Staff

Linda Mattson is the Executive Director at North Star Advocacy Center.  She joined the center in November of 2016 after spending 15 years as a teacher and principal in Northwest Missouri.  She provides financial and personnel leadership by applying for grants, submitting monthly reports, paying bills, setting goals, and hiring and evaluating staff.  She also works as an advocate by interacting with clients and providing support as needed.  She is also certified in Missouri's Safe At Home program. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood, a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, and a Specialist Degree in Superintendency, all from Northwest Missouri State University.

Meghann Kosman is a Victim Advocate/Volunteer Coordinator. She provides emotional support to victims in the courtroom, assists with court related issues, provides hospital advocacy for sexual assault victims, she trains and supervises volunteers and interns, and provides education and awareness to the community. She is certified in the Safe At Home Program and continues her education in various trainings each year. She co-developed a program called Sexual Assault and Violence Education (SAVE), and she also co-developed and leads our Survivors Of Sexual Assault (SOSA) support group. She is a member of Maryville Partners In Prevention (MVPIP), and she currently serves on the Membership Committee and Public Policy Committee at the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV). Meghann graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Sociology.

Wyatt Williams graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2021. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a Minor in Psychology. Wyatt currently resides in Maryville and works as a full-time victim advocate for North Star Advocacy Center. Wyatt first encountered North Star as an intern in 2020 and became enraptured by the process and connection to the community. After that Wyatt worked to pursue ways of helping individuals one on one. Wyatt spent time at various places in the Maryville area before arriving at North Star. Wyatt enjoys working with clients in any capacity. He is more than willing to present at schools on behalf of North Star or attend court in support of his clients.

Julia Day is an On-Call Victim Advocate. She provides case management, safety planning, action planning, crisis intervention, assists with Orders of Protection, and provides education and awareness to the surrounding community. Julia also co-leads the Survivors of Sexual Assault (SOSA) support group and the Survivors of Domestic Abuse (SODA) support group. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and with a minor in Criminal Justice/Criminology.

Sherry is a Victim Advocate for Gentry and Worth Counties. An Albany native, Sherry obtained her degree in Social Services Management and has prior experience as a Social Worker and Economical Development Coordinator with a non profit organization. Sherry is the primary Advocate responding to calls in Gentry and Worth Counties. She will conduct intake and provide crisis intervention, case management, safety planning, housing assistance, support group, and connect clients with resources in those counties.

Cindy Lemar is a Victim Advocate and Donations Coordinator at North Star. Cindy taught fifth grade at Nodaway-Holt in Maitland for 31 years before retiring in 2016. Cindy received both Bachelor’s and Master’s at NWMSU. When she’s not organizing donations, she can be found at the Maryville Community Center taking or teaching exercise classes or tutoring in St. Joe.
Cindy looks forward to organizing donations given generously from the community to aid victims of domestic and  sexual violence and distributing furniture and supplies for them to safely establish a new home. She also anticipates receiving more training to better assist victims as an advocate in the future.

Rita is the victim advocate for Holt County, providing support, crisis intervention, case management, safety planning, assistance with orders of protection, shelter, and access to local resources for clients. Rita earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, as well as an Education Specialist Degree in administration from Northwest Missouri State University. She retired from Nodaway-Holt School District in 2018, serving the district in various capacities for 25 years. Rita then worked at Community Services for five years. Joining North Star Advocacy Center in 2023, she will continue to receive training to better serve as an advocate for victims of domestic and sexual violence.