Our Team

The majority of Saving Grace staff provide crucial direct services to survivors across Central Oregon. They are not pictured here to protect their privacy, but advocates and facilitators are an integral part of our team and carry out Saving Grace’s mission every day.

Please meet our administrative staff below!

CASSI MACQUEEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A native Texan, Cassi grew up working with at-risk youth in some of the most impoverished areas of North Texas. Inspired by the resiliency she witnessed in underserved communities, Cassi developed a deep passion for public service and a commitment to social change. Cassi’s career has included leadership positions at non-profit organizations across the country including Director of Outreach & Education at Chamberlain Performing Arts, Director of Development at Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland, and Chief Operating Officer of the Cascades & Alaska Regions at the American Red Cross. Cassi is an avid hiker and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.

TRISH MEYER, ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Trish has been with Saving Grace since 2002. She works closely with community partners in Deschutes County and oversees the Lethality Assessment Program, and the Crook and Jefferson County programs. Prior to working with Saving Grace, Trish’s background includes management positions with the SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) Program and Sonoma Compost Company, and direct service positions with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and in the education field. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a multiple subject teaching credential. She’s the proud mom of Gibson the golden retriever, who currently serves as Saving Grace’s Head of Surveillance.

REBECCA SWEARINGEN, Finance & compliance director

Rebecca earned her bachelor’s in Psychology from Eastern Oregon University and started with Saving Grace in 2000. Prior to coming to Saving Grace, Rebecca worked for the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO). While she has had many different roles during her time here, she has most recently served as Business Manager, where she coordinates, administers and manages the financial and business activities to ensure sound fiscal management. When she isn’t at work, Rebecca spends her time researching family history, recovering, preserving and sharing treasured family artifacts and stories. She also volunteers at a local veteran’s group in Prineville. Rebecca and her husband enjoy camping and spending time with family.

Shannon ries, development director

Shannon joined Saving Grace in 2020. Shannon received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from University of California Santa Cruz and moved to Central Oregon in 2006. Having witnessed firsthand the devastation of poverty and homelessness in her own family Shannon developed a strong sense of belonging in the nonprofit sector and a deep appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life for individuals; one program at a time. Since then, Shannon has spent the greater part of her professional life devoted to helping grow and support charitable organizations in the community. Outside of Saving Grace Shannon likes to spend time with her husband, daughter, and dog, hiking, gardening, and enjoying all that Central Oregon has to offer.

Jenna McCann, VOLUNTEER PROGRAM & PREVENTION COORDINATOR

Jenna has lived in Bend since 2001 and joined us at Saving Grace in 2020. She graduated from OSU Cascades with a degree in Human Development and Family Science. Jenna previously worked in mentoring at Big Brothers Big Sisters for 8 years which included case management and volunteer coordination.  She has a passion for helping others and connecting with the Central Oregon community! When Jenna isn’t working with our volunteers or in youth violence prevention, she enjoys hiking with her goldens, reading,  cooking and eating!.

DAVID HOOVER,
MARKETING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

David was born and raised in Bend in true Bendite fashion. As a lover of the outdoors and all that Bend has to offer, he spends his time outside of work skiing, hiking and exploring all that Central Oregon has to offer. David is passionate about making a difference for the people in the community he’s grown up in, finding purpose in bringing awareness to non-profit causes. As a marketer and graphic design creator he’s worked in a variety of industries, joining the Saving Grace team in 2023. 

Interested in joining our team? Click HERE for a list of open positions.

KELLEY BRENT, ADMINistrative & HR Services Manager

Kelley and her husband Don moved to Bend in 1991. Before joining Saving Grace in 2008, Kelley spent most her days volunteering in the Bend community while raising her three boys. During that time, Kelley earned her degree at COCC, then studied Education through Eastern Oregon University. Kelley is responsible for general management of the Saving Grace Administrative Office, Payroll, HR and Benefits Management, Accounts Payable and Banking. She also lends a hand in the Development Department. Her favorite places to be outside of work are hanging out with her family, reading in the sunshine, and floating in the lake on the pontoon.

Stephanie Miller, DONOR RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Stephanie has lived in Bend since 2005 and joined Saving Grace in March 2021. Previously she worked in Development at Bethlehem Inn for 8 years assisting with fundraising, donor engagement and events. She is passionate about helping people in the community live safe, healthy and happy lives.  Stephanie is very excited to be part of the amazing Saving Grace staff. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and husky, LuLu and golden retriever puppy, HoneyBee. She and her husband have been active in Bend’s local music scene for many years and now enjoy playing music together at home in their recording studio.

Heather Van Datta, ADMIN & Donations Coordinator

Heather moved to Bend in 2011 from the Portland area. She earned her degree from OSU in Human Development & Family Sciences, then went to work as an Account Manager helping to design and sell electronic components for many years. Heather always felt connected to her original education and felt called to do something greater to help others in an impactful way. Life’s circumstances lined up perfectly to join Saving Grace in 2021. Heather is able to utilize the organizational & office skills ingrained over the years, and to be part of a team making positive changes. Outside work Heather likes to hike or cross-country ski with her dogs McKinley and Shasta. She also loves to travel and explore the “local” parts of places. In Guatemala she camped on top of a sleeping volcano! Heather enjoys working in her yard, baking cookies, breads, and cheesecakes. (Eating a lot of them too!)