EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Colleen Kinne
Nominated by Stephanie Serrano-Salva, Direct Care Supervisor
“True compassion means not only feeling another’s pain but also being moved to help relieve it.” – Daniel Goleman
Quick-witted and exceptionally thorough, Colleen Kinne, a Sexual Assault Counselor at the YWCA, is always willing to offer a helping hand. Her passion for helping others colors all aspects of her life—whether she is serving her fellow man or animals.
“Colleen is an exceptional and compassionate member of our team,” said Stephanie Serrano-Salva, the Direct Care Supervisor of the Community-Based Domestic Violence (CBDV) and Sexual Assault (SA) Services.
“Colleen consistently goes above and beyond to support our clients,” said Stephanie. “Her compassion and empathy are a beacon of hope for those who have experienced trauma. With almost two years of experience in the field, Colleen has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to providing trauma-informed care and advocacy.”
“As a Sexual Assault Counselor, my primary roles are providing individual sexual assault counseling to clients ages 12+ and being part of an on-call rotation of advocates who respond to the five major area hospitals,” said Colleen. After a sexual assault occurs, advocates provide emotional support, advocacy, connection to resources/follow up care, and assist the SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) nurse while they do the evidence collection process.
“In addition, I also facilitate survivor support groups, participate in community outreach, and collaborate with other internal and external programs as necessary in order to best support my clients,” she said.
Colleen started at the YWCA in March 2023, after a seven-year stint at PetSmart, where she held several different positions during her time with the company.
A Westfield State University alum, Colleen earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts. “My primary concentration was social work, with secondary concentrations in psychology and criminal justice,” she said.
After graduating, Colleen went on to work as a counselor in residential settings, but after a couple of years, she decided to pivot. “I made my part-time second job at PetSmart my full-time job,” said Colleen. “I enjoyed my time with PetSmart, but I eventually realized that at my core I really wanted to come back to the human service field.” This epiphany motivated Colleen to apply to graduate school, and shortly thereafter, she started at the YWCA.
Colleen is enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program at Springfield College. “I’m expected to graduate in May 2026, and will be pursuing licensure as a LMHC,” she said. “Currently, my clinical areas of interest are trauma, maternal mental health, and eating disorder recovery.”
Prior to becoming a Sexual Assault Counselor in August 2024, Colleen worked on the CBDV team, providing services to domestic violence survivors. When an opening became available on the SA team, Colleen jumped at the chance to work with adolescents, and the opportunity to grow professionally. “I’m very glad I made the decision to transition,” she said. “Working with adolescents has become one of my favorite parts of this role.”
Ultimately, Colleen said the YWCA’s organizational focus is what drew her to the agency. “I am proud of the work I do providing support and advocacy to survivors, and grateful that I work for an organization where these services are offered free of charge to anyone who needs them,” she said.
In addition to working to obtain her Master’s and working full-time at the YWCA, Colleen still manages to achieve a work/life balance while remaining completely dedicated to her clients. Added Colleen, “Outside of the professional and academic realms, I do enjoy going on adventures with my wife, spending time with our animals, and reading fantasy novels.”
“What sets Colleen apart is her unwavering compassion and empathy for survivors; expertise in trauma-informed care and advocacy; her tireless dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment for all clients; her collaborative approach to working with colleagues/community partners; and her flexibility to accommodate clients’ needs,” concluded Stephanie.
