As a continued embodiment of our visions and values, we are pleased to share an exciting shift in our current leadership structure. Effective July 1, 2021, W.O.M.A.N., Inc. transitioned into a Co-Director Leadership model. Mary Martinez, our former Associate Director, is joining Jill Zawisza, former Executive Director, as Co-Directors.Hear from Jill & Mary on how we got here, and what is to come!

Learn more about the transition on our blog!

Co-director Bios:

Mary Martinez (she/her) is a queer, Mexican-American who is not fluent in Spanish :), and who comes from the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a Co-Director at WOMAN, Inc., who started at the organization as a support line volunteer back in February 2008. For the most part she’s done all things support line-related from covering shifts, to helping recruit and train new volunteers, to managing the program, to providing emotional support to the advocates. She also represents WOMAN, Inc. in the community, works one-on-one with survivors, and continues to do the deep work alongside the WOMAN, Inc. team of upholding their value of centering Black, Indigenous, and other people of color while also holding the organization and one another accountable in abolishing white supremacy and anti-Blackness. During her free time you can find Mary attempting to be best friends with all the feathery, furry, slimy, slithery friends. She also loves a good meme.

Jill Zawisza (pronounced Za-we-za) (she/her/hers) is a white woman of Polish descent and serves as a co-director at W.O.M.A.N., Inc. She has been in the anti-DV movement since 1996, and has been with W.O.M.A.N., Inc. for 13 years. In addition, Jill has served as an anti-Sexual Assault advocate and counselor. She represents W.O.M.A.N., Inc. in the community, aids in program development, provides mentorship to staff, and participates in active community outreach. Her current focus is offering counseling and advocacyto survivors, and delving into how to share power & dismantle white supremacy culture within the leadership structure at W.O.M.A.N., Inc., and beyond.

Moderator:

Shaena Lee S. (she/her/hers) is a mixed-race woman of Japanese, Korean and white descent, and has been with W.O.M.A.N., Inc. since 2014. Starting as a Support Line volunteer, she has since supported in various capacities including peer counseling, support group, education, outreach, and DVIRC coordination. Shaena also has experience as a sexual assault peer counselor and medical advocate with SF Women Against Rape. She currently lives in Washington and has her MSW with a focus on community-centered praxis. Shaena is deeply invested in movements that bring us closer to collective justice, healing & liberation.