SAFE welcomes two new senior staff!
Written by Piper Stege NelsonSAFE is excited to welcome two fabulous new senior staff members: Senior Director for Sexual Assault Services Juliana Gonzales and Senior Director for Family Support and Advocacy Liz Cruz Garbutt!
Juliana Gonzales
We are so excited to have Juliana on board, especially just as we are launching our Eloise House expansion, which will allow us to serve the increasing number of sexual assault exams we see at SAFE. In September 2018 we saw 76, a record number.
Juliana comes to SAFE from the Austin Tenants’ Council, where she served as Executive Director for nearly three years. Prior to the Austin Tenants’ Council, Juliana worked with the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, where she was the chief executive for six years. And she previously worked at Whole Woman’s Health and at El Buen Samaritano.
Juliana has lived in Austin for 15 years and she holds a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies and Spanish from the University of Arizona.
Liz Cruz Garbutt
Liz joins SAFE after three years of consulting with local and statewide nonprofit organizations and a full career with the State of Texas. She retired from the Health and Human Services Commission in 2014 after 27 years of service. At SAFE, Liz will be managing our Strong Start healthy parenting program, our SAFE Futures program working with families in CPS, our Fatherhood program, and much more.
In her last position as Associate Commissioner of Community Access and Services, Liz was responsible for the development and oversight of eleven HHSC state and federal programs and initiatives for low-income Texans. Prior to her position as Associate Commissioner, she held several leadership positions within Health and Human Services agencies and the Office of the Governor.
Liz moved to Austin 44 years ago so her mother could go to the University of Texas, and she followed suit receiving a bachelor’s degree in business from UT. Liz enjoys live music, being active, cooking, traveling and – most of all – her family.
Please join us in welcoming Juliana and Liz to the SAFE family!
