Nichole Christoph’s career as an administrator encompasses nearly three decades of experience in both private and public sector management. She joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in 2012 as an Office Manager and quickly rose through the organization’s ranks, ultimately being appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2024. Nichole’s deep commitment to helping others has shaped her into an effective and compassionate leader. As Chief Operating Officer, she oversees the daily operations of Houston’s leading nonprofit dedicated to public safety.

Nichole’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that effective leadership is a blend of compassion, integrity, and strategic vision. She is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Nichole believes in leading by example, with transparency and accountability, while always keeping focus on serving the community and advancing public safety. By prioritizing the well-being of both the team and the people we serve, she strives to create positive, lasting impact through thoughtful and purposeful action.

Cabell Wood joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in September 2012 as Director of Development and is now the organization’s Senior Director of Development and Programming. She oversees major gifts, annual special events, corporate and foundation relations and annual giving programs. Cabell has eight years of experience in fundraising, development and special events for local non-profit organizations. Before coming to Crime Stoppers, she was Manager of Corporate Relations and Special Events for Sheltering Arms Senior Services, a division of Neighborhood Centers Inc. Cabell brings with her an expertise in fundraising and development and looks forward to furthering the mission to solve and prevent crime in the greater Houston area. A native Houstonian, Cabell graduated from The Kinkaid School prior to entering Vanderbilt University, where she graduated cum laude in 2005.

Tania Cruz joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in April 2015. As Marketing and Communications Director, she brings over 15 years of non-profit development, community relations and marketing experience. She is responsible for managing, developing and growing all aspects of marketing and communications that directly impact the Crime Stoppers’ mission, outreach and fundraising efforts.

Before joining Crime Stoppers, Tania was PR and Events Manager for Susan G. Komen Houston. She attended the University of Houston where she earned a BS in Health Education and Sociology Minor. In her spare time, she loves attending her son’s baseball and soccer games, volunteering at charity events, hosting family gatherings and tailgating at football games with family, friends, and colleagues.

Paige Hollek joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in September 2016 and is our Special Events Director and Development Manager. Paige oversees the Safe School and Safe Community programs to ensure execution and growth, communicating with both programs to plan and seek out advancement. Her role also includes gathering and hosting the programs statistics and final reports. Paige is also responsible for planning and overseeing our program and fundraising events. She manages the logistics and preparation of all events.

Prior to Crime Stoppers, Paige had several years of experience in non-profit coordinating and intern experience with the media. She graduated with a BS in Communications and Journalism from Texas A&M University.

Andy Kahan joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in June 2018 as its first-ever Director of Victim Services and Advocacy. Prior to Crime Stoppers, Andy served as the Victim Advocate for the Mayor’s Office and Houston Police Department for 26 years before retiring and joining Crime-Stoppers of Houston to resume his career as a Victim Advocate. Andy Kahan received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1983 from the University of Houston. He worked as both a Parole and Probation Officer before becoming the first victim advocate in the country to work in a Mayor’s Office. His responsibilities included working with local crime victim’s rights organizations to facilitate the pooling of resources and the exchange of information, accompanying and representing victims before the Parole Board, putting crime victims in touch with local crime victims support and advocacy groups, and court accompaniment.

As of March 2013, Mimi Zarenchansky has been working with the great team at Crime Stoppers and learning so much about the nonprofit world. After graduating from Stephens College with a B.S. in Communications: Emphasis in Media Production, Mimi worked in the cable television industry for 2 years. She was able to produce her own cable real estate show while also working in the billing and traffic side of the advertising department of the cable company. She was then given the opportunity to learn the international import/export business from her father. Upon moving back to Texas, Mimi spent 10.5 years learning and living the import/export business and representing companies such as Maytag, Bissell, Dirt Devil, and more to the country of Argentina. They were then afforded the opportunity to represent a sugar substitute to the United States from Argentina and enjoyed that journey for many years. After that Mimi was ready for a new start and began working at Limb Design as their Traffic and Production Manager/ Director of Operations and was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn so much about the graphic design industry from the three principals over a 5.5 year period.

Jenna Fondren joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in June 2017 as Community Education Specialist, and now serves as the Statewide Director of the Safe School Institute. She oversees the Safe School Institute’s day to day operations, ensuring that students and school staff receive the most current and impactful crime prevention presentations and safety tips. She establishes and maintains relationships with school safety personnel across Houston and across the state of Texas. Works with community partners to expand the need for safe schools, updates and writes curriculum, as well as records statistics and program results.

Jenna plays an active role in promoting safety for school communities through her work with different prevention, non-profit, and local law enforcement groups. She works closely with the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children, David’s Legacy Foundation, The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas Education Agency, Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition, Children’s Assessment Center, and ISD Police Departments. She believes through collaboration and partnership; the Safe School Institute provides students with the tools necessary to never become a victim of crime and make informed decisions.

Jenna is a native Houstonian. She graduated from the Kinkaid School before attending The University of Texas at Austin where she earned a Bachelor’s in Sociology and minored in Business.

Sydney Zuiker joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in February of 2018 as a Youth Outreach Specialist and now serves as the Senior Director of Programs and Special Projects and the Executive Producer of The Balanced Voice Podcast with Rania Mankarious. She oversees the overall growth and development of the Safe Community Program, Victim Services Program, The Glenda Gordy Research Center, and The Balanced Voice with Rania Mankarious. She establishes and maintains relationships with community members, law enforcement officials, partner organizations, and elected officials across the state of Texas to ensure public safety remains at the forefront of our community. She ensures accurate and unbiased data about crime trends and public safety are easily accessible to the public and the community is provided with critical safety education.

Sydney plays an active role in promoting community safety and victim services through her work with local and national partners, as well as her involvement in many coalitions including: Advocates for the Children of Texas, Demand Disruption, Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition, University of Houston Bauer College of Business Managing HR Program, Houston Area Against Trafficking, the Children’s Assessment Center, the 2026 World Cup Bid Committee Human Rights Stakeholders Group, Houston Christian University, and Kindred Exchange.

Originally from Austin, Sydney received her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Legal and Forensic Psychology at the University of California Irvine. She is also a Houston Business Journal 40 under 40 honoree, a two-time President’s Volunteer Service Award gold medal recipient, and MLFP Diversity Scholarship recipient.

Kaitlynn Frey joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in October of 2019 an Education Specialist and is now the organization’s Safe School Institute Manager. Kaitlynn uses prevention and awareness programs to educate students ages kindergarten through high school, school administration staff, and community members throughout the Greater Houston Area. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, the military life moved her all over before she settled down in Louisiana where she would graduate high school, leaving as a Corvias Scholarship recipient and later, college. She graduated from University of Louisiana Monroe where she received a BS in Elementary Education and a MS in Forensic Psychology. She served on SEE AmeriCorps and Carmel Hill Foundation where these non-profit organizations focus on synergy, children and education. Before moving to Houston and joining Crime Stoppers, Kaitlynn was an elementary school teacher for Lufkin ISD and Houston ISD. She hopes to use her past experiences, as well as the resources Crime Stoppers provides to educate students on how they can stay safe and thrive in Houston.

Ernesto joined Crime Stoppers in 2021 as an Education Specialist and now serves as the Statewide Manager of the Safe School Institute as it continues to expand across the state. Ernesto uses crime prevention and safety awareness programming to educate students ages kindergarten through high school, school staff, parents, and community members throughout Texas.

As a native of Dickinson Texas, he is a graduate of Dickinson High School and went on to attend Texas A&M University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. He has over 9 years of experience in nonprofits working to increase visitor engagement and in creating memorable educational activities. He has worked to inspire a deeper appreciation for music, science, and history in various roles with organizations like The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Moody Gardens, Artist Boat, and Dickinson ISD.

He hopes to use his past experiences and the many resources that Crime Stoppers offers to fuel and foster new and engaging crime prevention programming to underserved students, teachers, administrators, and families throughout Texas.

Joshua Webb joined Crime Stoppers in July of 2021 as a Program Coordinator. Joshua uses his skills in curriculum development, community outreach, and project management to support the development, growth, and execution of Crime Stoppers programming. With several years of experience in non-profit operations and youth development, Joshua strives to elevate the quality of programming offered and empower the citizens of Houston to prevent and solve crime in their own communities.

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Joshua has spent his career providing youth with the skills and resources needed to excel in the classroom, enrich their communities, and become successful professionals. As an undergraduate student, he worked with the First Star program in Chicago, an organization that seeks to equip foster youth with the skills needed to successfully transition into college and adulthood. After graduating from college, he served with the Center for Leadership Development, an organization with the mission of fostering the development of minority youth in Central Indiana by providing experiences that encourage personal development and educational attainment. Joshua graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BS in Human Services and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Social Work.

Amelia Hebert joined Crime Stoppers in March 2024, bringing her experience in public relations, marketing, and community engagement to the team. Amelia utilizes the skills she gained during her time at Goya Foods and Goya Cares—managing complex projects, organizing large-scale events, and leading impactful social initiatives—to support Crime Stoppers’ efforts to solve and prevent crime.

A native Houstonian, Amelia is passionate about justice and protecting her community, continuously seeking new ways to contribute to Crime Stoppers’ mission. Her enthusiasm for learning and growth is evident in her dedication to the causes she cares about. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Eli Escobar rejoined Crime Stoppers of Houston in April 2024 as a Digital Marketing Specialist. Prior to a brief hiatus, she served as the Digital Marketing Manager starting in October 2023. Eli holds a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Houston and brings over 20 years of media experience to her role. Throughout her broadcasting career, she had the opportunity to collaborate with several non-profit organizations, fostering a deep interest in community involvement and public safety.

Juana Galvan joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in January of 2024 as a Bilingual Education Specialist. She is passionate about education, advocacy, and positively impacting her community.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Juana pursued her academic journey at the University of Houston-Downtown, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. Her professional journey began as a paralegal specializing in family law, criminal law, and immigration. Over the course of 12 rewarding years, she honed her skills and grew as a professional, ready for new challenges and responsibilities. Juana interned with the Children’s Assessment Center, where she supported and advocated for children in need. This experience fueled her passion for helping others and solidified her commitment to making a positive difference. She also interned with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Division, gaining insights into investigative processes and law enforcement practices.

Outside of work, Juana cherishes spending time with her family, mainly engaging in outdoor activities. She loves watching documentaries for their valuable insights and staying updated on new laws and regulations. She is passionate about helping others and standing up for causes close to her heart.

Clara Guidry joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in August of 2024 as an Education Specialist. She is passionate about reshaping the criminal justice landscape through education and proactive interventions and dedicated to implementing strategies that mitigate risk factors and empower individuals and communities to prevent involvement in the criminal justice system.

Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, as a first generation college graduate, she pursued her academic journey at Louisiana State University and obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in Sociology and concentration in Criminology. She then went to obtain two master’s degrees, one in Forensic Psychology and the other in Legal Studies. She has utilized her professional and educational background, in various of ways in her career. She began working with at-risk youth in 2018 as a supervision officer in the Juvenile Justice Center, then moved to an intake diversion officer. In 2021, she became a Justice of the Peace Court Case Manager, dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of young individuals. With 6 years of experience in the field, Clara has navigated complex cases with compassion and expertise, striving to create positive outcomes for at-risk youth and aims to leverage her previous experiences, as well as Crime Stoppers’ resources, to empower students in safety and success.

Outside of her professional duties, she enjoys being outdoors with her two dogs Dex and Leo, traveling, an avid cook and dedicated recipe collector who finds joy in discovering and mastering new dishes. She holds her family and friends very close to her heart and prioritizes making new memories. Clara is overall very excited to be a part of the Crime Stoppers team and mission.

Erin Parker joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in August of 2024 as an Education Specialist.  She has dedicated her career spanning in both school administration and social services. She is actively engaged in advocacy, case management, and resource coordination to empower individuals and families facing various challenges. Erin brings many years of experience to the Crime Stoppers Family. She has worked for Fort Bend ISD, Goose Creek CISD and Houston ISD. She has also worked for the Department of Family and Protective Services under the Adult Protective Service Division.

She received her bachelor’s degree in applied arts and science with a minor in Communications from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, and she received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX.

Erin was born in Houston and grew up in Missouri City, TX.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, shopping and discovering different activities in the Houston area. Erin also enjoys advancing her skills in American Sign Language.

Juliana Aguilar joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in October 2023 as a Statewide Education Specialist. She will be supporting the growing needs of the Crime Stoppers Safe School Institute as it expands to the DFW area and beyond. 

Juliana is from Dallas, Texas where she graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton. She earned a Bachelor’s in Spanish and Education. Before joining Safe Schools Institute, she was a high school Spanish teacher for Plano ISD. She hopes to spread knowledge and awareness to students, educators and parents. 

Addie Carlson joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in February 2023 as a Statewide Educational Specialist. She will be supporting the growing needs of the Crime Stoppers Safe School Institute as it expands statewide. 

Addie was born and raised in Austin, Texas and has also lived in San Antonio. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin where she earned a Bachelor’s in Sociology, with a minor in Business and Africa & African Diaspora Studies. Before joining Safe Schools Institute, she was a primary teacher and completed a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. 

Cally joined Crime Stoppers in January 2023 as a Statewide Education Specialist.  She will be supporting the growing needs of the Crime Stoppers Safe School Institute as it expands statewide. 

Cally is a native of Dripping Springs, Texas.  After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a BA in English, Cally graduated from Texas A&M University School of Law.  She worked for Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas in Dallas as a staff attorney who represented victims of domestic violence.  After spending some time working in the private sector as a free-lance writer and an attorney, she is very excited to be back in the nonprofit world. 

Nicki Wahlers joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in June 2024 as a Data Analyst at The Glenda Gordy Research Center. Her responsibilities include overseeing the daily operations of the research center, with a specific focus on data analytics to support the crime dashboards and the Monthly Crime Index. Nicki’s goal is to enhance community understanding of crime data in Harris County by providing solutions that increase access and visibility to unbiased data sets.

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Nicki completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics at Gonzaga University before obtaining her Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Portland State University. Her professional background as a Software Developer has given her a deep understanding of working with stakeholders to solve problems using data-driven decision processes. Nicki is passionate about advocating for women in the tech industry and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities in the tech space. Her commitment to using technology to reduce crime underscores her dedication to creating safer online and physical spaces for everyone, with a strong emphasis on equity, security, and accessibility.

Ryan Barnes joined Crime Stoppers as a Junior Data Engineer at the Glenda Gordy Research Center in the summer of 2023. In this capacity, Ryan assumes a crucial role in the development of the back-end infrastructure used by the Glenda Gordy Research Center to streamline the data acquisition process from various sources. His primary responsibility lies in crafting scalable and efficient solutions to data-driven challenges while maintaining the integrity and quality of the data being acquired.

Ryan is a graduate of Houston Christian University, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He possesses a strong foundation in object-oriented programming and system design, skills honed through participation in multiple full-stack projects during his academic studies. Ryan has a vested interest in developing tools using modern technologies that will allow for a more in-depth understanding of crime data. Through his work, he aspires to create an accessible platform that empowers everyone to gain a better understanding of the data presented by Crime Stoppers.

Leonardo Yerena joined Crime Stoppers as a Junior Data Analyst at the Glenda Gordy Research Center in the summer of 2024. He oversees the front-end infrastructure used by the Glenda Gordy Research Center. His primary responsibility lies in the design of responsive dashboards and reassuring the integrity of unbiased data being presented to the public.

Leonardo is a graduate of Houston Christian University, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He possesses a strong foundation in system design and data quality assurance, skills honed through experience in multiple project validation during academic studies. Through his work, he aspires to create a reliable platform for the public to gain knowledge on crime statistics in the Houston Area.

 

Tiffany Shaw joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in March of 2024 as an Administrative Assistant. She supports the programming team in their efforts to connect with target populations to raise awareness about critical public safety topics via in-person presentations, trainings, community events, written material, and virtual learning opportunities. With over a decade of relevant experience, she is well-equipped to contribute to Crime Stoppers of Houston’s mission.

Tiffany holds a B.S. in Psychology and a M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Houston – Clear. Tiffany and her husband Wesley are proud parents to three exceptional young ladies who are beginning to forge their own paths. Joining the Crime Stoppers of Houston team presents a new and exciting opportunity, and she considers it an honor and privilege to work alongside the talented and dedicated team in their crucial mission to prevent and solve serious crimes in the Houston area and beyond.

Kathy Elbert joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in July 2024 as the Controller. Her role includes taking care of all things financial, as well as assisting with Human Resources. Kathy holds a Batchelor’s Degree in accounting and has over 30 years of experience in non-profit accounting.  Her professional background ranges from 15 years in governmental accounting to working with small non-profits for 16 years. Prior to joining Crime Stoppers, Kathy was corporate Controller of the Houston Polo Club from 2018-2024. She was instrumental in growing the club into one of the primer polo and equestrian organizations in the country. Kathy oversaw all aspects of the organization’s finances, including accounting, payroll, and budgeting. She also took on the responsibility of heading its Human Resources services.