Get to know the Resilience Team

Persona and Positions From Left to Right:

Renee Kargleder (Executive Director and Founder)

Founded the Resilience Project in 2017 as a collaboration with AAUW-Tucson Branch. Since then the Resilience Project has morphed from a scholarship to a dynamic Research co-operative consisting of Art therapy, Trauma support, Music Therapy, Mural creation, Casework, and Resource mapping. We are devoted to Empowering survivors of Sexual Violence and Sexual Assault through art and other methods of self expression. As a Survivor of Sexual Violence, Renee knows first hand the importance of community in the healing of individuals.

Jessie Wong (Community Educator: Curriculum Specialist)

Jessie one of our research specialist currently majoring in Psychology and Statistics in NYC. Jessie works on topics in relation to intersectionality and Health accessibility.

Ian Anlap (Research Director)

Ian is our Community Educator for the Resilience Project.  He’s also a Clinical Research Coordinator in Tucson, AZ and has a passion for helping underrepresented populations and improving one's mental health and well-being through evidence-based interventions and neuroscience.  Ian enjoys hiking, yoga, meditation, and cooking! Ian also volunteers at National Crisis Lines as a resource operator.

Angela Daniels-Valenzuela (Art Therapist)

Angela Daniels-Valenzuela is a multi-talented Artist, Writer, Board Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Counselor originally from Cleveland, OH. She received her Bachelors Degree in Fine Art in 1997; a Masters Degree in Art Therapy and Counseling in 2000; and a Masters Degree in Human Resources with a concentration in Substance Abuse Counseling in 2014. Angela has exhibited her art in galleries internationally. She has created Art Therapy programs and has spoken at conferences throughout the nation on the way Art Therapy can be transformative in the lives of others. She has taught High School Art to youth struggling with emotional and mental health and in summer programs in Ohio and in Tucson, AZ with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. She has a strong passion for helping people find their own voice and heal their own lives.

Kile Stewart (Administrative Assistant and HR Liaison)

Kile is a Minnesota Native transplanted to Tucson in 2021. He is an artist, musician, and enthusiastic foodie. A longtime friend of a sexual assault survivor, Kile has seen first-hand the triumph of the human spirit and the transformational power that love, hope, and community can have on a traumatized individual. Kile is excited to be a part of the team and help bring this message of hope to the Tucson community.

Sasha Timpson (Community Garden Instructor)

Sasha (they/them/theirs) grew up along the marshy coastlands of Maine, but has been enthralled by the Sonoran desert ever since they first moved to Arizona in 2011. They are passionate about the relationships between people and plants, and believe deeply in our capacity for healing and care. They are a trained clinical herbalist and the current garden operations manager for Community Gardens of Tucson.

Brittany Taylor (Ecological Projects Facilitator)

Hi! My name is Brittany, I'm originally from Wisconsin but I moved to Arizona for school. I attended the University of Arizona where I got a degree in Environmental Studies. In my free time I love to cook, go on hikes, and hang out with my cat!

Emily Monreal (Webmaster I)

My name is Emily Monreal. I am originally from Tucson, AZ but lived in Atlanta, GA for about 12 years. I returned to Tucson in 2016 to pursue my studies at the University of Arizona. I graduated in 2020, with a double major in Information Systems and Supply Chain Operations. I currently work remotely for Honeywell as a Systems Programmer. I have always had a passion for working with technology as well as helping others. Growing up in a world where technology is constantly evolving, I have always concerned myself with its impact on society and how it could be of benefit to communities all around the world. My biggest goal in life is to utilize my passion and skills for programming to support our communities and improve quality of life.

Shenyse Lujan (Director of Programing)

Shenyse relocated to Tucson almost 10 years ago and completely fell in love with everything this great city has to offer! She has experience in building, launching, and growing Programs in the tech/software world and is excited to bring these skills to the Resilience Project. When not working (or volunteering!) you can find Shenyse hiking, cycling, roller skating, reading, or spending time with her two fur-babies and fiancé!

Barb Seaton (Music Director)

Retired, love to sing to express happiness, learning guitar