Young Women’s Resource Center Hires New Leader

July 15, 2015 – The Young Women’s Resource Center Board has hired Kristin Griffith as the new Executive Director.  Ms. Griffith was previously the Executive Director at Harmony Hall Centre for Seniors in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  She will begin her duties as Executive Director September 14, 2015.

“The Young Women’s Resource Center and the Board of Directors are very excited to welcome Kristin to Des Moines,” said YWRC Board President, Dr. Stacey Neu.  “She is very well-educated and experienced in nonprofit organizations and management.  Kristin will bring wonderful leadership to the YWRC and will be a tremendous resource to Des Moines.”

Ms. Griffith has two decades of diverse nonprofit experience that spans countries and functions.  She has served marginalized populations in shelters and public housing in Canada and the US, and has directed strategy and programming in women’s health, community development and refugee supports in Kosovo, Albania and Sudan.  “I have a profound passion for women’s issues and embrace the opportunity to help empower girls and young women,” said Griffith.  “I also look forward to making the city of Des Moines my home.”

Her skill set includes leveraging resources and partnerships with service users, community agencies and government to improve impact, advocating to funders and government to effect funding and policy decisions, and grant writing and budget negotiations resulting in more than $20 million in nonprofit funding.  Kristin holds a Masters of Public Health from Boston University and a MBA from York University in Toronto, Canada.