Board of Directors/ Mentorship Team

Norma Darnell, President 

Norma Darnell is the owner of Free Ever After Bridal Boutique, a well-known, budget-friendly bridal shop with a mission to help survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

With a deep passion for empowering women, Norma developed an internship program at her boutique designed to help survivors gain valuable career skills in the bridal industry, while also discovering their own unique gifts and talents.

Before owning the shop, Norma worked for several years as a social worker, primarily supporting women in recovery from substance use. She later transitioned into a supervisory role, overseeing multiple departments, including housing. During that time, Norma played a key role in developing a housing program that received an award for its outstanding success stories and commitment to recovery-based models.

Stacy Rakowitz, Vice President

Stacy is a licensed professional counselor with a passion for supporting survivors of trauma, particularly individuals who have experienced human trafficking. She has been actively involved in community outreach, volunteering at numerous events aimed at raising awareness about human trafficking and promoting internet safety. In addition to her volunteer efforts, Stacy regularly provides educational trainings throughout the community, helping to inform and equip others in the fight against trafficking.

Bryonne Luhtala

Secretary

Bryonne has lived in Tucson for nearly 25 years now! She enjoys serving the Tucson community as a healthcare professional and through volunteerism. She recently became a certified laser technician and hopes to help support those in the SAAS mentorship program by offering tattoo removal. Bryonne is grateful to be a part of SAAS and its mission to provide individualized support to survivors! 

Victor Bellino

Treasurer