our Circle of Strength Family Team

Elise Counts is the Founder of Circle of Strength and the visionary behind Circle of Strength Family, the organization’s nonprofit arm, dedicated to empowering and supporting families across New Jersey. With more than 25 years of service and leadership in the community, Elise has built her work around the belief that strong families create strong communities.

Through Circle of Strength Family, Elise helps lead initiatives that connect families, caregivers, and individuals with meaningful resources, advocacy, and opportunities for support. She is deeply committed to building collaborative partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and local leaders to expand access to services and strengthen support networks statewide.

Elise’s passion for advocacy is also rooted in personal experience supporting loved ones with disabilities, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges many families face when navigating systems of care. This experience has shaped her dedication to creating programs and events that bring communities together, raise awareness, and ensure families feel supported, valued, and empowered.

Under Elise’s leadership, Circle of Strength Family continues to grow its impact through community outreach, resource initiatives, and collaborative programs designed to uplift families and promote self-sufficiency. Her guiding philosophy is simple: when communities come together with compassion and purpose, meaningful change becomes possible.

Jessica Martin serves as the Strategic Development Manager for Circle of Strength Family. In this role, she leads the organization’s fundraising strategy, board development, community partnerships, and signature events to expand access to resources and strengthen families statewide.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Public Relations from Monmouth University and a Master of Science in Event Coordination and Hospitality from New York University. Her academic background, combined with professional experience in hospitality, event management, food and beverage operations, and retail leadership, provides her with a strong foundation in strategic planning, relationship-building, and operational execution.

She is responsible for building and engaging the nonprofit’s Board of Directors, cultivating corporate and community partnerships, and developing sustainable fundraising initiatives that directly enhance the capacity of Circle of Strength to serve individuals and families navigating the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) system. Her work supports expanded bilingual DDD workshops, caregiver resources, advocacy efforts, and inclusive community initiatives. Jessica is passionate about advancing equitable, family-centered support and fostering meaningful collaboration throughout New Jersey.

Erica Alisa Barajas is a dynamic philanthropy professional and strategic architect of change, dedicated to strengthening communities through powerful partnerships, storytelling, and transformative fundraising.

At Circle of Strength Family, Erica focuses on expanding national funding opportunities by identifying and cultivating strategic relationships and partnerships aligned with behavioral health, trauma-informed care, mental health, and family systems support. She leverages both public and private funding streams to increase organizational impact, sustainability, and long-term growth.

Her work is rooted in a deep belief that every individual and family deserves access to compassionate, high-quality care. Known for her results-driven approach, Erica combines strategic insight with authentic relationship-building to advance meaningful, measurable change for our shared communities.

Throughout her career, Erica has held leadership roles with organizations including the United Way, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and international Hope for Justice. She has contributed to major fundraising initiatives and cultivated partnerships that have driven lasting impact across communities.

Erica holds dual Bachelor degrees in Integrated Marketing Communications and Writing & Publishing from Emerson College and has earned certifications in AI for Fundraising, Social Media Marketing, and Digital Media Fundraising Strategy.

Inspired by her upbringing as the daughter of an architect, Erica brings a thoughtful, systems-minded approach to her work—helping design, build, and strengthen the structures that support individuals and families in thriving.

Based in Dallas, she is deeply connected to the philanthropic community and is committed to expanding access to care and opportunity for families nationwide.

Janell Suttle is an entrepreneur, strategist, and community advocate who serves as the Media Strategy Coordinator for Circle of Strength Family. She is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations turn ideas into meaningful impact, known for her ability to translate vision into practical strategy. 

With a background spanning business development, education, project management, and workforce development, Janell brings a strategic approach to advancing initiatives that empower individuals and families. Through her work with Circle of Strength and in her broader professional endeavors, Janell is committed to building programs, partnerships, and platforms that strengthen communities and support personal and professional development.  

Driven by curiosity, faith, and a deep belief in the power of mentorship and lifelong learning, Janell approaches her work with a simple philosophy: never stop learning, never stop connecting, and always build with purpose.

Trisha Patel is the a freshman at Rutgers University - New Brunswick studying Economics and Political Science. She is excited to be a part of the team at Circle of Strength Family as a Vendor Relations and Event Operations Intern, where she supports fundraising initiatives, partnerships, and community events. 

Trisha is passionate about social work and community engagement and looks forward to helping organize outreach events that strengthen and support families. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones. 

Campbell Maenner is a Vendor Experience & Inclusive Event Design Intern at Circle of Strength Family. Campbell is passionate about grassroots community work and organizing. With prior and present experiences working in crisis counseling, community service, and numerous volunteer and advocacy positions, she has various perspectives on how to be best engaged with communities, whether through identity, shared experience, or geography. She joined Circle of Strength Family to be an advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as, their loved ones. 

Further, she is always looking to gain knowledge on the specific challenges different marginalized communities face and she takes a special interest in working with and for the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. As she graduates with her Bachelor Degrees in Psychology and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in Spring of 2026, she looks to continue her studies, pursuing a Master's in Social Work starting in the Fall of 2026.  

Amelia Williams is an experienced copywriter and journalist with a master's degree from New York University. Amelia serves as a grant intern at Circle of Strength Family. 

Amelia grew up in San Francisco, California, and brings a perspective informed by diversity, equity, and style to all of her work. Her work experience spans from covering tax policy for California's cannabis industry to reporting on artists' movements to producing conversion-focused content for tourism agencies and apps. She is also a contributing writer at Undivided, writing long-form and deeply-researched articles on disability topics for families.  

Catherine Yun is a Marketing & Development Research Intern at Circle of Strength Family. She is also a proud college graduate from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. 

Before her journey at Rutgers University, Catherine was a student at Middlesex College in Edison, NJ, where she was a Fine Arts major student. Catherine has a Bachelor's Degree of Art in Art History and a minor in English. 

During Catherine's free time, she likes to go to the gym, do Zumba with her friends, and listen to music. Catherine is so excited and thrilled to be a part of Circle of Strength Family!