In a beautiful answer to prayer, Dana Kemp has joined Sanctuary in Trauma as Executive Director, coming alongside the existing leadership of Cathy and Jane to help strengthen the ministry and expand its reach to women impacted by trauma.

Dana first began partnering with SiT more than five years ago during her time as Director at Lifespring Ministry, a Christian ministry in Aurora, Illinois that provides transitional housing for women and children. It was during this season that Dana met Cathy Applington, as Cathy began developing and teaching the SiT curriculum.

“Most of the women in the LifeSpring program have experienced significant trauma from an early age, and it is vital to provide biblically sound, practical tools to help them move forward,” Dana shared. “It was evident from the start that Cathy had a heart for ministering to women walking through hard things. She connected with the women immediately through her warmth and humility, built trust, and began shaping the curriculum that is still used today.”

In the summer of 2025, Dana stepped down from her full-time role at Lifespring in order to spend more time with her aging parents in Texas. In this new part-time role with Sanctuary in Trauma, Dana’s role is made possible through the generosity of SiT donors.

“I am deeply thankful and humbled for the opportunity to serve alongside the SiT team and support the work God is already doing—helping women find hope and renewal through Jesus,” Dana said.

Originally from Texas, Dana and her husband, Jeff, moved to the Chicago area in 2014 for Jeff’s job. They have two grown children, Sophie and John, and two beloved dogs, Duke and Moose. Dana enjoys volunteering at church, playing pickleball, solving puzzles, and traveling with friends and family.