~ HER Board ~

Laura Bender

Founder / Executive Director

In 2009, I began my own healing journey from marital betrayal. I progressed through therapy, intensives, books, classes, and my absolute mainstay was my Bible. During my recovery years, connecting with other women who were also experiencing marital betrayal, was invaluable for me. Within those connections, many marriages were healed, while others were devastatingly destroyed, yet every woman was engulfed in a sea of agonizing, emotional pain.

This organization provides a community of support and direction, and we are committed to our mission and future goals. It is my heartfelt honor to serve HER as she heals.

 

Yolande Brizendine

Nonprofit & Housing Project Advisor

Yolande Brizendine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #66388) with a passion for helping clients turn life’s traumas into strengths. She has extensive experience working with children, with the elderly, as well as with special needs, high risk youth, and trauma survivors of all ages. She graduated with a Master’s in Social Welfare from UCLA in 1996, and has two undergraduate degrees in languages and communication, and has 20 years experience helping others as a social worker, advocate, and community leader.

She is a wife and mother to 3 great kids who once had special needs and are now thriving. Music, creativity and fun are her passions, and she often incorporates play therapies, art and music into the counseling setting. 

 

Sandy Jocoy

Educational Contributor

I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist practicing at Family Phases Counseling in Woodland Hills, and Westlake Village CA.

I graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from UCLA with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. I completed my Masters Degree with honors in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. My graduate work included a specialization in co-occurring disorders and family systems, and my Masters dissertation was on forgiveness therapy. 

In addition to my professional training, I bring my life experience of over 30 years of marriage and addiction recovery, and raising three grown children to my life’s work. I also teach in the Addiction Program at Phillips Graduate Institute and at Pierce College, and am often invited to give presentations to churches on the issues of sexual integrity and marital infidelity recovery. 

 

Tori Bellino

Marketing & Networking Executive

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.  It's about learning how to dance in the rain." ~Vivian Greene

I believe we all have storms in our lives, it just depends on how we are going to get through them. God says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~James 1:2-4

Our Faith can be tested to a thread, but this is when we need to hold on to God's word and pray. Perseverance will lead you to the woman God intended for you to be.

It is my honor to be on the Board of HER and walk beside each one of you in prayer and service. Take hold of Jesus' hand and dance!

 

Connie Ragan

Financial Administrator

Connie’s journey of healing began after leaving her marriage in 1988. 

Her journey includes many years of therapy, books, and classes inspiring Connie’s dedication to help women struggling with betrayal. 

Connie is dedicated to lead by example with empathy and compassion for the human spirit.

 

 

 

Oh that you would bless her indeed, and enlarge her territory. Let your hand be with her, and that you would keep her from harm that causes pain.
And God granted her request.

from 1 Chronicles 4:10