• President and Founder

    Sasha Nichole Georgiades (she/her) is a dedicated advocate, social worker, and military veteran committed to uplifting survivors of military sexual trauma through compassionate community support and systemic change.

    Originally from Oklahoma, Sasha enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 22 and served as a Gas Turbine Mechanic (GSM) aboard the USS Michael Murphy (DDG‑112). Her service highlights include supporting the ship’s maiden voyage and earning a Letter of Accommodation for exemplary performance.

    After transitioning out of the military, Sasha earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice at Hawai‘i Pacific University, followed by a Master of Social Work with a Veterans concentration. During her time at HPU, she led the campus’s Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter as Vice President and later President. Her leadership extended nationally through the SVA Legislative Fellowship, Leadership Institute, and the Washington Center Veteran Trajectory program. She also presented on military sexual trauma at the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma.

    Most recently, Sasha served as a Wounded Warrior Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she focused on MST-related advocacy and veteran outreach at the federal level.

    Sasha founded The Apple of Helen to create a survivor-centered organization rooted in advocacy, dignity, and transformative healing. Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology—like the golden apple and laurel wreath—she brings forward a vision of strength, restoration, and community for survivors of military sexual trauma.

  • Vice President

    Vincent Park (he/him) is a U.S. Navy veteran, healthcare professional, and dedicated advocate committed to creating inclusive spaces for healing and growth.

    A California native, Vincent served in the United States Navy from 2010 to 2015 as a Hospital Corpsman, where he supported operations at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and later deployed aboard the USS America while attached to the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. His experiences in both clinical and field environments shaped his passion for trauma-informed care and patient advocacy.

    Following his military service, Vincent earned a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management and continued his career in healthcare, where he currently works as a caregiver with Providence in South Bay, California. His work centers on providing compassionate support to patients navigating complex medical and emotional challenges.

    As Vice President of The Apple of Helen, Vincent plays a critical leadership role in guiding the organization’s strategic growth and outreach. He leads initiatives focused on advocacy, program development, and veteran community engagement, helping ensure that sexual trauma survivors—especially those with military backgrounds—can access healing in safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces.

  • Veteran and Military Advisor

    Cynthia Meraz (she/her) is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, neuroscientist, and entrepreneur with a deep commitment to service, science, and community healing.

    The first in her family born in the United States, Cynthia was raised in Dallas, Texas by a hardworking single mother. Driven by a desire to serve her country and honor her family’s legacy, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school, serving from 2011 to 2015 as a Food Service Specialist with deployments to Kuwait and Bahrain, including security forces responsibilities.

    After completing her service, Cynthia pursued higher education with the same focus she brought to the military. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Hawai‘i Pacific University in 2019, and later completed a Master’s in Neuroscience with clinical residency from Parker University in 2024.

    Today, Cynthia applies her expertise at a Level II trauma hospital, where she conducts brainwave studies for patients experiencing epilepsy and head trauma. She is also the founder and owner of a ranching and agriculture business in Ladonia, Texas, merging her values of sustainability, wellness, and service.

    As Military and Veteran Advisor for The Apple of Helen, Cynthia brings her lived military experience, trauma-informed lens, and deep understanding of veteran support systems to help shape survivor-centered resources and outreach.