Meet our Team
Michelle - Office Manager/Marketing Director
Michelle was born in Phoenix, AZ, and grew up in Sierra Vista, AZ. She graduated from Buena High School Class of 1995 and then moved to Flagstaff to attend NAU. After one and a half years in Flagstaff, she moved to Peoria, AZ, where she enjoyed the sunshine for 12 years. While living in Peoria, she worked in Dialysis for multiple years and attended Mesa Community College at their Boswell Campus, where she graduated with her Associate's Degree in Nursing in 2005. Michelle moved to Las Vegas, NV, in 2008, where, in 2009, her daughter Ryley was born. She moved back to Sierra Vista in March of 2009 and has been between Sierra Vista and Peoria ever since.
After 26 years in the medical field, 15 of them as a Registered Nurse, Michelle was ready for a change. In March 2022, she started working for the Southeastern Arizona Contractors’ Association as the Office Administrator and Marketing Director. She is also the event manager for SACA and serves as the board secretary. In May 2022, Michelle started working for Cochise Family Advocacy Center Lori’s Place as the Marketing Director, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Events Coordinator. In September 2024, Michelle added the title of Office Manager for Lori’s Place to her list of roles at work. She continues to work for both organizations and manages their fundraising events.
Michelle has organized and hosted several fundraisers, including the Lori’s Place Annual Golf Classic, Faith and Blue with SVPD and Interdenominational Christian Ministries, the SACA Annual Charity Golf Classic, and the SACA Speaker Series Luncheons. She has done interviews on KWCD, Canyon Country, Cool FM, Cool FM Online, and KOLD News.
In her spare time, Michelle loves working in the yard, rock hounding, hiking in the Huachuca Mountains, riding horses, fishing, spending time with her family and friends, and going to concerts and local music events with her significant other. She also helps maintain the property at Lori’s Place and a few properties for her dad.
Joyce - Lead Advocate
Joyce was born in Killeen, TX, and raised between Germany and Arizona, allowing her to experience different traditions and cultures. After graduating high school, Joyce moved to California, where she learned that helping others was her passion. She moved back to Arizona and started her journey in Advocacy. Joyce utilized her natural ability to listen and empathize, then took a course in suicide prevention and ventured into peer support. While working at Cochise Family Advocacy Center Lori's Place, she has continued to take additional training courses to further her knowledge in the field.
In addition to working at Lori's Place, Joyce has an 11-year-old son, Hector, who keeps her busy with baseball and football. Joyce, AKA Hector's mom as she is known on the fields, volunteers as a dugout mom and a board member with the Sierra Vista Little League. She states her mission in life is to raise her son with values, respect, and kindness while being independent and self-sufficient.
Joyce states, "My passion is to help every person who comes to me looking for help and guidance because the victim is our number one priority."
Kim : Victim Advocate/Volunteer Coordinator/Community Outreach
Kim Coleman was born in Warren, Ohio, and raised in Toledo. As a victim advocate, she started working for Lori's Place in August of 2022. She has a passion for helping others since she was a "warrior" of child sexual abuse herself over 30 years ago. Kim is honored to be the mother of two adult children, ages 26 and 21, and she states, "Yes, they will always be my babies." In her spare time, Kim loves roller skating, reading, movies, baking, dancing, and spending time with her family. Kim's mission is to help victims to be "warriors" as well.
Michaela - Marketing/Peer Support
Michaela Miller is a marketing team member and peer support provider at Lori's Place. She enjoys maintaining the website, creating unique marketing products, networking, fundraising, and engaging with clients for peer support. She is originally from Kansas but lives an adventurous lifestyle due to her husband's career in the Army. Some of her hobbies outside of work include working out at the gym and spending quality time with her husband and their fur babies! Michaela received her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development from Pittsburg State University in December 2015. Before leaving Kansas, she was the lead teacher of a 2 ½-year-old classroom. Michaela is now set to graduate with a Master of Social Work from National University in 2025. Michaela states, "I have always felt a strong sense of empathy towards others and continue to hold a special place in my heart for those in need." She initially joined the team at Lori's Place as an intern for her degree; however, it has become so much more than that to her. "It truly feels like family, and our impact on victims is inspiring. Lori's Place is the most rewarding job, and I am honored to be a part of this agency!"
Lila: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Lila is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner at Lori's Place, where her commitment to patient care and advocacy shines through in every aspect of her work. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Lila pursued her nursing degree in her hometown, where she met her husband. Together, they moved to the picturesque Cochise County, where they now reside with their three daughters. With several years of experience as an Emergency Room nurse in both Tucson and Willcox, Arizona, Lila's journey in nursing took a significant turn after an encounter with a patient. Inspired by this experience, she sought further training and education to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, allowing her to provide specialized care and support to those in need. Lila is not only passionate about her role in patient care but is also devoted to fostering a learning environment for future healthcare providers. She teaches the Patient Care Technician program at several schools within Cochise County, sharing her knowledge and experience with aspiring nurses and healthcare professionals. Outside of her professional life, Lila cherishes her time with her husband and daughters. The family enjoys exploring the stunning mountain landscapes of Cochise County, often venturing out for repelling adventures that bring them closer to nature and each other. Lila is a true advocate for her patients and a loving mother, balancing her professional commitments with her passion for family and the great outdoors.