Our Team

Heather Joy, BS, RRT, is the founder of Stand Tall and a healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience in critical care. Having served as a Respiratory Therapist on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Heather saw firsthand the intersection of physical trauma and moral injury. Today, she channels that clinical expertise into Stand Tall, a nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering sexual assault survivors and medical staff through trauma-informed advocacy. Heather is also the author of the memoir "The Weight of Air: My Journey Through Trauma", where she explores the journey from frontline healthcare to personal reclamation. Based in Connecticut, she remains a fearless voice for systemic change in victim rights and child protection. 

Alyssa Danna brings over a decade of high-stakes mental health and advocacy experience to her role as Associate Director of Stand Tall. A Behavioral Science professional dedicated to crisis intervention, Alyssa has navigated the most complex sectors of human services—spanning group home, community outreach, vocational program, inpatient psychiatric hospital, and forensic hospital settings, as well as child protective services. Alyssa leverages her deep frontline expertise to drive Stand Tall’s mission of child protection and systemic reform. By bridging the gap between clinical mental health and trauma-informed advocacy, she ensures the organization remains a powerful voice for the vulnerable.