Susan Lob, Founder- Sue has worked with survivors of domestic violence in shelters, non-residential programs, and child welfare agencies for 25 years. She has extensive experience training staff members of domestic violence and child welfare agencies; she has written many curricula on how to work with battered women and teen victims of relationship abuse. Based on an extensive study of the need for nonresidential services for battered women, she authored a report that served as the basis for the City’s RFP for these services. She also has expertise in organizing, training, and developing leadership with women community leaders, community and social service agency staff, and volunteers. Ms. Lob has served as the chair of the Child Welfare Committee of the NYC Interagency Task Force Against Domestic Violence and on the Boards of the NY Asian Women’s Center and the Center for Anti-violence Education.

Board of Directors

Naashia Bettis, Board of Director— (Coming Soon)

Hope Lyzette Newton, Treasurer—Hope is a community organizer, domestic violence survivor and parent advocate who brings both her personal and professional experience to her role as Program Officer for Community Partnerships with the Redlich Horwitz Foundation (RHF).   The successful reunification of her three, now adult children, advocating for their education with the New York City Department of Education, and an over a decade-long battle in Family, Criminal and Housing Court are experiences she brings to her work in philanthropy as a parent impacted by multiple systems, primarily child welfare.

Patricia Woody, Board Chair—(Coming Soon)

Staff

Raquel Bates, Executive Director—Raquel is a non-profit leader with over 15 years of experience in program development, organizational management, strategic planning, and resource development.  A key strategic and tactical contributor in efforts to impact systems, Raquel brings valuable management and development insight to VOW. Throughout her career, Raquel has raised donations to improve women’s and children’s lives and is consistently dedicated to helping them succeed. Raquel is a George Mason University graduate.

Dana Hanuszczak, Community Organizer—Dana is a survivor of domestic violence and childhood trauma. After surviving herself, she quickly realized how the systems were revictimizing survivors and their children, which led her to join the Voices of Women (VOW). Dana has worked on many projects to improve the systems, such as the NYC Police Reform and the Emergency Housing Voucher Project. Dana works on VOW’s membership development, attends coalition meetings, and works on special projects.  

Dana is the Founder and CEO of the Survivor Center and consults with CUNY ISLG, working on their criminalized survivors project. Dana is also a Chaplain and volunteers with the Women’s Reception Center Prison Ministry.

Shamara Kelly, Community Organizer—Shamara Kelly is a community organizer, an expert in domestic violence policy reform, and galvanizing survivors to bring about social change and empowerment. Shamara has focused on systemic change in child welfare, police reform, and revamping the emergency shelter system for survivors of violence. Shamara has conducted trainings with both the private and public sectors on domestic violence and effectively engaging survivors. Shamara’s most recent work includes developing community-based supports that do not involve government intervention in the New York City Metro Area.