OUR TEAM

As of January 1, 2025, Tonja proudly serves as SOAR's Executive Director. Her journey with SOAR began three years ago as a volunteer. She then stepped into the role of our Miami Valley region Outreach Worker for two years before becoming our Director of Programs in 2024. Now, she leads the organization with passion and vision as our Executive Director. Tonja is committed to building power with PWUD and Sex Workers, using her lived experience to educate, advocate, and fight stigma. Her work extends beyond her local community to state and national efforts, where she is a vocal advocate for harm reduction and social justice. In addition to her dedication to harm reduction, Tonja is a proud ally to the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color. Her leadership reflects a commitment to equity, inclusion, and building a more just and supportive society for all.

Rontae is a father of 1, who lives in Butler County/Hamilton City OH. Rontae has worked for the Regional Harm Reduction Collaborative just over 2.5 years as the Harm Reduction Supervisor, as well as working as an outreach specialist for SOAR. has worked in mental health and substance abuse for over twenty years, as a case manager and harm reduction advocate. Rontae believes "everyone needs a little love from time to time".

Tyler is a Columbus local. He is a dedicated father who finds strength and purpose in his faith as a Christian and in his ongoing recovery journey. Recovery plays a pivotal role in shaping his identity and daily life, guiding him toward personal growth and a deeper connection with those around him. With a focus on health, both mental and physical, Tyler strives to live a balanced and meaningful life. He values kindness and compassion, always seeking ways to extend these qualities to others, especially in his community. Creativity is another cornerstone of his approach to life, providing a positive outlet for self-expression and helping him navigate challenges. Tyler is deeply committed to living as a role model for his daughter, showing her the importance of faith, perseverance, and love.

Kaela is SOAR's newest Franklin County outreach worker. Kaela is a Columbus native and is passionate about helping people. We are excited to have her on the team.

Holly started her outreach journey because she lost her brother and bestfriend in March 2022 to a fentanyl overdose. She decided someone was going to live because he died. She gathered a couple of friends and started Dale‘s outreach. Going door-to-door sitting at the local parks giving out Narcan and harm reduction kits, feeding the hungry and educating people about overdose awareness!

Abby Spears is a lifelong resident of rural southern Ohio. She has spent over twenty years working, volunteering, advocating, and building relationships and community in the place she calls home. Abby believes in radical love, human rights, dignity and autonomy, and the power of individuals and community to create change.

Jessica is a member of our outreach team in Cleveland and serves other surrounding areas of Cuyahoga County. She has lived experience as she is a person in long term alternative recovery for 8 years. She became a Naloxone distributor over 2 years ago in an attempt to help those in her community and has been actively adapting since in all areas of Harm Reduction. She has volunteered with many local non-profit organizations and today partners with many different organizations in order to share her resources and knowledge to all in her community. Jessica has a passion for Harm Reduction work and her experience gives her a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and advocate for our community.

Linda Smolak joined SOAR as a volunteer in April, 2023. She first learned about harm reduction over 15 years ago at a west coast syringe exchange and outreach. She has multiple family members in recovery from OUD. Linda was formerly a professor and administrator at Kenyon College. Linda also previously volunteered at Harm Reduction Ohio. She shares the passion of everyone at SOAR: empowering people who use drugs to control their health and safety, and fighting stigma against people who use drugs. She mainly helps with finances and grants at SOAR. Linda has 6 perfect grandchildren.

Larkin Cleland is a current student at Ohio State and a SOAR co-founder. He served as Director of Operations before transitioning to the Executive Board. In addition to his interest in harm reduction in Ohio, he is broadly interested in global public health, especially in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Emily graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies. After this, she attended the University of Cincinnati's College of Law and graduated in 2022. Emily currently works as a Trial Attorney with the Hamilton County Public Defender's Office. In this role, she represents clients from a myriad of backgrounds in their criminal cases through arguing motions and trials. Prior to this, Emily was a law clerk at an immigration law firm and worked in a variety of legal clinics throughout the Cincinnati area. She is very passionate about harm reduction and overall destigmatizing drug use to allow people to make informed and safe decisions.

Jereme graduated Kent State University in 2017 with a Bachelors in Psychology and Public Health. Jereme initially joined SOAR as an outreach worker in Portage County, Ohio providing harm reduction supplies to their friends and community members. Jereme is a person who uses drugs and also is a person in recovery with a passion for alternative recovery methods and maintenance management. Though their heart will always be in Ohio, and they are dearly missed here, Jereme is living their best life in Denver, Colorado, attending EDM shows, working for the health department, cuddling their cat, and exploring the West Coast.

Coming soon!

Dennis Pales is a SOAR co-founder and is currently a medical student at The University of Colorado School of Medicine. He graduated from Ohio State in 2022 and served as the Director of Community Relations from SOAR's inception through his graduation.

IN MEMORIAL: Mark passed away on July 11, 2023. Mark was a fixture at Safe Point and the Reeb Center as SOAR's outreach liaison. He was an activist who was eagerly hoping for an active citywide drug testing program. Mark was an instrumental part of SOAR's team and is deeply missed.