Leadership Team
Sara Rose Salih
Founder & CEO
Sara Rose Salih has dedicated her life to combining creativity with healing and community service. Her early work with special needs teenagers to her extensive involvement in philanthropic efforts through her sorority Sigma Kappa which included: Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Walk to End Alzheimer's, Inherit the Earth, Main Seacoast Mission, and Gerontology. After college Sara volunteered at the women’s shelter SafeHaven, in Tarrant County and served on the Board of Directors of Women In Film Dallas.
Her diverse background in film, writing, and abstract art from institutions including the University of London has led to publishing the empowering young adult book Tales of a Sevie, filming and directing The Epilepsy Heart Project and producing Heal The Cause—a compelling PSA about sexual abuse that showcased at the Women in Film Dallas Topaz Festival.
Her advocacy work led to the creation of an international online support group for sexual assault survivors, now 250 members strong. In 2021, Sara transformed her successful art show business, The Usual Artspects, into the nonprofit organization it is today, uniquely combining artistic expression with healing programs for female survivors.
Robert Salih
Director of Strategic Planning & Treasurer
Robert brings extensive professional experience from diverse roles, including restaurant operations management, software development consulting with Tangram Corporation, mortgage brokering, and property management. His dedication to community service is evident through his work with various nonprofits, including helping veterans at Ann Arbor House, supporting underprivileged children through multiple initiatives, and creating impactful programs for The Family Place in Dallas.
Currently with The Usual Artspects, he leverages his business acumen and passion for service to develop healing programs for sexual trauma survivors and create educational initiatives focused on preventing sexual abuse of young people.
Executive Board of Directors
Vice President & Art Show Director
Shawni is a self-taught artist and artisan whose creative journey with The Usual Artspects began in 2021 as a vendor. Specializing in glass and textile art, she transforms her mediums into powerful tools for personal healing and empowerment. Her passion for art extends beyond personal expression—she actively contributes to community wellness through volunteering at local schools and animal welfare programs.
In 2023, Shawni joined the Board of Directors for The Usual Artspects, driven by the organization's profound mission of using art as a healing pathway for survivors of abuse.
Secretary
Ronique is a Registered Nurse and passionate advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. With 10+ years of experience, she began her career in Atlanta's Pediatric ER, performing rape kits and supporting victims. She holds an MSN in Forensic Nursing and previously worked at a DV/SA shelter in Harnett County, NC, where she conducted community education and worked with a Sexual Assault Response Team for rural communities. Through SART she accompanied victims to hospitals and court.
As a survivor herself, Ronique has continued to seek opportunities to support survivors through The Usual Artspects since 2024 by being a donor, fundraisers, attending programs, participating in art markets, and by now contributing as a member of the Board of Directors.
Advisory Board
Advocate, Governor's Sexual Assault Survivors Task Force
Dr. Lavinia Masters is a pioneering advocate and survivor of sexual assault who has significantly influenced legislative reforms in the United States regarding the processing of sexual assault evidence kits. Her efforts were instrumental in the passage of the Lavinia Masters Act in Texas in 2019, which mandates the prompt testing of rape kits. Dr. Masters has emerged as a prominent leader in the movement to address the backlog of untested rape kits and to enhance the handling of sexual assault cases by law enforcement agencies. Beyond her legislative advocacy, Dr. Masters has played a crucial role in educating courts and legislators in both the United States and Africa on the financial and legal requirements necessary to combat violence against women. Her advocacy work spans raising awareness, supporting survivors, and championing policy changes aimed at improving the criminal justice system's response to sexual assault. In 2023 Dr. Masters was inducted to the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.
Dr. Kari Leavell is a licensed psychologist and owner of Grapevine Psychology, where she provides therapy services, clinical supervision, and customized employer wellness programs. As an active leader in the Texas Psychological Association serving as committee chair, board member, and president-elect, she brings extensive experience in mental health advocacy and crisis counseling. A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Leavell earned her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and recently completed a postdoctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology, positioning her to pioneer as a prescribing psychologist when legislation permits.
Her background includes significant work at the Sexual Assault Resource Center in Bryan, Texas, where she served as Director of Outreach Programs, providing crisis counseling and community education on intimate partner violence and sexual assault prevention across the Brazos Valley region.
PhD, MSCP, Grapevine Psychology
MA, LPC-S
Faith is a licensed professional counselor certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She earned her Master of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. Her expertise includes serving survivors of traumatic crime (including sexual assault, sexual abuse and domestic violence), depression, grief, anxiety, self-harm and women’s issues. She enjoys using expressive art techniques with clients as they begin the journey of processing difficult thoughts and feelings.
Therapists
Author, Retired Sex Crime Investigator
Robert, a former Dallas Police Officer and master Crime Analyst, gained recognition for developing innovative crime analysis techniques that led to the capture of the "Friendly Burglar Rapist" after a three-year investigation, which he documented in his true crime book. Drawing from his extensive experience working with survivors of sexual assault and abuse, he developed the Circle of Abuse training and advocates for therapeutic creative processes through The Usual Artspects. Beyond law enforcement, he is a prolific author of crime novels, poetry, and short stories, as well as an artist and photographer. A Vietnam veteran and past Rotary president, Sadler has also been recognized as one of Dallas' top private investigators and is an accomplished public speaker.
Marketing
Ellen Dannevik
Savilla Lacy
Anson Brown
Jessica Jacobs
Art & Vendor Markets Team
Rhonda Parsons
Lily Polsky
