meet our team
valerie widmer
Executive Director
Val has served as the Director of Emma’s House since its inception in 2006. Val brings more than 20 years experience in the field of child abuse and mental health. Val obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Montana and obtained clinical licensure in 2008, with a focus on trauma treatment and violence against children. In her tenure, Val has conducted more than 1000 forensic interviews of children at Emma’s House. Val enjoys spending time with family, traveling, hiking, skiing, and watching lots of baseball.
amy rau
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Counselor
Amy received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Walla Walla College in Missoula in 2003 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2007. She has worked in the field of child abuse and trauma since 2001 and has extensive experience working with children and families who have endured trauma. Amy worked at Emma’s House as a trauma counselor from 2012-2018 and then moved to Australia for 2 years. She came back to Montana in 2020 and is lucky enough to be able to continue her work at Emma’s House. Amy enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and cross country skiing.
mary vermillion
Forensic Interviewer/Nurse Examiner
Originally from Rhode Island, Mary Vermillion moved to Montana in 1997 to pursue her education. Mary has been a resident of Hamilton since 2004, where she is currently employed as a Forensic Interviewer/Nurse Examiner at Emma’s House Child Advocacy Center as well as an RN at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. As a mother, health care provider, and community advocate Mary feels strongly that healthy kids are healthy communities.
jennifer murrillo
Councelor
Raised in North Central Montana, Jennifer is an alum of the foster care system, the University of Montana School of Social Work, and Walla Walla University. Jennifer earned a Masters degree in Social Work as of 2022. She is currently working toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Jennifer has worked in the field of social services since 1996. She finds herself exceptionally privileged to work with the people who use Emma's House Children's Advocacy Center services. Jennifer believes every person has the strength to heal and grow. We rise by lifting each other is her favorite motto.
sarah lidstrom
Forensic Interviewer/Nurse Examiner
Born and raised in Montana, Sarah recievied her bachelor of science in nursing from Montana State University in 2014. She joined the Emma’s House team part-time as an RN medical examiner and spends the rest of her time working at a family practice clinic. Sarah has become very passionate about the work she does at Emma’s House and feels grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something so important. Outside of work, she enjoys all the beautiful hiking and running opportunities the Bitterroot Valley has to offer.
stephanie voisine
Family Advocate
Stephanie has been working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Bitterroot for 13 years and is currently working toward earning her masters in social work from the University of Montana. She is a mother to three grown children and does stand-up comedy as a hobby. Stephanie loves hiking, reading and gardening.
katie guenzler
Communication Coordinator
Katie brings an eclectic skill set to her part-time role at Emma's House. With a diverse background in marketing and real estate, she leverages her expertise to advance Emma's House initiatives and amplify its impact within the community. Outside of work Katie is a mom of two teenagers, an avid recreator and oddly an expert on asphalt production.
twyla
Service Dog
Twyla has been
