Bett Farrell Williams
Chief Communications Officer
I build energy for prevention so that more will join us.
Bett guides Children’s Trust in their communication strategy and prevention messaging work, leading a team of incredibly talented communications professionals. She has more than 30 years of experience in advertising, marketing, fundraising, operations, event and brand management. She also serves at the vice chair of the Communications Committee for the Children’s Trust Fund Alliance, the national organization for Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds.
Bett is immediate past president for the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., a civic leadership organization of 125,000 women across four countries. She has also served as president of the Junior League of Columbia, Inc., where she is a sustaining member, and been chair of the Governance Committee for the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands. Bett is a graduate of Leadership Columbia.
Bett has her Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University with majors in English and politics.
Kara Anderson
Communications Manager
I encourage people to find their place in prevention so that children and families can belong in safer and more loving communities.
Kara supports the storytelling and branding efforts at Children’s Trust, where she manages content for the various communications channels. She previously worked as the communications and marketing coordinator for the U.S. Tennis Association of South Carolina.
Kara serves on the board of Girls Rock Columbia. She’s a graduate of Columbia College with a bachelor’s degree in writing for print and digital media.
Tina Applebee
Marketing Manager
I amplify our prevention messaging to advance our mission while increasing awareness and engagement.
Tina Applebee leads the marketing efforts for Children’s Trust programs, including home visiting, Strengthening Families Program, Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), and family resource centers. She also manages marketing campaigns for Children’s Trust professional development opportunities.
Tina previously served as merchant development director of food and beverage at Groupon for 11 years in Chicago. She is a graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. She is originally from LaMoille, Illinois.
Brittany Crowley
Community Relations Coordinator
Brittany Crowley builds and maintains relationships with community members and partners across the state that work with children and families. She also manages and supports statewide prevention campaigns including Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Prior to joining Children’s Trust, Brittany worked as a teen services associate for several years at Richland Library. She holds a master’s in public administration with a specialization in nonprofit and public management from the University of Baltimore and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Coker University.
Todd Hooks
Art Director
I create designs in hopes that others are inspired to do great things in life.
Todd enjoys transforming ideas into exciting and intriguing designs. His experience in design and communication will help grow and strengthen the mission and vision of Children’s Trust.
He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in fine art, and he also holds an associate degree in graphic design from Greenville Technical College. He loves hearing about new gadgets and apps that make his job more fun and exciting, especially when he discovers something that really catches his eye.
Kenzie Russeau
Communications and Social Media Associate
Kenzie Russeau supports the statewide childcare awareness campaign with DSS and other organizational goals of Children’s Trust by assisting with content development, project management and other administrative tasks.
Prior to joining Children’s Trust, Kenzie worked at the Dean of Student’s Office at Coastal Carolina University, providing administrative support to the Student Affairs division. She is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
Kenzie is originally from Wheaton, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago.
Brooke Ryan
Lipscomb Assistant
Brooke Ryan serves as a Lipscomb Assistant for the 2022-2023 school year. She assists with marketing campaigns, social media, and Child Abuse Prevention Month promotion and implementation.
A junior at the University of South Carolina, she is majoring in marketing with a minor in public relations and advertising. She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority, which supports Prevent Child Abuse America as its national philanthropy as well as Children’s Trust in South Carolina.
