Board of Directors

Ms. Williams is a mother of three children who have participated in Christy’s Safe Haven programs and services.  She brings a valuable parent and community perspective to the Board. She is also a local business owner who is committed to giving back and supporting efforts that strengthen the community.

Mrs. Koggu brings extensive experience in health and human services, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance. Her professional background includes working with programs that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and helping ensure services meet established standards for quality and safety. She brings valuable knowledge, leadership, and a strong commitment to supporting youth, families, and the community

Ms. Royal brings professional experience in payroll administration, financial operations, and recordkeeping. Her background includes supporting payroll processes, maintaining accurate financial records, and working with established financial procedures and requirements. She brings strong attention to detail and financial knowledge to help support the organization’s fiscal responsibility and accountability.

Mrs. Ford holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, with professional experience providing social services within a local school district. Her background in social services provides valuable insight into the needs of children and families. As a parent of three children who have participated in CSH programs and services, she also brings a meaningful parent perspective to the Board.

Ms. Hawkins is the Founder of Christy’s Safe Haven and holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. With more than 20 years of experience in human services, she has dedicated her career to supporting youth, individuals, and families through service coordination, counseling-related services, mentoring, skills development, education, and connection to community resources.  She had a vision of creating a safe and supportive place where young people and families can receive education, guidance, resources, and opportunities to thrive.

Mrs. Odugbesi brings professional experience from the healthcare field, along with a strong commitment to the well-being of children and families. As a parent whose daughter has participated in CSH programming, she brings a valuable parent perspective and firsthand understanding of the organization’s impact. Caitlin is committed to supporting CSH’s mission and helping strengthen opportunities and resources for youth and families.

Mrs. Jones brings professional experience in medical billing and coding, with knowledge of healthcare documentation, accuracy, and administrative processes. Her family has also maintained a meaningful connection to CSH, with both of her children participating in programming and one becoming the first recipient of a Christy’s Safe Haven scholarship. She brings both professional experience and a personal understanding of CSH’s commitment to creating opportunities for youth and families.

Ms. Jefferson is a graduate of Tyler-area public schools, where she participated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. As a Microbiologist, she brings a strong science and public health perspective to the Board, including knowledge relevant to infectious disease, health education, and prevention. Her background complements CSH’s efforts to educate young people about healthy choices, STI/STD prevention, and reducing health risks.

Ms. Hawkins is an educator and Theater Director at a local middle school. Through her work with students, she brings firsthand experience in youth development, creativity, leadership, and creating positive environments where young people can build confidence and express themselves. Having a longstanding connection to Christy’s Safe Haven, Kiara brings both an educator’s perspective and a genuine commitment to helping youth discover their strengths and reach their potential.