NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact:
Robyn Pizzo, Communications Specialist
Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs
(502) 226-2704
communication@kasap.org
KY ASSOCIATION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAMS WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Frankfort, KY – 10/4/2021 –The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (KASAP) Board of Directors is pleased to announce Melissa Quillen has joined KASAP as Executive Director on October 4, 2021. Quillen has extensive expertise driving organizations to achieve growth and strategic focus, and the KASAP Board is confident that under her leadership, KASAP will continue its great impact on the people, program members, and communities it serves.
Ms. Quillen is highly proficient in management, leadership, planning and execution skills and most recently served as Project Director at Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program in Hazard, KY.
Ms. Quillen served as the founding Executive Director of the Care Cottage, KY River Children’s Advocacy Center for 10 years. She was also a member of the Executive Committee of the statewide board of directors to write legislation and policy for the establishment of the Kentucky Association of Children’s Advocacy Centers. These things, among others, very much establish her qualifications and experience for this position.
Quillen’s career has been dedicated working to create and strengthen nonprofit organizations. She brings a tremendous amount of passion and enthusiasm to her new role.
“I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to be a part of KASAP!” says Quillen. “I look forward to working with the board and state wide partners as we strive to support survivors of sexual violence and educate our communities with the ultimate goal of prevention. Being chosen to follow Ms. Recktenwald is honor and a great privilege that I will strive daily to be worthy of.”
Ms. Quillen succeeds Executive Director Eileen Recktenwald, who has been with KASAP since 2000. Eileen was one of the 13 founding mothers of KASAP in 1990. She will officially retire on January 1, 2022. Ms. Quillen will have the opportunity to shadow for a few months to assure a seamless transition.
In the almost 50-year history of the anti-rape movement in Kentucky, KASAP has made great strides, gaining funding to support accessibility for the provision of services for sexual assault victims. KASAP is also recognized nationally for their implementation of strong evidence-based prevention programming in schools and communities throughout Kentucky.
The KASAP Board and Staff are excited to have Melissa Quillen on board and look forward to her leadership to carry on the tradition of excellence and innovation. Please join KASAP in welcoming her to our organization.
About the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs
The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc. (KASAP) is the statewide coalition of the 13 regional rape crisis centers in the Commonwealth. The mission of KASAP is to speak with a unified voice against sexual victimization. We are committed to serving all survivors and working toward the prevention of sexual violence. We acknowledge that sexual violence does not happen in a vacuum; it impacts different groups in different ways. We also recognize that each individual survivor and community member come to our programs with diverse backgrounds and multi-layered identities that affect their access to medical and sexual assault services, experience with the Justice system, needs, and feelings of safety. As service providers, we are committed to meeting people where they are and working to ensure that our services are inclusive and responsive to the real needs of survivors.
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