Women Helping Battered Women (WHBW), a community nonprofit that has helped victims of domestic abuse
in Vermont’s Chittenden County for over 40 years, announced today that Kelly Dougherty is joining the organization as its new Executive Director.
Dougherty comes to WHBW from Vermont Health Connect, the state-run health insurance marketplace, where she was responsible for developing and implementing the Navigator Program, which provides in-person assistance for Vermonters accessing health insurance coverage. Previously, she headed the Burlington Clinic of Planned Parenthood of New England.
“We’re delighted Kelly Dougherty has agreed to lead WHBW as we begin our fifth decade serving Chittenden County,” said Anna Niemiec, who chairs WHBW’s Board of Directors. “Demand for domestic abuse assistance and prevention continues to grow, unfortunately, and like many non-profits in Vermont, we increasingly find ourselves having to do more with less. Kelly’s leadership abilities, problem-solving skills and track record of success in the public health system will be invaluable to WHBW in this context.”
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve as WHBW’s new executive director,” said Dougherty. “I’ve already spent time with our staff, an extremely talented and empathetic team of people who are dedicated to helping others. They work tirelessly to provide vital, often life-saving assistance to families in a county that has the highest rate of domestic abuse in the state."
Dougherty continued, “My immediate goals are to support our team and ensure WHBW has the resources to properly serve Chittenden County families. In addition, I want to ensure the organization is viable over the long-term, and that we can increasingly focus on educating the public and preventing domestic abuse before it starts.”
Formed in 1974, WHBW has evolved into the largest service provider for victims of domestic abuse in Vermont. In addition to providing emergency shelter and housing advocacy, WHBW offers 24-hour hotline services, legal advocacy, programs for children and youth, and many educational outreach programs. WHBW believes that all families have the right to live without fear of abuse – sexual, physical, emotional, or financial.