Our Team
Shayna Richard
Founder & Director
Shayna Richard is the Founder of Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project, a volunteer-led organization dedicated to supporting families of missing persons and victims of unresolved homicides. As a credentialed victim advocate, she provides trauma-informed support, strategic guidance, and unwavering advocacy to help families navigate the complex and often overwhelming journey of seeking answers. Her work focuses on strengthening communication between families and law enforcement, elevating public awareness, and ensuring that no case and no loved one is forgotten.
Shayna also serves on the Board of the Gabby Petito Foundation, where she helps advance national awareness efforts and amplify the voices of families impacted by missing persons and unresolved cases. Through the partnership between Light The Way and the Gabby Petito Foundation, their shared mission extends beyond the search for answers. Together, they work to connect families with trauma-informed resources, peer support, and compassionate communities that foster healing and hope.
A passionate advocate for systemic change, Shayna empowers families and communities to use their voices to influence policy, launch meaningful awareness campaigns, and drive action in cases that have gone unanswered. She believes that advocacy is not only about seeking justice and resolution. It is also about honoring the lives of those who are missing or have been murdered while supporting the loved ones who continue to carry their stories forward.
Through every case, campaign, and conversation, Shayna remains committed to ensuring that families feel heard, supported, and never alone in their pursuit of answers.
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Haley Gray
Assistant Director
Haley Gray is a credentialed victim advocate, researcher, and writer who serves as Assistant Director of Light the Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project. She works closely with families of missing and murdered loved ones, helping them navigate awareness efforts, media opportunities, advocacy initiatives, and the many challenges that can arise throughout an investigation.
For the last ten years, Haley has dedicated her career to supporting unresolved cases and amplifying the voices of families seeking answers. She is passionate about building strong relationships with the families she serves and believes that effective advocacy begins with listening, trust, and collaboration. Her approach focuses on helping families identify meaningful opportunities to share their loved one's story, engage their communities, and continue moving their efforts forward in ways that align with their goals.
In addition to her work with Light the Way, Haley is a NOVA Ambassador, serves on the Board of The Bridegan Foundation, and is the Founder and CEO of True Crime Research Training. Through her research and writing, she has contributed to more than 20 true crime podcasts and projects, always prioritizing accuracy, ethics, and respect for the individuals and families at the center of each story.
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Volunteers
We are grateful for our dedicated volunteers, whose commitment and contributions help make our work possible.
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Jessica Kwazz
Jessica Kwazz is an independent filmmaker and true crime podcast writer with more than a decade of experience in the media industry.
She is deeply passionate about using storytelling to bring attention to missing persons and unsolved cases, helping amplify the voices of those still seeking answers.
Jessica is proud to be part of the incredible team at Light the Way, where she is dedicated to supporting families in meaningful and impactful ways
Karina Michelle
Karina Michelle is a digital storyteller who focuses on underreported cases and issues within the criminal justice system.
Through her work, she researches and shares cases to help bring attention to stories that may otherwise go unheard and to help people better understand the systems surrounding them.
She is honored to work alongside Light the Way to help amplify missing and unresolved cases and support the families still searching for answers.
Kellan McLaughlin
Located in Reno, Nevada, Kellan McLaughlin is a dedicated advocate with over six years of experience in system-based advocacy, community safety, youth programs and the social sector. Nationally credentialed through NOVA, Kellan brings a trauma-informed lens to her work with families navigating the complexities of law enforcement, court systems, and community services.
With an educational background in Human Development, Justice Management, and Psychology, she bridges the gap between legal systems and human needs. Her career is defined by a commitment to the vulnerable and underserved, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has equal access to the resources and justice they deserve.
She is a passionate driver of positive change, dedicated to serving as a steadfast resource for families during their most difficult moments.
Lacey Copeland
Lacey Copeland is a dedicated volunteer advocate with a deep passion for supporting missing persons investigations and assisting survivors through difficult circumstances. As a domestic violence survivor herself, she understands firsthand the challenges, fear, and resilience that come with overcoming trauma. Her personal journey fuels her commitment to helping others find strength, support, and hope during some of life's most difficult moments.
Driven by compassion and purpose, Lacey works to raise awareness, support families of missing loved ones, and advocate for survivors as they navigate their healing journeys. She believes every person deserves to be heard, valued, and empowered, regardless of their past experiences.
Through volunteer service, community outreach, and awareness initiatives, Lacey strives to be a voice for those who may feel unheard and a source of encouragement for those rebuilding their lives. Her mission is rooted in empathy, advocacy, and the belief that healing and justice are possible when communities come together to support one another.
Nikki Heyman
Nikki Heyman brings a unique blend of experience in healthcare and technology to her work in the true crime space. With a longstanding interest in missing persons and unresolved cases, she sought ways to turn that interest into meaningful impact.
In 2024, Nikki completed a certificate in True Crime Research Training and now contributes research and writing to multiple true crime podcasts. She is passionate about supporting victims and their families and is honored to volunteer with Light the Way Missing as an advocate.
Nikki lives in Northern Michigan with her husband and two children, where she enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family.
Sydney Pacha
Sydney Pacha is a nonprofit development professional from the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Sydney holds a bachelor’s degree in Art History and anthropology from North Central College along with a Master’s Degree in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management specializing in arts-focused nonprofits from Columbia College Chicago.
Sydney has diverse professional experience including leading organizations as an executive director and supporting leadership in numerous development roles for nonprofits of varying missions and sizes. Sydney is passionate about connecting donors and community members with impactful missions that make the world a better place. After supporting Season of Justice as a volunteer, she is thrilled to spearhead sustainability and growth initiatives as SOJ’s Development Director.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and doting on her pets (a cat and a dog) in addition to art history and archeology, visiting museums, taking/teaching dance classes, and traveling.