About Us
About FailSafe for Life's Team
Sabrina Votava
Founder and Executive Director
Sabrina Votava is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and an educator on suicide prevention and intervention. Having worked in this field for over two decades, Sabrina’s passion is evident in her work. After growing up in the Spokane area, Sabrina moved to Seattle where she got her B.S. degree in Public Health. While earning her undergraduate degree, two of Sabrina’s brothers died by suicide just six months apart. She knew she always wanted to be in a helping profession, but it was then that she made a commitment to working in the field of mental health and suicide prevention. She returned to Spokane in 2010 with her husband Jason to start their family. In 2016, she left her position working for a youth serving non-profit to start FailSafe for Life and return to school at Whitworth University where she earned her M.A. in Social and Behavioral Health. Sabrina enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and neighbors, camping, kayaking, dining, and going to concerts.
Becka Bruce
Director of Development
Becka is a PNW native who grew up on a farm just north of Spokane, WA and attended K-12 at the Riverside School District. A Health and Wellness Coach by day, Becka is excited to join the FailSafe for Life board as the incoming Development Director. Serving on various non-profit boards for the past 15 years has led to her growing passion to serve her community, particularly in fund raising. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, concerts, traveling and animal welfare advocacy.
Laurie Bowman
Graphic Design/Web Coordinator
Laurie was born and raised in the Spokane area. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Technical Communication at Eastern Washington University and her master’s degree in Strategic Communication from Washington State University. Her educational background is in graphic and web design, technical and professional writing, marketing, and public relations.
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During the day, Laurie works as a marketer for a civil engineering firm.
As part of her duties, she designs for both internal and external objectives, as well as assists in business development and project pursuits. She counts her most important role, however, as a mother to her two children.
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As an associate for FailSafe for Life, she was brought on early in the process to assist Sabrina in the establishment of the brand and website. She continues to provide graphic design and web editing services for the president and board. Laurie is proud to be a part of an organization with such a vital and important mission in our community.
Governing Board
Margot Petersen
President
Margot was born and raised in Spokane and is proud to call the Pacific Northwest home. She spent most of her career in the financial services industry, and has been an active volunteer in the community for many years. Her commitment to the community has included volunteer roles as a CASA Guardian ad Litem, foster parent, and she is currently the Executive Director at Free Rein Therapeutic Riding. She is mom to a witty and smart 22-year-old son and two adorable dogs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at Priest Lake and any kind of travel adventure.
Tasha Walsh
Vice President
Tasha Walsh is a professional accountant with a deep commitment to education, community service, and helping others thrive. With years of experience in financial management, she brings precision, integrity, and a heart for service to every aspect of her work. In addition to her accounting career, she teaches math and tumbling at Deer Park Home Link, where she combines structure and enthusiasm to support students in building both academic and physical confidence.
Tasha also volunteers as a youth cheer coach, encouraging teamwork, resilience, and self-esteem in young athletes. Her love for animals led her to volunteer at SpokAnimal, where she devotes time to caring for cats and supporting the shelter’s mission. Tasha lives on a farm in Deer Park with her husband and two boys, whom she homeschools with creativity and intention. Whether managing books, mentoring students, or bottle-feeding kittens, Tasha’s passion lies in lifting others up and serving her community in meaningful ways.
Crystal Lawrence
Secretary
Crystal brings over 20 years of banking/mortgage experience, the gift of raising five amazing children, and the passion to serve the community and make a difference at FailSafe for Life. Crystal grew up in Elk, WA and has engrained herself in the Spokane community ever since. She graduated from Riverside High School, where she began to shape her leadership skills in ASB and was the ASB secretary for her Junior and Senior year. Crystal now enjoys leading from a place as a mother to her children and loves to go camping with her husband and kids - her favorite place to be is at Loon Lake with her family. She looks forward to serving the community while bringing awareness to end suicide through connection, education, and hope!
Lisa Ridgeway
Treasurer
Born and raised in the PNW, Lisa acquired her Business Administration degree with a dual focus in Marketing and Finance from Gonzaga University in 2008. While working in many different industries including healthcare, hospitality and the non-profit sector, Lisa currently is the Director of Operations of Sodexo at Gonzaga University where she oversees 16 different businesses on campus. Lisa brings over 15 years of marketing and business strategy experience with her, having specialties in brand strategy and multi-unit business operations.
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Lisa joined Failsafe For Life in 2022 after being a longtime supporter, with a passion for elevating the business side of the organization. She is proud to be part of an organization making such an impact in the PNW and looks forward to reducing the barriers and stigma’s around suicide through connection, education, and hope.
Melva Moore
Board Member
Melva Moore (she/hers) is currently the Director of Mental Health Services at the YWCA Spokane. Not only does Melva hold her own caseload where she provides mental health therapy to people impacted by trauma, but she also supports her team and oversees the strategic direction of the mental health program. Melva also works on departmental budgets, grant compliance and overview, and moving initiatives forward for the mission of the YWCA. She's worked serving survivors of intimate partner violence for over ten years and has supported survivors in a variety of capacities. Melva is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with a Masters Degree in Social Work. With years of experience working with people who have been impacted by trauma, Melva brings an important mental health lens to the board and is excited to bring that perspective to the team.
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Katie Bousley
Board Member
Katie (Prichard) Bousley grew up in Elk, Washington and has lived her whole life in Spokane County. After a high school sports career that included five state track championships, she went on to play basketball at Gonzaga University. Her inspiring and selfless attitude was rewarded when the coaches chose to name one of the team awards the “Katie Prichard Most Inspirational Player” award. While at Gonzaga, Katie earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in mathematics and history and following graduation went on to Whitworth University, earning her Master’s in Teaching. She began teaching math at Central Valley high school in 2007, where she has been ever since. In 2012, Katie furthered her education by earning her National Board Certification. She currently teaches algebra, advocates for students in support programs, and is an assistant cross country coach.
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Katie found her passion for working with youth, specifically those under represented, while volunteering with Gonzaga University’s Special Recreation teams. Through her teaching career, Katie has seen the mental health struggle that current and former students deal with on a consistent basis; she is passionate about helping people connect to the community and find their self-worth. Katie is excited to be a board member of FailSafe for Life and advocate for mental health issues/suicide prevention in the school system and locally in the community.
Ambassador Board
Sassy Henderson
Board Member
Sassy grew up in the Lewis-Clark Valley and relocated to Spokane in 2020. After attending a QPR training in 2023, she knew she wanted to be involved in Failsafe for Life’s mission in whatever capacity she could, first volunteering at events and then joining the board. You can often find her at events like Pride and Unity in Community, where she engages with attendees and encourages them to write uplifting cards for those in need. Sassy’s personal experiences with chronic illness, mental health struggles, and suicide have shaped her empathetic approach to life. She is committed to fostering open conversations about suicide and mental health, aiming to break down the stigma through connection, education, and hope.
Sassy crochets for the annual Baskets of Kindness event in collaboration with Light a Lamp each fall and founded Failsafe for Life’s Compassionate Crafters to foster connection amongst fiber artists and project creation and contribution. In addition to her work with Failsafe for Life, she mentors at Odyssey Youth Movement and is pursuing a Psychology degree at Eastern Washington University.
When she’s not working on these initiatives, Sassy enjoys spending time with her cats, creating, reading, and listening to music. Her grandmother is her biggest cheerleader.
Brandy Singer
Board Member
Brandy Singer brings a wealth of experience and heartfelt dedication to FailSafe for Life as a Board Member starting in 2023. Since moving to Spokane in 1997, Brandy has been an active member of the community, raising a family and building a successful career as a pharmacist. With a deep-seated compassion for people and a profound understanding of their needs, Brandy has consistently found ways to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in our community.
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Tragically, in 2021, Brandy’s family faced an unimaginable loss when they lost their teenage son to suicide. This personal experience has ignited an unshakable passion within Brandy to advocate for mental health empowerment, especially among the youth community.
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Through her work on the board, Brandy is able to support FailSafe for Life’s mission to end suicide in our community. She brings her unique perspective, blending professional expertise and personal journey, to drive initiatives that bring about lasting transformation in suicide awareness and prevention strategies. Brandy’s steadfast dedication, combined with genuine empathy, contributes to FailSafe for Life as they continue to pave the way for a brighter future in mental health.
Julio Valencia
Board Member
Julio Valencia currently serves as a security officer at Valley Multicare Hospital in Spokane Valley, where he continues his lifelong commitment to protecting and supporting others. With nine years of military service, including two combat deployments, and four years in
law enforcement, Julio brings deep experience in crisis response, de-escalation tactics, and mental health advocacy.
During his military career, Julio served as the Suicide Prevention Representative for a unit of over 300 soldiers while stationed in Hawaii. In that role, he became a trusted source of strength and support for service members navigating mental health struggles. Drawing from both professional experience and his own personal journey—including supporting suicidal friends, fellow soldiers, and confronting his own suicidal ideations—Julio developed a powerful sense of empathy and purpose.
Now pursuing a degree in psychology, Julio’s mission is rooted in humility, compassion, and service. He is known for putting others first, always showing up with a smile, and never asking for recognition or reward. His heart for community and mental health awareness perfectly aligns with FailSafe For Life’s mission to reduce suicide through education, connection, and hope.