srq strong board of directors
Andrea Blanch, PhD, is a psychologist with expertise in mental health, trauma-informed approaches, and systems change. She worked for two decades in senior administrative positions in state mental health departments, served as a senior advisor to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on development of their trauma portfolio, and has published numerous articles, book reviews, and book chapters. Dr. Blanch has also done significant work in conflict resolution and peacebuilding in international settings, including Israel/Palestine, Kenya, and the Balkans, and was a 2009 Fellow in the Women, Religion and Globalization program at Yale University. Dr. Blanch was a founding member and is currently board president of SRQ Strong.
Betsy Friedman, a passionate community advocate, brings years of experience in nonprofit program management to the board. Driven by a belief in the importance of organizing resources to build a resilient, healing, and healthy community, Betsy is dedicated to serving on the Program and Impact Committee. She is also an active volunteer with Impact100 SRQ and a former board member of both Impact100 SRQ and Visible Men Academy, demonstrating a commitment to making a difference. In her free time, Betsy enjoys hanging out with her Australian Sheppard, Max. Betsy believes in the power of trauma-informed community development to create a resilient, caring community.
Dane Minnick, Ph.D., MSW is the Evelyn Duvall Endowed Chair of Family and Community Health and an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of South Florida. His research focuses on developing community-based interventions to address substance misuse, translating addiction science into practice, and strengthening behavioral health workforce capacities. With expertise in environmental strategies, participatory-action research, and ecological systems, Dr. Minnick has led numerous externally funded projects aimed at improving community health outcomes.
Giselle Stolper, a Manatee County resident since 2016, spent twenty-seven years with the Mental Health Association of New York City (now Vibrant Emotional Health) as President & CEO. A major influence in the New York mental health care community, Giselle now pursues her passion for the cause in Southwest Florida. She is currently a consultant for Centerstone Florida, a volunteer for NAMI Sarasota/Manatee, and a member of the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition, a non-profit group that advocates for policy reform and improved quality of life for those living with mental illness. Giselle is a founding member and Vice-President of the Board of SRQ Strong, a new non-profit organization promoting community-wide trauma awareness. She is active on numerous local committees and a strong advocate for mental wellness and accessible quality mental health care throughout Florida.
Sidney Turner, Ph.D., is a psychologist and a researcher, receiving her Ph.D. in Psychology and M.A. in Justice Studies from the University of New Hampshire. She has dedicated the last decade to advocating for survivors of trauma and studying evidence-based strategies to prevent and intervene in situations involving trauma. In addition to her research, Dr. Turner has been in board leadership positions in non-profits for many years, including the largest crisis center in New Hampshire (HAVEN), The Rotary Club of Longboat Key, and the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence. Dr. Turner strongly believes that people are not defined by their trauma and programs should focus on the many strengths that can come from overcoming adversity, not just the challenges. Dr. Turner is the founder and former Board Chair of Resilient Retreat. In October 2023, she was recognized in the Business Observer’s 2023 40 Under 40 selections.
The SRQ Strong Team
Hilary Espinosa is SRQ Strong’s Trauma-Informed Community Development Program Manager, leading our Neighborhood Expert Team. A seasoned nonprofit leader with more than 15 years of experience across nonprofit and government sectors, Hilary brings a proven record of turning vision into impact through strategic planning, strong systems, and heart-centered leadership. She has directed community-based programs serving thousands, strengthened partnerships with hundreds of organizations, and built teams that amplify lived experience and community voice. In her new role, Hilary will guide the Neighborhood Experts as they connect with neighbors, nurture trust, and advance healing and resilience throughout Newtown.
Helen Neal is a Level II Certified Trauma & Resilience Specialist, and SRQ Strong's leading "Nurturing Post-traumatic Growth" coordinator. Helen motivates individuals and groups through personal and community empowerment training. Her “Letting go of a Traumatic Past” workshops teach participants to empower the wisdom they have inside of them to be the best that they can be. Helen offers interactive workshops designed to help people change patterns of thought and behavior shaped by traumatic experiences. Topics include understanding trauma, how we think, the roles of feelings and emotions, recognizing moods, and understanding separate realities.
The Newtown Neighborhood Expert Team (NET) brings trauma-informed community development to life in Newtown. Our trained Neighborhood Experts connect neighbors block by block—activating spaces, sparking conversations, and building the relationships that help the community stay connected, healthy, and strong.