Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) for Santa Barbara County has appointed Marilyn Simon-Gersuk as its new executive director. Simon-Gersuk is a seasoned professional with three decades of nonprofit management, fundraising, and operations experience.
“I am thrilled to take on the executive leadership position at Domestic Violence Solutions,” said Simon-Gersuk. “The board and staff have built a strong organization focused on delivering the agency’s mission. I am fully committed to building on the strong foundation they have established to meet the needs in our community.
“I look forward to actively participating in DVS’s critical and impactful work and expanding community support.”
Simon-Gersuk, a native Californian, moved to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles in 2013 to work for the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, and became an active community member. She most recently served as the associate executive director at the American Friends of the Hebrew University.
Before that, she helped to found the international myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) research organization Open Medicine Foundation focusing her efforts on building broad community support and a strong fundraising foundation.
As a volunteer, Simon-Gersuk is currently a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with CASA of Santa Barbara County, on the Mesa Shul of Santa Barbara Board, and has been a youth soccer referee.
“We are delighted to welcome Marilyn Simon-Gersuk as our new executive director,” said Michelle Piotrowski, DVS Board president. “She brings professionalism, enthusiasm, deep passion for our cause, and decades of experience in the nonprofit world to our organization. We feel very lucky to have found her and look forward to seeing DVS grow and thrive under her leadership.”
DVS is thankful for executive director emeritus Jan Campbell and the work her team has done to strengthen the agency. Under Campbell’s leadership, DVS improved and expanded community
relationships, established a job and life skills program, provided permanent and stable housing for survivors, rapidly responded to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, remodeled its emergency shelters, and
returned the agency to solid financial footing.
With Simon-Gersuk’s guidance, DVS will continue to provide safety, shelter, and support to domestic violence survivors and their families.
For more information, to make a donation or to learn about upcoming events, visit dvsolutions.org. The DVS 24-Hour Crisis and Information Line is 805-964-5245.