Kelly Wuest, M.Ed.

Director of Training & Workforce Development

Kelly Wuest guides the training and professional development strategy for external partners and the community. She ensures Children’s Trust effectively helps others enhance their ability to support children and families.

Kelly has worked as an educator, facilitator and trainer in both higher education and non-profit organizations. She has developed a variety of curricula and programs to encourage learning, collaboration and connections.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Columbia College (SC) and a Master of Education in higher education and student affairs from the University of South Carolina.

Kelly Wuest, M.Ed.

Director of Training & Workforce Development

803-744-4039

kwuest@scchildren.org

Sarah Boler

Training Intern

As a training intern, Sarah Boler supports the Education and Training team by monitoring participant engagement and assisting with the development of new training evaluation tools.
 
She is currently in the University of South Carolina’s Masters of Social Work program with plans to graduate in Spring of 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mars Hill University. 
 
She previously completed fieldwork at Transitions Homeless Shelter. There she learned the importance of prevention and how to meet people where they are in all circumstances. She is originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Sarah Boler

Training Intern

803-733-5430

sboler@scchildren.org

Rebekah Doak, M.Ed.

Training Coordinator

Rebekah Doak is the lead trainer for Children’s Trust, helping to improve the skills and knowledge of professionals, community partners and educators throughout South Carolina regarding the prevention of child abuse and neglect. She leads the delivery of programs and develops new, relevant trainings and materials.

She has worked with children, families and early childhood providers for over 25 years, providing parent and teacher coaching, and developing a variety of curricula and trainings across Ohio. Her most recent role was with the Warren County Educational Service Center in Lebanon, Ohio, where she collaborated with state and local leaders to improve early intervention programming through developing and delivering staff education and support.

Rebekah earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Otterbein University and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction design from American InterContinental University. She is also a certified PLAY (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project Consultant, Teaching PLAY Consultant, and national supervisor-mentor for the parent-implemented autism intervention program.

Rebekah Doak, M.Ed.

Training Coordinator

(803) 744-4068

rdoak@scchildren.org

Alexis Dow

Training Associate

I believe children should have a voice, and our goal is to give them that voice.

Alexis assists the partner engagement team by setting up virtual and in-person trainings, serving as the contact person for attendees to answer any questions as well as offer assistance. She previously worked as a site supervisor for Club EdVenture, an after-school program offered by EdVenture Children’s Museum. In this position, she worked closely with Children’s Trust as a site coordinator for the Strengthening Families Program.

As a child, her mother worked for Epworth Children’s Home, where she experienced displaced children due to child abuse and neglect. This influenced her to study psychology with the goal of providing a better future for children and families. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina with a major in psychology and a minor in counseling.

Alexis Dow

Training Associate

803-744-4049

adow@scchildren.org

Morgan Koziol

Training Intern

A first-year Master of Social Work student at the University of South Carolina, Morgan Koziol supports the Children’s Trust Education and Training team.

She holds a master’s degree in sociology from USC. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in professional writing and rhetoric from Baylor University. 

Morgan is a member of the Family Inequality Research Lab at USC where she served as a teaching assistant in the Sociology of Families course. She has several certifications related to child abuse, neglect and protective factors.

Originally from Tyler, Texas, Morgan enjoys hiking with her two dogs, Georgia and Carolina, cooking and going to the gym.

Morgan Koziol

Training Intern

803-744-4031

mkoziol@scchildren.org

Dana Powell, M.Ed.

Workforce Development Coordinator

I help people develop their potential, identify their passion and live their lives on purpose as they serve children and families in their community.

Dana works to make sure all child and family serving professionals, as well as foster parents, adoptive parents and others, have the information they need to support children and families by strengthening protective factors. She is the lead trainer for early childhood development, middle childhood development, and responding to abuse and neglect trainings. Dana is also a protective factors trainer and an adverse childhood experiences (ACE) master trainer and one of the lead facilitators teaching new ACE master trainers. 

Prior to joining Children’s Trust, Dana worked with the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (now Fact Forward) for nearly 10 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Carson-Newman University and a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of South Carolina. Dana is a certified speaker, trainer and coach with the Maxwell Leadership team.  

Dana Powell, M.Ed.

Workforce Development Coordinator

803-744-4058

dpowell@scchildren.org

Shae Timpson

Training Assistant

“All kids need is a little help, a little hope and someone who believes in them.” - Magic Johnson

Shae Timpson assists with administrative duties for Children’s Trust’s prevention trainings and programs that improve the skills and knowledge of child- and family-serving professionals, community partners and educators throughout South Carolina. She coordinates prevention training activities, including serving as the initial point of contact for responding to and planning for training requests, preparing communication for training attendees, coordinating materials and supplies for training, and updating trainer information. 

Shae previously worked as a family advocate. She worked closely with children and families by conducting home visits to identify the family’s needs. She supported families by providing services, resources and tools to help them reach their goals.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Claflin University with a major in sociology.

Shae Timpson

Training Assistant

803-744-4033

stimpson@scchildren.org