Jane Stapleton, Co-Founder and President
Jane is the co-founder and President of Soteria Solutions, where she directs curriculum development, technical assistance and training that creates lasting change by building safe and respectful workplaces and learning environments.
She is internationally recognized for her work to develop and implement effective bystander intervention prevention strategies in workplaces, education institutions and the U.S. Military. She has provided direct services to survivors, technical assistance to states on the implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies in communities, consultation to colleges, universities and high schools on comprehensive bystander intervention prevention, subject matter expertise to the US Army on sexual harassment, assault, response and prevention, and collaborations to create culture change that supports safe and respectful workplaces.
Her work focuses on translating research to practice and working with customers to make sure prevention strategies meet their population’s specific needs and characteristics. Jane co-authored Bringing in the Bystander®, a scientifically evaluated and proven effective, prevention program for workplaces, colleges and universities and high schools. Jane has also co-developed the Know Your Power® Bystander Intervention Social Marketing Campaign.
Jane is known globally as an innovative leader in the sexual and interpersonal violence and harassment prevention field. Her solutions-focused approach creates an inclusive environment where everyone has a role to play in creating safe and respectful environments. Jane has testified in front of the US Senate and Congressional Committees on best practices and what we know works in prevention. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, National Public Radio, and Huffington Post.
Sharyn J. Potter, Ph.D., MPH, is a Professor in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies and the Co-founder and Executive Director of Research at the Prevention Innovations Research Center: Ending Sexual and Relationship Violence and Stalking at the University of New Hampshire. With Jane Stapleton, Dr. Potter co-founded Soteria Solutions. Dr. Potter is a global leader on the social scientific development and evaluation of bystander intervention strategies. Dr. Potter’s work focuses on engaging community members to work collaboratively to reduce sexual and relationship violence, stalking and harassment in high schools, colleges and universities, the United States Military and other workplaces. She has been a leader in the development, dissemination, and evaluation and of theory- and research-based bystander intervention prevention strategies including the uSafeUS® campus sexual violence prevention and response app that is currently being administered and evaluated in 25 schools in four states. She is the Principal Investigator on her second National Science Foundation grant to develop and evaluate the efficacy of uSafeHSTM, a school safety app for high school students. In addition to developing the Know Your Power® Bystander Social Marketing Campaign, she has also led the development of two bystander video games that model pro-social bystander behaviors, MindlfockTM and ShipHappensTM with National Institute of Justice funding. Dr. Potter and her colleagues adapted both the Bringing in the Bystander® In-Person Prevention Program and the Know Your Power® Bystander Social Marketing Campaign for two US Army Posts in Europe (USAREUR). These two pilot studies represent a very small pool of studies specifically focused on sexual violence prevention in the US Military. Dr. Potter has also served as a prevention subject matter expert for the US Office of the Secretary of the Navy. She also led a study for the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault to examine sexual misconduct policy delivery methods. In addition, Dr. Potter is a national expert on designing and administering sexual violence prevalence studies. Dr. Potter’s work has been groundbreaking in her effort to partner with organizations as they strategize and implement cultural change that impacts all organizational levels. Her work has been cited in international and national news media including The Guardian, The New York Times, National Public Radio, Vox, Teen Vogue and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Casey Laplante, Vice President of Operations
Casey Laplante, B.S., brings a cross-sector background in nonprofit management, higher education, federal service, and private industry. She may or may not have an internal running to-do list that never truly shuts off that is fueled by a love of travel, fostering animals through the local SPCA, life with two active daughters, and a past life as a cake decorating business owner. Prior to joining Soteria Solutions, she held leadership and project manager roles at the University of New Hampshire, where she managed complex initiatives, cultivated a portfolio donors as a gift officer, and supported a multi-unit campaign strategy. Her earlier experience in project and data management at organizations such as Bottomline Technologies, Analytics Environmental Laboratory, and the National Archives and Records Administration at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum informs her systems-oriented and detail-driven approach. Across these roles, Casey has developed a strong foundation in aligning people, processes, and data to support mission-driven work.
Casey’s areas of expertise include organizational operations, financial oversight, contract management, and internal systems development, as well as client engagement and project coordination. She is particularly skilled at creating efficient processes, managing complex workflows, and translating strategic priorities into actionable plans. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Hampshire, where she graduated magna cum laude, and has additional academic experience in international economics from Universidad Nebrija in Madrid, Spain. Colleagues often rely on her for operational problem-solving, strategic planning, and ensuring that teams have the structure and resources needed to succeed.
At Soteria Solutions, Casey brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset grounded in both strategy and execution. She contributes a strong operational lens to the organization’s work, ensuring that internal systems, staffing, and resources are aligned with Soteria Solutions’ mission to prevent violence through education and culture change. Her experience across sectors shapes her ability to navigate complex environments, build strong partnerships, and support a growing organization while maintaining a focus on sustainability and impact.
In her current role as Vice President of Operations, Casey oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations, including budgeting, financial management, contracts, HR, technology, Board inviatives, and team coordination. She serves as a primary point of contact for clients, leading sales, proposal development, and project resourcing across college, high school, and workplace programs. She also acts as a liaison to the Board of Directors and plays a key role in advancing organizational strategy, with a current focus on strengthening operational infrastructure, supporting new partnerships, and ensuring successful delivery of all our program initiatives.
Jennifer Scrafford, Grant Administrator
Jennifer manages grant applications and funds allocation for Soteria Solutions. Her responsibilities include applying for grants and appropriating grant funds. Jennifer has worked at Soteria Solutions since its inception in 2018. Past roles include VP of Operations.
Jennifer holds a law degree from American University, Washington College of Law as well as a dual English / Political Science degree from SUNY Geneseo.
Prior to joining UNH and Soteria Solutions, she worked for the Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service in Washington, DC.
Caroline Leyva, Director of Curriculum Development
Caroline Levya, MPA, specializes in adapting prevention strategies to meet the needs of Soteria Solutions' diverse clients. She is currently working to do this with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She also serves as a Practitioner Fellow for Prevention Innovations Research Center (PIRC). Caroline received her BA in Women’s Studies at the University of New Hampshire and her MPA at the University of Hawai`i Manoa. While living in Hawai`i, Caroline founded and was the Executive Director of a not-for-profit for queer youth and young adults, synthesizing prevention, leadership and social justice using a youth-led model. She also served as the State of Hawai`i Federal Fellow, 2006-2009, for SAMHSAs Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Caroline has been working for 15 years to develop and evaluate evidence-based sexual and relationship violence and stalking prevention strategies. She is the co-author of the Bringing in the Bystander® high school, college and workplace curricula. She is a lead trainer and teaches practitioners to both facilitate BITB and train others to teach in their organization. Caroline is the lead evaluator for New Hampshire’s Rape Prevention and Education Program (RPE) and for an evaluation of Dartmouth College’s four-year Sexual Violence Prevention Program.
Meera Seshadri, Prevention Strategy Lead
Meera Seshadri, MSPH, is the Prevention Strategy Lead for Soteria Solutions and a Lead Trainer for both the Bringing in the Bystander® College Prevention Program and Workplace Solutions. She has spent more than a decade working as a health communications consultant, activist and researcher at the intersections of health equity, gender justice and sexual and reproductive autonomy. In coalition with academic, non-profit and community stakeholders, Meera creates social and behavior change communication programs and curriculum that are rooted in equity-centered design, trauma-awareness and public health theories of change. She is well versed in creating and leading gender-based violence prevention strategy and peer education programs at higher education institutions including Emory, Georgetown and Harvard Universities. She also consults for Start By Talking, LLC, as a research designer, specializing in designing, implementing and evaluating the role of identity and environment in the way minoritized communities perceive, access and receive resources and care. Meera received her Masters of Science in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Adolescent Health & Development and Health Communication.
Meera is also a professional choreographer, dancer and instructor - her international career in the arts has taken her from the Bay Area's Mona Khan Company to Chennai-based record label Earthsync, La Academia Nicaragüense de la Danza in Managua, Nicaragua, Berklee College of Music's Indian Ensemble and now - Boston Bollywood!
LB Klein, Director of Evaluation and Implementation
LB Klein, PhD, MSW, MPA (they/she) is Director of Evaluation and Implementation at Soteria Solutions, where they lead efforts to strengthen the effectiveness, usability, and impact of gender-based violence prevention and response initiatives. Their work advances research-informed practice through evaluation, strategic planning, and implementation support, with particular emphasis on using data, evidence, and ongoing feedback to drive continuous improvement and sustainable change.
Dr. Klein brings over 20 years of experience as a survivor advocate, prevention educator, program director, evaluator, trainer, and researcher across higher education, nonprofit, and health systems. They specialize in program evaluation, mixed methods research, trauma- and violence-informed approaches, and translating complex evidence into actionable tools, training, and policy guidance. In addition to their role at Soteria Solutions, Dr. Klein serves as an Assistant Professor in the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work and Core Faculty Member of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Dr. Klein's research focuses on bridging research and practice in gender-based violence prevention and response, with particular attention to LGBTQIA2S+ communities and other marginalized survivors.
At Soteria Solutions, Dr. Klein is known for a translational and equity-focused approach that connects rigorous research with the realities of practice settings. They emphasize collaboration with practitioners, responsiveness to evolving context, and the development of tools and strategies that are practical, adaptable, and grounded in the experiences of those most impacted by violence.
Dr. Klein's current work includes collaboration with the Office on Violence Against Women Campus Grant Program through the Strategic Planning and Assessment (SPA) Team, as well as advancing bystander intervention initiatives and related training and technical assistance. Across projects, Dr. Klein oversees evaluation strategy, contributes to program development and implementation, and supports partners in aligning evidence-based programs with real-world contexts.
Patrick Sullivan, Research Assistant
Patrick is a research assistant on various ongoing projects for Soteria Solutions. One of Patrick's responsibilities includes developing Grantee Assessment Reports for colleges and universities receiving OWA grants. Prior to joining Soteria Solutions, Patrick served as a research assistant with Prevention Innovations Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. Patrick holds a Master of Education from Gordon College and a Master of Arts in Justice Studies from the University of New Hampshire. Patrick's past research has centered on police recruitment, and he recently presented at the 2019 Law and Society Conference in Washington, DC.
Adia Daniels, OVW Campus Program Manager
Adia Daniels, M.Ed., (she/her) is the OVW Campus Program Manager at Soteria Solutions. In her free time, Adia plans community wellness events, is a proud boy mom, and negotiates with her three dogs. With more than 21 years of experience addressing interpersonal violence across higher education and nonprofit sectors, she brings a deep commitment to survivor-centered, trauma-informed practice.
Throughout her career, Adia has led prevention initiatives, developed curriculum and policy, facilitated trainings, and supported institutional response efforts. She excels at translating complex federal grant requirements and systems-level concepts into practical, actionable strategies that campuses can implement with confidence.
At Soteria, Adia brings a systems-informed and people-centered approach grounded in collaboration and accountability. In addition to her work in higher education and advocacy, she is a wellness business owner and draws on mindfulness and human connection in how she shows up in her work.
In her current role, Adia partners with campuses and national collaborators to support strategic planning, assessment, and technical assistance for Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Campus Program grantees.
Lee Helmken Cherry, OVW Campus Training and TA Project Director | Curriculum Developer & Director of Training Development
Lee Helmken Cherry, MPH, CHES, is the OVW Campus Training and Technical Assistance Project Director, providing project management for Soteria Solutions’ Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Campus Grant Program Technical Assistance Provider team and deliverables, with a focus on supporting campus grantees with strategic planning and assessment.
Lee also serves as a Curriculum Developer & Director of Training Development for Soteria Solutions and a Lead Trainer for the Bringing in the Bystander® College Prevention Program. Lee has spent more than 12 years working in sexual violence prevention, health promotion and Equity & Title IX roles within higher education institutions, as well as working for a CDC-funded injury and violence prevention research center. Lee has experience in providing leadership in the planning, implementation and evaluation of sexual violence prevention and health promotion strategies, including leading a peer education program, developing communication campaigns and bringing together multi-disciplinary stakeholders. Lee has also served as a first point of contact in supporting community members reporting and seeking support related to harassment, discrimination and sexual and relationship violence. Her work is informed by public health frameworks and guided by equity-focused practice. Having served in roles at Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Berklee College of Music, Lee brings experience in program management, health communication and curriculum development to her roles at Soteria Solutions, including being the BITB Listerv Moderator.
Lee co-founded the Campus Advocacy and Prevention Professionals Association (CAPPA), where she served as the Membership Committee Co-chair for five years. She has also served in various elected and appointed leadership positions within the American College Health Association. Lee has contributed to multiple publications related to campus sexual violence prevention and has been recognized for her efforts with various campus awards. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Health and Society from the University of Rochester, a Master of Public Health degree in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education from Emory University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Lee is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
