Crisis Center Staff

"What one has, one ought to use: and whatever he does, he should do with all his might."
- Marcus Tullius Cicero

Becci Reedus

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Becci is responsible for the overall management of The Crisis Center of Johnson County, operating under the strategic direction established by the Board of Directors. She has 35 years of experience in nonprofit management, most recently at Common Ground, a crisis center in the Detroit, Michigan area.

Becci is originally from LaPorte City, Iowa and holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Her email address is becci.reedus@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext. 109.

Fun fact: Becci's first day at the Crisis Center was June 23, 2008 which coincided with the peak of the Iowa City area floods that summer.

Rachel Beach

Crisis Chat Coordinator

As coordinator of our Crisis Chat online counseling service, Rachel is responsible for recruitment, training and management of our Chat specialist volunteers. She joined The Crisis Center in October 2011.

Rachel graduated from the University of Iowa in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in computer science as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She hails from Rockford, Illinois. Rachel's email address is rachel.beach@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext. 111.

Fun fact: Just prior to joining our staff, Rachel spent 9 weeks teaching English and science to high school students in the country of Ghana.

Stefanie Bell

Food Bank Coordinator

Stefanie coordinates training and support for all volunteers in the Food Bank program and supervises day-to-day program operations. She joined The Crisis Center staff in June 2010 and previously served as Volunteer Coordinator for the University of Iowa's RiverFest.

Stefanie has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Iowa and is originally from Middletown, IA. Her email address is stefanie.bell@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached weekdays at (319) 351-0128. Stefanie's after hours phone number is (319) 351-2726 ext. 120.

Fun fact: Stefanie and her husband, Trey, plan to live abroad in the Middle East someday.

Sarah Benson Witry

Food Bank & Emergency Assistance Director

Sarah supervises staff, volunteers, operations and purchasing as the director of the Food Bank & Emergency Assistance Program. She had been a Crisis Center volunteer for almost six years prior to starting her position in October 2008.

Sarah completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Iowa in May 2009 and is a native of Ames, Iowa. Her email address is sarah.witry@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached weekdays at (319) 351-0128. Her after hours phone number is (319) 351-2726 ext. 118.

Fun fact: Despite growing up in Cyclone country, Sarah is a faithful Hawkeye fan.

Elizabeth Haas

Emergency Assistance Coordinator

As Coordinator, Elizabeth oversees the efforts to provide emergency financial assistance to clients and also supports the Food Bank staff and volunteers with food distribution. She started her tenure at The Crisis Center as a volunteer, served as a tornado case advocate in April 2006 and assumed her current responsibilities in fall 2006.

Elizabeth's hometown is Grinnell, Iowa and she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from Macalester College. Her email address is elizabeth.haas@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached weekdays at (319) 351-0128. Her after hours phone number is (319) 351-2726 ext. 117.

Fun fact: To maintain her sanity, Elizabeth volunteers once a week at the Macbride Raptor Project.

Harmony Hauser

Communications Coordinator

As the communications coordinator, Harmony develops and implements comprehensive public relations and marketing efforts for The Crisis Center, including internal and external communication pieces, media relations, and social media strategy. Harmony joined The Crisis Center staff in September 2012 and began volunteering in 2009.

Harmony holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Spanish from The University of Iowa. Her email address is harmony.hauser@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext. 106.

Fun Fact: Harmony loves to travel and speak Spanish. She spent a year studying Spanish in Costa Rica. 

Sara Knox

CUSA National Crisis Chat Coordinator

As the CONTACT USA (CUSA) National Crisis Chat Coordinator, Sara coordinates chat services offered through crisischat.org, including recruitment of new partner centers, training of staff and volunteers, and development of best practices. She also assists CONTACT USA in other areas such as fundraising and member services.

Sara received a Bachelor of Science degrees in economics from the University of Iowa and her hometown is Pomeroy, Iowa. Her email address is sara.knox@jccrisiscenter.org.

Fun fact: For exercise, Sara trains with a boxing coach but has no plans to enter the competitive ring anytime soon.

Angie Meiers

Office Manager

Angie is responsible for everything related to the operations of the Crisis Center. Bookkeeping and financial reports, purchasing, building maintenance, staff benefits and payroll (our favorite!) are just a few of her many areas of expertise.

Angie joined the Crisis Center in September 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from St. Ambrose University and is a native of Durant, Iowa. Her email address is angie.meiers@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext. 107.

Fun fact: Angie and her daughter, Abby, share the same birthday.

Keri Neblett

Community Intervention Director

As CI Director, Keri manages the staff, volunteers and service delivery of the Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention and Disaster Response programs. She came to to the Crisis Center from the Partnership for Safe Families in February 2004 but had served as a 24-Hour Crisis Line volunteer for five years in the 1990's.

Keri hails from Louisville, Kentucky (go Cardinals!) and holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. Her email address is keri.neblett@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext. 114.

Fun fact: Keri bears a strong resemblance to Xena, Warrior Princess.

Sandy Pickup

Development Coordinator

Sandy implements The Crisis Center’s donor stewardship program, manages the complexities of our extensive database system, acknowledges incoming gifts and donations, and seeks to engage the community in new giving opportunities. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her many years as the co-director of the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic and as an advocate for United Way of Johnson County.

Though Sandy calls Iowa City home, she grew up in Indianola, Iowa and has a BA in art and elementary education from Simpson College. She became part of The Crisis Center in August 2012. Her email address is sandy.pickup@jccrisiscenter.org and her phone number is 319) 351-2726 ext. 105.

Fun Fact: Sandy's secret is that she ought to have a kennel license: she has six dogs and one cat.

Beau Pinkham

Crisis Intervention Coordinator

Training, scheduling and supporting the volunteers who provide counseling services in person and on the 24-Hour Crisis Line are Beau's key responsibilities. He joined the Crisis Center staff in May 2012 after many years of serving as a volunteer and was employed as a Residential Coordinator at the Shelter House prior to his current position.

Beau is an Iowa City original and holds 3 degrees from the University of Iowa in Business Marketing, Business Management, and German. His email address is beau.pinkham@jccrisiscenter.org and he can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext. 102.

Fun Fact: Beau is fluent in German, and can cuss in over six languages.

Beth Ritter Ruback

Communications & Development Director

Beth is responsible for internal and external communications, advertising, fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship for the Crisis Center. Prior to joining the staff in January 2009, she served as a state tobacco control advocate for seven years.

Beth is originally from Creston, Iowa and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Iowa. Her email address is beth.ruback@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext. 108.

Fun fact: Beth tries to live by the motto "Life is short, eat dessert first."