Founder and President-Michelle Hardy-Rodriguez
On June 5th, 2013 Michelle was in a horrific DUI accident on the Las Vegas Interstate 15 highway that caused her to suffer third degree burns to her upper extremities and entire right arm. She spent 2 long weeks at the UMC Burn Unit where she underwent multiple surgeries. Upon her release from the hospital she had in home nursing for six months. During this recovery time her emotional and physical well being were dramatically affected. However, after a full recovery she realized how important it is to have support and encouragement for the physical changes and the mental stability of one's self after traumatic episodes. This lead her to start the website My Scars Are Beautiful® on Sept 10th, 2014 where people submitted stories of their own traumatic experiences. It has now grown into a non-profit organization where she focuses her efforts on helping others in her native town and community of Las Vegas and sometimes outside Nevada. She states, "Anyone going through or overcoming their own trauma has a continuum of physical and emotional support through My Scars Are Beautiful®." Michelle wants people to know that their not alone and they don't have to fight alone. She wants for them to not be ashamed of what they went through and to know that My Scars Are Beautiful® is here to uplift, inspire, invigorate self-esteem and offer services to help overcome the emotional and physical challenges after traumatic experiences. Michelle loves God, is a first degree black belt in Taekwondo, enjoys gardening, reading, Tai-Chi and being with her three dogs Roxy, Georgia and Smokey. She has an Associates of Arts degree in General Studies from the College of Southern Nevada and is a REALTOR® that gives a portion of her proceeds to My Scars Are Beautiful®.
Secretary-Catherine Datuin
Catherine was a former Secretary for a community board in Hawai'i working with homelessness, the Regional Secretary for NAFAA (National American Filipino Assistance of America) in Colorado, and currently the CARF accredited Secretary for U.S.VETS Cultural Diversity group. Catherine joined My Scars Are Beautiful as she states, "I really felt moved and inspired by this cause that helps people get through such challenging circumstances with empathy and understanding. It's hard for so many people to find this kind of help, let alone be told their beautiful inside and out."
Director-Kerry Seabrook
Kerry currently working for the The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation ARC as the Director of Operations. Previously worked as the Donor Service Manager for Goodwill in Washington State and served 16 years in the United States Marine Corps. Kerry joined My Scars Are Beautiful as he states, " I want to be a part of the compassionate healing process this cause provides. With my cousin being severly burned as a child, I remember the pain she endured both physically and emotionally with the constant bullying she experienced. It is a privilege to serve on this board and to be a part of this awesome organization! "
Director-Nissa Tzun
Nissa D. Tzun is the co-founder & editor-in-chief of the Forced Trajectory Project (FTP). She is a multimedia artist specializing in illustration, graphic and web design, photography, film, public relations and investigative journalism. In 2009, she founded FTP, an independent media outlet that began as a long-term documentary project illuminating the narratives of families impacted by police violence. FTP has been exhibited across the nation and has received numerous awards and recognitions including the 2015 OHA Emerging Crisis Grant, and is a two-time recipient of the Resist General Support Grant. She is the director Residuum, an award-winning docuseries highlighting cases of police abuse, misconduct, violence and corruption in the Las Vegas Valley produced by ChangeWire. Nissa joined My Scars Are Beautiful as she states, " I find the mission of this non-profit to be very much in alignment with the Forced Trajectory Project in relation to trauma and with also being able to connect impacted families connect with My Scars Are Beautiful and the services provided. I love what this non-profit represents and the hope it gives others. "