It’s a milestone year in many ways for Safe Connections, one of the St. Louis region’s oldest and longest-running organizations committed to preventing and ending domestic and sexual violence, while advocating for survivors and their families.
Safe Connections’ annual Together! Engaging Women Empowering Girls Brunch is marking its 15th year in 2022. For the first time since the pandemic, the event will be held in-person on April 9 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.
The event raises critical funding needed to support the free services Safe Connections provides to the community, including prevention education, 24-hour crisis intervention, counseling and support groups.
In addition, Safe Connections recently announced Cynthia Danley as its new chief executive officer. Danley has been serving dual roles as interim CEO and chief development and marketing officer since May 2021. Danley replaced Susan Kidder, who retired as CEO in April 2021 after 14 years at the helm.
Danley is an award-winning leader who spent more than 20 years in corporate America before transitioning to nonprofit work. Well-respected among her peers and colleagues, she is known for building successful partnerships and alliances both locally and nationally.
Gazelle recently spoke with Danley about the upcoming brunch and her hopes for the organization’s new chapter.
GAZELLE: What can attendees look forward to at the Together! Brunch this year?
DANLEY: Guests should look forward to a phenomenal event celebrating women and girls. It will be a morning of fun and celebration, including recognizing Susan Kidder with a Lifetime Achievement award.
GAZELLE: It’s been a tough couple of years for area nonprofits. What did you find most challenging about navigating around the pandemic?
DANLEY: What was challenging for Safe Connections during the pandemic was continuing to raise much-needed funding without being able to hold our annual fundraising events. (But) we had been discussing adding textline support to our crisis helpline. Because of the pandemic, we expedited launching this additional option.
GAZELLE: What are you most looking forward to as you begin your first full year at the helm of the organization?
DANLEY: Safe Connections is resilient, and I know we can go forward and continue to provide the excellent programs and services our callers, clients and kids deserve; and then, continue to expand our footprint in the greater St. Louis region.
Tickets and sponsorships to the Together! Engaging Women Empowering Girls Brunch are still available. Visit the official event page to learn more.
Gazelle is the proud media sponsor of Safe Connections’ Together! Brunch.
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