At The Domestic Violence & Abuse Center, we are committed to treating our clients with dignity and respect. Every member of our staff is guided by kindness, compassion, and empathy for every person who walks through our doors.
Tara Balstad
Executive Director
Tara was born and raised in Mayville, ND, and has a genuine passion for the work that she does at DVAC. She spent her first four years working as a Direct Service Advocate and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2018. Her steadfast faith and commitment to serving others makes her the perfect person to turn to in times of crisis. She also has a contagious enthusiasm for working hard and making a difference, which benefits both clients and other staff members. Her compassion, patience, and trustworthiness make her a valuable asset to this organization.
Office phone: 701-331-0466
Direct email: tara@dvacnd.org
Diana
Walsh County Bilingual Advocate
Diana is our Bilingual Advocate, who is fluent in both Spanish and English. She is originally from Laredo, TX, and loves spending time with her children and grandson. Her favorite part about her job is being able to help people get a place of their own after staying with us in our Shelter. Honesty, open-mindedness, and dependability are values that she lives by, which shows in her everyday work. The confidence that she has in her own judgment makes her an integral part of our team.
Office phone: 701-331-0466
Direct email: diana@dvacnd.org
Tammy
Assistant Director/Prevention Coordinator
Tammy is passionate about learning and excels in communication. She is a true problem solver and loves to be part of a team. Her favorite part of her job is listening to people and helping them figure out what their next move will be. When she’s not at work, she enjoys being with her family, curling up with a good book, or spending time at the lake. She’s a grandmother of four, loves writer Jodi Picoult, and is a Dallas Cowboys fan.
Office phone: 701-331-0466
Direct email: tammy@dvacnd.org
Trish
Pembina & Cavalier Counties Advocate/Prevention
Trish is originally from Denver, Colorado, but has also lived in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and now North Dakota. She has degrees in both Social Work and Psychology, and has experience working with wounded warriors suffering from TBIs and/or PTSD, attended a police academy, and various office management duties. She has earned many awards and achievements, including for her volunteer work at Fort Carson with the Army Community Services and as a Family Readiness Group Leader. She truly is a Jane-of-all-trades! When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog, painting, embroidering, crafting, reading, taking pictures, riding horses, or watching football. Her big heart and compassion for others has helped her find her place here at DVAC.
Office phone: 701-270-7124
Direct email: trish@dvacnd.org
Krystal
Walsh County Advocate/Prevention
Krystal is originally from Idaho, but lived in California for the past 8 years, where she gained experience in state and federal programs such as food stamps and cash assistance. She loves helping people and seeing a positive change in the world, no matter how big or small. She strives to respect others’ life choices, beliefs, and feelings. When she’s not at work, she likes spending time with her kids, baking, watching TV, and gardening.
Office phone: 701-331-0466
Direct email: krystal@dvacnd.org
Julia
Choice to Change Coordinator and Facilitator
Before joining DVAC, Julia completed an internship with the Sexual Violence Center in Minneapolis, and then spent 10 years with the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter. She started as a Shelter Assistant, and eventually worked her way up to the Shelter Services Coordinator, supervising all shelter staff including Shelter Assistants, Shelter Advocates, and Human Trafficking Advocates. She also has experience working at Fargo Housing, both as the FSS Coordinator and then as a Section 8 Voucher Coordinator. She also works for the State of North Dakota as a Case Manager. In her free time, she enjoys painting, crafts, bow hunting, fishing, going to her camper, walking her dogs, spending time with family and friends, reading, gardening, watching scary movies, and spending time outdoors.
Office phone: 701-352-8266
Direct email: choicetochange@dvacnd.org
Emily
Digital Content Coordinator
While pursuing her college degree, Emily completed an internship at the school in Grafton where she worked with the school counselors and gained an appreciation for adolescent mental health. She is a lover of nature, and enjoys hiking, bike riding, and anything else that she can do outdoors. Kindness and empathy are her biggest strengths, and she also continues to strive for new ways to improve and update the technology and design aspects of running a non-profit. She loves that she's able to make a difference right in her own community.
Direct email: emily@dvacnd.org