The Team
Lara Welch
Executive Director
Lara Welch serves as the Executive Director of Sara’s project in Ardmore, Oklahoma, a role she has held since 2022. She brings extensive experience in child advocacy, forensic interviewing, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Since joining Sara’s project in 2011, Lara has played a key role in advancing the organization’s mission, previously serving as Lead Forensic Interviewer, where she specialized in trauma-informed care and child abuse investigations. Prior to joining Sara’s project, she worked as a Child Welfare Specialist II with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, conducting joint child abuse investigations and partnering with community agencies to protect children. Lara is dedicated to strengthening services for children and families while leading with compassion and integrity. She resides locally with her husband, Jake, and their three beautiful children. Lara remains deeply committed to advocating for the safety and well-being of children and families in her community.
Amanda Wheeler
Forensic Interviewer
Amanda Wheeler serves as the Lead Forensic Interviewer at Sara’s project in Ardmore, Oklahoma, a role she has held since her promotion in 2022. She brings a strong background in child advocacy and forensic interviewing, with extensive experience in child abuse investigations and supporting pathways to permanency for children and families. Amanda earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Oklahoma State University and began her professional career as an athletic trainer in Venus, Texas. In 2014, she joined Sara’s project as a Family Advocate, where she discovered her passion for working directly with children and families in crisis. Over the years, Amanda has developed deep expertise in trauma-informed care and forensic interviewing, making her a trusted leader within Sara’s project. She is dedicated to ensuring that every child’s voice is heard with compassion, professionalism, and care. Amanda resides in Ardmore with her husband and their two children. She remains committed to making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the children and families she serves.
Rachel Woulfe
Family Advocate
Rachel Woulfe serves as the Family Advocate at Sara’s project in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and also supports the team as a backup Forensic Interviewer. She is a Nationally Certified Victim Advocate and brings extensive experience in child advocacy, with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science from East Central University and years of work in child abuse investigations and permanency planning. Rachel’s career has taken her from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, where she worked to secure permanency for Native American children. At Sara’s project, she is dedicated to supporting children and families with compassion, expertise, and a focus on lasting positive outcomes. She resides in Ardmore with her husband, Justin, and their four children, and is deeply committed to fostering safe, nurturing environments for children and families.
Jessica Richards
Director of Mental Health and Education
As the Director of Mental Health and Education at Saras Project, Jessica brings her passion for working with children and adolescents to promote mental health and education. With a Master's of Education in Counseling from East Central University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State, Jessica is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate and Nationally Certified Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provider. With a decade of experience in public school systems, Jessica continues to be dedicated to making a positive impact in children’s lives. She specializes in trauma-focused therapy for children and adolescents and provides education to the public on critical topics like suicide intervention, cyberbullying, and mandated reporting. She lives in Ardmore with her husband Jody and their two daughters, Lilly and Addilyn.
Shelly Lee, RN
Pediatric Forensic Nurse
Shelly Lee is a registered nurse with over two decades of experience serving children and families across a variety of healthcare settings. She began her career after earning her LPN from Southern Oklahoma Technology Center and later became a Registered Nurse through Murray State College. Throughout her career, Shelly has worked in maternal and newborn care, pediatric home health, hospice, and pediatric nursing, building a strong foundation in compassionate, family-centered care. For the past 10 years, Shelly has served with Oklahoma Human Services as a Child Welfare Nurse, where she played a key role in helping develop and establish the Child Welfare Nursing Program. Her work focuses on supporting the health and well-being of vulnerable children and strengthening collaboration between healthcare and child welfare systems. Outside of her professional work, Shelly has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 26 years. Together they have six children, two grandchildren and are active foster parents, often welcoming additional children into their home as part of their commitment to serving their community.
Sara Taylor, RN
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Sara Taylor, RN, brings more than two decades of compassionate nursing experience to her role as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) with Sara’s Project. Since 2009, she has served as a trusted contracted provider, offering expert, trauma-informed care to individuals during some of their most vulnerable moments. Sara is deeply committed to ensuring that every patient is treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity, while also delivering thorough forensic examinations that support both healing and the pursuit of justice. Her steady presence and clinical expertise have made her an invaluable part of the Sara’s Project team. Outside of her professional work, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters, Alyssa and Jacelyn. Her dedication to both her family and her calling reflects her compassionate spirit and unwavering commitment to caring for others.