part-time worker in the shelter, bringing with him a wealth of experience in crisis stabilization and working with children in daycare settings. His dedication and excellent performance led to his promotion to a full-time position as a Transitional Housing Case Coordinator, where he assists clients in transitioning from unsafe relationships and family violence to secure and stable homes. In this role, Vincent provides support with budgeting and other essential case management responsibilities.

Vincent is known for being a compassionate, patient, and dependable team player. His innovative approach to problem-solving, along with his dedication to helping clients, makes him an invaluable asset to our team. In his spare time, Vincent enjoys traveling and dancing, and he has a strong love for animals and animal rescue. He enjoys cooking and is active in his church, where he handles audio-visual responsibilities every Sunday. Additionally, Vincent is an entrepreneur at heart, running his own part-time businesses as a photographer and providing auto detailing services. Vincent’s commitment to making a difference in the lives of others, combined with his diverse interests and talents, enriches the work we do at Advocates of Ozaukee.

Jensen joined Advocates of Ozaukee as an intern in May 2024 and transitioned into the full- time role of Shelter Manager in August 2024. In May 2026, she earned her Master of Social Work degree from Concordia University Wisconsin, further strengthening her commitment to supporting survivors and advocating for their well-being.

As Shelter Manager, Jensen has fostered an open-door policy, ensuring that clients always have access to support—whether they are navigating a crisis or simply seeking a compassionate listener. She leads with empathy, understanding, and respect, recognizing that survivors are the experts of their own experiences. By prioritizing each client's right to self-determination, she empowers individuals to make decisions that align with their unique needs and goals. In addition to her role as Shelter Manager, Jensen facilitates the domestic violence support group, where she has cultivated a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages healing, connection, and empowerment among survivors. Her dedication to creating spaces where individuals feel heard, valued, and respected is central to her work.

Outside of her professional role, Jensen enjoys reading thriller novels, working out, being in nature, and spending quality time with her family, friends, dog (Sugar), and two cats (Mr. Kitty and Willie).

Sophie joined Advocates in 2020 as a social work intern. After earning her Bachelor of Social Work from Concordia University and demonstrating outstanding performance as an intern, she was hired as a Child Advocate; Advocates later added Shelter Case Manager to her title in recognition of her continued excellence.

Sophie connects with children through creative activities that help them feel seen and heard, and she has done an exceptional job organizing family events—becoming a heart of healing for many families. Known for her compassion, empathy, patience, and thoughtfulness, she stays calm under pressure, is flexible, positive, quick-witted, and always willing to help. In her free time Sophie enjoys being with her husband, her two sons, and their outings to local parks with their wiener dog—she also never passes up an opportunity for ice cream!