Dr. Robert Knipfer — CEO/Founder & Secretary | NEXTSTEP: Unlocked Potential

As a military veteran with 17 years of service and a Doctorate in Criminal Justice, my career has been built on systems analysis, public safety, and organizational leadership. Beyond my professional and academic background, I am also a survivor of domestic violence. This intersection of lived experience and structural training gave me a clear, firsthand look at the complex realities individuals face when rebuilding their lives. While traditional crisis response systems provide critical support, I recognized that navigating life after a crisis requires practical, reliable solutions that bridges the gap between immediate shelter and long-term independence.

I founded NEXTSTEP: Unlocked Potential to address those often-overlooked logistical barriers that can stand in the way of safety and stability. Designed to complement existing shelters and clinical providers rather than duplicate them, NEXTSTEP focuses on short-term material assistance, resource navigation, and survivor-directed support across San Antonio and Albuquerque. We do not offer therapy or legal advice; instead, we handle the practical, everyday needs—from securing transportation and basic necessities to overcoming technology and systems hurdles—so survivors can maintain housing, employment, and personal autonomy. My role is to lead this mission with transparency and strategic oversight, ensuring every person we serve is treated with dignity, respect, and the unconditional right to choose their own path forward.

— Dr. Robert Knipfer, CEO/Founder & Secretary of NEXTSTEP: Unlocked Potential