Meet the Staff
Amy-Marie Merrell
Executive Director: The Cupcake GirlsAmy-Marie Merrell (she/her/hers) is the Executive Director of The Cupcake Girls.
Since 2006, Amy has been working with domestic violence survivors, as well as in the prevention and aftercare of domestic sex trafficking. Amy truly believes linking arms with others as they work to achieve their goals in their timing is the most beautiful form of advocacy she’s ever found, and considers her role with The Cupcake Girls her life’s work.
When she isn’t in the office, you can find Amy exploring the outdoors with her kiddo Lux, and pup Luna.
Grace Aasen
Branch Coordinator: Oregon + SW WashingtonGrace (she/they) first joined the Cupcake Girls as an events intern at the end of 2019. Once graduated from Portland State University in 2020 they began their role as Volunteer Care Lead in hopes to one day join staff. This goal became a reality as of August 2021.
As a person with many intersectional identities, Grace has always resonated and valued the mission of the organization, and has aspired since day one, to use her positions of privilege to provide the best and most useful resources and support to all of the hardworking volunteers and courageous clients within the organization as it continues to flourish.
When not in the office, Grace is almost always listening to music and finding outlets for her creativity and ever flowing thoughts. They enjoy spending time with their partner and friends, singing their heart out, makeup artistry, being a foodie, and making earrings @cretoria.earrings on instagram!
Brironni Alex
Director of People Operations & EquityBri’s (she/hers) passion for encouraging, uplifting, and affirming members of marginalized communities is what drew her to The Cupcake Girls in May 2019. Her background is in Psychology, Human Services, and Educational Psychology, and she brings a decade of mentoring, training, and leadership experience to their team.
As The Cupcake Girls’ Director of People Operations & Equity, she serves our staff and volunteers by providing support in a number of areas, including operational support, leadership training, and onboarding/offboarding, with equity-based practices at the center.
Of the many things she enjoys, Bri is an avid foodie, a dance instructor, and a proud auntie. She’s a firm believer that everyone deserves respect, kindness, and a chance at wholeness.
Kelly Boyett
Marketing ManagerKelly (She/Hers) joined The Cupcake Girls in August of 2022 as their Marketing Manager. She was first introduced to The Cupcake Girls in 2018 while living in Portland while working on a podcast, and immediately fell in love with their mission. She stayed inspired throughout the years with their work and ‘Action over Awareness’ mindset. She has a passion for helping others through bringing community love and resources together, and working with The Cupcake Girls allows her to do just that.
Outside of work, Kelly enjoys baking and gardening- although gardening in LV can be an uphill battle. She enjoys hiking in the spring and fall, and reading in the summers! Over the past few years she has been diving into self-care and mental health maintenance, so you can often find her meditating or writing. Kelly is also a photographer in LV, check her out on insta @Kelly.B_photography!
Alyssa Erzen
Program Coordinator: Oregon + SW WashingtonAlyssa (she/her) first joined The Cupcake Girls in 2017 as a volunteer to provide direct support to our community. She officially joined staff at the beginning of November 2021 as the Program Coordinator of Oregon + SW Washington. Her background is in social services, psychology, and behavioral health. She is currently pursuing her MSW at The Ohio State University with the goal to become a licensed clinical social worker.
When she is not in the office you can find her taking a nap, or outside exploring nature with her two dogs and partner.
Maricruz Gomez
Program Director: Oregon + SW WashingtonMaricruz (she/her) first joined The Cupcake Girls as a volunteer client advocate in early 2019 to empower our clients to achieve their goals. She knew she wanted to be a part of an organization that was making a difference, and with their commitment to uplifting marginalized groups, Cruz knew The Cupcake Girls was that place.
She officially joined staff in the summer of 2020 as the Program Director for Oregon + SW Washington, where she dedicates her time to ensure all clients receive the highest levels of respect and support.
Outside of The Cupcake Girls, Cruz likes to spend her time out in nature, trying new foods, and practicing aerial arts.
Maya Jaramillo
Junior Program Coordinator: Oregon + SW WashingtonMaya (she/her) was born and raised in Oregon and graduated from Willamette University in 2017 with a BA in Psychology. She is currently working on her Master of Social Work from Boise State University with the hopes of becoming a licensed clinical social worker. She has experience working with marginalized communities, advocacy and providing resources to those who need it.
Maya discovered The Cupcake Girls a few years ago and fell in love with the agency and its mission. She officially joined The Cupcake Girls as a Junior Program Coordinator in October 2021 and is excited to have the opportunity to work with an agency that is committed to the dignity, respect, and autonomy of all humans.
In her free time, Maya enjoys reading a good book, traveling to new places, listening to music, and taking her pup, Lyla, on adventures with her partner.
Victoria Johnson
Program Manager: NevadaVictoria (she/her) is the Program Manager for The Cupcake Girls Nevada branch.
She began volunteering in 2019 before coming on staff in July. Her love for the organization is birthed out of the desire to see marginalized people live with hope, purpose and community.
Victoria lives in downtown Las Vegas with her husband and their 4 month old puppy. She enjoys sushi, sunsets and hazelnut lattes.
Kaitlyn Monahan
Junior Program Coordinator: Oregon + SW WashingtonKaitlyn (she/her) graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BA in Humanities Honors: Human Trafficking and Rhetoric and Writing with a minor in Anthropology. She started as a volunteer with The Cupcake Girls in 2018 when she first moved to Oregon from Austin, TX; though she was raised in Colorado. She was hired with The Cupcake Girls as a Junior Program Coordinator in April 2021 and is extremely excited to partner alongside our client’s and The Cupcake Girls’ team. Kaitlyn’s love for The Cupcake Girls is nestled within her desire to see marginalized people live a life full of respect, kindness, and love.
Kaitlyn has a passion for equity and strongly believes that each person deserves to get what they need in the context of support and non-judgement. She believes that loving without limits is the foundation for a great life full of joy and success.
When she is not in the office, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time outside in nature with her partners and dog; reading/writing; practicing yoga/meditation; dancing/hooping; being an auntie; eating tasty foods; and lending a supporting voice to those that need it!
Kallie Peeples
Executive AssistantKallie (she/her) graduated in the spring of 2020 with a degree in mass communications and started working with nonprofits. Her passion is to bring resources to the people that need them most. She is very excited to be a part of an organization doing work close to her heart.
When she is not at the office, Kallie loves listening to music, spending time with family and friends, and doing all kinds of crafts.
Jennifer Pimentel
Branch Manager: NevadaJennifer (she/her) moved to Las Vegas from New Jersey with the dream of creating a foundation that would support, not save, sex workers. She discovered TCG through a late night Google search, fell in love, and applied as a volunteer that same night!
As a former SW, Jen hopes to use her story to raise awareness & speak on the realities that sex workers experience. After retiring from SW, she became a certified pole dance instructor + participated in Pole Sport Organization competitions as both a competitor and judge.
In her spare time you can find Jennifer clacking her 8 inch heels to beat of her favorite songs or dancing with tourists on Fremont St!
Geri Santini
Junior Program Coordinator: NevadaGeri (she/her) is a native New Yorker, mother, artist, and breast cancer survivor who has been living in Las Vegas since 1996. Her passion for people and volunteering has ignited the spark for her interest in the field of mental health, as she is now in the pursuit of earning a Master of Science In Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. As one of the newest members of the Cupcake Girls team, she hopes to put her knowledge, creativity, and empathetic abilities to use to help support marginalized populations.
In her free time, you can catch Geri in search of live music, Netflix shows she hasn’t already seen and spending time with her three daughters.
Clara Tang
Junior Program Coordinator: NevadaClara (she/her) is an aspiring acupuncturist who believes in affordable, accessible, and integrative care for everyone. At The Cupcake Girls, she extends this philosophy to her clients with compassion and empathy.
Outside of work, Clara is a fabric and textile artist, electronic music producer, DJ, and lover of salmon sushi.
Alyssa Tolva
Branch Manager: Oregon + SW WashingtonAlyssa (she|her|hers) is the Branch Manager of Oregon + SW Washington and oversees the Volunteer Care, Networking, Partners, Hospitality, and Office teams.
She joined staff in April of 2018 as the Events + Community Engagement Manager and in 2021 became the Branch Manager. Alyssa brings with her over fifteen years of leadership experience, a love for event planning, and a strong desire to fight for equitable rights.
Her passions include spending time with her husband and stepdaughter, dancing to Bollywood, wholeheartedly showing her love for Feminism, gardening, and picnicking in cemeteries. Laugh out loud as much as possible!