RISE’s paid staff take care of day-to-day operations, including developing programs and curricula, creating original educational materials, organizing workshops, planning events, organizing volunteers, and determining organizational priorities.
Cindi Huss (she/her)
Cindi Huss is RISE’s cofounder and director. She has spent more than 30 years designing educational experiences and the last 15 focusing on sexual health education and trauma-informed care.
Before RISE, Cindi considered becoming a survivor advocate, but she realized she is passionate about working upstream to prevent harm by changing how people think about bodies, relationships, communication, consent, and respect. She believes education can reshape culture when it is honest, inclusive, engaging, and grounded in curiosity rather than fear or shame.
Cindi co-developed RISE's innovative Stellar Sexual Health Education curriculum and many of its workshops. As an instructional designer, trained journalist, and eternal optimist, she enjoys asking difficult questions, challenging assumptions, and building practical solutions with communities rather than for them.
Sarah (she/her)
Sarah is a RISE founder as well, and she has a master’s degree in Human Services. Currently, she works as a Content Expert for RISE, developing new curricula, answering question-box questions, and creating and posting educational social media content.
Sarah is a certified Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education facilitator for all levels from kindergarten through older adult and a trauma-informed care facilitator trainer.
Sarah is a former sexual assault advocate, guidance counselor, and senior clinical coordinator. Currently she also works as a mental health case manager at a juvenile detention facility.