EAST HARTFORD, CONN – (November 27, 2018)
The Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence announces a transition in its executive leadership with the departure this winter of current Executive Director Laura Cordes. The search for the next leader is underway.
Cordes has been with The Alliance for nearly 20 years, the last seven as Executive Director. Founded in 1982, The Alliance is the state’s leading provider of sexual violence prevention and training programs and the voice of the anti-sexual violence movement in Connecticut. With nine member centers across the state, the organization is Connecticut’s primary provider of services for survivors of sexual assault. Last year alone, The Alliance assisted more than 8,100 survivors of all ages, at no cost.
President of The Alliance’s Board of Directors Mary Farrell said Cordes has driven significant growth for The Alliance. “Laura has taken The Alliance to a new level during her tenure,” said Farrell. “She has built a passionate, committed, survivor-centered team, forged strong community partnerships, elevated our public profile and established a highly collaborative strategic planning model. As the torch is passed, The Alliance has never been stronger.”
During Cordes’ tenure, The Alliance added a new legal assistance team, established a Training and Advocacy Center and drove the creation of new laws and policies to address the state’s rape kit backlog, and improve the prevention and response to sexual violence in hospitals, courtrooms, K- 12 classrooms and on college campuses. The organization also deepened their partnerships with diverse communities, including Latinx and LGBTQ, and led Connecticut’s first statewide sexual violence prevention and bystander education campaign for men and youth.
Farrell pointed to the new name and branding of the organization, initiated by Cordes and adopted two years ago, as evidence of an evolution in mission, scope and partnerships. “Laura’s efforts helped transform The Alliance. Her drive to amplify our impact and bring key stakeholders together to make positive changes for survivors will be missed.”
After 20 years connected to The Alliance, leaving is “bittersweet,” says Cordes, “I’ve been fortunate to have worked with and learned from so many incredible people. It’s been an honor to work for survivors and the advocates and staff who make a difference in their lives every day.”
“With the national spotlight on sexual violence, I know that we are closer than ever before to ending sexual violence and creating safe pathways for survivor healing and justice. Our dedicated staff and network of sexual assault victim advocates and growing number of activist survivors and allies will continue to lead this movement.”
The Alliance is working with TSNE MissionWorks to identify and transition the next Executive Director into the organization. The project is led by consultant Catherine Bradshaw and the position profile can be found on the TSNE MissionWork’s website here.
For more information and other media inquiries, please contact Lucy Nolan, Director of Policy and Public Relations at lucy@endsexualviolencect.org.