Christa Collier

Background

About Christa Collier

I have over 25 years’ experience working with nonprofit organizations focused on childcare, child advocacy and philanthropy. Currently, I am serving as the Director of Training, Education and Special Initiatives at the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA.). MACA pioneers leading edge work to improve the lives of children who have experienced abuse and serves as the statewide coalition of the 12 Children’s Advocacy Centers. We promote an integrated, multidisciplinary team response to child abuse. MACA is committed to strengthening collaboration and fostering systemic and societal change to protect children. In my role at MACA, I manage the agency’s statewide training and education initiatives, including the annual statewide conference, mental health learning collaboratives for Problematic Sexualized Behavior-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT) for school aged children and for Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as our child abuse prevention/intervention training, “Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse: Working Together to End Abuse.” My immediate past role as Executive Director of Northern Berkshire United Way, allowed me the opportunity to support funded agencies within Northern Berkshire area, Massachusetts. I was charged with managing all areas of the agency’s operations, strategic plan, financial management, fundraising, community relations and marketing. I previously served as the Director of Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center, Inc, an accredited children's advocacy center from 2011-2016. During my tenure at Kids' Place, the agency conducted a full security review and developed the first cultural competency plan, which expanded the access of underserved populations in Northern and Southern Berkshire County. The agency also participated in the 18-month long Mass Child Trauma Project as a senior leader through UMASS Worcester. This project trained agency therapists in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and prepared them for national certification. Formerly, I served as the Executive Director of Girls Inc. of the Berkshires and worked for that organization from 1996-2011 in various managerial positions. Since 2005, Girls Inc. of the Berkshires has been part of the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, where I served a dual role as the Program Officer, directly supervising seven program departments and directors, including the human resources/personnel administration and center operations. In addition, I am a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Massachusetts.