Staff Credentials
Janet Kittams-Lalley, MA, LPC
Executive Director
janet@thecompasscenter.org
Janet Kittams-Lalley is the Executive Director for the The Compass Center. Ms. Kittams-Lalley began her work at the agency in 2009. Prior to that, she worked in the violence prevention field, most notably suicide prevention for the past 16 years. She most recently worked as an outpatient therapist at Avera McKennan Behavioral Health and served as the clinical director at the HELP!Line Center for over 14 years. Ms. Kittams-Lalley obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Dakota, and her Master of Counseling from the University of North Dakota. She serves on the Board of Directors for South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.
Andy Vos, M.Div.
Intervention Coordinator
andy@thecompasscenter.org
Andrew Vos began his work in the mental health field 35 years ago while in graduate school. Andrew calls those first clients, a group of girls living in long-term residential care, his best "teachers." He received a Masters of Divinity in 1979, but found his passion for working in the mental health field to be life long and has worked as a counselor since that time. Andy’s work in the mental health field began with kids and families; he has worked with people of all ages in psychiatric and community centers and has been in private practice. He worked in 1989 with a domestic violence program and has been coordinating Family Violence Project at the The Compass Center since November 2007.
Courtny Nesheim
Office/Volunteer Coordinator
courtny@thecompasscenter.org
Heather Smedsrud
Office Assistant
heather@thecompasscenter.org
Heather joined the Compass Center staff in July 2010. She earned her Associate's Degree in Administrative and Office Support in May of 2009. She has worked as an AmeriCorps State member, serving at a non-profit agency and completing various volunteer projects. It was through that experience that she found her passion for working in the non-profit environment.
Alicia Alvarez, J.D.
Audit Coordinator
alicia@thecompasscenter.org
Alicia has been on staff with the The Compass Center since March 2008. Prior to her staff position, she was on the Board of Directors for 5 years and a Rape Crisis Volunteer for over four years. Alicia brings over fourteen years of experience working with domestic violence. Alicia received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Weber State College in Ogden, UT and her JD from the USD School of Law. She has worked on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation as a Domestic Violence Prosecutor, in shelters, facilitated batterers’ groups, and has lobbied to better laws concerning children of color.
Lori Pinkerd, LPC, NCC
Counselor
lori@thecompasscenter.org
Lori Pinkerd has been a counselor at TCC since September 2008. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Resource Development from South Dakota State University. Though a recent graduate, Lori brings 15 years of experience as a sexual assault victim advocate to our team, most of that gained during her 22 years of service in the United States Navy. Prior to joining the TCC team, Lori worked with youth in an intensive residential treatment program, and has worked with combat veterans experiencing PTSD.
Johna Nielsen, LPC, CCDC III, RTC
Counselor
johna@thecompasscenter.org
Johna Nielsen joined The Compass Center staff as a counselor in January 2009. Johna received her Bachelors degree from Dakota Wesleyan University and her Masters degree from The University of South Dakota. Johna is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor, and is certified in Reality Therapy and Quality Management. Johna worked the past 13 years for Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, as a program director for a psychiatric residential treatment center for adolescents. Prior to that position, Johna has worked as a clinical coordinator, counselor, teacher and media specialist in public schools and informal education systems such as 4-H and the Girl Scouts. Johna also has extensive volunteer experience working with victims of abuse.
Jennie Hublou, MS, NCC
Counselor
jennie@thecompasscenter.org
Jennie joined the Compass Center in January 2010 as a counseling intern, and in August 2010 joined the staff as the Sexual Assault Counselor/Advocate. Jennie received her bachelor's in Human Development and Family Studies. She completed her master's in Counseling and Human Resource Development from South Dakota State University in August 2010.
Amanda Liebl, MA, NCC
Counselor
amanda@thecompasscenter.org
Amanda joined the Compass Center in May 2010 as a Victim Advocate Counselor. She recieved her BS in Psychology from the University of South Dakota. Amanda went on to complete her MA in Community Agency Counseling with the University of South Dakota. During her internship in a domestic abuse shelter, Amanda's passion for helping victims of abuse was fully realized and led her to The Compas Center.