Shields, who lives in Pottsboro and is a 2002 graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, has been with the Crisis Center since 2012. Her duties have included overseeing the agency’s advocacy and SART/SANE programs, community education, school/community-based primary prevention, batterers/anger managements groups, as well as assisting in the agencies fiscal growth and development. She has many years of experience responding to family violence and studying ways to create change within the movement.
Shields has “the passion, enthusiasm, and vision to lead this organization to success and to new and greater heights,” said Crisis Center Board President Asa Jessee. “Over the past six months as interim executive director and the past several years in various positions at the Crisis Center, she has excelled and has often exceeded expectations. The board believes Shelli’s abilities as a leader and the relationships she has fostered with the community, the board, and the staff will be a strong factor in the future success of the Crisis Center.”
The new executive director said she is humbled by the opportunity “to lead such an amazing team that continues to support survivors in a way that is second to none.”
She added: “I believe there is no limit to the impact our agency can make in our community with the support of our board members and local collaborative partners. I gladly accept the challenge and responsibility to meet the needs of victims and survivors of family violence while providing awareness, prevention, and education through the resources at the Grayson Crisis Center.”
The Crisis Center provides a safe haven and various services for adult and child victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. To find out more about the center, its mission or to make a donation, please go to www.graysoncrisiscenter.org.
